Springtime in the Canyon

Life in the Canyon is pretty stinkin' awesome.  I love the life here and the people. Here are some pictures from said life in the Canyon. Enjoy!

The beginnings of the Orchard.

 Rocks and clouds - some of my favorite things about the Ranch.

 More clouds

 A trip down to South Bottom with the dog and the Jeep. This picture is for you, K.

Fun surprise having Alicia stop by. Love her. Miss her.

My Heart Is Content

My heart  is full and content. I am back in the Canyon and staying with my dearest friends in the entire world, well family, Kory and Sara. I've been here for just a few days and dude I have LOVED being here. I feel at peace. I am comfortable. I am home. Being back in the Canyon, I feel like my true self. This is where true life on life love and relationships happen for me. I feel like my true self comes out here in the Canyon. It's the place that I'm the most comfortable. It's the place that I love the most and my heart leaps for joy when I begin to think about what this place means to me.


I am so incredibly thankful that my beautiful family is willing to house me for six weeks. So thankful for this season, this place, and these amazing people. And mostly, our glorious Lord and Jesus Christ for providing this time for me! My heart is content and full!

3000 Miles to the Left

I'm back to the state of "I don't know what title to give this blog so I'm gonna start typing and hope that something comes to me. Otherwise, it'll probably be a sound like sigh or meh or something uncreative like that."

Part of me is in a little bit of a funk. Still don't know what the Lord has for me and my future which can be really confusing, hard, scary at times. At the same time, it's forcing me to simply be still and to trust. It's hard for me, and I'm sure many of you can relate, to simply be still and to wait.

At the same time, part of me (a huge part) is real excited about what this weekend holds. About 6 am on Saturday I will be boarding a plane to the great state of Oregon! I am more than excited to be spending time with the Canyon Family as a whole, but especially some of my dearest friends in all the world and my sweet Oregon Family, the Browns. I can only imagine the ridiculousness that's going to take place while staying with them - if we make it out alive - we may need some prayers to make sure that happens!

If you recall my blog entry from the end of December known as "The Last of the Canyon. Sad.", it will give you a small glimpse of what it looked like to leave the Canyon almost exactly four months ago. These are the very reasons and people that make me want to get back there so bad. I am extremely blessed to have a place to call home with people that are family - even if it isn't by blood.

The Lord is good. He is faithful. He has plans to prosper us and not to harm us. He has plans to give us a hope and a future. The Lord is good - all the time.

Big Sigh. Big Time.

Well this week has been full of some big emotions. Last Sunday, my third nephew was born! Wyatt Thomas entered the world last Sunday at 12:39 weighing in at 8lbs and 20 inches long. So great! Welcome to the world, Wyatt! We now have a blonde, a brunette, and a red head.

Yesterday we celebrated my nephew, Luke's 4th birthday. Can't believe how big he's getting!

I also found out this week week that I didn't get a job that I really wanted and it's hard. It's a hard to trust that there is something better even though this job just seemed so perfect. It's been three months since I've had a job and I'm just so ready to get moving on with what's next. Definitely bummed. But the Lord is still good. All the time! Trusting in the Lord's plan - although it's hard sometimes!

There Might Be Hope For Me Yet

If you had asked me three months ago if I still didn't have a job at the end of March, I would have said there's no way. If you had asked me what I thought my life would look like in March or how I thought the events that happened in December would have panned out by this point, I would have confidently given solid answers to everything. And not one thing would have mapped out how I would have guessed. And oddly, I'm okay with that. I feel at total peace with where things are currently. I can't say the same looking forward. I'm ready for the Lord to reveal His plan. I want a job and I want to settle in somewhere. Struggling with peace and trust for the future at this moment.

I mentioned this to one of my dearest friends this morning and at some point I said, "If I've been out of a job for a few months now, I can wait another couple of weeks. Right?" It was like I needed that reassurance. Yes, I can wait. As this dear friend encouraged me, he said, "What's going to change between now and when you get a job? You have more patience? You have a better trust in the Lord's ability to provide? Is that a bad thing?" Dang! So true, friends. Have to keep that in mind!

In other news, last weekend was the Prayer Overnight for our Young Life Region (The Commonwealth Region). It was so great. I "missed" last years due to living in Oregon. I say "missed" because I prayed with our Region on East Coast, but I was just 3000 miles to the left. It was so great to pray with 800 staff, volunteer leaders, and committee from around Virginia for our middle school, high school, and college friends across Virginia that they might also know Christ. It was also great to pray for others in the mission across the country and world. Where 2 or more are gathered in His name..... Can't wait to see how the Lord works.

My sister-in-law is going to have baby boy #3 any day now and part of me hopes it's today so he can share a birthday with my favorite 14 year old, Abby. I'll keep y'all posted!

Feeling Encouraged

I have definitely felt encouraged lately. Yes things are still hard and I still don't have a job, but I feel like my outlook on life and the different situations has changed - for the better.

I was more than super excited about "springing ahead". Yes, I agree that loosing an hour of sleep isn't fun, but we'll make up for it a few months when we get an extra hour. PLUS the extra sunlight is amazing! And I think God had a little something extra up His sleeve when it was so cold, rainy, dreary these last few weeks then as we spring ahead, the sun comes out and the temps start to rise - for more than just a single day! I consider that a blessing! Things are new in the Spring and I love that!

Another huge blessing I've felt recently has been the relationships that have been so dear to me. Lots has been happening, but the phrase we keep using is "The Lord is good - all the time!" And He is. In the midst of hard things, we are still reminded that He is good and that He loves us by the way He blesses us.

It still amazes me that in the midst of a hard season, there is ALWAYS the ability to see the blessings in your life and in the lives around you AND the ability to encourage those around you. I fee like that's been the case in several of my relationships lately where 2 or more parties are struggling and the encouragement goes both ways. I really feel that it's the love of the Lord and from the Lord that makes it possible to love, encourage, and bless another. Here's what Hebrews 10:24-25 says about it:

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and

good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit

of doing, but encourage each other and all the more as you see the Day

approaching!"

The Lord is good - all the time. He is faithful, He has a plan, a hope and a future for us. His love never fails. The Lord is good - all the time.

80 degrees on March 1st...

Yep 80 degrees on March 1st in Virginia Beach....and it's sunny. I can't complain. I walked about 5 1/2 miles on the boardwalk today and sat in the sand for about 45 minutes afterwards. I still miss the Canyon, but I'm not missing the fact that it snowed there today. It's a love hate relationship. It really is. Sometimes I think it would be great if Virginia Beach and the Canyon were closer to each other - to have the best of both worlds.

Some days are good and some days are hard, but I'm often reminded at how good the Lord is. How faithful He is and all the ways He blesses us. I am continually thankful for my family - both my real family and my Oregon family.

As I flipped my super fun mug calendar to March this morning it was so fun to see this month's picture and to be reminded of the fun that was had in those few days in the midst of the craziest, one of the hardest months known to man.

It's the simple things in life that I'm learning to be thankful for and feel so blessed to have. Love the little things.