My Sanctuary Story

When I was just a little girl, my mom would get on to me in a very Southern way for "makin' a mess out of our house." I would light every candle we owned and melt them down to pour new ones. Making beautiful layers from all the different colors, mixing different scents until I found the perfect one. "This scent reminds me of grandma's house. Ohh this one reminds me of the honeysuckle vines in the backyard!" I loved the feeling of creating something new. I would combine shower gels for the perfect scent and shampoos until I created a suitable consistency. When I started experimenting with makeup, I mixed and matched foundations and concealers until I found the ideal shade. I loved taking basic things and making them better. I was a customization connoisseur. 

As I entered my teenage and adolescent years, I dove into the world of ingredients. As I watched every "commercial farming" documentary and read every food blog, my mind's eye was open to a world I had never known. I learned about food quality, the toxins in our cosmetics, the cancer-causing effects of some of the most widely used products on the market. I was rightfully appalled. And I just couldn't stop learning. I developed a reputation in college for being the "crunchiest in class." I proudly wore my new title like a crown. 

As adulthood rolled around I was more engrossed than ever in feeding myself healthy, high quality, organic food. Using only the cleanest and purest of cosmetics. Making sure I was lessening my carbon footprint. Chemical-laden cleaning supplies? No thank you! My vision of an ideal world would contain no harsh chemicals, no synthetic ingredients, and nothing detrimental to our health. In harmony with the teachings I received growing up in church, I regarded the human body as a sacred temple--a dwelling place for our Creator. If Christ was living in my heart, I felt a profound responsibility care for His residence--to make a suitable sanctuary for the most high God. 

Years later, my husband and I became parents! And all of these bits and pieces I'd learned and researched over the years came to a head as I now had to make deeply important decisions for my firstborn--our son. Unable to breastfeed--the greatest travesty of all my life, having looked forward to it my whole pregnancy--I spent nights on end researching the best, purest, most nourishing, least toxic infant formulas. I reached out to my breastfeeding mother friends and solicited breastmilk from them shamelessly. I knew my overpriced, always out of stock, highly coveted organic European formulas were no match to God's original food for my baby. As he grew, I grew his food in a backyard garden, crafted purees, and hand selected all organic ingredients from our local health foods stores. And God forbid a bite of sugar should ever touch his perfectly untainted lips. My husband would often roll his eyes at my pursuit for purity, but ultimately he complied--mostly. But what family doesn't have a mom regulating junk food consumption while the dad slips a cookie under the table? After all,  "balance is everything," or so they say. Either way, I had arrived gloriously into motherhood, reigning supreme as the crunchiest mom in all the land.

And then our daughter was born. Naturally, unmedicated, in the comfort of our home, my midwives facilitated her arrival. With a face of porcelain and hair like velvet, she was sheer perfection. The immaculate picture of peace. She met every milestone, captivated every heart, exclusively breastfed like the tiny champion she was. But then in a sudden turn of events, in her third month of life, she began developing small rashy areas on her face, which were easily identified as eczema. Ok, no problem, this is very common in infants. And then it began spreading to her neck, chest, arms and legs, and her scalp was possibly the worst of all. It would ooze and bleed and her hair would get so matted that we ultimately had to shave her beautiful thick, black hair. 

We tried everything natural under the sun before seeking professional help--abolishing environmental toxins, going scent-free, ruling out pet allergies, until ultimately I started a restrictive elimination diet to minimize flare-ups which I had observed were caused by my breastmilk. Desperate to soothe her inflamed skin, I spent hours every day on her skin care. Daily oatmeal baths, dilute apple cider vinegar soaks, lymphatic massage, facials with nourishing oils, chiropractic care and craniosacral therapy. All of these things did seem to mitigate my daughter's symptoms, but I knew that they weren't the cure. Overwhelmed, exhausted, and hungry, I reminisced about the porcelain-faced baby that I once held in my arms. By the time our long-awaited first appointment with a Functional Medicine provider rolled around, I was spent. I cried out to God, receiving comfort and hope when my heart was sad, my optimism was diminishing, and I was starting to feel physically and mentally run down. But I knew I had to be patient as he used this trial to increase my resilience, to strengthen my faith, and to give me a testimony worth sharing. 

As the naturopathic provider held my underweight, red and itchy, restless 6 month old daughter who had spent the majority of her life fighting--she looked into my eyes and acknowledged my exhaustive efforts. How was it that this stranger was able to see our suffering so readily? She tested every allergy, confirming many of my suspicions--wheat, corn, dairy, legumes, nuts, nightshades, and SO many more--and offered the counsel I had sought so steadfastly. My uncertainty became validation, but I was ready for the next steps. We left the appointment with 3 prescription medications, 6 supplements, a hefty bill not covered by insurance, and a plan for moving forward. But one of the most encouraging statements of all--"Mama, you have done all the right things," was enough motivation to keep me moving forward on this seemingly endless road.

Of all the mom-led interventions, one proved to be the most visibly and quickly effective--my homemade skincare remedies. Using organic and wild-crafted butters, oils, and herbs, I embarked on a journey that transformed my kitchen into a bustling apothecary. Each night, after my children were tucked in, I delved into research, seeking the most effective natural substances for soothing eczema-prone skin. My artistry turned to chemistry as I mixed and tested formulas, striving toward the ideal blend. 

Week by week, I honed my craft, fine-tuning my concoctions to meet my own rigorous standards: smooth application, staying power, ability to reduce redness and swelling, and most importantly reducing my daughter's urge to scratch. If a formula fell short in any aspect, I returned to my research, adjusting the blend until it was just right. My dedication was unwavering, and soon my kitchen brimmed with amber jars and little tins--a testament to my headstrong pursuit of a solution. After investing countless hours and resources, I finally arrived at a formulation that felt (and smelled) like liquid gold in my hands. "Rash Rescue" was born, an eczema relief ointment that became indispensable--tucked into bags, pockets, and every room of the house--ready to quell my daughter's restlessness and discomfort. Knowing that I had struck gold, I shared with everyone I knew. Friends who used it for their own disparities--eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, or severe dry skin to name a few--reported remarkable results. This feedback ignited something deep within me, fulfilling my inner child's need to create. 

As I pondered over how to use this creation for the good of many, my mind was fixated on the "Proverbs 31 woman." The Bible describes this woman as a wise and resourceful business woman who has strong arms and a noble character. Proverbs 31:16-18 says: 

"She considers a field and buys it; out of her earrings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong of her asks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night." 

And the vision began to unfold. With our mounting medical expenses, I pondered turning this healing ointment into a business venture. After much reflection and prayer, I took the leap and Sanctuary Organics was born--a small business with a huge heart dedicated to sharing my handcrafted formulas with all who seek relief. And like the Proverbs 31 woman, that's exactly what I strive to provide--top quality products made with vigor, honor, and integrity--one tin at a time. 

If you made it this far--I hope that my story has made you feel heard, acknowledged your efforts, validated your concerns, or inspired you to keep going when you're tired. I pray you feel as though you know a little more about me, and that you can feel the heart and passion behind my endeavor to share this healing with others. Sanctuary Organics is rooted in nature and inspired by unwavering faith in a God who loves relentlessly, provides endlessly, and brings healing in a way no one else can. Our products are designed to nourish, soothe, and restore, using gifts that God has already provided in nature. 

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." 

James 1:17