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!] 

Tweetable Truths

I have been listening to Tree of Life podcasts of their Sunday words in anticipation of visiting in April. My cousin, Gabe is the Pastor of this church. I love hearing what God is saying to him and his congregation. I like to call his words, tweetable truths. Everything is so on point and can be condensed to 140 characters. He keeps it real. Each of his messages will speak into your life, challenge you, and encourage you in your relationship with God. I know it is challenging me. I am so encouraged to have a cousin that is a man of God and providing a great example to all of us primos under him.
(Trust me... there are a lot of cousins in my family.)
Feel free to tweet out any of the truths that I have gotten from his words. 

• You will often experience breakthrough outside of your comfort zone.
• God never changes, so my future is secure.
• When I understand that God is a person, I will be more personable with him.
• If you teach, people will come to learn. It doesn’t matter where you are. 
• There is nothing too difficult for God. God is all powerful.
• We treat people based on their value to us.
• God is a promise keeper.
• You don’t fail, you just keep taking the test again.
• Jesus did not come to modify your behavior, He came to modify your thinking.
• In the kingdom of God you receive first before you do anything. 
• No one can tell you who you are but God. 
• God is not finished with you yet. He will never give up on you. 
• Righteousness is correctness of thinking.