Why Homemade Bread?

Let's be clear -- this is not a website about making actual bread at home (unless, of course, that happens to be your thing). Inspired by the New Testament parable of the loaves and fishes, this site/community is all about embracing the messy and imperfect as we create offerings for the Savior to work His miracles.

I teach best in analogies, and this is the best one I could think of to describe the experience of creating something to offer the Savior. My top reasons why:

1. It's MESSY.

There's no way around it -- this is not a clean process. Even with a stand mixer, you'll get flour on the counter and dough on your hands. The good news: perfection is not required. "Trying is enough." -Brooke Romney

So? We embrace the imperfection. Throw on an apron, roll up your sleeves, and embrace the magic in the mess. We can make this actually fun.

2. There are many different types.

Isn't it incredible that, with pretty much the same set of simple ingredients, you can make countless types of bread? One might even say there's a plethora (name that movie) of bread types!

The minor adjustments that make each type different are like our own unique blend of experiences and circumstances that make our offerings... ours. How beautiful is that?

The thing each loaf has in common is the simple set of core ingredients (flour, water, salt, usually some kind of leaven) that classify something as bread. We build on those and use our gifts, talents, and experiences to create our own unique "loaves" to offer the Savior for His miracles.

3. It's (usually) not the M.C.O.*

*Most Convenient Option

We live in a world of quick and easy. This is neither of those. It takes intention, clarity, creativity, and dedication.

And the result is so rewarding.

Which brings us to...

4. You just.can't.beat it.

Think of the smells that flow through every room of the house when a fresh loaf of bread or batch of cinnamon rolls is in the oven. Is there anything that can compare? 

Think about taking that first warm, soft bite. Then sharing it with your loved ones.

Making your own "homemade bread" loaves has the potential to create the same effect (not automatically, but with intention).

• Your influence expands through each room of the house, because with each stretch outside of your comfort zone you are expanding your capacity.
• Your arms and heart are open to the kid (young or young-at-heart) who needs a hug because you've slowed down enough to notice and to be there.
• In slowing down and choosing to be present you catch the tiniest moments that only show themselves to those who are there to notice.

And you do it while growing your own skillset AND making meaningful connections that feed your soul.

You just can't beat it.

5. You don't have to invent your own recipes.  

One great perk of this digital age is the existence of THOUSANDS of people who share how they got where they are, what they wish they had known when they started, and what to avoid to save yourself time, money, and energy. My hope with this project is to connect you with those (vetted and curated) resources, so you can put your time and energy into proven ideas and strategies.

6 (best for last). There are miracles available through the Bread of Life, Jesus Christ.  

I have seen many inexplainable miracles in my work-at-home life -- some business-rated, some motherhood-related, and others soul-related where an opportunity has come at exactly the right time and was the exact piece I needed. This has happened countless times, in such beautiful ways. The miracles have varied, but the common thread is that they have come when I've chosen to trust and rely on my Savior. Without fail, He has been right there by my side -- showing me opportunities, encouraging me to leap, comforting me when things haven't gone as hoped/planned, and constantly inviting me to something bigger. 

This has been the most beautiful part about all of this, and why I feel so strongly about sharing it with you. It's like paid personal development and relationship building with Him. ✨❤️

Hi! I'm Shalon* Ironroad.

*Pronunciation: like "salon" with a "Sh"

My "homemade bread" journey began when I was 7 years old. My mom was diagnosed with Leukemia right after Halloween, entered the hospital around Thanksgiving, and passed away right after Christmas. It was an unexpected whirlwind that rocked my family, in some ways we'll never recover from in this life. Even though it happened when I was just a little girl, it has deeply impacted my  philosophy and approach to womanhood, motherhood, and discipleship today.

Losing my mom taught me many things -- one of which being that none of us know how much time we have here on this rollercoaster of life. Her passing is a daily reminder to me that our time here -- messy and unpredictable and imperfect as it is -- is a gift. And to spend it with the people we love most is something to treasure.

AND. There's more available.

If we're willing, we can use the time we have here in a way that Jesus can work with in miraculous ways. Mom only lived 33 years, but the way she lived her life  -- the "loaves" she made and gave to Christ -- still feed people to this day, decades later. 

That's where this project comes in. I'm taking what I've learned from her, combined with my own life experiences over the last 40+ years, to create a community where we support one another in our efforts to make our own "homemade bread" for Jesus Christ to work His miracles with.

I can't wait to learn more about you. Welcome to the Homemade Bread Society!