38 Years of Purpose: Join Me in Changing the World
- Julia Erman
- May 5
- 2 min read
I can’t believe my 38th year of life is just around the corner—next Saturday, May 10! My sister-in-law often asks me if I’ve ever paused to reflect on all I’ve accomplished over these 38 years, and honestly, the answer is probably no. With a personality like mine, I tend to keep moving forward and rarely stop to consider the impact of my intense productivity.
On Saturday, I will turn 38—a proud wife, mother of two, author of 14 self-published books (soon to be 15, 16, and 17 by the end of the summer), and an inspirational speaker who has had the privilege of touching thousands of lives.
I don’t share this to boast about myself, but to boast in the God I serve—the One who has shown me that suffering and hardship don’t have to stop us, but can instead propel us forward.
After spending a weekend with my brother, I see the same theme in his story and in so many others: people who have faced incredibly hard things in life and have used them as fuel to move forward with purpose.
As I step into this next stage of life—which I like to call “the late 30s, preparing for the 40s”—I am filled with vision for where God is leading me.
In 2022, I founded The Hazelnut Movement to spread awareness and promote inclusivity among children, parents, and educators.
I firmly believe that storytelling creates compassion, and I feel called to help spark conversations and bridge the gap between children with special needs and their peers. My heart’s desire is to help people—young and old alike—see the beauty and value in every life.
As I take the next step in this movement and calling, I know I cannot do it alone. Over the past year, The Hazelnut Movement has welcomed an additional writer with incredible vision, and we’ve partnered with a new nonprofit to help expand the resources we can offer to families. We are so excited for what’s ahead.
But here’s where you come in: we want to invite you to partner with us. This work only matters when it reaches the hearts and homes of real people. Together, we can make a lasting impact—far greater than what I could ever do on my own.
Here’s how your partnership can make a difference:
$25 donation → provides free, inclusive coloring books to educators
$500 donation → provides 100 books to families navigating the journey of raising a child with disabilities
$3,000 donation → sponsors one school assembly, impacting over 500 students as they hear our message and begin to see their own struggles—and the struggles of others—as a superpower
$60,000 donation → fully funds The Hazelnut Movement for the 2025–2026 fiscal year, allowing us to reach more families and schools than ever before
(Mark use this donation for The Hazelnut Movement- all donations are tax deductible)
As a single person, I can only do so much—but together, we can change the world. For me, it’s all about transforming the way the world sees people with disabilities, so that when they look at kids like Hazel and Russell, they see not what they can’t do, but all they are capable of doing.
Let’s link arms and make an impact—together.
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