Ten years ago, Emerge wasn’t just a business name, it was a calling. Looking back at some of our very first blog posts from 2016, it’s clear that the themes of faith, growth, courage, and becoming were there from the very beginning, even if we didn’t yet know where the journey would lead.
In “The Symbolic Meaning of a Turtle,” I reflected on patience, perseverance, and protection. In “Journeys of the Spirit,” I wrote about listening for God’s quiet nudges and trusting the path unfolding before us. And in “I’m Not a Runner…Or Am I?” I explored what it means to stretch beyond comfort, to keep moving even when the road feels uncertain.
As we celebrate Emerge’s 10-year anniversary in 2026, Emerge has become our word of the year, not because it’s trendy, but because it continues to define who we are and how we live out our work. To emerge is to grow intentionally. To rise when called. To become more fully who God created us to be.
When I look back at the original blog posts written in 2016, I’m struck by how clearly the themes of faith, patience, courage, and becoming were already present. At the time, they felt like reflections. Today, they feel like a roadmap.
Word of the Year
Over the years, our words of the year have marked seasons of intentional growth:
2019 – Maintain / Sustain
2020 – Stretch
2021 – Authenticity
2022 – Consistency
2023 – Ablaze
2024 – Refine
2025 – Nourish
Each word carried us exactly where we needed to go. We maintained when it mattered. We stretched when it was uncomfortable. We refined and nourished what had been built. And now, standing on that foundation, we find ourselves ready to fully emerge.
Recently, this theme came alive for me in an unexpected and deeply moving way.
I just returned from our family’s Caribbean cruise where I crossed off a bucket list experience: swimming with sea turtles. As I swam alongside one large turtle, I was captivated by how peaceful and at ease she was… steady, unhurried, completely comfortable in her environment. She wasn’t rushing toward anything. She simply was.
What surprised me most, though, was noticing how several fish were attached to her shell drawing nutrients, strength, and protection from her presence. Not every turtle had them. But the ones that were larger, older, and more established often did.
That moment hit me deeply.
It reminded me of motherhood. Of leadership. Of volunteering. Of building a business rooted in purpose. There are seasons in life when others “cling” to you, not because you are depleted, but because you have grown strong enough to support them. And what struck me most was this: despite carrying others, the turtle remained at peace.
I was reminded how fortunate I am to have been given gifts from God, gifts that allow me to serve, mentor, create opportunities, and share strength with others, while still feeling grounded and at peace with where I am in life. That peace comes not from standing still, but from trusting the journey and accepting the responsibility that growth brings.
Today, Emerge is at a point I once only dreamed of. We have built a strong, sustainable foundation that allows us to offer the breadth and depth of services we do – work that truly makes an impact for our clients and communities. We are continuing to grow, not hurriedly or recklessly, but intentionally and faithfully.
As I look to the future, what does Emerge look like to me?
The Future of Emerge
Yes, I anticipate supporting more clients. But even more importantly, I see Emerge continuing to create opportunities (especially for women in rural Iowa and beyond) to live full, meaningful lives. Lives where they can be present for their families and pursue careers they love. Lives where their God-given skillsets are used for the benefit of others.
Rural Iowa is a magical place where both can exist. While working from home, building successful careers, and making transformative impacts beyond our zip codes may feel commonplace now, it is still a relatively new and powerful concept. And it’s one we are proud to champion.
As we celebrate ten years of Emerge, we do so with deep gratitude – for our incredible staff, our trusted clients, and everyone who has been part of this journey. We are still emerging. And the best, I truly believe, is yet to come.
So I encourage you to follow along. And if you feel a calling to be part of our impact (whether as a client, subcontractor, employee, or advocate) I invite you to reach out. There is room here to grow, to contribute, and to emerge strengthened.
-Shelly
