Just Love...

Today I took Summer and Micah to go see the movie "Bolt". There was a nice movie before the movie with Tow Mater...Micah really enjoyed that! He has been absolutely crazy about "Cars" since he saw it when he was 3. Now he is 5 and I am frustrated that they still haven't come out with a "Cars 2". Anywho, we got 5 min. into the "Bolt" movie and my kids felt like it was too intense and scary. Wanting to avoid nightmares tonight, we left and of course I was pretty upset that I just spent money to see a 10 min. clip of a cars movie. So as we were walking out we decided to jump in the "Marley and Me" movie that was right next door. I wanted to see it anyway after seeing previews. I am still in awe of what a great movie it was! It has been so long since I have appreciated a great movie. We laughed hysterically and then ended up crying uncontrollably. It hit too close to home. I mean, watching that movie was almost like watching my own life (minus the fact that I don't look like Jennifer Aniston :( and the fact that God is not in their lives). But besides that..so many things lined up. We have had crazy dogs and we currently have a 9 week old puppy.

What is staying with me is how much dogs really impact your life. Not everyone's life..some can't stand dogs or don't want pets. That's fine if that is not your thing. But for someone that absolutely loves their dog and feels like their dog is a part of your family, you will need to bring an entire box of tissues if you see the movie.

My favorite part was the very end. They were saying Dogs just love. They don't care if you are rich or poor. They are just there loving you unconditionally. Wouldn't it be nice if people were more like that? God must have given us dogs to show us what it is like to really love people. No pretenses, just love. Not selfishness, just love. Not hurtful, just love. If only we could love like that as humans. Enjoy your loved ones while they are here...just love.

Discipline

So you probably cringed as you read the title to this entry. Nobody likes the big “D” word. Our small group is going through Advent. This week we were talking about peace. One point is that when you are going through life's different trials you tend to pray for “peace”. But the ultimate peace is being right with God. It's not a thing you pray for, it is a thing you have when you are right with God. I had said that being right with God requires discipline. My relationship with God should not be an emotional thing depending on the moment. So many times I am guilty of not reading His Word and not praying simply because I don't feel like it. But those things are a discipline not an emotion. The outcome of spending time with God will be a stronger walk with Him. So that is true peace. When the hard times come you will be walking in the Spirit and peace will be your natural reaction. But most are not in fellowship with Christ enough and then the difficult times come and they hit their knees and beg God to intervene. If you lack discipline you are setting yourself up for failure. Practice discipline and experience peace!

Two Years!!!

Today I am reflecting on the past two years. Why two years? Two years ago on December 1 we arrived in Fayetteville (Atlanta), Georgia ready to start our lives over. I have only lived in Central and South Florida my whole life. We didn't know a soul. And it was cold. There would be too many stories to tell that led us up to that point. I've been told I should write a book. It was so different from anything I had ever known.

The first noticeable thing as we got out of the van was the cold, crisp air. But the next thing I noticed was the beauty. About thirty minutes before we got to our rental home we drove through winding Georgia roads and the sun was beginning to set. The trees were almost bare for winter (which was a very different thing for me to see) but it was absolutely beautiful. The nature in Georgia is just incredible. It isn't rare to see deer, rabbits, chipmunks and foxes. Most people can't stand some of these animals but I LOVE them. I love to watch them. I admit I am a nature freak...from the trees to the animals, I just really enjoy being in the middle of them. It's all about perspective. I am used to Palm trees. But I never considered them beautiful. When people would visit south Florida they were just in awe of the Palm trees. But I take notice of all the oak, maple, pear and others that actually change colors!

My next reality was to notice what the culture was like. It was different from what I was used to. The people were so incredibly nice! As we ran into Chick Fil A (another huge cultural thing around here), a teenage boy opened the door for me. I said, “Thank you.” He said, “Your welcome, Ma'am.” I was stunned. I remember the slow pace too. I naturally like to do everything fast. I'm in a hurry even when I'm not. People drive here like they have nowhere to be at no specific time. Horns do not honk and you never hear loud base music playing from the car next to you (which is an every stop light thing in Florida!). I remember thinking how this place was just so quiet.

At the time my kids were ages 6, 3 ½, and 15 months. And even though they were noisy, it was a very quiet time of life. I wasn't going to run into anyone in the grocery store that I knew, I wasn't going to get together with any friends, and everything was new and different. Looking back now, I see purpose in that. This was the turning point in life. It is when you feel most alone the Holy Spirit becomes so real. It ended up being a really neat time. We grew together as a family as we became so dependent on God.

So as I look back on two years, it almost feels like ten! Since that lonely point two years ago, we are a different family. I am amazed that in such a short amount of time we have matured to a different level. There were definitely bumps along the way and it's not always roses, but in this short period of time God has started His work in us. It is also so exciting how He is using Atlanta as the area that we will be ministering in for years to come. As we were driving out of Florida two years ago I would have never guessed that this was the way it was going to go. As we changed churches a couple of times back then I would have never guessed God's plan would begin to unfold as certain people have crossed our paths. I am so grateful for these past two years. I instantly fell in love with Atlanta and now I know why! This is the place that we will pour ourselves into over the next several years. These are the people we want to reach out to. This is our mission field. All that and the Braves! :)

Seek God, He promises to direct your paths. I can tell you He has directed ours down to every intricate detail. And I am thanking Him for all the little stepping stones the past two years have brought. I can hardly wait to see what December 1 looks like next year! I am still not used to the cooler weather but I have slowed down quite a bit!