Wisemen & Wonder

 This Christmas season, God has placed the 3 wisemen on my heart. I have so much to say and have contemplated what parts of the story God is calling me to share. I think I start with what is sitting with me. There is SO much wonder surrounding the birth of Jesus, what the world was like at that time, and for me - the way God keeps reminding me of this story. I have literally had moments to reflect on this (at least) daily, since the beginning of Advent. 

What sits with me is how research, folklore, and stories, passed down through the generations, tell us a few important things. Most of this is not scripture, but helps us to fill in the probable gaps that we aren't told in scripture. One that has really stayed with me these last few weeks is that each wiseman was likely coming from a different location. 

From Babylon to Jerusalem it was 550-600 miles, likely taking 1-2 months of travel. From Persia to Jerusalem it was 900-1,000 miles, taking 2-3 months of travel time, and from Arabia to Jerusalem 150-200 miles, taking 1-2 weeks. Three separate wisemen from three separate regions, all a student of the stars. They had, most likely, spent the majority of their lives learning, studying, testing, and pondering the heavens. Somehow (The Holy Spirit (in my humble opinion))....these three wise and studied men, likely relied on by kings and leaders in their own countries, converged together to search for the King of the Jews. They would have also well-versed in philosophies and the scriptures of the world. 

They came bearing gifts fit for a worldly king. They had NO IDEA what to expect, except a young child. As they traveled to Jerusalem, their most logical stop would have been to meet with King Herod - Roman empire appointed "King of the Jews." IMAGINE a king that had already been "King" for over 3 decades is met by three wisemen from far-away lands. They would have arrived with caravans (protection, food, supplies, etc.) for the long journey. They arrived at the most logical place, yet did NOT find the newly born King of the Jews. What they did next has also left me in wonder. 

All of the events that lead to the birth of Jesus, the protection of the child, the divine guidance, the fulfillment of prophecy have left me in awe. It has given me a different glimpse of how The Holy Spirit works in our lives. At any given moment The Holy Spirit encouraged the same feeling, the same nudge, to make groups of people act. HE STILL DOES THAT! Also.....think of how many people witnessed this amazing journey. Can you imagine the stories of all of those that were part of the wisemen's caravan? Can you imagine the stories of those that saw this caravan ride into Jerusalem looking for a King no one there had met yet? 

What I have really rested in the last couple weeks are all the choices that were made. Remember, we have ALWAYS had freewill. In the story of Jesus's birth and early life, I am reminded that each of these key people made a choice. Those choices made all the difference. It proves that God knows our hearts. It proves that God intervenes when we need more reassurances. There were SO many opportunities for Mary & Joseph to give up. There were opportunities for the wisemen to go back to Herod. There were NUMEROUS opportunities for them to turn around OR never even set out on the journey. Meditating on the wisemen and the role and wonder of their appearance in scripture has given me this new perspective, that will never leave me. 

To think this all started when I was brainstorming my Christmas Decorations for the local Christmas Decorating Contest. I had some stiff competition this year, so I wanted to create something interactive. If you have a moment (& you are local/semi-local) I ENCOURAGE you to stop by the Buck Up Headquarters at: 115 East Thigpen, in Carmine, TX. It is a little green building (once a doctor's office.) Be sure to read the BIG sign and then all 3 of the gift signs. 

I invite you to approach the manger of Jesus. Follow the star and meditate on the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. Ponder the symbolism. BE SURE TO TAKE THE APPROPRIATE GIFT, based on the fine print. :) 

This has been a WONDERFUL Christmas season for us. It has been filled with ADVENTure, new friends, old friends, family, growth, fellowship, & SO FULL of Jesus and things He's hoped for, for us. As you enjoy your people, remember the chaotic and challenging entrance of Jesus's birth AND also....the incredible blessing of them having all they needed for their journey. 

Vision Boards - Habakkuk 2:2-3

 

The Lord has really been impressing the importance of getting to know myself....the self He created me to be. So.....for the past two years I have worked really hard to do this. It is a lot harder than one would think, but it also has shown me how little I regarded myself in the past. It has been quite an interesting observation and ADVENTURE!

I have had a lot of really hard things to go through, since starting this journey, but I have also had some real eye opening situations, holy moments, and really.....sweet assurances that He hears me. He sees me. He loves me. AND He has good things planned for me.

I have wanted to create a vision board for years & I finally did last year. I completed it about a year ago. I love analyzing data and progress, so I want to share a few interesting facts with you and encourage you to take the time to CREATE your own vision board. 

I am sharing the above verses, and as you all reflect on them, Habakkuk was a prophet. The Book of Habakkuk has 3 chapters. You could listen to it on audio in about 15 minutes. Habakkuk was having, what I call, a mental wrestling match with God. He could not understand why some people were being treated how they were - when they were dishonoring God. God ultimately tells him, to record his vision, so people from all over can know it and share it, be patient, and wait for it to happen. He also let's Habakkuk know that He sees everything. Why people do the things they do and what is on their hearts. You can listen on audio here: Book of Habakkuk

I am amazed at the results of recording my vision for the year. I truly am. Here is the reality of what God & I accomplished through the recording of my vision. 

I COMPLETED 73% of what I put on my vision board! I did NOT complete 27%, BUT of what I did not complete - 83% are in the works. 

Here are the fruits from our journey:

• Created comfortable spaces at home.
• Made a long-term building decision.
• Now have a porch for fellowship.
• Completed a wave of decluttering.
• The kids regularly assist with chores around the house. 
• Have found new ways to be calmer and reduce stress and anxiety.
• I love being at home. 
• We have CREateD LOTS of things. 
• I have full memories of visiting Waco with my son, mother-in-law & nephew.
• I have full memories of visiting Galveston with all 3 kids & my mom.
• I have super awesome memories with Kyle staying in a tree house in the hill country.
• I practiced and benefited from meditation & shared it with others. 
• I traveled more.
• We organized the outside of our home more.
• We updated some of the rooms inside. 
• I've gotten to know our neighbors better. 

The fruits that are still growing, but not ripe yet are:

• Going on a cruise - but I did book one for the future.
• Attending a concert - Plan to on Kylee's Back to School Shopping Trip in Gruene. 
• Remodel Plan for Bathroom.
• Remodel Plan for Kitchen.
• Mastering our food - have something for us to try. 

Visiting Rockport was the only thing we did not do and I believe it would have happened, if God needed it to. Everything really does happen in His perfect timing. We just have to plant the seeds and allow God to care for them. 

I believe that this success should be attributed to a number of different factors: 

• It was positioned LITERALLY right beside my bed. It is one of the first things I see when I wake up and one of the last things I see before I go to bed. When I come to relax in the bedroom.....it is plainly visible for me to ponder. 
• I created the vision board prayerfully. I put A LOT of thought into it and also allowed creativity to flow with materials that I had available. 
• I LOVED what I saw. I enjoyed looking at it and imagining and planning. 

The intention you have for your life matters. God wants to know them. He wants to help you achieve them. We literally took these thoughts and ideas and grew them together, with me. It really is one of the coolest things to reflect on that I have ever reflected on. It is also one of the most exciting things, to create one for this year, knowing the results of the last. Although I was intentional last year, my intensity has grown for this year, because I was able to witness the power of collaborating with The Holy Trinity. 

I also feel responsible to tell you that your vision is NOT for everyone to know. I feel comfortable sharing this because of the results and the testimony that I can share with others. Guard your visions. The enemy is ALWAYS at work and NOTHING is off limits for him. The enemy works through others, through situations, through every fleshy weakness that he can. DO NOT give him any ammunition.

Yes, God encouraged Habakkuk to record it so people could spread the word and share it. Let them share the fruit. Let them share the accomplishments. Let them share the story....the actual story of what God did in your live with your visions....not before. 

Buck Up Baby & Ride with Jesus! CReAtE that vision board.....that road map for the journey you are about to go on!

Training Ground

 This blog will be about getting where I'm going. The lessons have to take place somewhere and people must witness our imperfections. Lately, I've been reflecting on what has gotten me here. 

I think about one of my other titles....Mom.  Kyle and I just had a conversation with our 3 kids. They like to ask questions about each other like...."What was Kylee like as a baby?" "Was Hunter as chunky as Heath was?" Somehow we got on the subject of Kylee being the oldest and she asked why we did something and Kyle said...LOL "You were the first one. We didn't know what we were doing." 

As we enter different stages of our lives we NEED a training ground. As I make an attempt at relating the two and try to truly capture how GRATEFUL I am for my training grounds, hang with me. I hope this allows you all to have some nostalgic moments FULL of gratefulness for YOUR journey. 

I remember when I was teetering on the idea of building my own business, having the flexibility to buILD the life I envisioned for myself and my family, knocking some barriers down - that were in my way and weighing every. single. thing. I mean....EVERYTHING. 

One of the things that hung me up for awhile was that, up until that point, I had prided myself on my quality of work and I KNEW I would not have the background support....you know, like an accounting department, production department, HR department, like I was used to. I also had never done, what I was getting ready to do so.....I was going in with as much education as I could gather, before beginning the journey blind...and taking others with me. What I mean by that is minimal experience. I had my life experiences on the periphreal of the actual nuts and bolts of the business, but no REAL boots on the ground experience. I had experience within departments of PART of the business. Because I am a person that puts the work in, I had to make damn sure - this JOURNEY I was getting ready to take everyone on was a long-term plan and that I was up for a long adventure. I feel like that again, but that's all that seems familiar. I feel like the next leg of the journey could go several different ways. I also know that it could go different directions than what I'm even aware of, because well....our God is BIG. 

All the feels of this space are so familiar. Imagine.....uncertainty...excitement....motivation...fear of acting....holding onto what I know - instead of just acting.... I know God is always right on time and I can't mess it up, but I always find myself thinking I am missing some sort of CLEAR message and I am getting in my own way. 

I digress....

As parents, we are to "raise our children in the way they should go, so they do not stray from it." Each one of our children have very unique traits and characteristics and God took into account Kyle and I being first time parents, when he blessed us with Kylee. He knew we had what it took to have a second child, change careers, and move home & form an LLC....all at the same time. He also knew that another human needed all of what all four of us could give him. As I reflect on the environments we were in with each three....I'm in awe of Him. 

God KNOWS how I think....and think....and overthink. He provided an opportunity for me to EXPLORE. When I talked to Kyle about it, he was open to it.......and ALL the things had to happen in our lives for him to be open to it. What a wonderful training ground He took us to in Rockport. Three and a half hours from home. He removed distractions and allowed us to focus on us and become who He was calling us to. 

As I sit here typing, and being more aware of the things The Good Lord is calling me to do. I see the last 12 or so years of my life as yet, another training ground. One where people had to witness my growth, the growth of my family, the growth of my faith, the successes, the perceived failures, the way in which I move in between them. Just like I was thankful for my Rockport training ground. I am thankful for this one. This one had a few more dips and curves and peaks and valleys. Now, He is calling US to more. We don't know PRECISELY what it is, but He is and we will find out along the way. 

We all have our training ground, and I have come to believe that God may have multiple purposes for us. OBEDIENCE....EXPLORATION....TRUST....FAITH....COURAGE....PERSEVERANCE... When you BUCK UP BABY & RIDE WITH JESUS it takes all of those things. You best, put them in your saddle bags. 

One of the missions God has for me is simply, sharing my story and sharing my faith, with the hope and intention that it will ENCOURAGE someone else to get to know Jesus. This blog itself, is yet another training ground, where I get to use all the tools in bold above. When you make the choice and saddle up...you will experience it ALL. Your life will be FULL....abundant even. There will be cold, exhausting nights, where you are too broke (in a variety of ways) to do anything but rest....in the cold. Then....He will pick you up out of it and you will be stronger and smarter and better prepared for the next part of the journey.....and it will be an ADVENTURE you would never, ever trade. 

Yes....people will come and go, in and out of your life....and it will HURT. It will bring you grief and sadness and turmoil, but only for a short while. You see, God loves them too. He is teaching them something, just as He's teaching you something. He WILL reward your obedience....small acts, large acts, and continual acts. 

I encourage anyone reading to just sit with Him, even for a few brief moments. Let HIM speak to you, however He chooses and be receptive to hearing Him. Then....in His perfect timing, buck up baby & ride with Jesus!