A Year Ago Today.

It is been a year since BJ and I officially became residents here in Southern California. Last year, this time we were unpacking our boxes, taking care of 3 month old babies, and very much unaware of what the days ahead would hold for our family. We knew two things for sure, that God had lead us to Los Angeles for a season and that through every season He has taken care of us. 

 Planner. Visionary. Dreamer.

So as unsure as we were about what lied ahead for us we remained certain that we were in the right place at the right time. I am a planner, a visionary and a dreamer so just moving across the country with just enough money to get us there and settled wasn't enough information for me. Since that is all the details God let us in on, I secretly thought out certain details of our season here in California. Some of them were things I was believing would happen and others were things I assumed would happen. If we are honest with ourselves, I think we all do that right? We start a new job, we meet a new person, we move to a new city, or start a new business and we all have things we are believing will happen and some things we assume will happen. Well this year has proven a lot of things for me. A lot of what I had believed would happen, has happened and all of what I assumed would happen didn't. Over the past 365 days (366 actually since this year was a leap year) I have learned a lot of things, here are just a few. 

1. Obedience is better than sacrifice. 

There isn't always a prize or something spectacular awaiting you on the other side of being obedient to God. Often times, what follows an act of obedience looks nothing like we thought, assumed, or even hoped for. We can quickly become discouraged and even question if what we did was the right thing to do. I have learned that when you choose to obey God we choose to live in the land of uncertainty. After we act in obedience we must not look back, hesitate, or doubt, in time He will prove himself faithful.

2. God's primary concern is WHO we are becoming. 

We have heard it said before that our destiny is not a destination but a journey. This has proven to be so true over the past year of my life. God often uses a change in environment, pace, or geographical location to create a change in us.

3. It's all about Him. 

God continues to put BJ and I in situations where others are unable to say, "Wow, look at you guys." But instead, they are left saying, "Wow, look at God." God desires all the credit. He wants the glory. It is in our weaknesses that we are made strong. He doesn't want us to be able to do it on our own. During this past year He has challenged us to dream bigger dreams that only He could make happen. He has asked us to do things that have made us look absolutely crazy and irresponsible to those around us. It has been in those times where we have felt like we had been set up for failure that He was actually setting us up for a miracle.

Where were you a year ago today? What was your life like? How is it different today? What is one thing you have learned this past year? Please share in the comment box below, I would love to hear from you.

TRUTH:                    We can make our plans,
                            but the Lord determines our steps. Proverbs 16:9 NLT

DARE: TRUST God with the details.

Table Scraps.

Most of you know I have 14 month old twin identical girls but some of you do not know that I also have a crazy dog named Graham. When I say crazy, I mean just that, crazy! He is a lot like me and my husband BJ because, well he is crazy and so are we. He is a lover and is always looking to love on someone or to be loved. I feel guilty these days when it comes to Graham, he is in desperate need of a trip to the groomer, he hardly ever gets photographed and there are days where I am sure he doesn't get fed. (we have to put his bowls of food and water up when the girls are roaming around, and sometimes I forget to put it down when they are napping, eating or have gone to bed) But, even though he might not get his fare share of dog food, I am not convinced he goes to bed hungry. He has two little best friends that go by the names of Kennedi and Brooklyn and they are always willing to share their food. 

Crazy Dog.

Graham is not just a crazy dog, but a smart one too. Not only does he have a full bag of tricks, but he has learned to be in the right place at the right time. He has become the girls' shadow, all day every day. He sits under their high chair and eagerly awaits a flying carrot or an entire plate of chicken and rice. Anytime they are in their high chair, you don't have to look very far for him. I must admit, it's been nice not having to take out the broom after every meal. We have never given him table food but these days I think that is all he eats. 

Barking Dog.

Graham likes to pretend he is guard dog and loves to bark at any noise he hears. It almost always drives us crazy and we have to keep reminding ourselves that he is a dog and barking is what they do. Do you know the only time Graham doesn't bark or care about anything going on in the world around him? Yep, that's right, when it's meal time. Someone can literally knock on the door and Graham will not move a muscle. His eyes are fixed on the girls and he is in perfect position to catch whatever comes his way. 

Shaggy Dog.

Like I mentioned before, he is in desperate need of a trip to the groomer so his shaggy hair has pretty much covered his eyes. So, there are times when he doesn't see what has fallen on the floor. What's so cool is although he can not see it, he can hear it and within seconds of that Ritz cracker or piece of cheese hitting the floor it is consumed. I mean seconds! 

Smart Dog.

Why am I telling you all of this about my crazy, smart, table food-eating dog? Well this morning as the girls were eating their cheese omelet (one of their favorite breakfast meals) I had a moment, a BLOG inspired moment.  Staying in the right place at the right time is just as important, if not more important than being in the right place at the right time. Many of you who know me know that BJ and I have always been willing to GO and be in the right place at the right time, but there have been many times that I have not truly been committed to "that" place. ("that" place is not always geographically but could be mentally, emotionally etc) I may have been there in person but not present in my attention, my focus or my commitment. I am a dreamer and visionary and there are a lot things I see in my future. Places I want to go, things I want to experience, people I want to meet, but if I am not careful I can easily overlook this moment. 

Lessons from My Dog.

I really feel like BJ and I have made a conscience decision to be present in this season of our lives. To take full advantage of where we are and to not only be in the right place at the right time, but be totally committed to this season. My dog Graham taught me something this morning. If you stay committed to where you are and embrace the season you are in, God will bless you! God's blessings far outweigh cheerios and table scraps, they are blessings so great that you and I can not even begin to imagine. 

Are you like me sometimes and have the tendency to overlook your present situation? Do you sometimes feel like you are there but not "there"? If so, I would love to hear from you. Share with me in the comment box below some of the reasons why it may be difficult for you to truly commit and focus on your present season.

Me and Graham when he was little.

 

Arghhh!!!

One of my favorite pics of Graham!

Shaggy Dog!!

TRUTH: "There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face."-Ben Williams

DARE: Don't just be there, BE there.

Packing Light.

TRUTH: “Did you ever notice that the first piece of luggage on the carousel never belongs to anyone?” 

                                                                           ― Erma Bombeck

DARE: Pack light.