Reflection is an important tool in our personal growth.
It helps us see where we've been...how far we've come...where we need to go...
I usually spend some time going through my journals and re-reading what I wrote.
And with things like the Timehop app, I can see everything that was posted in the past on this day. Like these sweet memories...
Sometimes these posts are funny. Sometimes they are scary. Sometimes they are sad.
Right now, I am realizing how much life has changed for us.
Instead of mountains and snow, I see swamps and mud puddles.
Wasps, bees, and fire ants are a constant part of our adventures outside instead of white-tailed bunnies and the deer that would walk through our neighborhood.
We actually count alligators on the side of the road much like we were able to count deer there.
We don't have the daily knock on the door from our neighborhood kids ready to play, but we do get to set up play dates and see our friends at co-op meetings during the week as well as making new friends at church twice a week now.
We know that we'll get to enjoy the summer days here...even though they may not seem as long and as full of sunshine as they did there. We know that the humidity will feel thicker and the air much hotter here during those days.
I know that Lee is enjoying getting to know and work with his new Apple team here, but I know that he misses his friends at the Aspen Grove Apple Store.
I am so grateful for the house we are living in now...it's the most comforting thing to know we had a place to come to from Colorado...no wait...it was ready for us...and we are able to look for a permanent home now without a rush of a sudden deadline, but I do miss our house on Fairwood Street...and our amazing view from the back deck!
I miss getting to see my sweet girlfriends...and I am so thankful that I am able to stay in touch with them through text and Facebook messenger, and I am also thankful for the ladies who are coming into my life now...and that I get to see my mom, my sister, nieces, and cousins more often now.
We had some really good times in Colorado. I know that we made some really good friends in Colorado. I know that we are better people and closer to God because of our experiences in Colorado.
It was an adventure that we were called to take.
And it was that adventure that led us to the adventure we are on now!!
I know that God has great plans for us. I know that He is not finished with us. He didn't drop us off in Boutte, Louisiana to forget us and forsake us.
The best part of our story hasn't happened yet.
I refuse to live in the past.
Wednesday night, at the Alpha Bible study at Life Church Boutte, I read a quote by Nicky Gumbel that was in the book::
Faith is not a blind leap, but a step forward, based on evidence.
That really has me thinking... a step forward...based on evidence.
Evidence from my personal experiences and the Word of God.
Another quote from the book was::
Faith = taking God's promises and daring to believe them.
Living by faith is an adventure!! I continue to trust that as God leads me and Lee, we will follow Him in obedience and He WILL come through. He's done it before. He will continue to do it again and again. Because He loves me.
And He loves you. Just as much as He loves me. We are all God's favorites...as I was kindly reminded this week by my sweet professor from Southwestern Dr. Amy Alexander...
I will continue to reflect...reflect on the promises of God...reflect on the good times and the bad...the moments that have made me stronger.
And as I reflect, I know my faith will keep growing stronger and keep us on this wonderful adventure!!
It's been a while since I wrote anything here! So I thought I'd do a spring update!!!!
The kids are growing fast. Super fast.
Breelee is rolling her eyes now. She's not even 18 months old yet. It is unbelievable. She loves reading books and singing songs. She's a sweet, silly girl. She makes all of us laugh. She is saying lots of words, but my favorite is to hear her say "Bella" and "Bubba." It is so precious...and it totally melts my heart! She is still having breath-holding spells, but now that we know what they are, we can handle them...it doesn't make it fun or easier, but at least we can cope with it! Hopefully she will grow out of it by the time she's 2!
Brennan is so tough...a bruiser and a destroyer of all things...usually because he's pretending to be the Hulk. He loves to pick up toys and throw them on the ground. He's been singing a lot lately...and his current favorite song is the "Itsy Bitsy Spider." He is fascinated with anything drum related....and before I know it he will be playing music with his dad. He's a handsome man just like his daddy.
Bella is a beautiful girl. She is drawing all kinds of things, writing her name, spelling words, sounding words out, and will be reading big ol' chapter books before we know it. Her preschool teacher tells us that she's the most helpful child in her class...and she is a great friend to the other students! She's smart and funny and has her dad's musical abilities as well! She loves loves loves being outside...whether it is snowing or scorching hot! She says she misses Louisiana, but she loves living in Colorado.
It's hard to believe that we've been in Colorado for almost 2 years!!! Sometimes it feels like we've been here longer. We love it...absolutely love it.
We know that God has brought us here. There is no doubt in our minds about that.
It has not been the easiest thing we've ever done. The days are long but the weeks seem to go by so fast. We get tired and may even feel drained, but the joy of the Lord is our strength.
God keeps providing for our family in creative, unique ways. It is amazing and humbling to experience it.
My faith is stronger for it, though.
We've been setting goals as a family. It is fun to check them off of our list as we accomplish them! Lee and I are at the place where we are about to set some goals for the next 90 days. Health goals. Financial goals. Spiritual goals. Time goals.
It's a good place to be.
I'm enjoying the weather right now...the days may be a little hot, but the evenings are absolutely perfect. Sometimes I even need a sweater as we sit on the swing...it's beautiful.
I'm enjoy Lee's work schedule. It's wonderful getting to spend time with him when we do.
I'm enjoying my Nike Fuelband. Lee & I both have one...we got them for our birthdays. We each have our own "fuel points" goals, and we are working towards meeting those every day. My goal stretches me...I have to do something extra to hit it...It's a great common interest for us...we are able to keep each other motivated as we work towards meeting our fitness goals. I am working towards having a 3 day streak!!
I'm enjoying my new Pampered Chef products. I am happy to be a new Pampered Chef Independent Consultant...and I am having a blast setting up shows on Facebook and in homes.
I hosted my first party at my house last night. We had a salsa making contest using my new products. It was sooooo fun!!! I am looking forward to getting more comfortable with the process. Next week, I have a "Date Night" cooking show scheduled with a friend from college who lives here in Colorado...and we'll have the salsa making contest again!!! So fun!
I'm enjoying my kids. It is a demanding season, but our home is full of noise (sometimes good...sometimes not so good...), love, and laughter. Yes, there are many messes...and sometimes I feel trapped in the monotony of day to day things...but I know I will look back, and life will never be like it was when I had 3 little ones at home.
(From when I began writing this post, Breelee pulled up on the couch...and not long after I picked her up, she fell asleep on me. These are sweet moments that don't last forever!)
I'm enjoying my church. Connection Church is a wonderful place that connects people with God and with each other. Megan, a young lady who has been coming to our church recently told me, "I've found nothing that can compare to the genuineness of what's happening in that auditorium." That's so awesome! And I get to be a part of that!! It really is a beautiful thing.
What are some things that you are enjoying right now?
