A Change of Season | Utah State Capitol Cherry Blossoms

The seasons are changing here in Utah. Winter has slowly released it’s grip, and Spring has turned up everywhere you look. Our little neighborhood streets are lined with blooming trees, the dandelions dot the green grass with yellow balls of brightness, and the sunlight pours through our windows until almost 8 PM. It always baffles me how quickly the seasons change, and how excited I am to experience the next one. Our family is entering a new season too, and I’m excited to see it start to open us up to something new.

The past three years have been full to the brim with transitions. Many have been good things, like welcoming our three sons into the world and making a new life here in Utah, but many were heavy, like losing my mom. We moved to Utah almost two years ago in the midst of grief and needing healing, with no home, car or job lined up for us when we arrived here. We let go of so many things. God did truly meet us in an incredible way, and reshaped us. Just six months after we moved, we had the surprise of a lifetime - TWINS were on their way! Needless to say, that was not an easy journey, especially for me physically. All the change God’s way has unfurled in such a short time has been often overwhelming. By His grace He has been our strength, and brought us through many trials and given us many joys. Seeing God provide for us and protect us in so many situations is something we will never forget. Surrendering to Him for that season was so much bigger, harder, and better than I could ever have imagined.

When I surrendered my life completely to Jesus at sixteen years old, I could never have dreamed of this life. What an adventure He has taken us on! I’m awed by mission He has given us, both in our home with these five precious blessings, and in our community here in Utah. It felt like He took a long time to bring us here, but now I know we needed every season that came before to prepare us for this one. Every season of pruning, every growth, every lesson, every moment of surrender had it’s purpose in bringing us to this place. He wasted nothing.

So while I don’t know exactly what lies ahead, and I’m sure more heavy things will come, I look at this coming season with delight. Whatever He will bring to bloom will be good because He is good, even if I must let go of many other good things to see what is ultimately His way for us. We have let go of many things, but He has only grown something more beautiful in the place of all He pruned away. Even what the enemy intended for evil, and our own mistakes and failings, He has used for His purposes. He can take anything in any season and bring out good for His glory. His wonder and goodness so far surpasses any joy I may find in the beauty of the Spring, the beauty of our community, my joy in our mission here, or even in the precious little souls I have the honor to call my children. I look forward to following Him into this new place to see what He grows in us.

It’s been a long time since I’ve felt the Lord give me freedom to use my creative gifts in this space. In this new season (for now) He is leading be back. So, I’m slowly showing back up here and following as He leads. I’ve been through enough with the Lord to know I need to grasp it all loosely, but I cannot express how much I’m grateful to be here - to dream again, write again, photograph again, and serve clients again. There are beautiful things He’s put into my heart, and I’m thrilled to see where He leads from here…