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!"