Jennifer Edwards busily finished cleaning the breakfast dishes and packing lunches for the school day. Her “to do” list ran through her head as she evaluated the order of importance for each undone task. In her mind she was sure to put her family and household first, her responsibilities to her volunteer work second, and working on her home-based business, Arbonne, last.

A Life-Threatening Event

Jennifer did not grow up in a Christian home. She came to know the Lord as a result of the birth of her daughter, Grace. Jennifer had a life-threatening condition during her pregnancy. She and her daughter almost died and she called out to God for help. Jennifer believes God brought both her and Grace through that difficult time. After Grace was born and Jennifer recovered, she remembered how she had called out to God that night for help, and how God answered her cry. Jennifer became a Christian. Six months later, after noticing the difference in Jennifer’s life, her husband Mike became a Christian also.

When Jennifer’s children entered school, she and her husband decided to put them in public school. They were concerned, however, that their children might be taught something inappropriate. Instead of hoping for the best, the Edwards became proactive. Mike ran for school board and won and Jennifer became president of the parent-teacher club. They met with the teachers and prayed for them.

After her children had been in school for a few years, Jennifer was ready to get back into the business world. Although she wanted to contribute financially to her family, Jennifer wanted to make sure to keep her household a priority. After attending a presentation for Arbonne, a skin care product company, Jennifer decided to become a representative.

A Life-Changing Business

Arbonne is a health aid and wellness company. The vision of the company is to provide skin care products of unparalleled quality and effectiveness based on natural, botanical principles.

Jennifer was not totally sold on the idea of working for Arbonne. Once she decides to do something, she jumps in and gives it her all. She did not want this new venture to separate her from her first responsibility—home and family. One Sunday during the Communion service, Jennifer’s thoughts led her to the realization that she had no non-Christian friends. She felt as if God were saying he would increase her sphere of influence. “People need to know God,” was the thought that came to her mind. Jennifer believed her choice to integrate her faith with her new venture was God “pushing her out of the nest” to share her faith with others. At that moment her doubts were gone. Jennifer had tremendous peace that this was the right path for her to follow.

Jennifer has a degree in business and marketing from the University of Colorado in Boulder. In addition to her major, Jennifer minored in international business. When she heard how flexible the hours are for Arbonne and how the products are beneficial and not damaging, she was excited about being a part of this company. In addition to believing in the product, Jennifer knew the company had an excellent training program and, most importantly, she could work at home.

Jennifer has had many opportunities to share her faith while selling Arbonne. After talking to one of her associates, Rebecca, Jennifer began to see how Rebecca allowed her circumstances to control her instead of being guided by her faith. Jennifer encouraged Rebecca to make her faith a priority and to go back to church. Jennifer often talks about her faith with her associates and does not shy away from opportunities.

Opportunities abound for Jennifer as she continues her home-based business. She is not neglecting her devotion to volunteering, nor her involvement with the school district. During her term as the president of the parent-teacher club, Jennifer started Moms in Touch, a ministry to pray for teachers, schools, and children. Her goal was that every school in her district would have a Moms in Touch group. Today three out of five schools do. In addition, Jennifer’s husband Mike has been on the school board for four years and is up for re-election.

In the midst of building a successful Arbonne business, Jennifer is dedicated to putting her family first. For that reason she has allowed herself to cut back on her business operations during the summer because her children are at home. Believing that God will bless her decision, she continues to live out her faith with her associates, her neighbors, and their children.

Jennifer, her husband Mike, and their children live in a suburb of Sacramento, California. They attend Adventure Christian Church. |L

Susanne Dacus graduated from Pacific Christian College with a degree in Christian Education. She and her husband Brad work with Pacific Justice Institute in Citrus Heights, California. Brad and Susanne reside in Sacramento, California with their two children.

OTHER COLUMNS:
June 15, 2008 - A time saver who knows the soul saver
May 18, 2008 - Working by faith 24/7
April 20, 2008 - Motown, music, and ministry
March 23, 2008 - Be One Sportswear
February 24, 2008 - Fighting for the faith
January 27, 2008 - Healing for the Healer
December 30, 2007 - Parenting faithfully
December 2, 2007 - Building physical and spiritual strength
November 4, 2007 - Taking Christ into the classroom
October 7, 2007 - Changing lives through music
August 12, 2007 - Strategies for business and life
June 17, 2007 - Finding fulfilling work
May 20, 2007 - Faithful to his calling
April 22, 2007 - An unstoppable witness
March 25, 2007 - The perfect plan
February 25, 2007 - Teaching with faith
January 28, 2007 - Changing a community—one event at a time
December 24, 2006 - Business by the book
November 26, 2006 - Growing through life’s storms
October 29, 2006 - Giving God his best