Be Intentional: Lessons from Little Abaco
This summer marked my third mission trip to Little Abaco with The Church by the Sea, and still, I find myself forever changed, humbled, renewed and challenged in the most beautiful ways. Each trip has carried a theme that anchored me: the first year was about being where our feet are, grounding ourselves in the present; the second was about being the salt, bringing hope and joy into the spaces we serve. And this year, our guiding call was to be intentional.
The night before we launched into a week of vacation Bible school, community projects and Bible studies, our team made up of 17 high schoolers and eight adults, gathered for prayer and preparation. Pastor Marie Reny, our incredible group leader, friend and mentor, challenged us with a simple but profound question: How will you be intentional this week? With your time, your words, your energy, your actions, what impact do you want to leave behind in Little Abaco?
That question stayed with me. It rang through every child’s smile, every song, every game played and every meal shared. We repeated it throughout the week, not as a checklist, but as a grounding reminder of why we came to pour out love with purpose. And somewhere in those sacred moments of service, I realized that this invitation to “be intentional” didn’t end when we boarded the plane home. It was something I wanted to carry with me into every part of my life.
At Home: Intentional Moments as a Mom and Wife
August brings with it the usual rush of backpacks to be packed, routines to relearn and schedules that seem to fill up before we even start the week. But instead of getting swept up in the chaos, I’m asking: How can I be intentional with Emma and Mario Jr.?
Can I slow down enough in the mornings to remind them how capable they are, how loved they are and that their voices matter? Can I be fully present during bedtime prayers and chats in the car instead of letting my mind wander to emails or to-do lists?
In my marriage, having just celebrated 10 years with my husband, Mario, I find myself thinking about how we spend our limited one-on-one time. What does it look like to be intentional in our partnership? How do we make space to recharge together, to laugh, to really listen and to support each other as we navigate work, parenting and everything in between?
In my work: Leading with purpose and presence
Professionally, this season feels like a critical inflection point for the nonprofit sector. The weight is real as our clients share stories of shrinking budgets, increasing needs, and the emotional toll of mission-driven work can sometimes feel overwhelming. But I believe that now more than ever, we’re called to show up intentionally for one another.
At Cloud Nine Nonprofit Advisors, we built our company on values that reflect this kind of purpose: empathy at heart, success with purpose, joy in all we do, reliable and responsive, and authentic and genuine. These aren’t just words for us; they’re how we choose to lead, to support our clients, and to lift up the incredible people doing good work every day. Being intentional here means investing our time wisely, honoring relationships, and saying yes to work that aligns with our mission.
For my people: Loving intentionally
And beyond the roles of mother, wife, and professional, there’s also just… me. A friend, a daughter, a neighbor. How can I show up more fully in my relationships? How can I make sure the people in my life know they are loved and seen and not just when it’s convenient, but when it’s needed most?
The ongoing mission
I didn’t leave Little Abaco with a grand gesture or big revelation. I left with a quiet, powerful truth: we get to choose how we show up. In the noise and in the stillness, in our giving and in our resting, we can be intentional. That’s the legacy I want to leave in the Bahamas, in my home, in my work, and in my heart.
Thank you, Pastor Marie, for calling us into deeper reflection. Thank you to the Little Abaco community for reminding us of the joy in simple moments. And thank you, God, for the ever-present opportunity to be your hands and feet in this world, with intention.