Because We Love to Bring you into Our Story.

We always love bringing you into our world. Not only because we genuinely love and believe in what we do, but because this is also your story to tell.

Most of the time, our updates are community or kid related. But today I thought it was important to bring you in on a quiet dream that became a reality this past week for our staff.

For years, we have said, if you honor, celebrate and support your staff well, they will run with you for the long haul. Our heart at MARKED is not for our staff to always give out with nothing in return but for them to feel like in all that they are giving, they are also receiving.

Sometimes that looks like a bottle of coke on a long day, other times it looks like a day trip. But our firm belief is that a culture of generosity will always pay for itself.

And this past week, our staff experienced that in a way they never thought possible.

A few weeks back I received a message from a friend who has partnered with us for years that he and his wife would like to send our staff on a week long vacation to the beach.

Little did they know that this was something that was always discussed as a “we would love to someday make this happen.” But that someday became their reality a lot quicker than any of us would have thought.

Timing could not have been more perfect as the week they had booked for our team was the week before all our programs were going back into full swing.

So for one week, they experienced so many firsts in their lives. Going on a road trip, eating at a restaurant, going to the beach and staying at a resort. It was a time for these parents who are constantly giving out to eat, sleep, relax, and play. It was a time for them to dream together, inspire one and other, and hope for the future.

It was a time of rejuvenation and gaining wind back in their sails. It was a week of joy filled laughter.

I am so thankful for people, like our friends, who see past the everyday and go above and beyond to make dreams a reality. Who are ridiculously generous with what they have been given, so that others lives are forever changed.

This trip MARKED my staff. This trip confirmed that they, just like the kids and the communities, are important to the Father. Which has left my heart singing and my eyes filled with tears.