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In one’s journey, there are many phases, experiences, connections, voyages, events, happenings, longings, dreams, revelations, unexpected turns, and everyday life. My journey has been filled to the brim with these and more. My Dream - to receive certification as a culinary nutrition expert and continue serving and encouraging others in their journey to wellness. I have lived a blessed life. Among the most incredible blessings have been: A tremendously large and deeply loving extended family. Marrying a husband who could not love me more, standing by me for 47 years. Children Who Love Home and exhibit “Home is Where Mom and Dad Are.” A home and church life that taught values, standards, and the meaning of love, friendship, and loyalty to God, Family, Country, State, and self. Wonderful lifelong friends spanning the globe. A vocation steeped in a life of serving others. Passions that have been allowed to flourish. The opportunity to see firsthand where God’s miraculous theater of the New Testament unfolded and followed the footsteps of the Apostle Paul. Seeing our children follow their Christian upbringing into adulthood. Finding Dr. Christine O’Brien, who guided me toward wellness. (Functional Medicine Doctor and more) The opportunity to navigate the Academy of Culinary Nutrition Expert Certification Program. These and many, many more are only but a speck in the journey of my lifetime. My unexpected turn - the diagnosis of Celiac Disease. While this was not a devastating diagnosis, it was undoubtedly one, at first, that seemed unnavigable. But my upbringing of standards, values, loyalty, and a “Can Do” attitude, and the fact that the 15-year journey to health finally birthed an answer, I was highly motivated to abide by the plan that eventually would heal my body. 5 years later, unexpectedly, an additional 25 food items were restricted. Still committed and with excellent guidance from Doctor O’Brien, the journey continued. Home | Complete Health & Wellness | Lewisville, TX (dfwwellnesscenter.com) Making any significant dietary change is hard. One must look at the big picture. Our initial thoughts: “How can I cook for myself and the rest of the family?” What about attending multiple meetings and traveling frequently? One can only suffer being told, “You can eat salad,” so many times. We must remember that it is our journey. If we want the journey to be smooth, we must plan ahead, pack the right items, including emergency items, and alert our hosts of any needs. In doing so, above all we must be patient; it takes time for others to understand and remember our parameters. Although Gluten-Free was easy for me, I realized that everyone did not know what that meant. Most family and co-workers were sensitive to plan for me initially. But as time went on, sometimes it was easier to ensure there was salad. Restaurants were so afraid; they would only cook my food with salt and pepper. The things that helped me enjoy this journey were: 1. Researching to fully understand for myself what I could and couldn’t eat. 2. Carrying Garlic Salt, Cholula, and Ghee in my purse for serendipitous eating out. 3. Parties – I took gluten-free crackers for dips/cheese trays or a dish/dessert or planned to eat before or after the party. 4. Restaurants- look at the menu online, call ahead or arrive early, and speak to the chef. These steps helped reduce my stress and others who did care, but didn’t know how to accommodate me. This journey could be rough, and we could cave into excuses, but if given the chance, take time to understand, be prepared, and above all - Enjoy All the Blessings, including the wonderful world of beautiful foods that await us.