The First Walk of 2013.

We were so blessed to be able to welcome in the New Year at one of my favorite places...the BEACH!!! 

As I realized this past fall that we would probably not be seeing Caroline Faith's face before Christmas, I asked Jody what he thought about a little "after Christmas getaway"!  I knew that it might be good to give my spirits a little lift after the busyness (and the emotions!) of the holiday season.  Also, the kids were out of school for almost 2 weeks after Christmas, and my 35th birthday was quickly approaching.  So, all of these reasons combined to motivate me to ask for a New Years beach trip for my birthday! :)

Thankfully, Jody said "YES!" and we made plans for our "after Christmas beach trip"!  We had not been down to Florida during this time of year since Callie Grace was 2 months old!  I had forgotten how AMAZING the beach is during the winter holidays!  

Wow...I had no idea how much God would use this quick trip to speak to my heart, lift my spirits and encourage me on our "seemingly never-ending" adoption journey to our daughter.  I left this trip with my heart and soul feeling well and rested once again.  To God be the glory!

I woke up on New Years Day to do one of my most FAVORITE things in the whole wide world...walk on the beach!  There is just something about walking along the beach in the quiet of the morning that just makes my heart burst with joy and thankfulness.  Honestly, it's just the BEST.  It's also my favorite place to pray and talk to God.

Another beautiful thing about the beach during the winter is that there are no crowds!  I couldn't believe it when I walked out on the beach on the morning of January 1, 2013, and this is what I saw when I looked to my right...

Unbelievable beauty!  No one on the beach but me and a few sea gulls! :)

Then, I looked to my left and this is what I saw...

Absolutely breathtaking!!!  (And yes, I have pictures because it was so beautiful that I ran back to condo to grab my camera to take a few pics before I started walking!)

I literally walked along the beach for about an hour praying out loud to the Lord!  There was no one else on the beach to hear me...or think I was crazy! :)   My soul was so full.  This phrase kept coming to my heart..."my soul wells up with hallelujahs!"

I also went on a walk along the beach the next morning, January 2, 2013, and that is when I heard the Lord whisper His word for me for 2013.  Last year, I felt like He gave me the word "embrace" for 2012.  And this year, He has given me another word to cling to.

More to come...

"Let them praise the name of the Lord, For His name alone is exalted; His glory is above earth and heaven."

Psalm 148:13