Photos by: Bearded Bousman Photo Co.

Every morning, when I wake up, after I've brewed up a cup of coffee, I grab my journal and plop down on the couch. I've been doing this ever since Junior High, when I decided I wanted to read the entire Bible in one year. That meant I would have to read 3 chapters every day. Some days were tougher than others, but by the time I finished, a habit had formed.

I found so much comfort with my cup of coffee, my Bible, and my journal. I'd write about what happened the day before and about my plans for the future. Like lots of people, I wrote about my dreams of traveling the world. Actually, I wasn't just going to travel to lots of places, I was going to LIVE in lots of places. I had timelines and plans. I drew maps and I made lists. I wrote out cities and countries and continents and all the reasons why I should go. Of course, the next day all my lists would change as I made completely new plans!

Like most teenage girls, I also wrote about boys... a lot. The boys I went to school with and the boys I hadn't met yet. I day dreamed about the characteristics I'd want in a husband and worried about getting a date to the dance. I was all over the map. If I could go back in time and tell myself not to worry so much, I would! 

I was really really passionate about seeing everything there is to see in the world, but I also had this (very inconvenient 😅) desire to settle down and marry someone. I can read my journal entries and see the definite struggle I was having between the two desires. My young head couldn't comprehend how I would simultaneously travel the world and settle down "someplace boring and raise some babies." (yes, that's literally how I phrased it) And then I had an epiphany... 

God knew. God put those desires in my heart in the first place and He knew how He would work them out in my life, even if I didn't have a clue. He gave me a home base, and a beautiful one at that! Denver, Colorado gets to be the place I settle down (btw it’s not boring at all) while also being the launching pad for all my adventures.

God knows us best. God made each of us and He's the one who puts desires into our hearts. Even if we don't know how they will be accomplished, He sure does! Those dreams and desires are inside of us for a reason. Chase after them. Write down your lists and plans and goals. Use your imagination. Dream BIG. Because a BIG God made you and He made you for a reason.

Have a great week, guys!

Thanks for stopping by,

bousman babe