The days and weeks have been full, scheduled to the minute. I’m glad to be a rider and not a driver after clocking in 1500 miles this week on my pickup in four days with two dogs and one Grams. The trip that started my blog writing is coming full circle, taking grandma home, and then picking up my parents to head south to Oklahoma. My living quarters trailer is done, paperwork is signed, and I will get to see it for the first time tomorrow.

When we learned it was completed the end of February, coordination of schedules was a stir. In hindsight, God always plans best. The first week of March had a blizzard in Nebraska. The second week, I was in Wyoming with the best group of people I get to call customers and friends. Last week, another blizzard, wind storms, and fires were in all the areas we would be traveling. This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.

Most of the conversations at the conference I was at in Wyoming were more centered around our lives and not business. I’m realizing more and more how unique this is, and a blessing, to choose to work with people I have developed friendships with. I love what I do, but the people I get to serve and work with are the reason I continue to do it.

While in Saratoga, one of the local coffee establishments was earning my business easily. It’s like a reunion when everyone gets together twice a year, and I don’t mind that my sleep schedule gets pretty disrupted. It’s worth it. While getting my last coffee for the week, the sweet, young lady who had been taking my order complimented me again on my outfit. She said, “I just love your whole look and your energy. I wish I had it.” I smiled and thanked her for the sweet compliment. I replied, “I appreciate you for saying so. But God only made one of you, and the world needs what you have, too.”

I started on my way to Steamboat Springs to catch an early flight to LA. My friend Paige was invited to LA fashion week, and we went to meet the management company who invited her.  Checking the weather again before I went to bed, I was pretty sure I could beat the storm in the morning. I was wrong. My rental car went about 25 mph the whole way. Flurries blurred my vision, but I tried not be the lead vehicle as much as I could. When I saw a sign for a slow vehicle turn off, I attempted to take it, only to continue to slide and see a tree in front of me. I prayed out loud and said, “God keep this vehicle on the road.” I corrected and thankfully was passed by a pickup who could lead the way much better than I was.

LA was quite a disruption to the little town of Saratoga I had spent the week in. There were more people in the grocery store than I had seen all week. Photographers and socialites were in the audience of the fashion show, most of which I had to google search who they were. We set out for a historic restaurant after the show, enjoying the stories of John Wayne cooking eggs in the kitchen. We received a lot of compliments on the pieces from Paige’s line and loved that we got to be cowgirls in the big city.

Gram’s did a great job packing and preparing for the road trip ahead. We had some deadlines to make. As we were headed north, just across the border from Kansas to Nebraska, we started to see small pockets of deer. Several miles later, a buck jumped out of a deep ditch right in front of me. When I knew I couldn’t correct to miss him, I accelerated through him, and I experienced my first deer strike.

After it happened, I turned up my worship music, prayed and praised the whole way to North Platte. Me and Gram’s listed all the things we were thankful for, like not running the deer over, never hitting my trailer, keeping all of our lights, and keeping us safe. My pickup looked pretty mean, grill and bumper bashed in, but we still ran and made it to North Platte. The A/C condenser unit needed replaced. God again provided a way, and the dealership close to my parent’s house could get it in this morning and get us on the road by noon.

My last post of response versus reaction was tested. But in preparation for the trip, I prayed and anointed my pickup and trailer before we left. I don’t think it’s any coincidence that where I prayed was right over the Ford sign, exactly where the deer struck, and kept all my lights and functionality of my pickup intact.

Gram’s was glad to greet her cat and her home when we pulled into Arlington. It looked different to me. Signs reminded me of places in Arizona. I loved seeing green grass, and forgot how long it had been since I had seen barren corn fields. It looked like home, and felt like a place I loved to be from. But still, my spirit knew this was a place to pass through, and I wouldn’t be here for long.

As much energy as it took taking care of Grams, my heart was sad to leave her. She was always happy in the mornings, asking my schedule and just glad to be in the sunshine. I loved watching her take care of the birds each morning, watching them flock around her as one of their own. I’ll miss her little Gram-isms, sayings only she could conjure up, especially while fixing things on her motorhome. A new season is approaching, one I’m glad she will be back in Arizona for next winter.

As I type to you all, more of an update of life than my typical life lessons, my heart and spirit have been stirring in a new season. This morning in Deuteronomy 4, I read about the promises of God along the way of the Israelites to their promised land. The chapter reads of all the battles, the terrors, the journeys that led the Israelites to conquer people and possess land. Through it all, God was merciful, even when the people were disobedient, quick to forgive, and show his abounding love.

Therefore know this day, and consider it in your heart, that the Lord Himself is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath:  there is no other. Deuteronomy 4:39

Tomorrow, I will step into a new season, but I will not forget the great things He has done which has led to this moment. I will not forget when He parted my own Red Sea and made a way when there was no way. I will not forget when I could not see Him, but I could hear His voice guiding me. I will not forget when He conquered my fears and brought me peace in times of chaos. I will not forget the wilderness He asked me to walk, and the lessons and discernments I learned while walking. I will not forget His fire. I will only ask for more of it.

Friends, know you serve a God who has great plans; not just one, but multiple plans. I know that this plan is one of His which will unlock more of His purpose for my life. This new trailer is not my life, and the minute He asks me to give it up, I will. Whether you’re walking into your promise, or still being led to it, know that God is faithful. No plot of the enemy can stop His great plans for your life. And when you feel discouraged, remember what He has done for you already. And know that He isn’t finished yet. I can’t wait to share this knew season with you all. Thanks for coming along for the ride.