California Reflection…

God is an amazing God…all the time! This life we live is short.  Make memories every step of the way.  Take snapshots of your time with those you love. Don’t blink and miss it!

This week I spent time in California with my best friend from high school.  We are truly blessed! After 30 years we still love each other no matter what! 30 years! Where does the time go?  Andi moved to Orange County, California when we were 18. She has lived there most of the time I have known her.  Once they moved to California, I have visited her every year until I the year I got married.  During those years of visiting, I also lived there with her two summers and then moved out there for one and half years before moving overseas.  California is like a second home. Now more than ever!

Over the last two years my brother and his family along with my niece and her family have moved to the same area.  Now, why didn’t they come live out there when I was there?? Don’t know other than all things work together for a reason.  I wouldn’t trade where I am and how I got there.

Romans 8.28

 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,

who have been called according to his purpose.

My time there this week allowed me to reflect how God has a master plan.  It is truly amazing how the threads that tie me to California have not only remained intact but they are even stronger now.  What are the odds that my brother and niece would live within 15 miles of my best friend who has been there forever?  Now when I travel to Cali I get to spend time with family and friends(who are family.)

This small town Arkansas girl has permanently landed in a small town in Tennessee.  I wouldn’t change it for the world.  The journey that got me there allowed me to truly appreciate the world God created and all of the different types of people in it.  Visiting California always reminds me of how diverse our world truly is.  The beautiful weather and scenery draw people in from all over.  It is always refreshing to get away from my wonderful, small world and experience the big city for a while.  It makes going home so very good.

This week I also got to share a fun experience with my brother.  He started CrossFit two weeks ago.  We were able to do a WOD together at his box.  The people were very welcoming and it was a wonderful bonding experience for big sis and little brother in our older age. 🙂  I love having new things in common with my brother and sister – my first friends in life.  God blessed me with an awesome brother and sister.  They have and always will be there for me no matter what.  Distance separates us but the love we have for one another keeps us close.

Family and friends are priceless.  My life has been blessed by many lifelong friends all over the world.  California is one of my happy places, always has been and now it is even more so.  Thankful for the opportunities and blessings to be able to visit and enjoy!

One thing would have made it better and that would have been if Mike could have enjoyed it with me.  But he has been so very blessed with work he couldn’t break away.  It has been a little over a year since he started working again after his fall.  God has blessed him with plenty of work.  Thankful! Next time!

God is good all the time and all the time God is good! Memories are made in the moment! Don’t blink and miss them!