An angel was born...

There is something about this season that brings out the "blog" in my heart. Words that have been floating around in my head and heart for several weeks. I always know when it’s time to put my fingers to the keys and write. I can’t believe that it has been over a year since I last publicly blogged. Most of my blogs have been written in my journal lately. Today, I want to share.

24 years ago today… July 18^th, I woke up to my alarm at 4:45 am. My bags were packed and we had everything ready to go to the hospital. It was the day that I was going to give birth to my first child. We didn’t even know whether it was a boy or a girl. So much anticipation. We had waited all those months to finally meet you. A young 19 year old, hooked up to all the monitors and patiently waiting for you to arrive.

We had a boy and a girl name ready, waiting to see who you were gonna be. You must have been just as ready to come because you came so fast. A few pushes and you were here. A beautiful, beautiful baby girl. We named you Shealyn Renee. Shay after dad’s middle name and Lynn after my middle name…. Shealyn!

You were literally beautiful. Even the nurse and Doctor said… "Wow, she looks like a little doll" and "She’s really a beautiful baby" I still to this very day can remember the absolute pure joy in my heart. I cried (but that’s not anything new) with excitement. I couldn’t believe that I was holding my first daughter in my arms and you were all mine. I was your mother and I was given this amazing opportunity to raise you and own the beloved title of "mother"

They brought you back from doing all of their tests and told me that you had a scalp abrasion on the back of your head from coming through the birth canal and that you must have sucked your thumbs in utero because you didn’t have any thumb nails. Other than that you were perfect!

We adored you. Literally adored you. We were so anxious to take you home and be a cute little family together. We got home and were so completely ready to begin our new phase of life. But, day three when I went to change Shealyn’s diaper it was covered in huge yellow filled fluid blisters. They were literally all over her diaper area. I knew that it was not normal. I called my mom and told her and we decided to call the pediatrician. However, I didn’t have a pediatrician selected yet. So I pulled out my insurance book and picked a name out of the list.

I called around noon and they told me that it was just my luck because they weren’t scheduling new patients for a couple of months but that if I could be there in 30 minutes that they could get me in due to a cancellation. (miracle… I might add) The Dr. looks at Shealyn and tells me after observing her that what she has looks like a rare skin disease called blahblahblahblahblah… really he said Epidermolysis Bullousa but all I heard was the first. It was such a long word that I couldn’t even repeat so I had him write it down. Or maybe my mom did. He then says… you need to immediately take her to Children’s Hospital. DO not go home and go straight to the hospital. That was the longest car ride I ever remember. All of a sudden the scalp abrasion and the lack of thumb nails made more sense. 

I also remember how extremely grateful I was for my mom. Words will never be enough for the gratitude in my heart that I felt for her. I had never felt so scared. I had never felt so unsettled. As I looked at Shealyn the whole ride to the hospital I just bawled my eyes out. Somehow, without even knowing what she had or what was gonna happen. It was like deep in my heart my spirit was already preparing me for the worst news ever. That is when I first discovered how strong I was. I had already told myself that no matter what I heard at the hospital that Shealyn was going to be a miracle and survive whatever this disease was. When we got to the hospital they asked me the most horrible questions. It literally hurt my heart. I couldn’t handle it. Here I was begging for someone to let me know what was wrong with my daughter and they were asking me questions like I had done this to her. I was again grateful for my mom and her calming disposition. Then they told me that they had to do a series of tests and when we gave them the paper of that long disease name. No one had even heard of it. Not even the main Doctor. So, these tests begin, and I couldn’t even deal. They took the end of a pencil eraser and began twisting into her skin to create a blister. I again was thankful for my mom staying in there with her because I was watching them torture her little frail body and just couldn’t handle it. On a side note, I can guarantee those tests wouldn’t happen in this day and age; but they did the best with the knowledge they had at he time.

Because the first pediatrician gave us the name of that disease. The Doctor was able to find out that there was a National Registry in North Carolina for this disease EB. They contacted them and sent the samples off. I was told that I would hear something in about two weeks.

That was the longest wait ever. I did finally hear back. I also realized another huge miracle. That Dr. that I selected out of a book of a hundred names was right. {Miracle number 5867668.} It was Epidermolysis Bullousa Junctional Recessive Type. What did that even mean? I was left a phone number to call. I called. The sweet lady on the other end had such a soothing voice. However, what she had to say was not so soothing. She told me that the type of disease that Shealyn had was terminal and the was not expected to live past a year old.

Once again, I was reminded of my strength at that moment. I remember telling her that Shealyn would not be one of those odds and that I would do everything it took to save her. And I did. Sadly, it wasn’t what God had planned for her life or ours for Shealyn to live. I learned quite quickly that I wasn’t as strong as I thought I was. Nothing prepares you for the loss of your child. I felt weak, I felt pain, I felt hurt so deep that I didn’t think I could even survive it. I felt broken. I felt insecure. I felt just about everything sad you could imagine. I learned to take it one day at a time. Oh so many stories I am skipping over…but those will be for another blog.

What I want to share with you today is about my come back. How I could be so broken and yet write to you today of how the very things that break you and literally bring you to your knees and take every ounce of fluid from your body through tears are the things that truly make you strong.

First, I will say that my faith in God and the blessing of being comforted got me through the initial weeks. Second, allowing myself to literally cry a river. There is something about tears. I truly believe they are feelings that you can’t even put words to. Kind of amazing when you think that our bodies were given an avenue to release emotion in such a huge way. That is why I have a special place in my heart for tears. I believe it is a signal of strength when someone can cry and express that emotion. I consider it a gift.

Grief never ends. But it changes. Grief is the price of love. Grief has changed me forever. Experiencing loss and grief at such a young age has allowed me to live with a heart full of empathy and compassion for others. It has brought me to the depths of brokenness. Which in return has also brought me to the tip of pure joy.

I heard a song the other day that spoke so eloquently about how I feel. It is called " Not too far from here" by Hilary Weeks (my all time fav)

It reads,

Somebody’s down to their last dime, Somebody’s running out of time, Not too far from here. Somebody’s got nowhere else to go, somebody needs a little hope, Not too far from here. 

And I may not know their name, But I’m praying just the same, That You’ll use me Lord to wipe away a tear. Cause somebody’s crying not too far from here. Somebody’s troubled and confused,

Somebody’s got nothing left to lose, Not too far from here. Somebody’s forgotten how to trust, Somebody’s dying for love, Not too far from here.

It may be a stranger’s face, But I’m praying for your grace to move in and take away the fear, Cause somebody’s hurting not too far from here.

Help me Lord not to turn away from pain. Help me not to rest while those around me weep. Give me your strength and compassion. When somebody finds the road of life too steep.

Somebody’s troubled and confused, somebody’s got nothing left to lose, not too far from here. Somebody’s forgotten how to trust, Somebody’s dying for love, not too far from here.

Now I’m letting down my guard and I’m opening my heart, help me speak your love to every needful ear. Someone is waiting not too far from here. Someone is waiting not too far from here. {end of song}

I let my guard down a long time ago when I realized that it was my purpose to not only share the trials and heartaches but the glorious comeback and the joy in the journey that can be found after any kind of brokenness. I promise if you will pray and ask who needs you that you will be led to them. Don’t be surprised when it happens to be the last person that you would ever think of.

This life is hard and full of trials and challenges and like the song says… there is someone not too far from here experiencing the hardest time of their life like I once was. Be that someone that shows up! Be that someone that asks a stranger what’s their story. Be that someone that smiles at people when you are out and about. Be that someone that wipes away a tear. Be that person that is willing to open up your heart. Be that person that is waiting to be led where you are needed. Cause not too far from here somebody’s waiting for you.

Thank you to my angel girl Shealyn for coming to this earth for a short time yet teaching me invaluable lessons that last a lifetime. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SWEET ANGEL GIRL! Until we meet again!

Until I blog again,

The Weight Loss Guarantee...

So many people that have seen my posts about my weight loss have asked what I'm doing! So I will share! There is this AMAZING program and it is helping me shed weight, have more energy and even decrease my brain fog!

Let me back up just a bit and remind you of my days weighing 245 pounds, where you would hardly even recognize me. After losing two children, emotional eating was my thing! If you want to read more about that...here is the link (https://heatherearljoyinthejourney.blogspot.com/2012/03/im-starting-on-monday.html) You can even see what I looked like at that weight! But just a warning....Don't fall out of your chair!

So needless to say, I know how to lose weight because I have lost 100 pounds before and then gained some back and lost that, gained some back and lost that, gained back and lost that well you see the pattern. I have literally been a roller coaster throughout the years! Every time fall would hit and the anniversaries of losing both my kids the emotional eating would start right back! But the cool thing is that I know how many amazing products are out there. And I know what the perfect mixture for success is after gaining and losing so many times! I understand! But no more excuses! I want to be able to add that not only do I know how to lose weight, but that I also know how to keep it off!

I have used Advocare, Shakeology, Herbalife, Isagenix, Le-Vel, Melaleuca, Plexus, Shaklee, and even watched my mom have success with MediFast.

GUESS WHAT????? THEY ARE ALL GOOD PRODUCTS! THEY ALL GIVE YOUR BODY GREAT STUFF! (I have friends that sell just about all of the above, so if you are interested in any of them I can send you their way)

So here is the BIG SECRET of my weight loss....there is no secret! The best program is healthy eating and exercise and when it's combined is the key! It's always the key! Even with injuries and lots of them...it can work! I'm living proof! I have a bad back, terrible pain in my shoulder, a bad knee and foot pain! I even have pain in my arm by my elbow, (Have no idea what that is) But anyway, I know from experience that when the weight goes away the pain can diminish!

I believe in any of the above companies and believe that you can include any of them for your journey. I personally love the shake plans because I am bad about getting all the greens, and fruits and vitamins that my body needs. Back when I lost 100 pounds, I actually drank Slim Fast shakes. So I do a shake most mornings unless I want a healthy egg white omelette with veggies. Then I have a healthy snack, like sliced tomatoes, avocados or a boiled egg. Then I have another shake for lunch unless I want a salad. Then again I have a healthy snack, maybe almonds and a cheese stick. Then I have dinner, usually grilled chicken or fish and a green veggie like fresh green beans, snow peas or asparagus.

Then I add at least 30 to 45 minutes of exercise. That's my plan and it works! Oh and lets talk exercise. I am all about simplicity and I also know how to control my mind to help my body do what I want it to do even when my brain wants to quit!

I play mind games with myself because I understand that its our brains that tell us that we cant keep going or that we are too tired. So I don't listen to myself! Here is what I do.... I am music motivated. So I get on the treadmill or elliptical and I listen to a song that pumps me up and I walk or jog to the beat. The different songs give me the slow/fast pace to increase fat burning. Then when I am wanting to stop cause I think I am too tired... The ending of a song has to fall when the treadmill time is ending in zero... So if those don't fall at the same time I have to go for another song! If after I have met my goal I just stop and get off and if it happens to fall just right... I get off and do another machine the same way! Its funny when you change the focus...you end up doing more! It's the same mentality when a road trip seems faster when you are talking to someone. Before you know it...you are there! So learn to trick your mind from thinking about the obvious! I am so good at this because its the main way I have learned to get through trials. Eventually, they end.

I know it is hard and I know its so individual. I know there are exceptions to everything and I know it doesn't work for everyone because of medical issues. But what I do know is that you are better when you are fit and healthy. Your mind, your thought process, your energy, your sleep!

I also know that the enemy, adversary, devil whatever you want to call him...likes us better when we aren't physically at our best! So it can hold us back in our lives. I have witnessed this first hand at times in my life! I am walking this path right now and already feeling amazing!

So start today! Do something to get back on track with your health and your fitness. Your best self is waiting! I know the MAJOR differences in me when I am exercising and healthy eating!

FIND JOY IN DISCOVERING YOUR BEST SELF THROUGH GETTING HEALTHY!

Wanna JOIN ME???? I can be your accountability partner!

The Biggest Lie...

This month our family chose to participate in a beautiful world-wide campaign called #lighttheworld. It is a calendar of opportunities to shine in an increasingly dark world. A chance to be a bright light to those around us and a shining example of Christlike love.

I decided that I would start a FB event to share this campaign with many friends that may have never heard of it. It received a great response and I have been uplifted and inspired by the posts that have been written there and also shared through the hashtag #lighttheworld. 25 ways to give for 25 days. Beautiful. Each day it provides a guide to focus on and actual ideas to follow the theme of the day through random acts of kindness.   

I received a message from someone in the group that said, "I could never write what I do with a hastag because I am afraid that people will think that I am tooting my own horn or that I am wanting to receive accolades." I have sat and pondered this for several days. As this is not the first time I have heard this. And actually at some point several years ago, I believed this.

Here are my thoughts in response... This is the biggest lie! What if every author of every incredible book that you have read chose not to write because someone might have thought they were tooting their own horn. What if an inspired speaker chose to keep their mouths shut and not share the beautiful life lessons that they have experienced, in fear that someone would think that they are only sharing for accolades. Think about the last inspiring movie you watched that changed your life and inspired you. 

I remember someone saying to me at one point in my life that I share too much. And you know what.. Back then I believed them. I became quiet. I stopped sharing. It was the most miserable time in my life. You see, I have learned through the years that my calling in life was to open my mouth and share my experiences. I always knew that I shared from my heart. I always knew that I shared because I truly had a testimony of what I was sharing. I shared because I was so excited to discover something that helped me grow or become better or stronger and I wanted someone else to have the same benefit. 

Some of the most beautiful experiences in my life have come from feeling inspired to share something and someone reaching out to me thanking me for saying something they needed to hear, or giving them an idea that brought them or their family joy. 

Through the years, I have heard that I share too much. I have heard that I am too open. I have heard that anyone that shares everything on FB is someone seeking attention. I have recently heard that quiet service is true Christianity. 

I have prayed about these very opinions and realized that that is exactly what they are... OPINIONS!

C.S. Lewis said it best...."Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him."

We live in a world of blogs, and vlogs and YouTube and more blogs. People are moved by other peoples stories. That includes all parts of your story, even the random acts of kindness that you do for others. My favorite movies are the ones based on a true story. Your story is a true story and there are people that need your voice. 

In a world of stigma, shame, victim-blaming, and apathy, it can be terrifying to share your story or the things that you do for good. And it can be hard to always know who you can trust. 

But sharing these things can bless a life and heal a heart, and can help others along their journey. Choosing to share can give strength, give hope, or just remind someone that they are not alone. It can inspire a soul to do what you did and make it their own. Sharing about your random acts of kindness can inspire someone to go and do the same.

I remember sharing about what our family did for the homeless regularly. I had several people say they were so thankful we shared because they had always wanted to do something like that and we helped them realize that it doesn't take much to go bless a life. I shared about my random acts of kindness birthday last year and several others created similar birthday events to go bless others. That is the beauty of sharing.

Now there are hundreds of things that we do on a regular basis that we never share about. But when you feel inspired to share, you should share. 

I plead with you to not fall into the worry of what others may think of you! SHARE YOUR HEART, SHARE WHAT YOU DO, SHARE YOUR STORY! There are people waiting to be touched by what only you can share! Be a light! Shine your heart and light the world. 

Find joy in sharing your heart with others. As you share you will help others find Him.

Until I blog again...

It was a miracle after all....

Sometimes you get a crazy idea that comes to you in a dream. You first think it's a nightmare! Then after some thought, the idea won't leave your heart. So you start paying attention to it and all the ramifications of it. You realize that you have been being prepared for it for quite some time. So you take it to heart and realize that indeed it is what was supposed to happen. Different fears start circulating and you process through it all. And of course, you pray!

Then you embrace it... with a little bit of sadness because it means changing everything you know. Selling your dream home and 80% of what you own. Little by little the reality sets in. Baby steps to the realization of what was really happening in my life. It seemed so subtle at first. I was craving simplicity. I was craving organization (which never came easily for me), I was craving order.

Then you realize that hiring a home organizer, getting rid of excess, donating and selling most of what you have was all part of the plan! It was all inspired. It was preparing me to be able to add upon my life. You see, I have dreams, big, big dreams! I have beautiful desires in my heart that I feel God has called me to do. I believe I have a calling and purpose in life and I needed to discover true order in my life before I was ready for this new path that God has led me down. I used to not have enough self-belief to think that they could ever happen. At one point in my life that is all that it was...a dream. But through my life, I have learned that dreams really do come true. But you have to work. You have to be willing to change. You have to listen to your heart and do hard things. For me, it meant deciding to give up the comfort and peace of our home. It meant getting rid of things I loved. It meant sacrificing comfort to explore uncomfortable feelings and face weaknesses.


Looking back....I learned at a young age that I could do hard things and have spent the last 20 years learning how to overcome trials and tribulations. I had a huge weakness of self-starting. I still struggle at times. (I now know what to do in those moments) I have A.D.D. with the side effect of lack of organization. I would have the greatest intentions with real desire and fall short because of my weaknesses. Either I would forget or not make something happen because I couldn't start or keep routine. I didn't have order in my mind so I never could figure out how to recover. I was determined to overcome this weakness.

I read books. I prayed. I took classes. I prayed. I read more books. I prayed. I entertained the idea of medicine for focus. (I decided against it) I prayed. I prayed some more. Then I realized that I was spending too much time focusing on my weaknesses and that I had forgotten to focus on my strengths. I was always searching how to overcome certain tendencies of mine. So I began doing what I could and focused on what I am good at. And that is listening to my heart and following the spirit.

I listened to my heart and hired that home organizer. I learned from her. I flew in a dear friend to organize my Scentsy and home office. I learned from her. I accepted that I may always have certain weaknesses but,  I can find beautiful people in my life help make up for what I didn't possess myself. I learned all of this but was still stuck in the ease of having the hired help.

I had this beautiful home that was always clean (well not always clean)  and of course smelling good but I couldn't maintain it myself. It was so overwhelming to me. I had to pay someone to maintain it for me. I'll never forget the feeling I had one day. My housekeepers were there (3 of them) and also the guy showed up to scoop the poop from the backyard at the same time. As I sat on the couch reading a book. I thought... Why am I sitting here watching others do things I am completely capable of doing myself. I realized that very subtlety I had become pulled into the ease of someone else doing these things and it was not helping me become the woman that I was meant to be. Of course it allowed me to go and serve and do random acts of kindness for others and to play with my kiddos. But, I realized that I was not progressing in this area of my life and I was getting very comfortable with hiring help. I realized at that moment that I needed to make a change. It was a stumbling block to my personal progression.

This is when I began praying for what my next best step was. I never intended for the answer to come in a dream. And surely never expected that we were to sell our home (which has not actually sold yet) and didn't expect to move to a completely new place (where I didn't know a soul) and into an apartment at that. Lubbock of all places, was the answer for this next phase of life. I immediately understood it all. Each baby step and phase that was preparing me for this big life change. I actually remember going to church that following Sunday and singing the song, "Ill go where you want me to go dear Lord." I knew from the spirit on several different occasions that it was for sure where we were supposed to go. So I continued to downsize even more and prepare for the big move. Two months have come and gone and I couldn't be happier! (except for missing sweet friends)

It has been the best thing that could have ever happened. I have changed for the better! Simplifying my life was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. I didn't even need to hire an organizer to get my space all set up. Leaving that 4000 square foot home and downsizing to a 1100 sq ft apartment was a big part of the answer for me. I am happier and it is greater blessing than I ever realized. Kolby is thriving here. We are becoming even closer, now that he is not on one end of the house and me on another. We talk more and hang more. I love it! I cherish the lessons that I had through this experience of being willing to up and change everything. It is awesome to be cleaning my own home again, and not having more than I need. Everything has its place and I have finally achieved order and organization on my own. I have a clear mind because I'm not worrying about all that needs to be done and I am not feeling guilty for literally spending thousands to other people to do things for me that I was perfectly capable of doing myself. I have more time...so much more time! Not to mention more time to travel and be what I am meant to be.

But here is the miracle... I have finally simplified my life and found order in my home.  God has blessed me in my efforts. God has opened doors for me to follow my heart desires and dreams. He has placed people in my path that have blessed me in my efforts in pursuing these big dreams that I have been carrying around in my heart for many years. By simplifying, I am able to be more present in the moment, attentive to my kids and able to devote my full attention to whatever task is going on at the time. I know I already mentioned this...but the added time is incredible. By having a simplified schedule I choose what fills my time...not life dictating what I have to do. Which will soon be filled with days of being a "grammy" to my first grand baby. I can't even say that without getting chills and watery eyes.

There are many beautiful benefits of simplifying your life. I am seeing that there are tons of small, seemingly insignificant benefits that contribute to my daily joy and sense of well-being and balance. It's an ongoing task that will always require reminders and resets...But that's exciting to me because I continue to see how much I have grown. The inner peace is the greatest gift of all.
I am not suggesting you have to move to find this beautiful place but begin the simplfying journey...its life changing!


Here's to continuing to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary can speak.... LESS IS MORE!

FIND JOY IN SIMPLICITY!

Until I blog again,

 BONUS QUOTES.......

The ALL Encompassing Journey...

As my fingers hit the keys tonight my mind is flooded with so many thoughts. I have so much to share and I hardly know where to start. In a previous blog I shared about moving to Lubbock and a little about how that choice came about. Here is the link to the blog that prefaces this one.  http://heatherearljoyinthejourney.blogspot.com/2016/05/so-longfarewell.html?m=1

I decided to share a little more in depth about our journey. Let's see... So just to touch on a few rumors that I have heard...No, Shay and I are not separated... (hahaha) No, we didn't move because business was bad. No, I didn't move because I can't live without Hayley. No, I am not putting my kids before my husband. We moved because God spoke and we listened. 

This life is for growth and learning to become the best that we were created to be. I have learned that, this kind of growth requires change. In several seasons of my life I have heard the spirit whisper to me what the focus of my life should be at any given time.  Almost 7 years ago, he placed it in my heart to really focus on overcoming a weakness of mine. I purchased the book titled, "Organizing for Dummies."  I was not blessed with the natural ability to organize or complete any big projects in an orderly manner. After reading that book, I learned that I would be a much better me if I could aquire this set of skills. 

So I began my journey of increasing these skills to grow in this area. I was slowly improving. I remember how excited I was to get 3 boxes and label them "Keep, throw away, and donate" It was the first time that I had ever adopted that concept and I can still remember how liberating it felt. Since I had experienced a lot of loss in my past,  I tend to hold onto more things than I really needed.

So, I didn't quite get the hang of all I needed to know before we decided it was time to sell our home of 16 years in Garland and move to Forney to build our dream home. As some of you remember... right after we moved to Forney, we were hit by the F-3 tornado and had to live in a hotel for many months. Now in hindsight, that was my first experience of learning to live small. We were a family of 4 and a dog inside 4 walls for many months. I put some of my skills to the test and we not only survived, but we learned and grew.

When our home build was completed and we moved in....I was determined to have an organized home. The space was endless. The cabinets went on for days. The pantry and the master closet could be a small bedroom. With 5 bedrooms and storage areas everywhere, I thought that organizing would be easy with so much space. I was so very wrong. It didn't take long to realize that I couldn't handle that much space. Of course, every other aspect of living in our community was amazing. We truly cherished living in our home in the Devonshire community. It will always be a highlight. We are thankful for that chapter. However, i realized that I was going to need help to keep up with the demands of a home that large. I hired help to clean weekly, keep the yard, clean the windows and even pick up the dog poop. Sounds wonderful right? It actually was for a while. Although, all of the hired help allowed me to spend more time serving others and more time with my kids and more time  having lunch and dinner dates with my friends regularly...I was not feeling like I was following through on my duties of growing personally in certain areas.  I was actually becoming lazy and I remember one day in particular that I had the thought that I would just leave the dishes for the cleaning ladies since they were coming the next morning. It hit me that I had become so accustomed to someone doing all of these things for me. 

I asked myself, "What am I teaching my kids?" This is not me. But, it became so easy. I quickly decided that I don't want to be that kind of person. Life isn't meant to be easy! You are meant to dig deep and get messy. Then God placed this scripture in my heart and mind.

Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing, establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God. D&C 109:8

It was time to step up my game and do all I could to make this match my home in the area of "preparing every needful thing" and "a house of order." 

So the journey continued. Two years ago the word that I selected to be my focus was SIMPLIFY. Which went hand in hand with my Scentsy business as one of our core values is SIMPLICITY. I dove in head first and hired a dear friend to come and organize my home and help me eliminate the unnecessary. This changed my life. It wasn't without struggle but Heavenly Father was gentle with me and allowed me 1 year to figure it out and get the hang of it before calling us to Lubbock. 

After my house was all organized, I peeled another layer of the onion per say. I realized that I still owned too much. So, I began praying that I could understand more fully the principles of simplifying my life. The answer came to begin getting rid of much of what I owned. I purged and purged and purged some more. Then I purged again. Every purge, I was feeling lighter and lighter. With that bigger house came more stuff and with more stuff became more to care for and organize. 

Then back in March, Hayley and Jose moved to Lubbock. Despite what people said, I truly never thought that I would move to Lubbock also. Even with how close Hayley and I are... I really didn't think that would ever be a part of our plan. When all of a sudden about a month after they moved. I had a dream that we sold the house, sold 80% of what we owned and moved to an apartment. WHAT THE HECK???? SERIOUSLY???? NO WAY???? I even started looking at the only complex of apartments that had recently been built in Forney, still not knowing that Lubbock was in our future. 

After much prayer and contemplation... I was slowly shown that I had been being led up to this move to Lubbock for a while. I was being prepared in so many different ways. I quickly realized that we had been praying for a new school for Kolby and had even considered using my husband’s parent’s address and sending him back to Garland schools. We quickly realized that that wasn't the answer. We also, realized that Hayley and Jose were going to be having their first child and our first grandchild and with Jose in pre-med and Hayley having many dreams of her own to pursue. My being there would allow for her to pursue them. I had been praying and decided to finish my degree as well. And well Shay has been saying for 25 years that he always wanted to live in Lubbock and that we would someday. I always told him never. (Never say never)

The simplifying journey continued along with the intersection of everyone else in my family....  LUBBOCK WAS THE ANSWER. I purged some more and packed and prepared. Even as I loaded the truck...I got rid of even more. Every day I was shedding more and more. I only moved with what would fit in a two bedroom apartment. As I unpacked in my new place. Going from my 4000 square ft. home to an 1100 sq. ft. tiny apartment.... I wept! 

These were tears of JOY and freedom and a little from the drastic changes. After a fun bet with my husband... I had this place set up in 2 days. Organized completely and cleaned by me!!!!!!!!! Everything I brought fit, (with the exception of Christmas stuff that went to a small storage) clutter free and beautifully organized in my new space. Finally freed from the bondage of a large home, the upkeep and everything else that goes along with that. Even though our home hasn't sold yet, I have now learned that I never needed that much space. I am happier with less! Less is more! 

Kolby couldn't be happier! He loves it here! He will start his new school tomorrow and will be successful with a block schedule and a 7 am seminary start time. He is absolutely loving his coaches and new teammates that he has met. He loves his new YM leaders and has already made some friends. We are so happy for him! 

Hayley and I picked right up where we left off and are enjoying picking colors, and furniture to set up little Skyler's room. And of course, a tiny bit of clothes shopping. Ok maybe a little more than a tiny bit! hahaha

I wouldn't change my simplified life for anything. I am happier! I am actually organized! I have WAY MORE TIME! My mind is simplified! I am not overwhelmed with tasks to do! I don't have the guilt hanging over my head that I am paying someone to do everything anymore! I have gained back my self worth of handling my own stuff and self reliance! I am cooking almost every day!  I am reading again! I am listening to relaxing music! I have more time to focus on my business! I have more time to think and feel and write! I have more time for what matters most! 

The Lord led me and my family to ABUNDANCE! We sacrificed our home and gave up so much and in return gained so much more! I feel so blessed to be here and feel the warmth and kindness of this city. I already love my new church family. I have found the homeless here in Lubbock and can't wait to start serving however we can. I also found a new place to serve with the Special Olympics, and I can't wait! With all the money I will be saving from not paying someone to clean, I can do more random acts of kindness! Which is one of my most favorite past times! 

We thought we were moving here for a few reasons and were quickly shown that this was an all-encompassing journey for us all! I can't wait to see what shall come from this chapter! 

I have definitely learned that simplfying means to eliminate the unecessary so that the necessary can speak. 

More blogs to come on the downsizing and living small... I've learned so much and can't wait to share! 

Find Joy in the Journey of simplifying your life. I did it!  

Until I blog again, 

An Amazing Story... "Have you Forgotten?"

As many of you know...Our house is on the market to sell...60 days to be exact! I have been on a journey of simplicity and order, directed by God for over a year now. It all started with a dream... {I sold my home and I got rid of 75% of what I owned. I then downsized and moved into an apartment.}

I had no idea at the time of the dream that it was actually going to come to fruition. As the days went on, everything began to open my eyes to a bigger picture. The organizing, the downsizing, the selling of our home and then the idea of moving.  It wasn't until Hayley and Jose let us know that they were expecting, that it began to finally hit me, why all of this was happening the way it was. After much prayer, we realized what our next season was.  Although, this is exciting and amazing to me...This is NOT the amazing story!

Last week I was pondering the last 60 days and fear crept into my mind. "What if we don't sell our house?", "What if I am here for months and haven't sold?", "What if the house hasn't sold and it's time for Kolby to start school?", "What if the builders continue to add houses to the market?", "I don't want to live without my kids?" and so on.

I literally wore myself out that day and couldn't put my mind to rest! I finally said, "enough is enough" and would change my mind every time those thoughts would come back. Over and over for a few days these thoughts would surface and I would have to literally choose to change my thinking.

I took it to The Lord in prayer! I had just barely finished with my prayer and I was flooded with some thoughts that came over my mind and heart.... Have you forgotten?  Then all of a sudden a memory came into my mind. Here is the story.....

It was about 5 years ago and I had a dream of living in a new place. (I guess that is how I hear fronm God on these kinds of things) Little did I know that shortly after that dream, Shay and I would both feel prompted to move and build a home in Forney. After skipping MANY stories in between, we found Devonshire. We secured our funding , picked our floor plan and signed a contract. And of course all the fun stuff that goes along with building. We were all set!

The beginning building of our home was delayed due to so much rain. In the meantime, we were also hit by a F-3 tornado ( http://heatherearljoyinthejourney.blogspot.com/2012/04/beautiful-disaster.html)  that not only destroyed the home we were renting and living in, But we also lost my car in that terrible tornado.

We tried our best to survive with one car. But after falling asleep on the way home from taking Shay to work with his crazy "middle of the night" hours...I stopped taking him to work! We were always told not to buy a car while in the midst of an already approved loan. It didn't take long to realize that one car wasn't going to work. So we reached out to our lender and explained the situation and we were given the go-ahead to buy the car. All was well again. I was so excited not to be stuck in the hotel, with no car for the summer. Although, we learned to make the best of it and have some life-changing experiences living there within those 4 walls to cherish. I was relieved to have a car again. We won't ever forget that time and the many lessons learned along with strength built.

Fast forward to the closing of our home. Thirteen days before we were set to close, I received a call from our lender that some rules had changed and because we bought the car we had to redo everything. So basically we lost the existing loan that we had. Which actually made the paperwork that our builder had nulll and void. Here we were finally about to come to the end of an exhausting year of tornado and hotel living and we lost our loan and had to redo everything! If you have ever closed on a home, you know the overwhelming feelings that I was experiencing in that moment! All I could do was cry!  I called to tell Shay and we came to the conclusion that maybe we weren't meant to have this home because of all that we had been through to make everything happen! We literally began looking at other homes.

I met with the builder and he told me I had a deadline to get another loan. It had almost been a year that had crept by with all of these delays and everything we had been through to get to this point. We So he gave me a few cards of lenders and I had 13 days to close a loan start to finish! I know you are probably thinking... Yeah right!!! That is what I thought, at first! Then I remembered a miracle in my life from the past and was reminded that with God, a righteous desire and prayer....ANYTHING was possible.

I called all the lenders and prayed about which one to use. The next day I received a phone call from my friend Ada to go to lunch. We did and while there she mentions how much she loves her lender and I asked her name. {Thinking that maybe I would use her person} Well, the name was one of the people that I had prayed about. I knew immediately that she was the one. I called her right then and there to set up an appointment. How grateful I am for these "hand of God" moments.

I give her all of our info and we begin our quest to close in 13 days. She informs me that she could do her best but that was basically an UNHEARD OF REQUEST, due to time lines of paperwork, appraisals and all that goes into closing a loan. We prayed, we fasted, we answered every call she gave, we met to give documents and signed here, signed there! Then about a week into this process...she calls me for something and makes the comment, "In all of my years of doing this, I have NEVER had a loan go so smoothly!" I remember how I felt at that moment...I was reminded that God is ALWAYS in control! So we continue to wait.

In the meantime, they did something wrong on my house and had to fix it...so the silver lining is that it bought us a little more time. God is good! {side note... This is why I handle the hard times better because I know that they are "stalling moments" while God works his miracles. And prepares us for something better.}

We get down to the wire and everything is still going along smoothly. Deadlines and appraisals were all kept in a strangely quick manner. Even my lender was surprised enough to make another comment that "we must be doing something right, cause everything was alignling so nicely" I felt that same wonderful peace. HOWEVER, very shortly after that comment... She called and told me that she was going to have to get her hands on a tax document from me. No problem, I thought! I had recently filed my taxes. So I assumed that it would be a simple phone call and email request.

So I set out to get that document. Quickly, I found at that this was not going to be easy! The IRS told me that when you file, you have to wait until it goes through their system before they can even begin to try and get the document that I was requesting. I was told there was no possible way to expedite this process. I remember feeling worried. I prayed and felt lifted that it would all work out.

So the next few days became living on the phone with the IRS or driving to their office and sitting all day to find out that it was STILL NOT IN THEIR SYSTEM! I spoke with a supervisor that said again.... there was no way to expedite this process. I just had to wait!

I didn't have much time to wait! The builder called to make sure we were on target, reminding me that if I passed this deadline that a new contract would have to be written on ouur home. The downside to that was that now that some time had passed... The price of the home had also gone up about 40k which would also make me have to start over with our lender. ALL I REMEMBER WAS OUR KNEES WERE SORE FROM ALL OF THE PRAYING WE DID!!!!

I got a call from my lender that everything was ready EXCEPT for the one document we needed from the IRS! I spent half a day waiting at the IRS office to see if I could get my hands on this document. I remember thinking... We felt impresssed to sell our home, WE DID! We felt impressed to move to Forney, WE DID! Not knowing we would be hit by a tornado a short few months after moving. We felt impressed to build in Devonshire, WE DID! Everything we did, we felt inspired to do so after prayer! So why did it all seem to be crashing now!

As the days drew closer, I cried alot and prayed alot! I remember thinking...Why would God bring us this close for things to not work out now? I remember pleading with The Lord and letting him know through prayer that if it wasn't meant to be that we would be OK! We knew a house wasn't what made our happiness! We felt impressed to discuss with our super excited kids of the possibilities of things not working out! We cried, but all of us came to the realization that we could be happy anywhere! So we went forward waiting for this ONE document from the IRS! We had 3 days....

I spent the next 2 days at the IRS office. Still NO PAPER! I called my lender and with a teary voice said, "I have done all I can do but the IRS still does not have my paper in their system"

Her reply I will never forget.... "The Tax paper? Oh I got that emailed to me yesterday"
Silence............... "What? How? What do you mean?" I said kinda loudly! "Are you serious?"

"YES", she replied! She said, "I thought you were the one who finally got someone to send it to me, so I didn't call you!"

I told her that I had been there the last two days and it still wasn't there as of today! She said, "Weird, but yes we have all we need now, so I already called your builder and told them we were on target for closing!"

I get off the phone and call the IRS.... I couldn't believe what I heard. "Mrs. Earl, we still do not have your paper and there is no way that anyone could have received it because it is not in our system yet"

I dropped to my knees as the tears just streamed down my face! I KNEW!!! I JUST KNEW!!! I knew that God's hands were all over this and that we were meant to be in this home!

I promised God that day, that I would share the miracles that I witnessed in my life from then on in a much bigger way! I also know when we pray and plead with God some times the answer is NO! Like when both of my children passed away... I pleaded with God for them to live! But the answer was NO! So I have a strong testimony of GODS WILL in our lives!

So as I just sit and wait for my house to sell.... I won't fear the "What if's" I will remember my past blessings and miracles and I will wait. I will wait for God to say...it's time! I will trust God's timing in our lives once again while we wait to see who He sends to buy the home we have loved so much!

And the punch line to the whole story.... Our lender had us an entire point lower and 5000k less brought to closing than the lender that dropped us! God is GOOD, real GOOD! So if you find yourself in this space of waiting on The Lord for something.... Just breathe, just trust, just keep filling your days with good while you wait on The Lord to work out His mighty miracles for you!

And when you doubt or forget.... Pray to be reminded of ALL of your past blessings and BELIEVE and find JOY in God's will for your life!


Until I blog again,

My stupid, idiot brother!

Last night we had the chance to celebrate my brother, Chris! He is 3 years older than me. We had a wonderful time hanging together at a little hole in the wall restaurant in Dallas called Goodfriend beer garden and burger house. My brother's "good friend" (pun intended) Justin Cash was performing. He has a very successful band! It was AWESOME! (Look him up... Justin Cash Band)

So you are probably wondering why I would go celebrate with my brother if he is a "stupid idiot"

Last night after dinner we went to Braums. He was teasing me about my "Joy in the Journey" blog. I was on the phone with Shay and I could hear him talking. I then hear him say...her next blog is going to be titled, "My stupid, idiot brother” So here you go, Chris! 

You see, I am sure there were actual days that I felt that way about him... I can remember a few times growing up that I felt that way...Maybe a few just the other day? hahaha JK

So since he titled his own blog...I figured I would take this moment to dedicate this blog to him.

My brother Chris is a multi-talented guy with an ambition for life like no other that I know! He is a husband to his beautiful wife Sherry, he is father to their 8 wonderful kids! Hunter, Chloe, Emery, Noah, Landri, Delaney, um...who else...JK Danny (named after our father), and cutie pie Ainsley! That's 8 right? I didn't miss anyone? Nope...That's all of them! 

Chris is a musician and singer/songwriter. He plays the guitar and piano and melts your heart when he sings. I'm still waiting for a song to be written about me! JK! At least he can't ever say I haven't written a blog about him! One of his songs written for my son Shelby still pulls at my heart strings. He is a talented guy! 

He is intelligent, an innovator and an entrepreneur at his core. He and my sis-in-law own a restaurant called Scrumbscious Burger and Pie Company. It's not easy by any stretch to run a restaurant and it has stood the test of time and is a well-known favorite spot. It has required dedication like most couldn't even fathom. He has taken the opportunity to teach his children the power of hard work and molded them into kids that respect work and that is very uncommon in our society these days. 

Oh and you gotta go check out his restaurant in Mesquite. It has fresh burgers, hand-cut fries and pie shakes. Pie shakes are Sherry (sis-in-law) handmade pies slice mixed into ice cream blended into an amazing shake! Scrumbscious Burgers and Pieshakes 1151 E. Davis St, Mesquite, TX 75149    You can always catch him at his booth at the State Fair of Texas each year too! 

My brother and I are very different. But through the years have grown to respect each other’s perspective and views. I am the optimist and he isn't! Hahaha He is a "realist" and is a master at taking whatever comes his way. 

Since he's a very busy guy...many don't get the chance to know what a wonderful guy he really is. If you do, you are lucky! If you don't...you are missing out! 

He has a big heart and can make you laugh pretty much at any moment! Hanging at the restaurant after hours will always be a highlight in life! Whether we are singing or dancing, we definitley always laughing... it's always a fun time to be had! 

I respect him and I love him! Happy Birthday to my stupid, idiot brother! 

Love you, Chris!!!!!

Until I blog again,