| Life Lately: [phone photos] |

A little over four months in Texas and I cannot believe everything that God has sent my way. So many prayers have been answered and little by little God is shaping my character and molding me into the person He wants me to be. I have amazing new friends, a place in ministry, a full time job downtown where I don't have to work weekends or wear a business suit [yes, I prayed for that], I am also about to move into my first place! God even sent an incredible man my way too. [didn't see that one coming at all but it sure is a nice surprise.]
Ever since I made the leap of faith to move to Fort Worth, God has been showing me that having Him guide my steps is totally the way to go. What He has brought my way has blown my mind. As much as I enjoy planning and organizing, I could've never planned my life out this well.
God sure has outdone himself.

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

18 Things About Texas Learned In 18 Days

I've lived in Texas for 18 days and I've learned a lot. Adjusting to life down here has not been easy by any means. Finding ways to get connected and slowly making a routine for myself has helped tremendously. God still keeps confirming in little ways that this was the right leap of faith! I love that! I made a bold move by moving from Grand Rapids to Fort Worth and a move like that could easily be second guessed. 

No second guessing here, this place is home.

18. Chik-Fil-A is good. But once you have access to it, you really don't want it anymore. Sorry Dad.
17. Put a towel on your drivers seat, especially if you have black leather like me. Ouch, it burns!
16. Whoever designed the highways is either a genius or a little bit psychotic. Additionally...
15. Take the wrong exit and you automatically add an additional 15 minutes to your drive. [I've learned this multiple times.]
14. No matter how hard you try, a little southern drawl will make its way into your accent and you will find yourself saying y'all when appropriate.
13. I manage my time better in Texas. I arrive on time to places rather than running a few minutes late.
12. There is no such thing as an afternoon jog, either go early in the morning or at dusk. Hello heat exhaustion.
11. Everyone doesn't wear cowboy hats, giant belt buckles, and ride horses. However, I did see someone riding a horse on the street the other day. And belt buckles and cowboy hats are a thing but it's not a requirement from a Texas Citizen.

10. Texans are so darn friendly. The accents, the vocabulary, and the overuse of "sir" and "ma'am." I love it!
9. Texas Pride! It's a thing y'all. I love the level of pride and respect that Texans have for their State.
8. The pace in Texas is much slower than back home. I am still adjusting to it and I am not sure if I will ever fully adjust but I am learning to slow down and enjoy life rather than getting from place A to place B as fast as I can.
7. The food here is amazing!
6. It's hot but that doesn't slow anyone down here or keep them inside. That being said...
5. HYDRATE YOURSELF!
4. Downtown Fort Worth is breathtaking at night.
3. Chipotle taste better in Texas. Seriously, it's true!
2. Beards are better in Texas.
1. Just go with the flow B, you live in Texas now!

To Be Determined- By God

It took roughly 18 hours to start this new journey. [Nothing against Arkansas, but driving through that state was serious torture!] I am five days into it and am already feeling inpatient. Patience will always be something I struggle with, let's just be real about that!. I have been seeking and praying for some serious purpose while doing my best to remain patient in the journey. I know my purpose is in Fort Worth, doors have already started opening for me here! With constant reminders and encouragement from my best friends back home in Michigan to chill out and enjoy the excitement of this adventure, I have been doing just that. Exploring the area. Connecting with family and friends that I met last year. Figuring out the freeways and becoming serious best friends with my gps. Attending services at Gateway and Tree of Life and making new connections. Planting myself at some of my favorite coffee shops and job searching. Running along the river. And most of all getting used to the heat! 

In moments of loneliness I realize I am the only one who can fix the feeling of being alone. God will connect me with the right people but I have to be willing to put myself in the middle of people for that to happen. Being the new person is never something I have been great at. The work God has done in these past 9 months with my confidence and overall boldness allowed me to walk myself into Gateway's North Fort Worth campus last night and attend their young adult service. I jumped right in and started to connect myself with the amazing young adults there! When asked what brought me to Texas I just shortened my answer to, "God called me down here!" I was encouraged by each person I met and had an amazing night of worship on top of making new friends. I even met someone who was from Michigan, and yes he held up his hand to show me where he was from! Classic Michigander! I am finding comfort in each moment I am able to connect with someone and share a little piece of my story with them. It's making Texas seem a bit more like home. 

Faith over Fear

Last Thursday God spoke very clearly through an act of obedience from a powerhouse worshipper leader and one of my close friends.
"Fear. Fear is being broken."
That word was for me and I took it and ran with it. I was full of fear, which is hilariously ironic because I just tattooed 'faith over fear' on my body two weeks before that moment. Stop fooling yourself B and read your arm! I was fearful of finding a new job. No doors have been opening for me and the struggle was real during what I kept calling the 'job stretch.' I was fearful of leaving my family. I had plans to move out across town as soon as that job came. Moving and leaving the comfort of home was a fear. I was fearful of leaving friendships that had been built up on such real and vulnerable connections. All of this fear was clouding my vision and the true vision that God gave me last August that I eventually shared on this blog last year in December.
Somewhere between fear and emotions I lost track of the real call that God had for me. Doors weren't opening for me in Michigan because I am not supposed to be in Michigan right now. I went back to the beginning before the fear and emotions crept in and re-visited what God had first said to me. I love the grace of God and how sensitive He is to allowing us to see clearly that call He has for us. He allowed me to cloud my vision for only a short time and work it all out while watching and guarding me from a distance. Then right when I was willing to hear, God busted through those clouds and softened my heart. My softened heart allowed me to hear some clear words from some amazing people in my life.
Now more than ever I know the direction for my life and that direction will require a 16 hour road trip to Fort Worth, Texas. There are doors down there that God is ready to open for me but He can't open them if I am not obedient and go!
With all that being said, I am ready to get out of my own way and to fully obey. My bags are currently being packed. Get ready Fort Worth, B is invading the city... FRIDAY!

FAITH OVER FEAR! 

| Life Lately: Rooted [phone photos] |

Almost two months have gone by without a peep from me on this blog. A LOT has changed and happened within those two months. My life has been going a mile a minute and just now I am finding a pace that I can maintain. You can't go your whole life sprinting, your legs would look amazing but you are going to be completely exhausted! Life is about to change very soon and it has me filled with an anxious excitement!
In my last post I shared about my decision to remain in Michigan and not re-locate to Texas. God telling me to "get rooted" has been the phrase that has carried me through this faith testing journey during April and May. When you feel your faith start to shake, get rooted. Establish yourself & grow deeply!
That's what the past two months have consisted of, growing and rooting. Being intentional with friendships, securing family relationships, and gaining a confidence in ministry.
"But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." Jeremiah 17:7-8

Because I'm Happy [10 things that are making me terribly happy III]

1. Friends. It's a little crazy to me that it took me this long to finally have some real and genuine friends but all in God's timing right? The people I have come to meet in the past two months have made my life so enjoyable and I might even say have changed the course of my life.

2. Fellowship. Girls night, nights out on the town, movie nights, or some old school skating at a roller rink. It is all fellowship and it's making me happy.
3. Worship. I have been having some awesome alone times of worship with God as well as community worship. His presence is flowing in my life!

4. Singing. If you drive past me on the road I will probably be having an amazing karaoke session.
5.  Black Coffee. Can't go a day without it. I am also aware that black coffee will always be on my 'what makes me terribly happy' list.

6. Finally owning an iphone! It took me years but after my android became possessed by Satan, I figured it was time to abandon the droid and get me an iphone!
7. Conversations in the car with my brother. I think that is the place where we connect the most.
8. Meeting new people. Lately I have been stretching myself out of my comfort zone and have been striking up conversations with strangers. At the market, at church, at Target. Anywhere. It's been something that has been uncomfortable and somewhat scary for me. I can't get any better at it if I don't practice, right? Face your fears!
9. Elevation Worship's Album 'Wake Up the Wonder.' I could listen to this album all day long!
10. My future.

10 things that are making me terribly happy 

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| Life Lately: Christmas Break in Texas [phone photos] |

I spent Christmas break in Texas trying to figure out my life and prepare to move there in June. [read more about that here.] 10 days of family, solitude, coffee, tacos, and Jesus was just what I needed. I feel a peace about the direction God is taking me into and I am so ready to make this move. Enjoy some photos that I snapped with my phone [and may have borrowed from others] during my time there.

| Say hello to the country's tallest indoor Christmas tree! The tree at the Galleria Mall in Dallas was simply breathtaking. Watching a whole fleet of kids ice skating around the tree and having Christmas songs playing loud really gave me some serious holiday spirit. |

| Yes, that is Kari Jobe. Worship Pastor and Christian Artist. Never did I think I would run into her at Central Market in her hometown but I did. I actually got out of the car for this photo and it was totally worth it. Her and her husband were so sweet. Definitely an awesome way to start off my trip. [it was also after this photo that I realized how jacked up my eyebrows were... ay!] |

| My cousin [not technically but oh well] Amanda, tore it up while singing at Tree of Life for their candlelight service. Her voice is amazing and I almost lit my hair on fire with my candle because the presence of God was so strong. |

| Some of the gorgeous TOL ladies who have become such great lifelong friends. We all unintentionally matched on Sunday. |

| Brunch at one of my favorite places in FW, Brewed was so much fun. These darlings are such a riot! I cannot wait for more times together in the future. |

| What do you do when it's cold and rainy? Take a family road trip to Austin! We had such a blast together exploring the city and all it had to offer. |

| The last service of 2014 at Tree of Life was excellent. I love this church and am so excited to call it my home very soon. If you want to hear any of their Sunday messages go here. |

| A trip to Texas wouldn't be complete without a trip to Roots Coffeehouse for their honey vanilla latte. |

| I miss my roomie Charlotte already. |

| Breakfast at Magnolia Cafe in Austin and Lunch at Velvet Taco! |

Until next time... 

| 2015 Goals |

Adios 2014, you have been one heck of a year. I started 2014 totally lost and empty. I was burnt out at my job, I was spiritually empty, and really had no direction for my life what so ever. Well, flip that 180 degrees and now I am ending 2014 overflowing with life, joy, freedom, and purpose. If you ever want to hear the long story behind my 2014 let me know, it really is quite an unbelievable story. I am really proud to say that I have crossed off almost everything from my '2014 To Do List' and am looking ahead to 2015 with new goals and new direction.

run a 10k
go and visit my cousins in Texas I haven't seen in 5+ years (or even met at all) 
buy a Michael Kors watch
invest in a good camera and lens
grow my hair out
read one book (I need to set the bar at an achievable level)
continue my gluten/dairy free lifestyle
spend more time in God's word
continue working on communication in my friendships
remember more birthdays (a facebook wall post doesn't count either)
go see Newsies on broadway in Chicago
continue to train up little ones (this will be the bee hive's 4th year in business!)

go for more bike rides

Now that a new year is upon us, it's time to make a new list of goals. I already have so much planned for 2015 and am anticipating a lot of changes. On top of moving to a different state and starting a new job, here are some other things I would like to accomplish in the new year. 

Run a half marathon [Yes... 13.1 miles!]

Read 5 books [seems totally doable but after only reading 3 books in 2014 I thought I would increase it just a little. Slowly but surely I am becoming a reader again.]

Move into my own place
Speak more Spanish
Pay off my student loan

Write a book [doesn't mean it will get published but I have started to write out my story and I want to finish it in 2015.] 

Become stronger [physically, mentally, and most important, spiritually]

Write & record at least one original song 

Serve & volunteer 

Buy a new bike
Live a Whole30 lifestyle until I move to Texas [158 days]

What are your 2015 goals? 

| top 10 blogposts from 2014 |

This blog has really morphed into something that I love during this past year. I love sharing my life and inspirations with y'all. Whether it be a lesson learned, photos from my phone, what's in my makeup bag, or exciting life announcements. I am grateful for those who choose to follow my life and for those who have inspired me along the way. My life is only going to become more unpredictable and unbelievable in 2015, I know that for sure! I hope my blog has inspired you in some way. 

Here are some of my favorite posts from 2014. 

1 | Best in beauty 2013 [1/2/3]
2 | 21 Questions with Bee
3 | Happy Birthday Bro!
4 | Review of Mary Kay CC Cream [which I LOVE!]
5 | Texas Vacay [1/2]
6 | 10 Things my Dad has Taught Me 
7 | The Power of Familia
8 | Whole30 Champ!
9 | Life Lately: Marching Band Edition 
10 | Announcing my big move to Texas!

Bee's Moving Y'all

It is with great excitement that I tell all y'all, I AM MOVING!!! I am taking myself out of Grand Rapids, Michigan and over 1,000 miles down south to Fort Worth, Texas. This decision has been about 9 months in the making and I never imagined myself making such a bold move. I started to feel in my heart such a love for Texas when I first went there on Spring Break this past spring. Something about Fort Worth felt like home. It also helps that I have an amazing Aunt and several cousins that live there. Another place that felt like home was Tree of Life. My cousin Gabriel is the Pastor at this incredible church. Everything about TOL felt so inviting and each new person I met and got to know felt like a long lost best friend. I loved the services and the classes and left Texas knowing I was supposed to be at Tree of Life.

After another visit to Fort Worth this past summer I came back knowing that I was to follow what I was feeling in my heart from God. After sharing everything with my parents we began praying about it. [I'm a Christian... I think you have figured that out by now.] I kept everything I was feeling within the family and a couple close friends as I patiently waited for confirmation. 2 weeks after I shared this with my parents, my Uncle unexpectedly passed away. God just shook my world and flipped it upside down. One thing that my Uncle always encouraged me to do was to follow God's will. Every family member that I shared my heart with during the celebration of my Uncle's life encouraged me to do just that, follow God's will. After grieving the loss of my Uncle I continued to pray and go after the desire to move. I had come up with a plan but you know how that saying goes, "make a plan and God will laugh at it." That is basically what happened. God said, "Bee, I can handle it. Let go of the control of your life." As soon as I let go of the planning, everything just fell into place. I was released from obligations keeping me in Michigan and had decided that my business was going to close in June. I keep saying it but it's so true, never in a million years would I see my life taking this path. It's exciting and scary at the same time. I know it is all God and I am looking forward to what He has planned for me. I am sure it will include some cute cowgirl boots and lots of bbq.

Da Gracias

God has taken my the world and flipped it upside down and then He gave it a few shakes. To say that I am so thankful for having God rock my world is such an understatement. I am thankful for my family who have prayed along side of me during this shaking and rocking. My parents are the strong pillars that hold up not only themselves but also my brother and I. Both my mom and dad have a strength and determination to them. I am grateful for all their kindness, love, and patience throughout this past year. I am also thankful for my crazy and very spontaneous brother. He is not my best friend by default but my best friend by choice. His laughter is contagious and he can change the atmosphere of any room and make it one giant party.

If God has taught me anything in this past year it's one thing, family is important. Spending time building relationships with the ones closest to you is important. Investing in their lives from the youngest to the wisest is important. When everything else is gone, all you have left is family. Treasure it and hold it close. I am thankful for family!