May Your Rewards Be Greater Than Your Challenges (week 1)

This blog was created for many reasons. First and foremost, it's a space for transparency—a place where we can openly share our journey, discuss the hardships we face, offer guidance, and create real, meaningful conversations. We want you to be part of this movement from the very beginning, as we work to bring Breaking Barrs to life.

This month—May—has tested us more than any other. From the very first day, it felt like we were under spiritual attack. But no matter what challenges we face, we know that God is with us, and He’s working on our behalf.

Let me share just a bit of what’s been happening behind the scenes.

On May 1st, Mimi underwent spinal cord surgery in her neck. We spent over four hours in the waiting room at UF Health, praying for her surgeons, her care team, and for God’s hand to be over every moment of her procedure. Two long hours after the surgery was complete, the doctor finally told us that everything had gone as planned. When we were allowed to see her, she was in more pain than she had ever felt and already questioning the decision. We quickly learned just how intense the healing process would be, how complicated the aftercare, and how many days she would remain hospitalized.

Meanwhile, my 90-year-old grandmother was in a rehab center in Lake City. It was becoming clear her time with us was coming to an end. Both of these women—Mimi and my grandmother—mean the world to me and to our entire team.

On May 6th, my daughter celebrated her 5th birthday. That same day, we brought my grandmother home with Hospice care. She knew she was home. And my daughter was able to share one final birthday with her great-grandmother. For that, I am forever grateful.

We had four generations of women under one roof—the home my great-grandfather built—coming together to care for the matriarch of our family, around the clock. The very next day, Mimi was released from the hospital and came home to continue her recovery.

And that... was just the first week of May.