Faith, Family, and Fixer-Uppers: Jenny & Dave’s Inspiring Journey

SMALL BEGINNINGS

Jenny Marrs, her husband Dave Marrs, and their five children live on a restored farmhouse that also operates as a working farm with various animals. They have called Bentonville home since 2004, where they also film their HGTV series "Fixer to Fabulous." Although they have lived in multiple homes around Bentonville, they now reside in a renovated historic farmhouse. 

Jenny got into designing homes when her husband and his brother began building houses together. When Dave built their family home, Jenny loved making the design choices. During the process, her creativity began to flourish, and she realized how much she missed it after everything was complete. Designing made her feel alive. So, they began flipping homes together. 

One day, an HGTV executive visited Bentonville and fell in love with its small-town charm. Interested in couples who restore homes, he asked around town, and Dave and Jenny’s names came up. When he asked if they would be interested in having their lives documented, Jenny and Dave both said no. Yet, after much thought and prayer, they felt it could be a great opportunity to help raise awareness of adoption.

TRUST GOD, LOVE PEOPLE

In her latest book, Trust God, Love People, Jenny shares her family's story, detailing moments of joy and heartbreak, like struggling to have children. Since Jenny and Dave struggled to have kids of their own, they turned to In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) in the hopes of having a child. It worked, and they had twin boys, Nathan and Ben. After that, they felt led to adopt. They began the adoption process for their daughter Sylvie in November 2012, and after facing significant delays due to government shutdowns in the Democratic Republic of Congo, it ultimately took about two and a half years—specifically, 602 days or roughly 20 months—for them to bring Sylvie home to the United States in July 2014. While waiting for Sylvie’s adoption to be finalized, Jenny got pregnant naturally with her daughter, Charlotte. Then, almost five years later, she got pregnant naturally again with her youngest son, Luke.     Jenny’s recurring message throughout the book is God’s faithfulness throughout life’s seasons, and that trusting Him allows us to love and serve those around us.

She also emphasizes "openhanded faith"—being willing to accept both what God gives and what He removes, and remaining generous, relational, and compassionate. Through stories about her family, nonprofit work, and simple acts like her children’s lemonade stand, she demonstrates that loving people means walking alongside them and embracing God’s call to serve and bless others.

HOW TO CREATE A CHRISTMAS TABLESCAPE

Jenny shares how to create a festive, warm, and inviting Christmas tablescape by:

• Keeping the decorations simple and calming by using burlap holiday bows on a few of the chairs to tie in the neutral color palette

• Adding in natural elements like real garland is not only beautiful but also smells good

• Adding a pop of color with pomegranates and pears

• Using brass candlesticks and candles adds ambience to the space
All of this creates a family-focused table where everyone can come together and make holiday memories.

For more information on Jenny Marrs or to Order her newest book Trust God, Love People click the LINK!

CREDITS

Author, Trust God, Love People (Random House, 2025); Co-host, “Fixer to Fabulous” on HGTV; Co-
founder of “The Berry Farm,” a non-profit organization that helps orphaned children; Co-founder of Marrs on Main, a retail décor shop in downtown Bentonville; Married with five children