On Saturday, Jan. 24th from 9 am – 12 pm, I’d love to invite you to be part of an experience that has the power to shift how we understand poverty and how we show up for one another as a community.
More than 40% of U.S. households struggle to afford basic necessities. Behind that number are real people and real families making incredibly difficult decisions every single day.
The Cost of Poverty Experience (COPE) is a 2.5-hour interactive simulation that allows participants to step into the lived realities of families navigating poverty. What makes this experience so meaningful is that it was created with individuals who have personally experienced poverty — ensuring their voices, wisdom, and leadership are central to the conversation.
COPE helps teams and individuals:
• Deepen their understanding of the human impact of poverty
• Learn how to better engage and partner with those navigating it
• Work more effectively together to create opportunities where everyone can thrive
I’m truly honored that my office at Thrivent is sponsoring this event, and I’m grateful for the chance to learn alongside others who care deeply about people, dignity, and lasting impact. I believe real change starts when we lead with empathy, humility, and a willingness to learn.
🗓️ Saturday, Jan. 24
⏰ 9 am – 12 pm
🌯 Chipotle lunch will be provided afterward
👉 Register as a participant:
https://events.humanitix.com/careportal-cope-general-admission
👉 Interested in serving as a volunteer/resource leader?
https://events.humanitix.com/careportal-cope-resource-leaders
If this speaks to your heart — personally or professionally — I hope you’ll consider joining us. I’m looking forward to learning together and growing as a community.
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
Retirement can feel like a seismic shift for business owners—especially when your identity has been closely tied to your work. You've poured years of time and energy into building a business, and you may not be sure what comes next.
If you're feeling overwhelmed, here's one way to prepare: Spend time reflecting on your retirement goals across three key areas—lifestyle, opportunity and legacy. This simple exercise can help provide clarity and confidence as you plan your next chapter.
Are you thinking about retirement? Let's connect to create a personalized financial plan that aligns with your goals, values and aspirations.
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Happy Birthday, Isaac!
So grateful for the joy, heart, and light you bring to our family. Watching you grow is such a wonderful gift. Praying this year is filled with purpose, laughter, and God's blessings. We love you so much!
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Still smiling from all the Christmas moments ✨
So grateful for time with family, lots of laughter, full hearts, and the very fun toys the grandsons opened (pretty sure the adults enjoyed them just as much 😉).
Hope your week is off to a joyful start and that the spirit of the season stays with you a little longer ❤️
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Is your business prepared for the unexpected? With the right strategies in place, we can help you navigate challenges, grow your business and secure your legacy for years to come.
Every Christmas Eve, I find myself thinking about "A Charlie Brown Christmas."
In all the noise and sparkle, Linus steps into the spotlight and reminds us — so simply and so boldly — what this season is really about. No fanfare. No pressure. I just love the reminder.
Tonight, as we pause and gather, my hope is that your heart finds rest in that truth. That Christmas isn’t about getting everything done — it’s about remembering why we celebrate at all.
Wishing you a peaceful, holy, and joy-filled Christmas Eve.
May you feel the hope, love, and light of Christ near tonight.🎄
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It's Christmas week! Christmas season moments like these fill my heart in the best way. 🎄
Spending time with family always grounds me and even though our grandson's Christmas program got cancelled due to weather (ugh!) getting to be with those little guys and our kids was one of those “pause and soak it in” moments. And then there’s the gift of friendship. Sharing a meal, laughter, and meaningful conversation with friends around the table is one of my favorite ways to celebrate the season.
These moments — unhurried, intentional, and full of connection — are such a blessing.
Grateful for family, friends, and the simple, sacred moments that make this season so meaningful. ❤️
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It’s the last Saturday before Christmas — full of lists, lines, and always...just one more stop to make.
In the middle of all the hustle, may we remember that the most meaningful gifts can’t be wrapped. A moment of presence. A patient conversation. A hug that lingers a little longer. The people we’re celebrating don’t need perfection — they need us.
Wishing you a gentle Saturday and a heart ready for Christmas. 🤍
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
6 year-end financial tasksThe hustle and bustle of the holiday season can distract us from other action items on our checklist. End the year on a strong note by refocusing on your finances. Take a look at these tasks to complete before Dec. 31.
The benefits of life insurance: What you need to knowThere are 7 key benefits of including life insurance in your overall financial strategy. Want to discuss further? Let's set up time to talk more about your life insurance options.
Sharing a Little Christmas Cookie Sweetness ✨
My mom’s sugar cookies were simple, sweet, and baked with so much love. This year, I wanted to share her recipe in hopes it brings a little extra joy to your kitchen too. Add some frosting and sprinkles, and you'll have just the best cookie bite.
Mom’s Sugar Cookies
• 1 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• ½ tsp almond extract
• 2 ½ cups flour
• 1 tsp cream of tartar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
Roll out to 1/4 in. thick, cut into 3-inch circles, and bake at 375° for 7–8 minutes. Let rest on baking sheet for a couple mins before moving to a cooling rack.
May your week be filled with faith, family, and the sweet traditions that make this season so special.
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
I’ve been reflecting on my mom and the beautiful impact she had on our lives, and I wanted to share a few memories that capture who she was — a woman of deep faith, quiet strength, and a joyful, quirky spirit that made our world brighter.
One of the things I admired most was her unwavering faith and her love for her family. She made lifelong friends everywhere she went. And oh, how she loved the 4th of July — dressed head-to-toe in red, white, and blue, claiming the same parade spot every year, rain or shine. Her joy was contagious. She adored her grandchildren. She was our biggest cheerleader, our prayer warrior, and our champion. And while my heart aches, I’m deeply grateful for the gift of being her daughter.
Thank you to our family, friends, church community, my team, and especially my husband and kids for your love and support during these weeks.
Mom, I love you with my whole heart.
And I know you’re finally home.
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
7 ways to help reduce your taxable incomeSeeing your hard-earned money go towards taxes can be frustrating. However, there are ways you can help reduce your tax burdens and become more tax efficient. ⬇️
Last week held a mix of emotions for our family. My sweet mom passed away the day before Thanksgiving, and walking into the holiday without her felt tender. But what a gift it was to gather — sharing stories, laughing together, and remembering and celebrating her.
I’m so grateful for my family… for the way we show up for each other, for the laughter that heals, and for the memories we have. Even in the hardest moments, God is so faithful. He shows up in the people He’s placed around us and in the joy that somehow finds its way in.
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
Giving Tuesday is a beautiful reminder of how powerful generosity can be.
As someone who believes deeply in faith, family, and serving others, I’m always moved by the way our communities show up with open hands and open hearts. Whether it’s giving your time, your resources, or simply offering encouragement to someone who needs it, every act of generosity creates a ripple of impact.
I'd love to invite you to consider the people and missions that matter most to you today. Maybe it’s a local nonprofit that’s close to your family’s story, a church ministry that’s walked with you in a tough season, or an organization making a difference right in your neighborhood.
No gift is too small. What matters is the heart behind it.
Let’s be a community known for compassion, integrity, and lifting others up. Wishing you a blessed and generous Giving Tuesday!
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
Today I'm thinking about the dreamers, the doers, and the families behind every small business in our communities.
Owning and growing a business takes courage, grit, and a whole lot of heart. I'm grateful every day to walk alongside many of you.
When we support small businesses, we're supporting someone's calling, someone's family, and the work God has placed in their hands.
Let's show a little extra love to the shops, services, makers, and local leaders who help our communities thrive. Cheering you on!
#ThanksgivingWeek #SmallBusinessSaturday
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As we enter Thanksgiving week, I'm reminded that gratitude is often found in the quiet places where God meets us with strength, comfort, and just enough grace for the day.
Praying this week brings you moments of peace, gratitude, yummy food around a table with those you love, and the gentle reminder that joy can be had because God is near. — Julie
#WeekendReflections #ThanksgivingWeek #ChooseJoy
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The 3 advantages of life insurance for childrenDid you know that purchasing life insurance for children while they are young is more beneficial than waiting until they are older? Here are 3 reasons to insure them now. ⬇️
Every year for so many years, the weekend before Thanksgiving meant one thing: a little getaway to Chicago with my sister Katherine and a dear friend. It became one of my favorite traditions — something we all looked forward to the moment the air turned crisp.
We’d bundle up and head into the city just in time for the Macy’s tree lighting and the Miracle Mile glowing in all its Christmas sparkle. And without fail, we’d stop at Macy’s for lunch. Katherine always ordered their famous chicken pot pie… every single time. Some traditions are too good to change.
Those trips were never really about the sights, though. They were about slowing down, laughing together, and making memories. Life moves fast, and moments like those are the ones that stay with you.
As we step into this season of gratitude, I’m reminded how important it is to create space for connection, for joy, and for the simple traditions that anchor our hearts.
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