Life As I Know It

Well tomorrow officially marks 6 months of me living in Florida, and life as I know it has changed substantially.

Tall mountainous views have changed to vast and billowing storm clouds.

My long and glorious hikes are now gym work outs followed by beach afternoons.

And while much has changed somethings never will... 

Sundays are still full of joyful jumping and singing for the Lord.

My free time is still spent writing music and sitting in candle light.

But now my music is transforming from paper to tracks and my candle light time full of prayers of thankful cries.

I miss my friends and family in California everyday and can't wait to visit you all, as soon as God provides a way.  But through my moments of "California Dreaming" God is still constantly confirming for me that this move was His will and His path.  And while the daily struggle is real and the process at times trying.  The faithful outcomes and promises of even more to come keep me marching forward.

God's faithfulness ever shines as I was recently named the #1 Vocal Instructor in the Orlando Area via Thumbtack.com, and my business is going well.  I am working with One School of the Arts and the PopShop as their vocal instructor for the school year as well as privately coaching over 15 students.  God is so good!

Even so please be praying as the holiday season comes my way.  God continues to sustain and even though about a 1/4 of my revenue will be put on hold, I am confident that God will provide.  Please pray as I am doing a workshop next week and trying to land at least one more private client so that I can save for that time.  God is providing everyday and His provision is absolute.  Thank you for your prayers.

I am loving my house and enjoying making it my own.  I am slowly adding personal touches as God provides that time and love waking up every morning to the sun shining in through my bedroom window.

The weather here has been beautiful.  If you want to know the best time to come to Florida...I would say so far fall is that best.  In the low 80's there is a slight coolness in the air that offers some beautiful relief, compared to the blazing summer temperatures.

Oh yes...life as I know it has changed so much...

But from where I'm standing...the view is pretty amazing!

It's The Little Things

It's the little things in life that make a moment special.  

Moving into my house a week early was unexpected, crazy and a blessing.  And though I don't have much, I am finding joy in the simplicity of it all.  Finding small little trifles to make each area of my house feel special and unique. 

My house gets a lot of natural light which is great and not so great.  Great because of the beauty.  Not so great due to the heat but I'll get some curtains eventually.   

Taking out things from my apartment in California and putting them in my new home is very comforting. It reminds me that while much has changed some things always stay the same.  

Face timing with Audrey and talking with Pastor Dan last night reminded me that some friendships and bonds never change.  And while I don't see them everyday, the love and joy we get from fellowship is constant.

It's amazing how just hearing certain tones or seeing mannerisms from someone you used to see all the time can make you so happy and sad in the same moment.  

Still know that me moving here was God's will and He is reminding me of that everyday through His provision, grace and favor.  

And while I may never get used to the heat.  I am learning to enjoy the afternoon thunderstorms and the way my hair never quite looks as I'd like it too.  It brings some much needed spontaneity to my life.  

I am still doing what God has called.  Still using my gifts.  Still writing, still recording, still leading and still following in God's foot steps.  Taking it one step at a time, looking up with every inch to ensure the way I walk is in His loving will.

I'm still fighting the good fight.  Keeping my boxing gloves on for whatever comes my way, but knowing and trusting that God is faithful!  He has made a way and continues to come through.  I am starting to make some new friends and enjoy the prospect of new beginnings is lots of areas in my life.  God's refining fire is accepted, as I see it's work bloom and I am so grateful for redemption!  God is so good!

Thank you for your continued prayers and support!  I still need 3 -5 more students and continued prayer against the enemy and His schemes.  I love and appreciate you all!

It Begins

It Begins

My life's calling summed up in an image!

So I have now officially been in Florida for all most 2 months and so much has happened.  God just continues to show His faithfulness in all things.  

I am making progress in my business as I get new calls everyday from interested students and even churches for aid with their praise teams. As many of you know, I signed the papers today to rent a beautiful 2 bedroom house in Oviedo, FL.  What is even more amazing is that the house literally fell in to my lap.  It is currently rented by a friend of my brother and sister-in-law who are relocating come August, so I am the only one who saw the place before it was even on the market!  The other great things are it is only 7 minutes from church!  

My new home! 

God just keeps reminding me that he goes before me!  Last night I secured a new student and then literally right after I signed the paper work for the house, I received a call from another new perspective student!  Its like God is continually encouraging me, saying.."keep walking in faith my child...I got this!" And he sure does!

 My nephew Josh and I have been writing lots of music and have started recording some demos to take into the studio next week.  We also recorded some music videos to help promote my business and plan to do some to promote worship at church as well. We look forward to doing some for our album, when the time comes.  It is all so exciting!  Recording the videos was a little weird...it felt like I was putting on a show...but by the third take I was able to let go and realize that even this was Glorifying God!

I really want to thank all of you who continue to pray for me and my family in your daily time with God.  It means so much!  I miss you still and that will never go away but knowing that I am walking in God's calling and purpose makes it all worth while.  We still have our hard days.  We still wonder what exactly we are doing.  We still feel completely inadequate. But walking by faith not by sight, we press on and God's faithfulness shines.  So thank you for your continued prayer against the enemy and his schemes. We are daily fighting a battle, especially while writing.  Josh and I had to turn off our phones and hide the other day to write a song...but it was worth it! God wrote a awesome song through that devoted time.  Again He is faithful! Love you all!  Until next time!

One Month In!

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call on me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you declares the Lord...!" (Jeremiah 29:11-14)

My Jeremiah 29 story continues...

Yesterday marked my one month anniversary of being here in Florida!

So much has happened and yet so much more to come.

Logistically things are coming along slowly but surely.

I am getting new voice students and am up to 10 confirmed and consistent with about 4 pending.  Thank you for your prayers!  I still need quite a few more to feel comfortable moving out and paying rent.  I really need around 20 - 30 students consistently.  So I am doing all I can in advertising my business to get more clients as quickly as I can.  I am also praying about other ways to supplement some of my income in the meantime.

My brother and sister-in-law have been in Europe for their 20th Anniversary over the past week and are getting back today so that will free me up to me a bit more focused.  I now have a new found respect for single working mothers!  LOL

In general things here in Florida have been different but good.  I have had a couple freak out, I miss everyone, why am I here again, this is hard moments, but I just keep holding on to the promises of God and reminding myself of why He has brought me here.

God has been reminding me as well.  Josh and I wrote a really incredible new worship song this past week and that is what gets me super excited and ready to face any obstacle to follow the calling of God.

We plan to be in the studio in July. So please be praying that God continues to give us guidance on which songs to record for this first album.  We know that many of the songs will be given to us over this next month but also know that some will come from my past files.  So we are praying for a God breathed and constructed album! This gets me so excited!

We have as a whole family been experiencing quite a bit of warfare lately, which surprisingly makes me even more confident that we are following God's path. Please keep us all lifted.  God is reminding us that we are set apart daily and that He has very specific plans for each of us to do.  I am so blessed to be going through this journey with my family!

Thank you so much to all of you who are praying, lifting, supporting!  I am so grateful!!

God Is In Control

Josh, Me, Tabby and "Big" Brother Tristan at Metro Church before worship service this past Sunday.

So it's been a little over a week since we drove into the driveway here in Lake Mary, Florida and began to settle in to this new beginning.  Yet it feels like it's been so much longer!  So much has happened in so little time and God has been faithful to provide.  I don't even know where to start.

One big blessing is that I have been able to get my business up and running for almost no money down.  People just keep wanting to gift me services; from tax set-up, financial services and business accounts; to an office space at the church to hold voice lessons in!  It's been amazing!  My little niece Natalie looks at me today at the dinner table and says "You get everything for free!!"  LOL "You are blessed!"  To which I responded, "It's amazing what can happen when you are in the will of God!"

Don't get me wrong there have been set backs, but when I look at what my God can do compared to the little things that satan tries to pull...I almost want to laugh.  Not that I'm taking warfare lightly and  I've had my share of freak out and crying moments over this past week.  But ultimately it is just so clear God has His hand and His will on it all!

So I keep walking in the direction He says to walk, as He says walk it.  Not to fast, not to slow, but just a nice and steady pace.  Cruising...if you will.  Me in the back seat and God at the wheel.  Holding tight to His promises and truth!

God Knows

Psalm 23:

“The Lord is my shepherd,

I lack nothing.

He leads me beside quiet waters,

He refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths

For His name sake.”

This is my reminder this morning of God’s faithfulness, especially while follow His leading. 

Sitting out on the back-screened porch this morning at my brother’s house, I am feeling so much peace.  I know there are lots of things to do yet; I feel not fear, no anxiety or apprehension.  For I know that that God knows my plans. 

Jeremiah 29:

“For I know the plans I have for you”,

Declares the Lord,

“plans to prosper you and not to harm you”,

“plans to give you a hope and a future. “

I know that God holds it all in His hand; every step, every detail. 

So as I sit out here in the Florida sunshine and listen as the birds above me chirp and sing, I am reminded that the Lord cares for the birds of the air.  His eye’s are upon them.  He gives them everything they need and yet He care’s that much more for me. 

Therefore…

I will not worry about what clothes I will wear or about what I will eat or drink: God knows.

I will not worry about where I will live: God knows.

I will not worry about anything: God knows.

God knows it all and has it all firmly in His hands.  He is faithful to provide and will as I am earnestly seeking Him.

God Knows

Ocean View

Sitting here tonight in our hotel in Panama City Beach, Florida, I feel so at peace.  I am listening as the waves keep coming, giving a constant flow of roaring sound from our balcony window.  The air is wet and sweet and I just keep thinking about how blessed I am.  It reminds me of the song "Brave" by Bethel Music that says:

"As Your love, in wave after wave

Crashes over me, crashes over me

For You are for us

You are not against us

Champion of Heaven

You made a way for all to enter in."

I am so blessed by the overwhelming love of God.  Trusting Him in all I do.  Breathing in His grace and breathing out His praise.  He always make a way.

Our road trip has been such a blessing.  We have been making great time.  We drove from New Mexico to Florida in the last two days.  Thats from New Mexico to Texas, to Louisiana, to Alabama and finally Florida...5 states in two days!  We have been safe, made great time, had almost no traffic and to top it all off got to spend our last traveling night at a beach front hotel.  We even did a small stint in New Orleans.  God is good!

So tomorrow we will be making our final decent into Lake Mary, Florida and all I can think about is how excited I am.  I have so much great expectation of what God is going to do!  He is and always has been so faithful and I am holing tight to that truth.  Here's to a new beginning!

"Walking out in faithfulness, 

stepping out upon the waves.  

Holding tight to the truth I know.  

By His love, I am amazed!"

God's Creation: Breath Taking

Today was another earlier morning.  We woke up before the sun again...but this time it was to watch the sunrise at the Grand Canyon!  

Can you tell I was excited!?  

It was still dark and freezing when we arrived at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon but the view even then still took our breath away. 

With each passing minute as the sun rose, the view just became more beautiful!

Every time we thought we had taken as many photos as we could, the sun would appear or we would find a new angle.  

It was amazing!  

We did our best to stop and really dwell in the wonder of what we were constantly photographing.  So much magnitude and beauty, yet nothing compared to it's creator.

At one point we were able to take a small hike down in to the valley of the canyon, enjoying it's character the whole way down.  

The doorway to a new beginning!

Such beauty and magnitude.  

A wonderful day with two wonderful people!

Around noon we had to keep driving East.  So we took one last look and got in the car with the goal of making it to Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Enjoying the painted hills and distant rainbows along the way.  

And now as we sit in yet another hotel, in yet another state, all I can tell you is how I exhausted I am.  No big thoughts or revelations. Just need for sleep and an alarm free wake up, anticipating tomorrow's big push!  We plan to drive through the night into Thursday. Between the three of us we should be able to manage.  Thankful and feeling your prayers.  Until then!  

Evening at the Canyon

My last sunrise in California for a season.  So beautiful.  Felt so grateful to be watching as it rose.  Thinking back on all that God has done over these past 9 years.  He is so faithful!

And now here we are at the Grand Canyon.  A beautiful hotel, hot tub, and twinkly lights make everything better after being in the car for 13 hours straight.  But we enjoyed the ride, singing standards and worship songs all the way.  I watched California disappear behind me, shed a quick tear and then quickly continued to look towards what is ahead.  I still can't believe this chapter of my life has come to a close.

The whole day I have been flooded with your text messages and Facebook comments.  So many wonderful prayers, hopes and sentiments...would make any one want to turn right back around, but oddly for me it seems to be propelling towards the opposite.  Making me run forward harder, excited to share this new chapter of life with all of you in my corner cheering me on and supporting me through prayer.  Such a blessing!!

 Tomorrow we will be waking up early yet again.  Planning to be at the Canyon at sunrise.  So many wonderful things in store.  Life changing, once in a life time moments.  So thankful!

The Night Before The Dawn of A New Beginning

As I sit here on the eve of my departure, I am so overwhelmed by the outpouring of love that has come from my brothers and sisters in Christ.  And while this is probably one of the most overwhelmingly emotional days I can remember in a long time, I so grateful to have a reason to be emotional.  To have friends that I have connected with in the heart is such a blessing! 

And now I will just sit here on George and Cynthia's couch and rest. No more tears, no more packing, no more good byes and see you laters.  But just peacefully reflecting over my sanctuary called California...my home for the past 9 years.  Thankful for the healing, thankful for the transformation, thankful for the people God has used to bless me, and thankful for the people God has used me to bless.  

I know that there is so much more to say...but for now I will just say THANK YOU!  I am looking forward to sharing this New Beginning with you all.  Following the call. Walking in God's footsteps, singing as I go.  "It's not over, it's not ending, it's not finished, this is just the beginning, when God is in it, all things are new!"