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. 

| 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.

#MooreSiblingVacay

After some serious patience and planning, my brother and I were able to take a sibling vacation down to Fort Worth, Texas. We were greeted with open arms and some serious heat! I didn't think it was possible to have two vacations in one year that would completely change my life but, it happened. There is just something about Texas that I love. Maybe it's the BBQ or all the amazing tacos? Maybe it's the presence of family and realness within each person that I was able to meet? Maybe it's the fact that some of my favorite and closest cousins all live there? I think it's all the above. I am so glad that I got to share this experience with my brother. And the fact that we never once got on each others nerves is a miracle! Once again, I failed to take photos that captured each moment of the trip but we were too busy living them out to even capture them. Enjoy the photos that my brother and I took. 

^ Lil' cousin Fayth was in love with Nate. Those two created quite the bond during the week we were there. ^

^ My brother stood in on sound for Sunday service at Tree of Life. It was cool to see that side of his education being used as a ministry to bless my cousins and the church. Seeing my cousins all serving at Tree of Life in a place of ministry lifts my spirit and makes me so proud to call them family. Nothing is sweeter than going after God's plan and purpose for your life with one-hun-doe percent! If you're in the Dallas/Fort Worth area go and check this place out! ^

^ My brother spent a couple days out on the golf course connecting on a real heart level with our cousins. Keep in mind that it was about 99 degrees during each round of 18 that they played. ^

^ Klyde Warren Park in Downtown Dallas. This park was so beautiful. ^ 

^ Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge in Dallas was gorgeously lit up by the sunset. ^

^ These girls are simply the best second cousins a first cousin could ask for. We picked up right where we left off when I left in April. They remembered how I would lift them up and let them do backflips off of me. They remembered that they had to say 'please' if they needed anything from me. And most importantly... they remembered my name! ^

^ No BBQ this time around, just lots of tacos! ^ 

^ An evening spent in Sundance Square with family while sipping coffee and having great conversation is a perfect evening. The little cousins could not contain their excitement for the water in the jetted fountain. ^

^ Yes, we shot guns. And by we, I mean... yes, I shot a gun! And I loved it! Before we left Michigan I had told my dad that I wanted to shoot skeet while I was down in Texas. Well, the amazing cousins made it happen. It was an empowering experience. I successfully hit 4 skeet on my first time out! ^

^ When my dad asked what kind of gun I was shooting, my response was, "It's brown." I later learned that it was a 12 gauge shotgun. ^

^ Our last evening was spent in The Loft surrounded by family and new friends inviting in the presence of God. We attended their monthly 'As One' gathering and learned the power of positive communication within relationships. We were able to say goodbye to new friends and make plans to come back soon. ^

^ We had an amazing time. It's always sad to leave a place that you love. This trip was necessary for growth, progress, refreshing, and renewing. I loved being able to connect again so quickly with my family. Our cups were always running over with espresso and the conversation was non-stop. It was necessary for growth within our love for one another and within ourselves. Counting down the days until we can return again. ^ 

[for more photos from our trip check out #mooresiblingvacay on instagram!] 

Texas Vacay

Go to Texas to visit my cousins has been crossed of my 2014 to-do list. This vacation was amazing. Words can't describe how God used my mom and I to not only connect with family but to share our gifts of ministry with others. I was able to spend a lot of time with my family and make some new friends along the way. It was not your ordinary vacation. I was up early and went to bed late. I spent a lot of time talking and building a stronger relationship with my cousins and my Tia. They got to see what God is doing in my life and encouraged me to keep following after Him.

I was finally able to attend a service at Tree of Life. God's presence was so evident in that place. I didn't want the service to end. I was greeted by everyone with love and felt right at home. 

I got my butt kicked at OutFIT [an outdoor bootcamp class] that I went to with my 2 cousins. [At one point I had wood chips in my hair and dried mud all over my hands. Tough workouts!]

I spent time in downtown Fort Worth and explored the Arts Fest with my mom. 

I went to the Stockyards to see the Longhorns and eat some bbq. 

We had a spa afternoon with the girl cousins and got manis & pedis. 

I squeezed out every last minute of this vacation up until I had to leave. 

I got home and was so inspired by their lives. I love how God is using each and every one for His glory.  They all are great examples for me.
When I got home I realized that I barely took any pictures. I was so busy creating real memories that I didn't capture any with my camera. Oh well, guess I will just have to go back and visit again soon. 

Enjoy the pictures that I did take. 

Until next time...