Wow! Reflection can be eye opening and struggles can be powerful!

I thought of an interesting truth that I find funny and inspiring during this time in my life. I am always shocked at how different life is turning out for me than I thought it would. So here is the truth that I have come to realize....

"Leave it to Luke to take me as far from my comfort zone as I can possibly be, but leave it to God to make me okay and even excited about it"

Luke and I were recently discussing my reaction 2 years ago when he told me that we was looking into going to seminary in California. He remembers my response being "Well, I am not going there". HAHA "Typical"... some of you may think if you know how stubborn I can be sometimes. Through those next 2 years I prayed that God would make my heart okay with whatever He wanted. Whether it was that we would no longer be together because of the move or to help me find peace about a move across the country. Slowly but surely I allowed myself to really become open to the possibility of moving and serving alongside Luke in California. Through prayer and an open mind God has given me great peace about the move. I am shocked at this movement that has occurred in me. So shocked and thrilled about the move and changes in me that I find myself feeling guilty for being excited and eager to get the new chapter started. I know that this is Satan attempting to attack on the peace that I have found through Jesus. I can't tell you the exact day and time that God started to change my heart about this future that is to come, however, I can say that the gradual process has been beautiful. Not easy... but beautiful! Don't get me wrong I still have times where I dread how much I will miss my family and friends here in Douglasville. But I am so thrilled to be serving and with a person that I love and know loves me less than he loves Jesus, but strives to love me like Jesus loves and cherishes me. I would be willing to say that if 3 years ago someone said to me "You will be marrying Luke and moving across the country to CALIFORNIA" I would have laughed or been terrified. I am finding that when God is in control things are not simple but are meaningful and life stirring. For me this has come partly through the realization that following Christ is not only about following him when the request matches our desires, but following and allowing Him to make our desires the same as His. I am so thankful that He has been able to mold my desires into His even through my stubbornness and Type A personality. Everyday comes with challenges, but I have found joy in struggling through them.

California Dreaming!!!

Well I made it out to CA on Friday! God is so faithful. Even though it started snowing in Atlanta on Friday afternoon He got me to LA safe and sound! It was a super long day spent in the Atlanta airport... but was totally worth it to spend time with Luke in our future home state! I had a great trip... so great that I was not ready to leave! I was very relieved to find that I LOVE California.


When people ask "What was your LEAST favorite part?" I would respond with two things... #1 It is super expensive (and you know what a penny pincher I can be) #2 The roads are ridiculous!!! I sat with my eyes covered for most of the ride after he picked me up from the airport! Luke did a great job driving, but I was a mess.
Then when asked "What was your FAVORITE part?" I would respond with #1 Being with Luke and starting this adventure #2 The people at Mosaic #3 The weather #4 EVERYTHING!

Some cool stuff happened during my time there... I got to meet a ton of great people and see what Luke has been raving about for the past 2 months, I got to experience the service at the Mayan which was really cool, we had fun exploring and spending time together in a new place, and here is the big one.... WE FOUND A PLACE TO LIVE!!! This is such an answered prayer and all I can say is that God is providing! We did not expect to find something so soon and we really did not think that we would find such nice people to rent from. The family goes to the church and is really helping us out! It is just blowing my mind how letting go of the details can be so freeing. We had been praying about this place and it almost seems to good to be true! But when talking about our Creator I do not know why I am surprised that it is too good to be true! I am learning so much from this experience and know that I have much more to learn. I am humbled by the events that have taken place to confirm the path we are choosing to follow. Not a path that has
been forced upon us or that we feel obligated to travel, but a path that our Father has
enthusiastically invited us to journey with Him. As His follwers we have whole heartily accepted the invitation and are ready for an amazing ride!

Not Quite the "Cooking" Kind... Yet!

Okay so I was thinking today (you know when your mind just wanders and you don't know what lead you there?) and I have a very short list of things that I know how to cook. In college I ate out, ate cereal, frozen pizza, yogurt, well anything that required NO effort to make. So I figure this needs to stop soon since Luke will want to eat something other than cereal. If you have ever seen him eat you know that it is important that I learn to cook. I don't doubt that I can follow a recipe I just don't have any! I will be raiding my mom's recipes and calling her a lot I am sure. But I wanted to see what you have and are willing to share! So this is my request... Please post any recipe you have that is not too demanding of the chef and that should be hard to mess up :)

Yes, Luke is aware of the inability to cook issue that I have and he has said many times that he will be doing the cooking. Honestly that may be a safer way for him to eat after we are married. However, I would like to be able to cook and serve him in that way as his wife.

P.S. Luke is not a picky eater at all! So pretty much anything goes :)