At college, I saw my now-husband for the first time and thought, I could marry that man (really, though, we were just kids). We were married less than a year later. He’s my best friend, a kind and intentional father to our three young children, and the one who first encouraged me to begin this magazine all those years ago.

As a mother, I desire to give my children time and space to become in a world that can feel fast and busy. Our days are spent reading storybooks, packing picnics to walk anywhere and everywhere, and laying out a quilt in our backyard where the air is fresh, the squirrels are chattering, and time feels slow.

I’m an early riser (always—no alarm clock needed). In the quiet of the morning, I like to read and meditate on a chapter from the Psalms before starting to prepare breakfast. I also enjoy long runs, washing dishes, and learning to sew simple dresses for my girls. Though my hobbies are vastly different, each feels like a small accomplishment and a good time to think or pray. I love road-tripping with my family to the mountains, and I love just as much the feeling of arriving home together. It’s been a joy to design this first volume of Becoming Journal. When I think about the process from start to finish, my mind recalls Ephesians 3:20, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” And my response to all that the Lord has done is found in the very next verse: “…to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever!” (NIV).

I went to Dordt College (now University), studied abroad, and attended the University of Iowa to earn my degree as a Physical Therapist. Then, in July of 2023, I married the love of my life, Elijah Dahl. In May of 2024, we had a beautiful baby girl, Vera Annalise, and we look forward to welcoming another little one in November. We live in a fixer-upper, eat the occasional Jack’s pizza, and host people as often as we can. 

Tessa invited me into her very special project back in November of 2024. In motherhood, though I worked part-time, most of my day was spent with Vera, and I had begun the challenge of removing myself more from the digital world in an effort to be more present. At first, the stillness and quiet of the day bothered me. However, with time, I began to appreciate the slowness of a baby’s life.  
Still, during her frequent naps, I wanted to fill my time with good and wise activities, rather than my habilitual scrolling. I needed a challenge. I wanted something to learn. Have you ever been caught in a thought slump, where you feel your mind is not being stressed and stretched to grow? Tessa provided me with this beautiful and creative outlet, and I have loved this opportunity of growth. I hope that experiencing Becoming Journal is as much of a treat as it was to bring this volume to your home. Thank you for inviting us in.

Hi, I’m Courtney Sandbulte, joyfully a Jill of all trades and a master of none. I live outside of Boyden, Iowa with my husband and love, Seth and our four little children. We live on a small farm where we keep a beef herd, a pair of milk cows, horses and a pony, chickens, ducks, and turkeys. A quick lesson on phonics or counting or animal husbandry or social graces, while caring for our animals and fumbling through kitchen creativities, is where I find myself most days. It’s, at the surface, a very simple life, committed to much outside our own, but it’s one my husband and I have dutifully and earnestly sought to co-author.  

I know few greater joys than the sight of my husband’s truck coming down the lane at sunset, a morning gathering of garden goods, a mean drink under the sun, a full milk bucket, and a table filled with my babies’ dirty-covered fingers. I fear a tight schedule and fast pace. I know not how to readily accept a norm. But I’ll pour you a cup of something, show your kids the chicks, and entertain any pondering you have. 

As gals come to the Journal, I hope they find rest just where they are, freedom and a place to practice enjoying the abundance given to us in all seasons, in all times. Motherhood shook, broke, and redeemed every piece of me. I continue to be trained to see His faithfulness by His faithfulness. And I pray that all girls, women, mothers, and grandmothers that find themselves here can allow themselves to be softened and steadied amongst a community of those who see.