Hiking.

Hollywood Hills.

Last Friday BJ and I decided to visit Griffith Park and the Observatory. We wanted to get outside and enjoy the beautiful day and get our workout in at the same time. It was our first time visiting so we parked our car at the bottom of the park, put the girls in their stroller and started our trek up the hill. We worked up quite a sweat in just a few minutes of pushing the stroller up the windy, steep hill. When we arrived at the Observatory we were speechless. The view that overlooked the city of Los Angeles was incredible. The place was flooded with tourists, students and other locals just like us. We noticed a lot of people had parked their car at the Observatory and were actually hiking up the mountain. It looked like fun and since we weren't quite ready to go home, we decided to journey up what they call the "Hollywood Hills."

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 are this week's TRUTH or DARE. 

 

 

TRUTH: "I'm running around, I got my feet on the ground."-Collbie Caillat

DARE: Live outside the box.

Gone Hiking.

Last Friday BJ and I decided to visit Griffith Park and the Observatory. We wanted to get outside and enjoy the beautiful day and get our workout in at the same time. It was our first time visiting so we parked our car at the bottom of the park, put the girls in their stroller and started our trek up the hill. We worked up quite a sweat in just a few minutes of pushing the stroller up the windy, steep hill. When we arrived at the Observatory we were speechless. The view that overlooked the city of Los Angeles was incredible. The place was flooded with tourists, students and other locals just like us. We noticed a lot of people had parked their car at the Observatory and were actually hiking up the mountain. It looked like fun and since we weren't quite ready to go home, we decided to journey up what they call the "Hollywood Hills."

Vantage Point.

With every windy turn and new set of ground to cover, the hills offered different "look outs" giving us a new vantage point of the city. What we thought was an incredible view from the Observatory became second best as we hiked up the mountain.  At each new "look out" we were convinced that this was the best view of the city! And it was. Until we climbed higher and discovered the next "best view of the city."

Higher.

Once we picked up on the trend that if we climbed higher we would experience greater and more amazing sites we were determined to hike all the way to the top. Let me remind you that our girls now weigh over 20 pounds each and when combined with their stroller, we were easily pushing over 50 pounds up the mountain. The sun was now shining down on us at about 90 degrees and the mountain was well a mountain. We weren't quite sure why people were cheering us on as we passed them on the mountain until we realized that we were the only people hiking up the Hollywood Hills with a jogging stroller. Not only that, but I will even go further and say that we were the only people running up the mountain. They waived, smiled, shouted and even clapped as they saw us climb higher. 

Moments.

This entire hike was filled with BLOG moments for me. Each time we took a few seconds to stop and experience the new vantage point I was encouraged to go higher! Just when I thought it couldn't get any better it did. When we live out the life we were meant to live our life will keep getting better and better. When we choose to go higher, we will find out that there are a whole lot of small moments that make getting to our goals/dreams/desires seem second best. 

I am addicted to hiking and I think BJ and I are going to do it more often. Have you ever been on a hike? If so, tell me about your experience in the comment box below.

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 are this week's TRUTH or DARE.

TRUTH: “Some moments are nice, some are nicer, some are even worth
                   writing about.” -Charles Bukowski

DARE: Don't overlook the moments, instead embrace them.

Me & the Girls!!

Vantage Point.

Vantage Point.

We Bought A Zoo.

OK, well we didn't quite buy a Zoo, but we took a trip to the Zoo last week with some very special friends. It was an amazing experience! If you live in California or planning to make a visit, the San Diego Zoo is a must see. It was the first time we had ever been and it was a day I will never forget. The girls loved every single second of the day. They love animals and any animal that looked like it roared they roared at it. They pointed at the animals, the trees and just about anything and everything they found interesting. My favorite was when they would say, "Oh WOW!!!" over and over again as they experienced something for the very first time. When we would walk up to a new area they would immediately say, "Oh WOW!!!" I could tell that they hadn't quite seen the bear or the jaguar, but they new we were going to see something exciting. I would stare at them until I witnessed them actually SEEING what it was we were looking at. Many of the animals would almost blend in with their surroundings and it was difficult at times to see them. The girls would be distracted by the environment (trees, rocks, flowers, or other people standing around) and so it would take us standing there for a just a while before their eyes light up, their jaw would drop and out of sheer amazement they would clinch their fists and just stare in awe. Their expression said it all.

Oh WOW!!!

This past weekend we rented the movie, "We Bought A Zoo." If you haven't seen it yet, I urge you to rent it this weekend. It is an inspiring movie. I had been wanting to see the movie since it came out in theaters, but ever since our Zoo trip last week I really wanted to see it. There are a lot of great moments within that movie, but one moment in particular stood out to me. I had a BLOG moment. There is a special moment shared by a father and his son. When talking about fears and about life, he explains to his son that, "Sometimes all you need is 20 seconds of insane courage. Just 20 seconds of embarrassing bravery and I promise you something great will come of it." What amazing advise!

Insane Courage.

 It felt as though someone had raised the volume during this scene in the movie because of how loud and clear I heard it! When was the last time you experienced insane courage? When was the last time you did something so daring it freaked you out just thinking about it? I began to ask myself these same questions. This past year has seemed like a year filled with 20 second insanely courageous decisions. It is so funny to me because I am a big baby when it comes snakes, heights, and other Fear Factor type of things but there is an adventurous insanely courageous person inside of me that is always looking to take a risk!


Embarrassing Bravery.


I think bravery and embarrassing should be considered synonyms. In order to be a brave person you have to be willing to be embarrassed. Daring plans aren't predictable nor are they anything like an insurance plan. That is why they are called daring plans. "More often than not, the will of God will involve a daring decision that seem unsafe or even insane." Mark Batterson, Wild Goose Chase. Insane courage means that you and I dream dreams that we can not achieve on our own and by doing so we run the risk of being embarrassed if what we are believing to happen will not happen. But being an insanely courageous person means that we do not look at a situation and think, "What if it doesn't work out?", but instead we think, "What will I miss if I don't try?" 


Something Great.


I can honestly say that something great has always come out of doing something insanely courageous. It doesn't always mean sky diving out of an airplane. Forgiving someone who has wronged you will always lead to something great. It may not result in a repaired relationship, but it could grant you the freedom and healing you need to move with your life. Loving someone who is unlovely takes insane courage. Giving of your time (when you can not even find the time to do anything else) to help someone in need takes courage. If it is going to take more than your own efforts and if it scares you just thinking about it, then you can call it insane courage and you can take it to the bank that something great will come of it.


20 Seconds.


You've got twenty seconds to comment in the box below and tell me what insanely courageous thing you are going to do!






Every week I highlight a TRUTH & DARE you to believe it. Here are this weeks TRUTH or DARE.







TRUTH: "The twenty-first century needs more daring people with daring plans." Mark Batterson






DARE: Do something insanely courageous.

Value.

A lot has changed since I have become a mom. Even if I tried, I don't think I could possibly list all the things that have changed in my life. I am not the same person I was before I had the girls. Most of you who have been following my journey know that most of what I talk about these days are my girls. They have taught me so much about who I am, who I want to become, where I need to change, and where I need to be better. They have taught me how to love deeper, forgive sooner and that no matter what happens in a matter of 24 hours, there is no such thing as a bad day. These days they are carrying on full conversations with each other and to anyone who will listen. I don't know everything they are trying to say, but coupled with their blabber is a lot of hand motions, facial expressions and finger pointing that help get their point across. They are so much fun! They love to sing and dance, especially to worship music. They lift their hands, sing and even close their eyes. Those moments are truly priceless. Seeing them worship their creator melts my heart, I could only imagine what it does to Jesus, the one who created them. I love seeing them grow up right before my eyes and I feel I am the most blessed person on this earth to be their mommy. I stare at them all the time and get lost in many moments. They brighten up my every day. Kennedi and Brooklyn have added to my life what no other person or thing has ever been able to do. I take advantage of every moment, every diaper change, every single second I have to stop what I am doing to hold them, love on them or give them my undivided attention. 

Mommy.

Last week as I was doing what every mommy finds herself doing most days: straightening up the family room, putting away the toys, searching for the remote that was buried in the toys bin, taking out meat from the freezer, (while crossing my fingers hoping that it will thaw out in time to prepare dinner) pouring Drano down the bathtub because our apartment has horrible plumbing, and cleaning up the kitchen all before the girls wake up from their nap I was stopped dead in my tracks. I had a moment, yes a BLOG moment. I felt as though the Lord  reminded me of something I can often lose sight of. He said, "you are valuable. Your value is found in what I have done for you, not given to you by anything you can ever do or accomplish."

Speaker.

Last week I had the amazing opportunity to speak to a group of world changers. It was a great experience and I was so honored to have been asked to share with them about God's faithfulness. As I was walking back to my car and thanking God for a great morning I had another moment, yes a BLOG moment. I felt as though the Lord reminded me once again. He said, "you are valuable. Your value is found in what I have done for you, not given to you by anything you can ever do or accomplish."

Dreamer.

This past weekend as BJ and I were talking and dreaming about how we are going to help change the world I had another moment, yes a BLOG moment. I felt as though the Lord reminded me once again. He said, ""you are valuable. Your value is found in what I have done for you, not given to you by anything you can ever do or accomplish."

 

Father.

I've always wanted to make those in my life proud of me and my accomplishments. Not in a prideful way, but in a way that honors them as my parent, friend, sister, wife, boss, pastor etc. I don't want to let anyone down, including God. Many times in my life I have looked to God as my coach or CEO, but not enough times looking to Him as Father. This past year I feel as though I have realized that God doesn't want to be my coach or the CEO in my life, but He wants to be my Father. A coach or a CEO puts a certain amount of value on a person based on that person's achievements and accomplishments. A father sees His son or daughter as valuable no matter what that person could ever achieve or accomplish, for the good or the bad. 

Valued.

My daughters couldn't possibly make me love them or value them more if they tried. No matter what they do in a single day, my love for them is the same. They are valuable to me because they are mine. A lot of things happened this past week, days where I seemed to have accomplished a lot and days where I may not have. What I learned is that no matter what I do or don't do, I am still valuable. Not because of what I have done but because I belong to the Lord and what He did for me on the cross gives me value. 

Easter.

I thought it was fitting to share with you what I learned this past week since this Sunday is Easter, one of my most favorite Holidays. It is my reminder that it is not about anything we can accomplish on this earth  but it is all about what He has already accomplished for us that will last forever. He was crucified. He was buried. He was raised back to life. These things that HE accomplished give us HOPE and life everlasting. 

Maybe you are like me and your deepest desire is to be someone who has accomplished much in this lifetime. Never lose sight of that, but as you change the world, make a difference and accomplish great things for God know that, "you are valuable. Your value is found in what I have done for you, not given to you by anything you can ever do or accomplish."

TRUTH:  "It is not about what WE have accomplished that gives us value, but instead it is what HE has accomplished." - Me.

DARE: Let me know that you believe it and leave a comment in the box below that reads, " I am valuable, my value is found in what God has done for me not given to me by anything I can ever do or accomplish." 

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.