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When Life Hands You Lemons

 

“When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.”

 

We have all heard this saying at some point in our lives. Maybe for you it was from a loved one during a challenging season in hopes to give encouragement. Typically, they follow that line up with “I know it is easier said than done but…” I have not only heard this, but I have personally said this to others.

 

I used to take this saying as someone telling me to “toughen up, Buttercup!” But what if there was more to that? What if it isn’t just about pushing thru the hard seasons, but changing your perspective about them?

 

2017 was a hard year for me. No doubt about that. Within the first few weeks, everything I thought it was going to be had been completely shaken. I walked thru some of the lowest lows and deepest heartache I have ever experienced. So much changed that was outside of my control, and yet 2017 was also one of the most growing years for me as well. While reflecting on last year and creating goals for 2018, I realized a lot of that growth had to do with new experiences and first time adventures.

 

I got a new job, new home, new friends, new gym, and new goals and priorities. I was pushed outside of my comfort zone but that is where growth was waiting! As humans we are creatures of comfort. When we are in a comfortable environment receiving all of our physical, emotional, and mental needs, then there is not much motivation or desire for us to change. I mean, why would you want to put in the extra energy if life is so great? We become complacent and stagnate, and for me personally I tend to let my goals fall to the wayside. But put us into an uncomfortable, struggling environment or season and we are primed and ready for change and growth. That happens for many reasons, but one can be when God pushes us out into the unknown to bring us to new heights.

 

This year of uncomfortable brought to light that I was no longer living out my passions. I was going thru the motions, but had become a robot in my day-to-day life. Not cool, Andrea. I wanted to change that and get back to the love filled, joy over flowing, go getter that I had always been. A light in dark places. There were three specific passions that highlighted themselves: photography, fitness, and the metal/music community. These gave me life! They gave me something to look forward to and something to challenge myself in physically, mental, and spiritually. They allowed me to fail and to succeed. They allowed me to find myself again. Amongst the pain, they allowed me to be myself without any shame or guilt.

 

Life is always a journey and a process. I will NEVER be perfect or stop having goals to run after. And 2018 is no exception. But this year my perspective will look different. I will not wait around for life to shake my lemon tree and have lemons falling from the sky. I instead will continue to pick one lemon at a time and grow and pursue becoming the kindest, most loving, understanding, passionate person that I have been created to be. I will need to lean on God for strength and wisdom. And I will drop the ball at times, I will fall short of this goal some days but I will keep my perspective focused not on all the lemons I am holding and instead on how can I make these into lemonade.

 

So, come on 2018. I am excited to see what new adventures, friendships, experiences, and lessons you have in store!

 


Fun Facts:

– Fried Okra is a new FAVE!

– I have never read thru the whole Bible, but that is one of my 2018 goals.

– I am current shooting concert photography for a magazine, which has lead me to some really cool opportunities! Such as shooting for Needtobreathe a few months ago!! There are one of my family’s favorites!

– Georgia is COLLLLDDDDDD. 

– I have seen Star Wars 4 times in theaters already…. What can I say?! lol

 


 

How can you support in 2018?

 

  1. Prayer!

Prayer is so powerful! Prayer for protection, health, peace, joy, and financial provision. Also, please let me know if there are any ways I can I be praying for YOU! Feel free to send me a message thru this blog for any prayer requests that I can join you on 🙂

 

  1. Monthly Supporters

I am responsible for fundraising $14,000 for Adventures In Missions with this position on staff. We have had over $3,500 come in since the last blog! WOW!!!! I am still looking and praying for more monthly supporters who might be able to give $10, $25, $100, $200 a month! Or for one-time donations, and all of these are tax-deductible ;). Any amount of support is helpful and helps to further the Kingdom. If that might be you, click HERE to give!