FAQS

  • Thistles & Thorns Holdings LLC is our veteran-owned small business. It operates our apparel and online store, creating faith-inspired designs that spark conversations about Christ and encourage bold living.

    While the LLC is a for-profit business, its heart is missional — a portion of its profits are donated directly to Thistles & Thorns Foundation, our nonprofit 501(c)(3), to help fund ministry and missions.

  • Profits from Thistles & Thorns Holdings LLC are not used to build our personal lifestyle — they are directed toward ministry and mission. A portion of all proceeds from apparel sales is donated directly to Thistles & Thorns Foundation, our nonprofit 501(c)(3). The Foundation then stewards those funds, along with charitable donations, exclusively for Kingdom purposes such as supporting missionaries, retreats, outreach, and ministry programs.

  • The online store is operated by Thistles & Thorns Holdings LLC, our veteran-owned small business. We design and produce faith-inspired apparel and goods that encourage conversations about Christ.

    While the LLC manages all sales and store operations, a portion of its profits are donated directly to Thistles & Thorns Foundation, our nonprofit 501(c)(3), which ensures those funds are used exclusively for missions and ministry.

  • Each member of our family has contributed to some part of our designs. We utilize several different tools to create our unique flavor, but ultimately, we only decide what to put up as long as we all would be willing to wear it. So if we love it, we wear it, we share it.

  • All items are printed and shipped through Printful, our print-on-demand partner. This allows us to offer high-quality products and ship globally, without carrying large inventory. Your items are printed just for you!

  • Orders typically process in 2 to 5 business days, with shipping times depending on your location. You’ll receive a tracking number as soon as your item ships. Most U.S. customers receive their items within 7 to 10 business days.

  • Yes, we accept returns and exchanges on unworn, unwashed items within 14 days of delivery. Custom or personalized items are final sale. Please visit our Return Policy for full details.

  • We’ll be helping grow a local church and steward the historic Overtoun House property, both focused on reaching the community with the Gospel. We believe this calling is a clear next step in our family’s walk with Christ.

  • For the next two years, our family will be serving in Dumbarton, Scotland, through the local church and community. Our work will focus on:

    • Supporting and strengthening a local church plant.

    • Walking alongside displaced women by creating spaces of healing, discipleship, and hope.

    • Hosting retreats and faith-based gatherings.

    • Mentoring youth and supporting ministry leaders.

    • Living as faithful neighbors who share the love of Christ in everyday ways.

    This is a family mission — Calen, Candice, and our children will all be part of the work God is doing in Scotland. At the same time, we will continue to maintain both Thistles & Thorns Holdings LLC and Thistles & Thorns Foundation, ensuring the business and the nonprofit stay active, accountable, and focused on supporting ministry while we are on mission.

  • Our mission is supported through a combination of donations and business income.

    • Thistles & Thorns Foundation (our nonprofit 501(c)(3)) receives tax-deductible donations from partners who want to directly support ministry and missions. These funds are stewarded solely for Kingdom purposes.

    • Thistles & Thorns Holdings LLC (our veteran-owned small business) contributes a portion of its profits from apparel sales to the Foundation. This allows everyday purchases to help fund ministry.

    • We also contribute personally to cover family needs and living expenses not tied to ministry support.

    This blended approach — donations, business profits, and personal commitment — ensures transparency, sustainability, and integrity in how the mission is funded.

  • Not at this time. Thistles & Thorns Foundation has been formed as a nonprofit corporation in Texas, and we are currently in the process of applying for IRS recognition as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.

    Once our application is approved, donations made directly to the Foundation will be tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Until then, while your support is deeply appreciated and goes directly to funding ministry and missions, it is not currently tax-deductible.

    Please note: purchases from Thistles & Thorns Holdings LLC (our apparel and online store) are not tax-deductible, since they are sales through our for-profit business. However, a portion of all store profits is donated to the Foundation to help fund ministry and missions.

  • Until Thistles & Thorns Foundation receives final IRS approval for 501(c)(3) status, tax-deductible donations can be made through our ministry partner at Overtoun House.

    Overtoun House is an established nonprofit organization, and gifts given through their site are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. These funds go directly toward supporting the work we will be part of in Scotland. www.overtounhouse.org

  • Yes! If you’d like to give above and beyond your purchase, we are deeply grateful. You can donate through our Give page or mission partner link. Every gift helps us continue the work we've been called to do.

  • We’re each traveling with just one checked bag and a carry-on, so we’ll be starting fresh. Your support helps us purchase basics—like beds, cookware, school supplies, and clothing—after we land.

  • We’re currently planning to bring one of our four pets with us to Scotland.

    We’ve confirmed a loving foster home for our dog Oreo—huge thanks to the Wright Family for graciously caring for her until we return.

    We’re still looking for foster homes for our two cats. This has been a difficult decision, but we’re doing our best to balance the emotional needs of our family with the practical challenges of international relocation.

  • We hope to be in Scotland by early to mid-September 2025, depending on final fundraising milestones and visa processing timelines.

  • You can follow our journey through our newsletter signup, social media, or our blog right here on our site. We’ll post regular updates, answered prayers, and stories from the field.

  • Please contact us through our contact page for any questions about our mission or business that isn’t covered in our FAQ page.