The thing about a word…

Once you say it, once you declare it and let the whole world know, you sort of need to live up to it. I mean that IS the point of accountability, right?! So I knew the moment I chose a word to work towards for 2014, it was game on.

Brave.
It’s amazing how only a few short weeks into this sure to be stellar year, have I struggled with my word. Sometimes it’s just easier to stick with what you’re already doing. Even if it’s not benefiting you, because frankly change is hard. It’s hard to look adversity or change in general in the face and say I’m choosing to be brave. To step out of the boat, upon the raging seas in faith, to take chances on dreams, and to bravely listen to that still small voice inside. You ARE worth the risk, you ARE capable of more than you give yourself credit for, and you CAN be BIG! DO BIG! DREAM BIG!

Yes, saying that I plan to be brave in 2014 is easy. But actually BEING brave is hard.

But the time has come, to be brave, trust the Lord and share this “secret” I’ve been keeping. Our family has finally gotten into this cozy yet crazy rhythm over these last six months since Pippa was born. Who knew that a fifth child would fit so perfectly into our lives, that we were missing a tiny puzzle piece shaped just like her? But I couldn’t imagine a life that existed without her. Isn’t it amazing how many changes are often thrown in your lap and you never really planned to head in that particular direction, but as everything has unfolded you realize God truly orchestrated something completely magical and you were so lucky to be a part of it all. Sure you spend some time in fear of the unknown, or worry if you’re capable, but there’s a sliver of peace floating around inside. And as you catch a glimpse of it you grasp onto it and hold to what you know is true.  Believing the Lord has a great plan for you and allowing yourself to smile at the possibilities of things that might scare others.

Well friends, I’m happy to say that our family is now at that crossroads again. We are expecting.Expecting to move. Next month Sam will begin a new career. One he has longed for, felt the Lord leading him to, and trained for. He will be starting a job in church ministry, Children’s Ministry to be exact. (How fitting, right?! It’s almost like God knew we had a thing for kids, ha!) This new journey sort of just fell in our laps and we are completely in awe of how the Lord has orchestrated it all. Only He could get credit for all that has gone on here. Along with this new career comes a new home. We get the privilege to move to Louisiana, and I do mean privilege. If you asked me years ago if I’d ever live in Louisiana my answer would’ve been no, not that I have anything against the state, I just always planned to move back to the Promise Land (aka: Arkansas, ha!); but the last couple of weeks I have fallen in love with it. So I am EXCITED to call Louisiana my home. 

(photo credit)

With all of this excitement there is a little pain, a little sadness, and somewhat of a loss. That’s the hard part of moving, you have to leave your friends and family behind. Why can’t they just load up in the moving truck with our stuff? I realize moving away doesn’t mean goodbye…and I’m quite excited to partake in the lost art of snail mail (aka: letter writing), because who wouldn’t love a little pocket of sunshine from me?! ha!

So there you have it my friends. This year WILL be great. I WILL be a part of great things.

And I WILL be brave.

Here’s to our new journey….I cannot wait!