What I have learned...

I have been feeling reflective lately. I can tell I am leaving one season and moving onto the next. It feels like for the past couple years I have been living in the first part of Cinderella- hard work. rough living conditions, and an evil boss. Fortunately even Cinderella had friends that loved her and she could look out her window and dream. 

The last two years have been tough. We gave up all security- Our home, our friends, our jobs, our family, our church, our cars- everything. We came to Hawaii to pursue a dream. To choose our destiny. We came with 2 bags each and no where to live. We came because we knew this was for us. For 2 years we lived off one small income, in one very small apartment, worked at a job I didn't like and on and on. There were many times I desperately wanted to pack up and fly home. There were times I just didn't know how to be happy. But I learned. I learned how to be strong, how to be happy, how to sacrifice. We kept believing and we kept dreaming. 

And now we are leaving that season behind us. Somehow, someway. I can't see all the pieces. I don't know how, but it is a new season for us. We are coming to the fairy tale part. Things are changing. We are connected, we are seen for who we are, we are doing things we love. We still don't have any of the things that usually represent success, but what we do have is Faith. We know God will provide for all our needs. We know that we can love each other and support each other through hard times. 

I am grateful for that. I am grateful for the journey. I am grateful because we did it, because I am stronger now than I was 2 1/2 years ago. If we had stayed in our comfortable bubble I wouldn't know what I know now. Maybe I would worry about the economy, or if we can make it, or maybe I would think it really matters what I own, or where I live. Dreams mean sacrifice. Sacrifice means everything.

From the "One Minute Millionaire"

..."you get to decide whether these facts make you a victim or a victor. And right now you are acting like a victim. "

"But I AM a victim!"

"Missy everyone of us is a victim of something, but some people don't act like victims. I have a friend who's a quadriplegic. Do you know what he does for a living? He draws cartoons with a pen he holds between his teeth.

...My friend is not a victim, he is a victor. A victim blames, a victor learns."

What I have learned:

-That being with the people you love is more valuable than anything

-That I need to be consistent with money- take care of what needs done

-It is okay to wait for things I want

-I am strong. I can live in difficult circumstances and be happy.

-God is my source. My strength, my provider, my protector.