What's In a Name?

My daughter informed us recently during a dinner conversation that she will be changing her name as soon as she legally can. Apparently, Brooke is a much better name, or so she thinks. It's amazing how much time and effort Kevin and I spent to name our children. This energy is clearly lost on her.

I have wanted to blog for many years now. I actually started a blog several years ago, gave it an awful name and never used it. Before I decided to give blogging another try, it was important to me to figure out what its purpose would be, if I had anything of value to add to what everyone else was blogging about, and to come up with a relevant name. 

I'm currently wearing several hats (some fit well, others need stretching to get on this head of mine). Mother of three elementary-aged children, wife of thirteen-plus years, student - finally getting my undergrad after walking away in my late teens from utter frustration, a new resident of the NC area after living the majority of my life in New England, and of course a daughter, sister, and friend. 

This chapter in my life, and in my family's life has been filled with so much emotion. It's an experience like NONE other! We left the comfort of New England one year ago this month. Maine - the place where I grew up, had deep family roots, and treasured friends. While it was comfortable, it started to feel TOO comfortable. We grew to a place of wanting to take a risk. I am definitely not a risk-taker - my husband is the risk-taker. Oddly enough, we were both feeling the urge to move out of our comfort zone. 

Our story about the move is an amazing one where God met us, held out His hand, and paved the way for us to explore new and remarkable things. It has not been easy. When I describe it as "paved" I do not mean without flaws. There have been many challenges - but the Lord has used those challenges to show us something. Maybe it is something internal, or possibly something He wants to highlight within our community. Nevertheless, He is opening my eyes beyond what I have experienced in my years on this earth. 

But as I am on this adventure, there are times when I feel as though I'm at the peak of one of those crazy theme park rides. I can see how high I am. I can see the danger in what I'm doing, and desperately want to get off, and yet I don't at the same time. I want to move closer to the Lord who made me and rely on His perfect and loving hand even more. The hand that will love me no matter what happens around me.


I have to say, I am not a fan of rap music. Never really have been, actually. Recently I was listening to a new album that featured a rap artist, Lecrae. I'm hearing his rap, understanding every third or forth word, when at the end he says, "Don't drop me!" Instantly, I gasped. I knew exactly what Lecrae was talking about. I was brought back to childhood when my dad would pick me up during a time of play. I would yell out to my dad, "Don't drop me!" It screams of the trust I had placed in him. I was high in the air in a place I would normally not be in, fearful of what could happen, and I'm begging my father not to forget my vulnerability. That is the same with our relationship to our Heavenly Father. If we let Him, He holds us in new places, scary places and we are secure in His arms. He won't drop us.

Those three words perfectly describe where I am at in life. In fact, I'm realizing that I should remain in this place forever. If I'm not risking, then how much am I trusting in Him who leads me to new places?  If I work hard to take care of my own needs, why do I need God?


So...this is my journey to trust the Lord in all that I do. I want to chronicle my adventures so that I can look back and see how far I have come. At the same time, why not share this insight along the way with others? My hope is that it will bring comfort to those who read.