Moving Day. Smoving Day.

If you have been around the Johnson's for a long time, you know that we like to move! Or at least that's what it may seem. This past weekend we moved to a new place. It is located in a great place and a lot more convenient for everything we do! Moving is never fun, especially when you are pregnant. I am not the kind of person who can sit around and let people do the work-I always have to be doing something. I know, I know, I should be milking every ounce of this pregnancy and should have been relaxing while the rest moved our family of four to our new place. But, that is just not me. I took it easier than I would, but none the less, I worked hard getting everything out of one place and in to the next!

Moving Day. 

This move was probably one of the harder moves- we have two toddler girls who require a lot of attention, we both work full time jobs, we pastor a church launch and have other responsibilities that we have to continue to do whilst moving. While packing, feeding my kids dinner, doing laundry, cleaning up dog pee (something he never does, but I'm guessing not feeding him for two days had something to do with it), packing the girls lunch for the next day, prepping for our upcoming events for church, I had a meltdown- a BLOG moment.

My Thoughts.

In that moment, I felt so alone and felt like BJ and I were doing this thing all alone. I felt like we were carrying the weight of the world on our backs and no one was around to help! How could this be? We are surrounded by amazing people, who at the drop of a hat, serve our family and church so well and so willingly!

In a matter of 10 minutes, my mind went on a crazy adventure. I came to the conclusion that no one wanted to help us! I questioned if we had friends, if we had people who are in our corner. The list goes on and on!

Ask. Seek. Knock.

In the midst of these crazy, conclusions, the scripture, "You have not because you ask not" came to me! It was like a broken record, as I heard this scripture over and over and over until it dawned on me- I had not even asked a single person for help! Not one! Of course we were doing this alone, we had created that reality. Of course no one was around to help. How could they? I had not even asked for their help. If I almost forgot it was moving weekend, I am almost certain that they did too.

How could I expect or desire people to do something that I had not even given them an opportunity to do? Wow! How many times have I done this? Surely it was not my first rodeo at doing things without asking for help. Sigh!

Opportunity. 

How many of us have done this? We assume that people are going to do certain things or act a certain way towards us and yet we have not given them a fair chance! We put unfair expectations on them, resulting in disappointment and frustration. Sometimes I catch myself expecting others to act in way based on how I would act. How unfair is that? BJ and I have always been people who seek opportunities to lighten someones load. I think it is a gift that God has given us. We often see holes and areas where we can bring solution.

But not everyone is wired that way. Especially when you have people like us, who have a hard time asking people for help. We don't pretend to know how to do it all or that we have it all together, but just like we find great joy helping lighten someone else's load, we never want to be the ' load givers.' 

Help!

I immediately called on a handful of people and simply asked for help. You would not believe it, they all said yes without a single hesitation. In moments, I had the help I had so desperately wished would magically appear. They made the move so much easier! 

You and I are not meant to do things alone, nor are we are commissioned to save the world in a single day by our own efforts. Instead, God has strategically placed people in our lives to help us accomplish all that He has called us to- even when doing something as annoying as moving.

Nothing New.

One of the enemy's tactics is to convince us of realities that are not true. He often does this by the way of assumption- we all know what they say when we assume! When we assume certain things or draw up our own conclusions, it will ultimately result in offense. When we carry offense, we live a life not reflecting our true reality. 

Think about Eve- the serpent posed a question she had not yet heard/thought about before. He made her question God's intentions towards her. She assumed that God had not given her his best, when in reality He had given her all that she needed! Rather than seeing what she possessed, she focused on what she 'lacked.' This 'offense' led to sin, and the rest is now history! 

You are not alone. You are not broke. You are not hopeless. You are not lacking. 

Bringing It Home. 

When you are tempted to believe the lies of the enemy, rather than sulk in them, do something about it. If you're doing life alone, be friendly and make friends! If you are feeling like you are hopeless, seek out people who are hopeful! If you are feeling like you are moving your entire family without help, ask for help! 

TRUTH:

 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened- 

Matthew 7:7,8.

DARE: Don't assume the worst, but instead, assume the best!

One Year.

Exactly one year ago, we arrived in South Florida to begin our new journey! We arrived with so much excitement, uncertainties, hesitation and expectation! Florida is known as the "Sunshine State" and let's just say- it gave us a very different welcome. It poured down rain for 2 weeks straight upon our arrival! Moving boxes in and out of a moving truck was extra difficult, as our items were soaked, some even damaged in the process.

Blind Move.

We had made a 'blind' move if you will to our new home in Florida. We had some friends come check out our new apartment community and surrounding neighborhood prior to us moving; based on their comments, we felt it was a great place to land. Well, we were wrong! Our apartment community was a nice area to be in, during the times the sun was out! Once the sun went down, it was a whole different story. So, we packed up back up and headed to a different city in South Florida.

In a matter of 6 days we had already lived in two cities! Anything and everything that could have gone wrong during these first few weeks here went wrong! When I say everything, I mean it, everything!

Everything Is Different.

Just a few weeks prior to moving to South Florida, one of our biggest investors had to rescind their offer to us, creating a need for us to find full time jobs upon our arrival. So, in the midst of finding a place to live, we were also on the job hunt! Good times!!!


I don't know if you have ever moved to a different city or state, but if you have, you understand how everything about your new city seems SO much different than what you are used to. All of a sudden you catch yourself comparing every Starbucks experience, grocery store trip and even the way people drive to what you are used to. For some reason, you predict that what you are used to is "the way it should be." This feeling only makes you frustrated and vulnerable.

Going Back.

It was tough, and there were plenty of moments where I considered going back! I remember being on the phone with BJ one night- He was loading up our U-Haul truck for the second time while I was sitting at a restaurant with the girls. I told him that I wanted to go back, that I didn't want to be here any longer and that somehow we must have "missed it!" How can so many things go so wrong if you believe what you are doing is so right? Surely we had missed it!

He listened, took a minute to respond, and then asked a simple question that changed everything. "What will we do when we go back?" I fished for words, but couldn't find any. I didn't have a strategy plan or even a clue. Going back wasn't an option, not now, not ever.

Victories In Hardships.

In the midst of great challenges there were victories that served as grace to our crazy, new life here in Florida. Our team, including us, found full time jobs in a matter of days, we found the perfect apartment community, city and place to land and call home.

After unpacking our things and deciding that we weren't going back, we began getting to know our new city! We like to say, we began romancing the city-exploring new places to eat, meeting new people and most of all discovering the needs of South Florida.

Romance The City.

We've never wanted to come here with a cookie cutter, already thought out strategic plan to win South Florida for Jesus, but instead we knew that as we made this place home, God would show us how we can bring resolve to so many of this regions problems.

We've established community here through what we call City Groups and have served a local, low income neighborhood through Adopt A Block every Saturday morning. We have adopted a family for Christmas, partnered with local charities and organizations who have served South Florida, as well as met some incredible pastors and churches here who have given their lives to serving this place we call home.

Daring Adventure.

It has been an incredible journey! By incredible, I mean it has been the most rewarding, most challenging thing I have ever done in my life. There have been times when we have felt like everything is stacked up against us, times we have felt so alone and times we have felt so uncertain about our days ahead, but, in all those moments, God has proven himself faithful.

I have learned that the will of God for our lives is the most uncertain, daring, crazy adventure you will ever be on. I have learned that God is not concerned with making us comfortable, but instead, making us dangerous. So many people give up too soon, retreat and choose the safe route instead of the road less traveled.

Dangerous.

I don't pretend to know everything, but what I do know, is that God is searching for people who are willing to stick it out, willing to look at adversity and challenges square in the eye and face them! He is looking to do miracles through us! We can't be a part of the miracle if we are not positioned for one!

Before we moved 3,000 miles across the country God spoke to me so clearly. He gave me some foresight of my season to come.


"It is not going to be anything like the way you see it, but I promise, it will be everything you ever hoped it would be."


This one statement has been grace to me in this season and for every season that is to come. It has not looked like anything I have ever imagined it would be, but it has been everything I have ever hoped it would be. I'm thankful that we didn't give up, throw in the towel or go back!



Cheers to another year of adventure!





TRUTH:      "You held me down, but I got up

                      Already brushing off the dust

                      You hear my voice, you hear that sound

                      Like thunder gonna shake the ground

                      You held me down, but I got up

                      Get ready cause I’ve had enough"



DARE: Don't give up, give in or turn back. Be dangerous!

Fun Facts.

This past week has been so much fun! We kicked off the week celebrating Mother's Day- BJ and the girls spoiled me rotten with lots of hugs, kisses & wished me 'Happy Mother's Day' over and over. At the end of the day, my heart was full. This week was also my company's picnic, so we spent the day at the park playing activities and enjoying the beautiful day (all while being paid for it, so I say it was a pretty good day). The focus of that day was promoting health and fitness, so the food was a bit underwhelming, considering. 

Laughing Is Good For You.

Before heading out to the park for our outdoor activities, they offered different sessions and workshops taught by professionals in the field of health and fitness. My friend and I thought "Laughing Your Way To Better Health" sounded fun. After all, we've all heard that laughing burns calories, right? 

We Laughed, A Lot.

The session was awesome! The lady who lead the class was so great and so informative. We laughed and laughed and laughed all while learning the reason why you and I should do it more often! I thought it would be fun to share the interesting things I learned about laughter. Here goes.

Did you know....

- Children laugh an average of 300x per day.

- Adults laugh an average of 15x per day.

- When you laugh, it is the ONLY time your logical part of the brain takes a REST.

- When you laugh, it is the ONLY time your brain is truly in the present. (it is not thinking about tomorrow, about anything else going on, except for that moment)

- It is important to laugh for no reason! 

- Children laugh all day long, celebrating all kinds of moments. 

-When people celebrate, they often throw their hands up while doing it-the raising of the hands signals to our brain "wellness" and "victory." 

- (Most) Adults have have good reason to laugh or celebrate. 

Let's Learn From Children.

I know that life can be stressful and that there are things in our world that require us to be serious and focused, but let us learn to laugh more! This life we have been given is supposed to be an extravagant life- with many celebrations along the way. Join me this weekend and laugh for no reason, and to celebrate the little things in life. Let us be more like little children and laugh our way to better days & better, healthier lives.


Every week I highlight a TRUTH about you, your life, or about a situation you may be facing and then I DARE you to believe it.



Here is this week's TRUTH or DARE.


TRUTH:  "A cheerful heart is good medicine" Proverbs 17:22


DARE: Laugh for the next 10 seconds for no reason! (Do this periodically through the weekend) 

It's The Little Things.

I can tell you one thing-this girl right here is never short of BLOG material! This past week was no different. BJ has been out of town the past few days, so I took the day off from work yesterday to stay home with the girls. I was super excited-these days I don't get much time just the three of us. We planned to meet up with our new neighbor friends Kaylee (4 years old) and her mom Leslie. They are the sweetest family and we have grown to be such great friends in a short period of time. I love it when I meet people that I instantly hit if off with-people that it is just easy to be around! We heard about an amazing water park in the area and we decided that's where we were going to take the kids. The girls were so excited, they hopped into bed (the night before) without a fight, knowing that when they woke up, we were going to the water park with Kaylee. The next morning, they woke up screaming, " Mommy, let's go put our 'baby soups' on! I think I made them say that about 100x, because they sound so cute! They asked me over and over, "Mommy, are you excited to go?" Ah, priceless moments.

Let's GO!

We piled in the car, 3 car seats in the back and headed to our much anticipated destination. I put the address in my trusted 'Google Maps' and we hit the road. Music up, windows down and ready for a fun day at the water park. About 15 minutes into the drive, we noticed that our GPS was dropping us off somewhere on the turnpike. For my non- Floridian readers, that is smack dab in the middle of an express freeway. "No problem", we thought, we can re-navigate ourselves! We realized that we had gone 15 miles north in the wrong direction and that my trusted 'Google Maps' was not so trusted after all. We got some personal directions from my friend Leslie's husband and we were back on track!

Water Park Bound.

The girls kept saying, "We are going to the water park!" As time went on, their enthusiasm began to fade. I kept reassuring them that we were just minutes away from the best day ever! We finally arrived at our destination (which by the way, was around the corner from my house) and got really excited thinking we had beat the crowd! We were the only ones there! Sounds great, until you realize that not even the employees or even grounds keepers are there either. As we pulled up to the front entrance we see the biggest sign that read, "CLOSED MONDAY- WEDNESDAY until school is out!" Um, really? We began laughing out loud hysterically! Of course the water park was closed, why wouldn't it be-we were so looking forward it!

Turned Around.

We headed back home to our community pool. On the way, we tried getting the kids excited about the pool. They were equally excited knowing that no matter where they were, it was going to be fun! We had a blast yesterday. We played, we splashed, we ate our picnic lunch, and enjoyed a perfect S. Florida day!

Moments That Matter.

What I didn't illustrate to you above were the little things, the little moments that the five of us shared that will forever be priceless to me. The restaurants we would never known existed had we not been lost for 30 minutes, the conversations we over heard our girls having as we were 'trapped' in a car for a few minutes too long, or the time my new friend and I spent laughing at ourselves, knowing had our husbands been involved in the equation-we would have known that this water park was 'CLOSED MONDAY-WEDNESDAY!'

Don't Sweat It.

Yesterday, I was reminded to not sweat the small stuff, to not over react to things that really don't matter. Instead, to roll with the punches, make the most of every situation. It is so much more fun that way! No one wants to be around someone who sucks all the life out of an adventure. Even though we didn't get to go inside "Quiet Waters Splash Park Adventure" we had an adventure on our own. We even saved a few bucks!

Taking It Home.

Do you ever find yourself sweating the small stuff or overreacting to things that really don't matter? Tell me about it, I want to hear from you!




Every week I highlight a TRUTH about you, your life, or about a situation you may be facing and then I DARE you to believe it.



Here is this week's TRUTH or DARE.


TRUTH: "Don't sweat the small stuff...and it's all small stuff." Richard Carlson, author.


DARE: Whatever hasn't worked out the way you planned it would-let it go, have fun-life will always throw you curve balls and tend to not work out the way you planned for it to, you might as well enjoy it!

A Crappy Day.

Haha! I think the title alone just drew in some new readers. If  this is your first peek at my blog site, hello! This past week, BJ, (my husband) some of our launch team and I had the amazing privilege of joining 2,500 other church planters and ministry leaders at ARC's All Access Conference. It is one I will never forget. It changed me, challenged me and prepared me for the days ahead. It was so great seeing so many healthy leaders talk about their healthy churches and how the gospel of Jesus Christ is being proclaimed around the world. It is truly the best time to be a part of THE church!!! Like any other getaway, this one just didn't seem long enough, as I found myself back to work on Saturday morning.

Serve The City.

Our church teamed up with one of our favorite churches here in South Florida in what they called, "Serve The City." Over 600 people volunteered their Saturday to serve South Florida! We were so honored to be a part. We had 16 people from our church show up-which is awesome! The group was tasked to clean up a farm. Yes, a farm. For 3 1/2 hours, a group of about 50 people cleaned up hay, shoveled manure, and anything else that needed to be done. 

Picture Perfect.

There were other groups that were painting schools, participating in building projects, and other serving endeavours that to most, could appear as more desirable projects. BJ told me about how these 50 individuals not only cleaned up this farm but they did it with a lot of smiles, laughter and in record time. The owner of this particular farm was so impressed by their willingness and ability to get things done, she assigned more projects for them to complete. The group sent me pictures of their day and even considered it to be one of their favorite, most memorable days.

Invaluable.

What was most remarkable to me was that our team didn't think anything less of the assignment given to them, rather, they served with their whole hearts. What some of our team didn't know, was that this farm is not only home to many horses, but it's a place where healing is found. This particular farm exists to help children who have experienced the loss of someone through their interaction with horses. Although our team never spent a second with a child who has experienced loss or had the chance to witness a child go through the healing  process, the part they played was invaluable!

Tomorrow's Rainbow.

What a concept! To think that our assignment in life, although may not seem glamorous or even purposeful at the time, if we are obedient and responsible with it, can help transform someone else's life! There was a BLOG moment, a life lesson, a perspective shift right in the middle of a 'crappy' day. (you see what I did there) Our team was not only excited to clean up a farm, they were honored to. They grabbed a hold of something that takes most people a lifetime to understand. There is a hurting world that desperately needs each of us to do our part, no matter what the task may look like or even smell like.

200 Man Hours.

During their time there, our team was told countless amount of stories of the children who have found hope and healing on the other side of great loss through this farm, "Tomorrow's Rainbow." The group completed over 200 man hours at this farm and made a difference to great too measure all because they were willing to do their part and serve with a heart that screams, "I will do whatever it takes to help hurting people, no matter what it looks like."

Taking It Home.

It is very easy to devalue the task/responsibility we have been entrusted with when we focus on the 'next thing' in our life. What is it that you are being entrusted with that may not seem so glamorous? Whatever it is, I encourage you to do it, and do it with all of your heart-you just never know how your crappy day can bring hope to someone else.

Every week I highlight a TRUTH about you, your life, or about a situation you may be facing and then I DARE you to believe it.



Here is this week's TRUTH or DARE.


TRUTH: There's value in crappy days.




DARE: Do whatever it is that you are asked to do with all your heart no matter what it looks like.

 

Just a few highlights of our day!



 

Turn The Tide.

This past week, my parents came to visit us here in our new home state of Florida. It was an amazing week filled with lots of hugs, kisses, laughter and pictures! We made great memories, and like every time, it was hard to say, "see you soon." As we drove up to the airport Kennedi began crying and even said that she didn't want Granny to go on the airplane. Talk about ripping your heart out! It was so crazy to see how at only 2 years old she knew the concept of Granny going back home. While they were here we decided to take them to see Key West. We had never been and thought it would be a great little getaway.

Paradise.

The Keys are beautiful! The drive was breathtaking- the ocean was turquoise and the sand was like a pearl-white. Ahh.. I can almost picture myself there again. I love road trips especially ones like that-they give me a chance to think, reflect, dream and relax. We have been going non stop lately so it was perfect timing to just getaway. As I was starring at the ocean's tide, I began reflecting on the last few weeks. Without going into too many details, there have been areas in my life that have been a challenge. I have found myself complaining about these situations more than I should and almost having a "woe is me" attitude. As I watched the tide go in and out I had a blog moment.

Turn The Tide.

BJ is a phenomenal communicator- in one of my favorite messages he shares, he gives an example of how we are not meant to be thermometers, but instead we should be thermostats. Thermometers GAGE the temperature around them, thermostats SET the temperature. Rather than sulk in the circumstances I have been given, God was calling me to SET the pace and turn the tide. Some of us don't enjoy our office environment and would rather transfer to a different job, but maybe God is wanting you to change the office environment for the better. Some of us don't like the neighborhood we live in and want to move to cleaner, kid-friendly place, but maybe God wants us to change our neighborhood and make it a place everyone wants to live. Maybe we don't like the school our kids attend and are looking for ways to get them in a better one, but maybe God wants us to volunteer at their school and contribute to making that school a better school for all students.

I don't know what area in your life isn't what you want it to look like, but I challenge you to see this as an opportunity to do something about it. Let us not be people who gage our environment, but let us be people who set the pace, people who turn the tide.


Every week I highlight a TRUTH about you, your life, or about a situation you may be facing and then I DARE you to believe it.




Here is this week's TRUTH or DARE.




TRUTH: "You must be the change you want to see in the world." Gandhi


DARE:  Turn the tide.

Brooklyn.

My Drive. Where I decided to 'Turn The Tide.'

Easter Basket.

This past Friday night we took the girls to a glow in the dark Easter Egg Hunt. This year is the first year our girls understand the concept of hunting for candy-filled eggs, so I was excited to take them. Most of the community Easter events are held on Saturdays and since I work every Saturday, I knew this was the only Easter Egg Hunt I could experience with them.

Oh No!

Half way to the event I realized I had forgotten their Easter baskets! I yelled over to BJ who was driving, "Turn the car around, I forgot their baskets!" Looking down at the clock and back at him a few times- we knew if we turned around now, we could potentially miss the Easter Egg Hunt. All of a sudden my mind was flooding with all kinds of horrible thoughts.

Overload.

I started thinking about the what seems likes a million instagram posts I had scrolled through of my friends and their kids and all the Easter-themed days, moments, dinners. Some even had their own personal Easter bunny visit their homes (not really, but seemed like it at the time) Some of them had dyed their rice and pasta to look like dyed eggs, they had their kid's Easter basket custom made with their initials on it and had the whole thing hidden away for the past 3 months.

Reality.

Meanwhile, my reality was that I had just purchased their Easter basket an hour before (while they were in the grocery cart with me) ran home in time to feed them oatmeal for dinner because I didn't prepare anything beforehand, changed their clothes and brushed their hair. Running out the door without their baskets!

Your Lane.

I expressed my feelings of being a horrible mother to BJ; not only had I forgotten their baskets, but this was the only "Easter-y" event I was able to experience with them... the list went on and on! I continued by comparing my reality to other's reality, or what I perceived to be their reality. BJ stopped me in mid sentence and said, "Sarah run in your own lane and be confident in it!"

Off Track.

For a second there, I had gotten a bit off track. In a moment of panic, I allowed insecurity to get the best of me. I am not the mother who makes organic soap in my backyard (I don't even have a backyard) nor am I the mom who has the menu for the week inscribed on a chalk board that I did as a Pinterest project one day! Most days I know that and embrace that, but last Friday I viewed those things as a weakness.

Compare.

Knowing who you are is so important- but knowing who you are not is sometimes equally as important. As people we compare, and it is so easy to subconsciously compare our lives to others. Whether we see it on a social media forum or just by observing people's lives, we sometimes (if you're anything like me) ask questions like, "Am I doing enough with my life?" or, "Am I a thoughtful wife like her?" or, "Why am I not married by now?"You get the picture.

Turn It Around.

In this moment I had to be reminded to run in my lane and to be completely confident in whatever that lane looks like. It's OK to want to do more and be the best mother, sister, wife, friend, brother we can be, but it is not OK to beat ourselves up in the process. If you forget your kid's Easter basket, don't start going down rabbit trails of horrible thoughts. (see what I did there?) Instead, make your husband jump out of the car with the kids at the event, turn your car around and zip on home to pick the baskets up, go back to the Easter Egg Hunt and make it just in time for the kids to hunt for some candy-filled eggs. That's what I did anyways.

Every week I highlight a TRUTH about you, your life, or about a situation you may be facing and then I DARE you to believe it.

Here is this week's TRUTH or DARE.

TRUTH: You are not meant to live anyone else's reality.

DARE: Be confident in that reality, whatever that looks like.