Hey Friends…welcome to my blog! This whole online journaling thing (aka blogging lol!!) has been on my to-do list for years and I’ve finally stopped talking myself out of it. I’m just going to write and let you see me as I am. Who am I? I’m a woman-child (as my husband once affectionately called me..hahaha) who deeply loves the Presence of Jesus, family, friends, music, fashion, photography, travel and food. (I’ll share a much longer list of favorites when we meet in person…lol!) I wanted a space online to share bits and pieces of who I am and what I’m crazy about and would love to enjoy the journey of life with others like you! 🙂

Here in this online slice I do my best to be real, honoring and compassionate. I’ve come to understand more and more, that we humans are all similar in more ways than we are different. It’s comforting and relieving to be assured of that. Although I believe we are unique in our expressions and personas, I also believe we are very human (profound thought…lol!) and no matter the background or culture, we all experience laughter, pain, triumphs and losses. There’s so much security, peace and quiet power in knowing who we are as well as accepting others as they are and not demanding and judging them to change into who we want them to be.

Peter, the disciple who often spoke impulsively before he thought things through, (whew! relieved that I’m in good company…hahaha!!) wisely said this in 1 Peter 5:9,

⁷ Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

⁸ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

I’ve come to understand in deeper ways that life is an interesting tension of knowing our Heavenly Father is good but still at times, experiencing unexplainable losses and stinging disappointments. In the middle of it all, we get the shall we say, “beautiful privilege”  of keeping our heart soft towards God and guarding our hearts to live without offense. He understands and sees it all. He knows our stories and has an excellent vantage point! 🙂

As you read this, you may be facing circumstances beyond your control. I encourage you to not be defined by the past, the sickness, the business or personal failures, the relational loss or current circumstances. Stay in the abundance of God’s love for YOU. His love is powerful, constant and peaceful. I believe the most beautiful place of being alive and living bravely, is being known by God and knowing that He CHOSE to love us first. Before we could ever choose Him and be highly spiritual and holy hahaha…HE chose us. Astonishing!

I pray you’ll find encouraging nuggets to build your faith and grow deeper in the awareness of His voice. It’s time to step beyond the boxes of fear and limitations and into the courageous life of freedom we were always meant to live! Slightly belated (hahaha) “Happy 2016” to you…let’s do this thang!!