There Is So Much More…

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Iron Sharpens Iron

Thank God for friends who do life with us!

What beautiful friendships I’ve been given with these women who love God, life and one another.

My move to So Cal was such an amazing experience God used in many different ways.  As I reflect over those 5 years I’m humbled by how God loved me into a new season of healing, self reflection and most importantly – how he taught me to be happy single!

A few months back I told myself to get busy and blog about all God had done.  His grace and life lessons were to be shared in hopes of encouraging others during life’s hard transitions. However, I did not realize my life was about to change in a BIG way.  In a flash, and I mean in a flash God orchestrated some events and moved me back to the Bay Area.

Truly, I did not feel I’d ever move back…to live…to start again.  It was not in my plan because I had fallen in love with So Cal, my church, the community, new friends and of course the beautiful weather and beaches. It was all so good!

However, what I missed the most about being away from the Bay Area was my precious family.  Once again my heart overflows with gratitude for the time God is giving me back to love on the littles, and share in their life in a new way.

As I sit in my new apartment writing this morning there are streams of sunlight peeking in at me, and my heart is touched by God’s gentle reminder of what we all know so well.

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps”
Proverbs 16:9

Through it all God is faithful to fulfill all his promises and bring us what we need to accomplish all he has for us.  So many things…whether it be new friends, new surroundings, or seasons of reflection and learning.  May we never doubt God’s perfect plan and strategy in bringing his people to their greater purpose.

Onward,
Lorna

 

Only a Journal Away!

A story is only a journal away.

Well it’s time! I’ve been praying and contemplating on how to get going with the completion of my writing project. You see there have been days it’s been painful and I’ve had to stop. But through it all God has brought healing and encouragement. Today I’m looking at the progress, growth and answered prayers with a thankful heart for the many trials God has brought me through.  I am especially grateful for the tenderness he has uncovered through His mighty Spirit which He has placed so carefully within the walls of my heart.

These are just a few of my journals which boldly remind me of all God has done,  is doing and what is yet to come! I pray the pages can form a story that empowers, encourages and reveals more of God’s love and faithfulness for those who belong to him.  Let us never give up hope because with God all things are possible! Mark 10:27

The best is yet to come…

 

Just 5 More Minutes

Ava

Gianna

Emma

I always leave San Jose feeling emotional after visiting with the kids and my grandchildren. As I check in at SJC I of course check in on Facebook letting my friends know how I am feeling. The “Feeling” popup gives so much emotion I am unable to post them all…It’s like a rollercoaster weekend in more ways than one as I try to cram as much fun in as possible with the girls. My anticipated excitement of hanging out with all of them as I prepare to travel to the Bay Area, and wrapping those sweet little girls in my arms reminds me of how time is fleeting, and how we must cherish every minute we have with those we love.

It’s a joy to hang out with these little ones watching the world through their eyes, and hearing about the world from their point of view as they share their stories. Kids see everything as exciting, cool and fun. They don’t care if they’re wearing the same swim suit all day. They don’t care if they play hard and their hair gets messed up. They love to eat dessert first. They love shiny rocks, meeting new friends, and singing out loud. They don’t see anything wrong with sitting on the edge of the pool growling at everyone that goes by (scene of a boy at the pool). They don’t hesitate to ask the questions we’d like to ask but lack the courage to do so. The other thing that gets me is how they can recharge after only resting for about 10 seconds and they feel great!

On one of my flights I had a 5 year old boy take the window seat when another passenger passed by and whispered to me, “He is a really cute little boy, you’ll enjoy him”. Not sure if she was warning me or saw a “look” on my face when he and dad squeezed into their seats. This was the little guy’s first plane ride and his brown eyes were as big as saucers as he watched out the window with excitement and kept repeating, “We’re flying!” While watching the plane rise above the buildings and mountain tops he looked out and said, “Wow, it’s a big place out there!”

As I leaned back in my seat I began to wonder why us adults can’t seem to enjoy our excursions with this much enthusiasm. It really is a big place out there and a wonderful thing to get on an airplane and fly to different destinations around the world. What if we got excited about these “little” things vs. being stressed out over cramming our legs and carryon bags into what feels like a very small space to bump shoulders with a stranger? What if we just said hi to strangers crossing our path and threw them a smile as we continued happily on our way. How simple it would be if we could muster up the courage to swim all day and not worry about our hair.

While at the pool waiting for the family to arrive I lost count of the many dads walking over to the side of the pool letting their kids know they had “just 5 more minutes.” I watched these kids “hurry” to take one more dive, one more jump, and one more swim to the other side of the pool in their last 5 minutes. They did not want it to end.

I quickly reflected back to the dad on the plane sitting next to me who asked if I had any kids. I told him yes but my kids are grown. He said, “How grown?” As I informed him they were married with kids of their own he of course gave me the compliment any gentleman would give. I told him to savor every moment as time passes quickly and he replied, “Really, well my little guy is active and doesn’t stop talking.” He looked a little exasperated!

I reminded him of how quickly they grow up and it happens in a blink of an eye. POOF and they’re off building lives and families of their own! All good things but do you ever think, “What if we had just 5 more minutes with them? What if we could go back to that memory that was so precious to experience one more time or the memory that wasn’t so precious and have a do over. What if we could have just 5 more minutes?

Some inspiration from one generation to another:

Psalms 145:4  “One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.”

Deuteronomy 4:9   “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”

Unknown  “While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.”