When Shelley Brouwer’s third child Hallie was born, she had no idea how her life and understanding of it would be turned toward heaven. Born with special needs, Hallie’s optimism and welcoming spirit impacted everyone she met. In this episode we hear about Hallie’s life and Shelley’s process of living with her and now living without her.

A raw conversation about what it means to live an unconventional life marked by special needs. How Shelley’s identity changed with Hallie and then again as Shelley came to faith. We hear about Shelley’s home staging business that started accidentally with a friend and has grown beyond expectations to now stage over 85 homes a month.

For the mom of the special needs child. For the mom who has lost a child. For the woman who is wondering if the Christian faith has anything to offer her. For the friend of anyone in these places in life. This episode will keep you thinking for weeks after as together we explore the value of one life and its impact on the world.

You can connect with Shelley on her website or Instagram.

Shelley’s home staging business, Pineapple Interiors, can be found here or on Instagram.

You can listen to our interview on iTunes here.

Things you heard mentioned on the show:

Shelley’s book: Because She Was: A Memoir

Aunt Louise’s Chocolate Cake!

1-1/2 stick butter
1-1/2 cup sugar
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate melted
1 tsp. baking soda – DISSOLVED IN 1 -1/2 CUPS BUTTERMILK
2 cups sifted cake flour
pinch of salt
3 eggs separated
1 tsp. vanilla

Cream butter and sugar for 8 minutes at medium speed.
Add egg yolks one at a time, and beat for 1 minute after each addition.
Add melted chocolate and vanilla.
Alternate adding buttermilk/soda mixture and flour.
Add salt.
Beat egg whites until they form soft peaks.
Fold egg whites into batter by hand.
Put in greased and floured 9 x 12 cake pan (or two round cake pans).
Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until testing with a toothpick in the center comes out clean.
DO NOT OVER-BAKE!

Frosting:
Melt 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate with
1/2 stick butter
Add 2 cups powdered sugar and mix
Add more powdered sugar and a touch of milk as needed to get frosting to right consistency.
Beat for 3 minutes more.

(Note: At sea level increase sugar by 3 Tablespoons, and decrease buttermilk by 1/4.)

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Check out this episode’s sponsor New Shop Design

Why choose NSD?  We…

• Cherish and care about your brand as much as you do – when you shine, we shine.

• Value and listen to our clients, respect their ideas and opinions.

• Design by package, not hourly, no hidden costs at the end.

• Are a personal design studio, pay personal attention, no operators with a script.

• Know you deserve an amazing, uniform brand that demands attention!

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