Welcome to Creating Heavenly Homes

Why "Creating Heavenly Homes" Website and Blog

Creating a heavenly home has always been a deeply personal journey for me, and it’s one that I want to share with others. My story begins in a home where love was often overshadowed by emotional and physical abuse. Growing up, I struggled to feel safe, loved, or valued. I found solace by retreating into my own space, hiding in my room away from the chaos. In my young mind, the idea was simple: if I stayed out of sight, I wouldn’t make mistakes, and if I didn’t make mistakes, I wouldn’t be yelled at or punished as often.

Though at times it gave me temporary relief and wasn't as bad for me as it was for my sister, it never felt like a safe place. I knew deep down that I wanted something better for my own future family. I wanted to break the cycle of abuse. I wanted my children to feel safe, loved, and valued in a way I never did. Do not get me wrong, there is no resentment or judgement from my childhood!! I have forgiven and am at peace with my childhood. As an adult, one time I saw a book my mom had that was supposed to help you stop yelling—wow, that would have been a nice start. This showed me deep down she wanted to change. She wanted to be different, and her buying the book shows maybe she even tried. But I wanted more for my kids. I didn’t want them to find out years later that I wished or had even tried to not be angry, but I wanted to be a different mom. My patriarchal blessing actually talked about me being an AMAZING MOM! I was so excited. Then reality hit. Four kids later, I found myself struggling with anger like her. I wasn't abusive but it was bad. If my kids made any mistakes, I would freak out and yell. One day, my little girl spilled milk on the counter. Her eyes filled with horror as she looked up at me, and in that moment, I knew exactly what that look meant. I knew what it felt like to be afraid of mom. I knew if I didn’t stop this, it could get worse. I even remember, to my horror, squeezing my son’s shoulders too tightly when I was angry. at him. He doesn't remember it but I sure do.  Memories of my mom doing the same, and much worse, flooded my mind when I did. I knew the path I was heading down and where it ended up.  Nothing brought me to my knees more than this struggle. It was a wake-up call. I knew I needed Jesus more than I had ever needed Him before. As He always does, He showed up. It didn’t happen overnight, but with His help, He transformed me. He helped me have compassion for my mom, who struggled with the same things and much worse for years. He helped me understand that my weaknesses weren’t a permanent roadblock—they were opportunities to grow. And He helped me get better, step by step. It was through this healing process that I was inspired to create a blog to document my journey. A place to share the struggles and the breakthroughs, where other moms could find hope and healing, too. That little blog helped Moms from all around the world change and become the Mothers they always dreamed of. 

But not hurting my kids, or yelling or fuming with anger was just the start. I wanted more.  As a teenager, I dreamed of creating a home that was a sanctuary—a place where peace, love, and joy could thrive, free from the shadows of negativity and hurt. So after I got better I started on a deeper journey.  I heard prophets and apostles talk about making our homes like heaven. This penetrated my heart like nothing else ever has, this is what I wanted as a mother.  Now that it wasn't a scary place I wanted it a place of love, kindness and joy. 

Elder Call said in a conference talk, “Our homes should be a refuge and sanctuary.” This resonates deeply with me because creating a home that is a safe and peaceful space for our families is not just a nice idea—it’s a sacred responsibility.

Sister Virginia U. Jensen beautifully expressed the immense power of a righteous woman when she said, "A righteous woman's strength and influence are great. Her opportunities to create safe havens for struggling souls are abundant.” I believe that as mothers, wives, and women, we hold the incredible opportunity and responsibility to create a haven of peace and love for our families—a place where hearts can heal, and souls can find refuge.

I had been friends with one of Sister Dalton's son's in Jr High and High School. I had been in her home and knew that was what I wanted. But I had not been there enough to know how she did it. So I  found women like I could learn from like Sally Clarkson who taught how we could discipline our children like Christ did His apostles.  She taught me what a Life Giving Home was like.  I read books like Christlike Parenting that helped me know how to communicate with love and patience.  I learned the art of homemaking, and how to put Christ as the center of our home. I studied the importance of belonging and significance, we each family needs their own logo, motto and mission statement. I learned why traditions and culture matter for generations. (more on this to come later). It was beautiful and I was living the fruits. But deep down I still had this fear that it wasn't enough. 

I used to think that for our home to feel heavenly, it had to be perfect. There could never be any conflict, and I had to be the perfect mom. But when my kids each said, “Doesn’t our house feel like heaven?” I realized something powerful. I was not a perfect mom, and I still am not. But in that moment, I learned that desiring our home to feel like Heaven doesn’t mean everything must be perfect. It means inviting the Savior into our home. He is the only One who can make our home feel truly heavenly. He fills in the gaps, and that is where true peace comes from. I no longer feel the pressure to be perfect or feel like I’m going about this journey on my own.

The turning point came when three of my children, at different times, said something that will forever stay with me: "Mom, our home feels like heaven." Those words were a validation of everything I had worked toward. They reminded me that the home I had created—though far from perfect—was a place of comfort, safety, and love for my kids. And I knew that if I could do this, others could too.

That’s why I created the Creating Heavenly Homes. It’s not just a place to share ideas about creating a physically beautiful home—it’s about creating a home where hearts are healed, relationships are nurtured, and families grow closer to each other and to Christ. My greatest desire is to help other families do the same, to equip them with the tools and resources to build homes that feel like sanctuaries, no matter the challenges they face. Without the women who were willing to write and share what they were doing my home and family would not be what it is today.  The Lord also joined me in my journey and personally guided me and taught me. 

Through this blog, I want to empower moms with resources that help them heal from their own struggles and guide them toward becoming the moms God knows they can become.  I’ve been blessed in my own life by the influence of incredible women—many of them mentors from afar, whose wisdom and strength shaped my vision of who I wanted to become as a wife, mom, and individual. Anything is possible with the help of our Savior, Jesus Christ—He has been my guide, my healer, and my strength through it all.

I’m also reminded of the words of President Monson, who once said:

“When we have sampled much and have wandered far and have seen how fleeting and sometimes superficial a lot of the world is, our gratitude grows for the privilege of being part of something we can count on—home and family and the loyalty of loved ones. We come to know what it means to be bound together by duty, by respect, by belonging. We learn that nothing can fully take the place of the blessed relationship of family life.”

These words are a beautiful reminder of the sacred nature of family life. No matter what we face in life, there is something incredibly grounding and powerful about having a home and family we can count on. A place of belonging, duty, and respect. And this is exactly the kind of home I want to help create for others—a home that feels like heaven on earth, a true refuge for those who live within it.

President Nelson also called us to “Make Your Homes True Sanctuaries of Faith.” This is a call to action for all of us—to intentionally create a home where faith can flourish, where love can abound, and where our family members will feel the spirit of Christ daily. As President Monson said, “May our families and homes be filled with love: love of each other, love of the gospel, love of our fellowman, and love of our Savior. As a result, heaven will be a little closer here on earth.”

No matter your past or your current struggles, I want you to know that you can create a heavenly home too. You can build a space filled with love, peace, and understanding. Whether it’s through small acts of kindness, intentional conversations, or simply making time for the things that matter most, every step you take toward healing and creating a peaceful, Christ-centered home is worth it.

I believe that with faith, intention, and a little help along the way, every family has the potential to create a home that feels like heaven on earth. And that’s why I’m here—to support and encourage you as you take those steps. Together, we can build homes where love, peace, and joy reign, and where our families can truly thrive.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. Let’s create heavenly homes, one step at a time.

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