A year is gone, but not lost...

Last week we celebrated (huh...maybe celebrated isn't the right word), okay we hit (that sounds much better!) our one year anniversary of being in California. As the date grew closer, I (unfortunately) reminisced a lot about our last few days in Oregon. I thought of all the hopes, dreams and grand ideas we had before we moved here and hit reality. I remembered the very still small voice speaking to me as I drove away from a lovely home, beautiful neighborhood, and splendid friends. I must admit, last week was very sad...but then I came across this scripture:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord. Jeremiah 29:11-14

Yes, this year has truly been the most trying of our "Swanky Life". But, I also know that all these bumps and potholes are for a purpose. So, after reading this scripture, I decided to think about the positive sides of our move:

• I serve a great, big God that has truly supplied our needs (and some of our wants!)
• I am abundantly blessed with a gorgeous, hard-working, loving husband
• I have three of the sweetest, most sincere and amazing children
• We are blessed with an awesome church
• My children are loved by so many people (here and there - you decide which is here and which is there!)
• I have such awesome friends that haven't forgotten me and still call me everyday or at least every week
• I have a husband that lets me just cry and whine and say I want to run away without calling me a wimp (even though he should!)
• I have forgiving children, that keep forgiving me for my 'oops!'
• I have friends and family that are willing to come to California to visit us
• I have learned more about my faith and trust in God in the last year than I have the other 18 years of walking with Him.

It is good to know that in the midst of struggles, God is still working everything out to give us hope and a future!