Deer Valley

Last week I had the incredible opportunity of going to Deer Valley, Utah and being a extra set of hands/babysitter for three precious families. The trip was AWESOME, to say the least! When my plane landed in Salt Lake City it was snowing! Such a change from the 86 degree weather when I left Birmingham! A much welcomed change; however because I basically have missed winter in the south. Spending all but 5 days of the month of January in the Caribbean left me missing cold weather just a bit! I arrived late Sunday night and hit the ski slopes bright and early Monday morning!

Apparently these families are the best vacation planners in the world because during first 2 days of the trip, Deer Valley had the best snow of all season! Much to my surprise, after not skiing for 7 years I could still manage. Now I would still consider myself an advanced beginner, thus I stuck to the green and a few blue slopes but I couldn't have enjoyed it more!!! In fact, I actually improved my skiing a little bit. I've alway been a "pizza" skier which is the most basic skill level, but this trip I challenged myself and tried to become a "French fry" skier. If you don't ski these terms are foreign, but if you do you can laugh at how pathetic it is that I'm 24 and just learning "French fries." Anywho, I would now venture to say that I'm an official French fryer haha. That sure doesn't mean I was tackling the black diamonds but the last afternoon our last run was the longest on the mountain, 2 miles and a double blue and by the grace of God I didn't fall and break my neck!

I loved getting to spend time with each of the 8 kiddos and their parents. To see each of the children's personalities and giftings truly blessed me. God has great things in store for each of them, each and every kid so different and unique! Praise God for personality and creating each of the in His image. Each and every one of them has something to bring to this world that no one else can share! I pray that as they grow older that the walk with Him and seek His kingdom first!

Now for a few incredible pics of the trip!!

The Tough Times

Recently, I've had the privilege to labor with two dear friends through some real battles. Battles that aren't fun, that aren't easy, and quite honestly just don't seem fair. My heart breaks for these two friends, but rejoices in how God is using them to teach me!

These incredible women, as down in the dumps as their lives are, inspire me. Why, you might ask? It's because of their hearts for the Lord. They trust in God even when He hasn't given them the answers or healing, that is He hasn't YET! Also, they are just down right real. They don't deny the fact that things aren't great right now, they are vulnerable and honest about their struggles. This level of vulnerability has truly blessed me because it's what Christ desires. He blessed us with the fellowship of the saints so that we could lean on each other when we aren't strong. Yes, I know that's a song,but really y'all we can't live this life alone we NEED our brothers and sisters in Christ. They are the ones who speak life and truth to us and believe in God to be who He promises He will be, even when we can't.

These women have also challenged me and through them the Lord has revealed my sinful little self to me. He's refining me. Hallelujah! He had revealed that I am wayyyyyy to independent. I don't like to have help and don't like to let people know I need them. I'm really good at carry other peoples burdens and struggles but terrible when it comes to opening up and letting others extend love and grace to me in my times of doubt and weakness. Praise God He is dealing with me on this matter. This type of worldly independence can also be seen in my relationship with God. I don't rely and turn to Him enough. I try to do it on my own rather than submitting and seeking the face of my precious Father for EVERYTHING. Please pray for me as God changes my independence to dependence!

Also, in one of my conversations with one of these two dear friends the Lord brought to mind a truth what I want to share with you readers. My friend was expressing how she felt bad telling God about her pain and anguish when she knew that so many people in the world were going through harder trials than she. She also said I know that I am supposed to rejoice in all circumstances and I'm really trying but I just don't feel like I am. Immediately when she this the Lord so sweetly reminded me that far to often we thinking of rejoicing incorrectly. Rejoicing is a form of joy. But JOY isn't the same thing as happiness. Joy isn't reflected in a smile, happiness is. I like the following definition of joy.

Joy: the deep, settled confidence that God is in control.

You see my friend has been rejoicing through her trials, she just needed to be reminded that joy isn't dependent upon whether not not she has a smile on her face, rather is dependent on her heart. And let me just tell you, I'll be the first to say that her heart is beautiful. As I speak to her she doesn't stop proclaiming who God is and what His promises are to her. This girl has got faith to move the mountains, and her openness with all around her is bringing God so much glory it's incredible!

I'll end by again saying thank you to my precious friends for allowing me to journey with them through the tough times and praising God for making me daily more dependent upon others and more importantly upon Him!