07/14/2026
Purging, Pruning & Trusting the Gardener
There is so much pruning that takes place in life and in business. Scripture reminds us that God is the Gardener. He is constantly tending His vineyard, cutting away what no longer serves His purpose, shaping every detail into His masterpiece for His Kingdom and His glory.
Sometimes the tools He uses seem surprisingly small.
A tiny handheld device.
Just days before the social media post that unexpectedly brought so much attention to our little place, one of our crew members found my husband's cell phone at the bottom of the deepest dish sink in our kitchen. At the time, we had no idea how it got there. We know now who was responsible and why, but in that moment, it simply seemed like an inconvenience.
Looking back, it was so much more.
That little phone had quietly become a distraction. Not because phones are bad, but because they can so easily consume our attention. If we're honest, most of us can spend countless hours scrolling through things that add very little to our lives. Beyond wasted time, these little devices can become a source of anxiety, frustration, comparison, division, and hurt. In an instant, a few words or comments online can damage someone's reputation or deeply wound a heart.
When the phone was found, my husband made an unexpected decision. Rather than immediately replacing it, he chose to go without one. For eleven days he lived without a phone, waiting for the new one to arrive.
Those eleven days became a gift.
With one major distraction removed, God began doing a deeper work. There was more quiet. More listening. More room. More surrender.
It wasn't simply that a phone was gone—it was that something competing for attention had been laid down. His heart became more available to receive what God wanted to reveal. Tino has always been a man of faith, but like all of us, there are seasons when God lovingly asks for more. More trust. More dependence. More surrender.
And when we make room, God fills it.
Just a few days after the "dish pit phone incident," God prompted me to share our story publicly with complete vulnerability. He simply asked me to trust Him with whatever would come of it.
Ironically, my husband had no idea the post had even gone out... because he didn't have a phone.
Looking back now, I can't help but smile. God had complete freedom to work without our constant watching, worrying, refreshing, or reacting. He was doing what only He could do.
And He did.
Over the years we've experienced slander, harsh words, misunderstandings, disappointed guests, criticism, and seasons that hurt deeply. Business owners often live in the public eye. We become easy targets. We aren't allowed many bad days, and somehow the expectations become even higher when people know we follow Christ.
We are not perfect. We never have been. We are simply people trying to faithfully steward what God has entrusted to us.
But through every season, God has remained faithful.
He sees every unseen tear, every false accusation, every act of kindness, every sacrifice made in secret. If we allow Him, He truly fights our battles.
Our calling from the very beginning was never simply to serve food.
It was to serve Him.
To make Him known.
Every smile, every thank you, every encouraging conversation, every small act of kindness, every meal shared around a table—these become opportunities for His love to be seen. Because He is love.
So many of you have walked through our doors and become part of our lives. You've shared your stories, your prayers, your encouragement, your kindness, and your friendship. Through you, we have experienced Christ's love over and over again.
God is so incredibly good.
His plans are far greater than our tiny hearts can imagine, and I truly believe He is still writing this story. We hope you'll continue walking this journey with us as together we watch Him unfold what only He could have planned.
If there's one thing this season has taught me, it's this:
Trust Him.
Completely.
Whatever you're carrying... whatever battle you're facing... whatever disappointment, suffering, uncertainty, or fear you're walking through... surrender it to the Great I AM.
Trust Him in ways you never have before.
He is still parting seas.
He is still moving mountains.
He is still making a way where there seems to be none.
He is working—even when we cannot yet see it.
So BE NOT AFRAID.
As Jesus said and many of you have reinforced for us:
"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven." (Matthew 5:11–12)
Our hope has never been in circumstances.
Our hope has always been—and always will be—in Him.
Tiny Update: in the one week that God took our tiny efforts and did the miraculous with it, He provided double in our sales compared to the previous week. DOUBLE - that was all YOU !! Each of you that showed up and proclaimed this great love and support. Muchas Gracias, love ya Tino & Steph
Got to get back to making that salsa - love ya hope to see ya again soon!!
