No, it is not springtime yet, but it is a new season in many of our lives. “Bloom where you’re planted” is a phrase that is on my mind a lot lately. I have felt over and over that this year has been a real test of my endurance. It has been a season of reflection for me.

Like many of you, we had to cancel our events and fundraisers, including Louisiana Fosters , Teach MAM, and Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness. “Evenings in the Mansion”, which supports the Governor’s Mansion Preservation Foundation will not happen. We have no tours, events, or celebrations. So how on earth am I supposed to bloom?

After several months of feeling like we were walking in mud, my team and I crawled to solid ground – or maybe it was more like marsh land. It wasn’t the same ground with which we are familiar; it was much different. We started to find ways to shine our light! We discovered Zoom, and off we went. 

We hosted the Louisiana Fosters and Anti- Human Sex Trafficking Virtual  Summits. We took our virtual reach across the USA and even across the “big pond.” Our team worked to find fantastic music, art, and movement teachers to help us spread the word to continue our Teach MAM initiative, even during a pandemic. 

Folks, we started blooming! We spent less time traveling, less time coordinating, and still provided the needed networking and awareness. Personally, I spent more time reading, working on my special projects, and spent more time with family.  

Our initiatives may look different, our fundraisers may include phone calls or Zoom calls, and most opportunities have been postponed. The good news is we are still blooming, still serving. 

This year has challenged each of us in ways we never thought possible. However, if we are steadfast, we will be more assertive in our faith, closer within our families, and more creative in our ways of serving and helping those in need.  

For me, this has been a season to make changes in my life. I am learning to BE STILL by planting seeds of silence. I have learned to be productive in a more purposeful manner by planting seeds of scheduled time for myself and my projects.  Like many of you, I have had a season of change and of personal growth in 2020.  

I’ve tried to notice more deeply the things around me – the outdoors, my home, my children, my spouse, and my family within the four walls of our home. I have learned three things during 2020: be more content with being alone, to love my neighbors even though they may have a different opinion, different beliefs and to respect them as a person and lastly to praise God even in times of trial.  

The year 2020 is not canceled, vetoed, or gone yet. But 2020 is winding down. I encourage each of you to spend these last few days finding some quiet time for reflection. Find time to figure out where positive and peaceful change can happen in your life. Even though it is hard to serve others during this time due to the lack of personal contact or financial reasons, consider how you can bloom in 2021.