Square one. It’s not so bad.

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Nature is my true love!  Mt Baldy, Half Dome, Desolation Wilderness & Ireland
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7
So here I am.  Back to square one.  I don’t mind being in this square, again, but perhaps this will be the last time.  Wishful thinking?  Who knows.

The last 2 weeks of my life has been a bit crazy, to say the least.  After returning from a great Ireland vacation (post to come soon…) I packed up my home, and moved, for the 26th time.  Yes, you have read the correctly.  I have moved 26 times. During the move my dog got into a terrible accident, my contractor is light years away from being done with my condo and my bf/roomie and I decided to call it quits.  But hey, that’s life.  A beautiful disaster – to say the least!

Instead of feeling like “woe is me” I’m taking a different, intentional approach.  I’ve grown to realize and truly grasp that happiness is very much a choice – and a choice that needs to be made every single day.  So without getting into too much detail – here are the joys I feel through the disasters:

Moving:  This 26th move was into MY home.  That I own.  I’m not paying someone else’s mortgage anymore, or following strict guidelines on what I can/can’t do.  Though it’s unfinished, when it is done, it will be lovely.  I haven’t had a place that truly felt like home in quite some time, so I am excited for what this place will become.

Lynard:  Seeing my dog in such pain was heartbreaking.  Truly.  But praise God, he is just fine.  He has some cuts and bruises, but that’s about it.  He’s happy, healthy, comforting and darling.  It was incredibly time-consuming for me to have to care for him through this injury, but perhaps it gave me a brief glimpse into what parenthood will be like… (ha… I bet all you parents out there are shaking your heads…lol)

Break up:  This relationship was truly great.  I learned so, so much about myself and how to have a good, healthy relationship.  We started as friends, got along wonderfully, always had fun and treated each other great.  Why did it end you ask?  A little thing called love was missing.  I’ve always heard “love is not enough” and in this case – it was pretty much the only thing missing.  And since I’m being honest – I can’t wait to truly love and be loved.  Even though it ended, for the first time in years I learned to trust again, I now understand how to have effective communication, I’ve grasped the importance of compromise, and know how vital it is to have someone who is happy to pack up the car and runaway for the weekend.  These last 10 months we’re 99% joyful and I don’t feel an ounce of regret.  PRAISE GOD.  (Well, break up only lasted a week.  We’re back together – trusting God and waiting to see what happens.)

So – there you have it.  Being back to square one use to terrify me.  I would feel defeated and completely vulnerable.  Now, all I feel is God’s peace and guidance for whatever He has planned for me.  Thank you to the friends who have truly been there.  You’ve made my life so much more beautiful, and I am grateful for you all.

God is good friends.  God is good.

Gifts from the Garden

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I have wanted to garden for years now, and I finally have a darling little yard to garden in!
Currently I am growing: Mint, Basil, Parsley, Chives, Rosemary, Arugula, Mixed Lettuce, Beans, Heirloom Tomatoes, Bell Peppers, Poblano Peppers and Zucchini.
I went to dinner at a friends the other night and asked what I could bring.  As usual, she said “nothing” but I hate to show up empty handed. She enjoys cooking, so I decided to grab a few goodies from garden to bring as a little gift 🙂
It has really been neat to watch my garden grow, and I’m really happy I get to share my goodies!
God is good friends.  God is good.

The Most Important Thing Anyone Has Ever Said To Me

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Words can’t even begin to describe how honored I am to have my dear friend Kris to be my first guest blogger.  Kris is…just one of those special people – that you know, right when you meet them, that they’re a friend for life.  I met a Kris a year ago (as of this past Monday) and he’s truly been such a blessing to me.  I asked him to write about the most important thing anyone has ever said to him – and he wrote something beautiful.  
Enjoy.  
God is good friends.  God is good.
Kris, Infantry Saw Gunner – US Army, Iraq 2004
My father and I have never had an emotional relationship.  My parents divorced when I was 11 and I don’t think we hugged or shared an ‘I love you’ after that. Not that we didn’t, it just wasn’t said. Him and my grandfather were both Army Infantry. When I was 18 it was only natural that I followed suit. 
    Eight months in to my time in to the military, I came home for a four day weekend before returning to Fort Lewis Washington to be deployed to Iraq. My dad drove me to the airport to drop me off alone. As we walked towards security he asked me if I was scared. I would have denied it to anyone else that asked me but I admitted to him that I was. That’s when he said the most important thing anyone has ever said to me. It’s a quote that has been credited to many different people over time in one variation or another. John Maxwell, Nelson Mendela, Teddy Roosevelt. But my dad’s is the one I remember. He said…
“Bravery isn’t the absence of fear, rather having the guts to go through with what scares you”
Then when we got to security I didn’t know what to say to him. I just looked down and said ‘ok dad’ trying not to cry. He hugged me for the first time since I was a kid. No doubt that quote crossed my mind every single day until I saw him again a year later. 

Choose Love. Be Intentional.

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Love is a choice…
Love is a choice…
I had heard this before, but it really sank in about a year ago.
 I’ve made the choice to be in healthy, happy relationships – not only with my beau, but with friends and family too. I always laugh a little when I see the phrase “love is enough” because it’s so much more than that – it’s about being intentional.  Love is a good foundation for any close relationship- but we all know, love takes work…a lot of work.
This picture is of me and my beau with our book of love letters.  We’re in quite the unique situation, and have decided to show our affections for each other in a variety of ways.  Every few days we write in the book and hide it around our home.  Even though we know it’s hidden, we don’t really seek it out, so it’s always fun when we stumble upon it 🙂
Being intentional is a mindset.  It’s thinking about the little things.  Doing things just because. Getting flowers on a special day is lovely, but getting flowers on a random day, just because he knows they’re my favorite and  I’d love them – that’s what it’s all about.  And truly, it means so much more.
So my challenge is – choose love and be intentional.  It makes such a difference.

God is good friends.  God is good.

My Happy Place

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This pictures brings me so much joy!
I’m very blessed to live so close to so many amazing trails.  I truly find my peace in nature – and see God everywhere.  There are so many places I could explore – but this hike feels like home.
In the background – see that little black speck?  That’s my darling boy Lynard.  For only being 7 lbs, and having awkwardly long legs, he’s a hiking champ!
The tree is an Oak…what kind you say? No idea… but that does remind me that I want to work on being a tree expert 🙂 However, Oaks are my favorites.  Well one of my favorites.  They’re lovely, can live for hundreds of years, grow in the funkiest shapes and looks amazing in all seasons.  I’m planning on getting one tattooed on me – maybe to cover up my first, brightly colored tiger lily that has absolutely no sentimental value.  We’ll see…
So as I said in a prior post – California in having a terrible drought.  I took this picture after the few days of rain we had – and it’s insane how quickly things sprouted.  The hills are lush, and against the dark, thick clouds – it’s truly paradise.
I dunno where you find your peace friends, but whatever you do, find it.
God is good friends, God is good.

Sunset Paddle

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As much as I hate to admit it – I complain about my job way too often.  I am usually stuck in front of a computer, for upwards of 9 hours a day – which I always find so ironic working for a Park District. Regardless of what I am doing – I need to thank God everyday for giving me a job and ALWAYS providing for me.
This happened to be one of those days that makes it all worth it for me.  I got invited to participate in a “full moon paddle” on a Sunday evening in mid November – and boy o boy did God give us a show!  Not only was the sunset absolutely magnificent, when the full moon rose over the water – it literally took your breath away.

Anyone who knows me knows I find my peace in nature – usually through hiking.  Getting on the water is a bit of a new experience for me – and something I am going to pursue.  I have been very blessed, by work, to participate in a handful kayak trainings.  Thinking this may be my new hobby…

P.S.  Happy Valentine’s Day, Anti-Valentine’s Day, Singles Awareness Day – or whatever your celebrate.  Either way – choose love Y

God is good friends.  God is good.
Photo by Lee Aurich

…it came!

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Praise God the rain has started!  California has been in one of the worst droughts in its history!  A few weeks ago I was wearing a sun dress and flip flops, strolling the streets of Murphys, soaking up the sun.  On Saturday, I got to put on my funny looking green rain boots and enjoy the rain.  There’s something so peaceful and rejuvenating that happens when you let the rain hit your face.

God is good friends.  God is good.

And so it begins!

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I have to say…

Getting this blog set up was quite a challenge.  I thought I would be able to get it up and running in a matter of minutes ~ that however, was not the case! 
 
Welcome to my blog.  The goal of this blog is to be an outward expression of the inward changes I am making in my life.  God has been speaking to me in the most unusual/exciting ways – and I have watched him completely transform my life.  This blog is really just for me – to remember to be grounded in faith, to seek joy, to choose joy and to live a more positive life.  I have so much to be happy about – I’m ready to give God glory in a whole new way.  Though this blog will be ultimately for giving God praise for the blessings in my life – I hope it will serve merely as an uplifting note for those who may not be on the same walk as me 🙂
 
With that said – let’s get started!

God is good friends.  God is good.

My daily reminder