Vacation at Hilton Head

We had a blast! It was our favorite vacation yet. We got to spend time with my niece and her husband (Abby and Jim) that have been in Pakistan since last November and are now back there. We stayed in a house with a lot of my family, 12 of us plus 3 kids. The girls loved playing in the sand together at the beach. Bella loved swimming in her arm floaties in the pool and Emery wasn't sure about the pool until we put her hat and sunglasses on and she got to sit in a little car float. Then she was the princess, or queen that is! It was just a great time to chill out and enjoy life. God really blessed us with being able to go this year and we loved every minute of it. Jamie and I got to go ride bikes without the girls and get my favorite ice cream, yummy coconut from South Beach. We had a couple of nice evenings out and just enjoyed God's creation!

I love the beach, something about it makes it so soothing and brings such clarity spiritually. It's probably b/c my youth camps were always at the beach, so that's what I associate it with, going to spend time with God and reflect on bigger pictures. In the past few years I've come to the beach with a desperate empty hope in my heart that God would speak to us with direction and help. This year it wasn't the same. There is still no "this is your life's destiny" answer, but now I'm not so sure that should be our goal anyway. The more I grow the more I see God acting in the todays of our lives. Once we give our lives to God, then what? So often I have looked at the future and ask for a destiny, all the while the everyday issues are screaming for peace, rest, hope, joy,etc... So, slowly I am dealing with the step I'm on so to speak. Learning to trust in God and be diligent to obey His Spirit in the "little" things, and as we are doing that God is shaping our path. It not easy and it really makes you examine yourself. Asking myself questions like, "what is it that is causing this anxiety, really what's the root?" or "why do I want to go buy that? and is it a need now or do I trust God for tomorrow?" It seems to all ask the question do I trust God?
So this year was different in that I had peace where I was needing it so badly before. I now know through experience the only way to follow is step by step trusting God fully and knowing no matter the circumstances as long as I lean into Him He will give me the peace to get me through the times when things don't make sense. In addition to guiding me in my decisions. I call it, surviving my circumstances by clinging to God's promises and resting in His peace. It sounds so simple, but then again why would God make it difficult? It's not a knowledge thing, it's a practical application thing. And I love that about God! I believe God is doing something far greater than we can see in our lives and that gives me great hope and joy. It will be neat to see what He comes up with. That's it for now, but I'll write more soon! Be blessed!