The plan was to head to the mountains this summer. My husband LOVES the mountains and I LOVE the beach! We usually alternate our vacations in order for us to enjoy both. Last summer, our vacation money was wrapped up in moving our family to the Hill Country and getting to know our new surroundings. We packed everything up and moved after being in the only town our girls ever knew for 15 years. It was life changing. It was hard. But it was good…so very very good!

 A month ago I had come in from a tough day. We all have them, don’t we. From the moment I woke up to the moment I came home it was one battle after the next, and I was tired and weary. I was cooking dinner for the family and Ryan came in from behind me and squeezed me tight. I love those kind of hugs. They are exactly what I need on the hard days. Some how he knew that’s what I needed. I would have been good with that but there was more. He stopped me and turned me around. The girls had all come into the kitchen with him. He said, “We have a surprise for you. We are not going to Colorado anymore. We are going to Seaside, Florida the last week in July and your parents are going with us.” TEARS swelled! You guys, the beach is where I experience God the most. I can walk along the beach, listen to the waves, watch the sunrise and know that my God is with me. There is something so very special when you are surrounded by His creation.

Our very first day on the beach, Lexi brought me her phone and let me listen to her playlist on Spotify. Oh how I love to listen to the music as the waves hit the shore especially when they are sent from Heaven. The second song that played brought tears to my eyes quickly.  I felt God speaking to me intimately through it. This song has been around for several years and this was the first time I had ever heard it. The very FIRST time and on my first day on the beach on my surprise vacation! This was no surprise to Him…he aligned it and it took my breath away, and I knew I had to share it with each of you.

Close your eyes as you listen! Wherever you are in your journey, whatever you are going through, we have a Mighty and Sovereign Lord that walks with us. He calls us to RISE…to trust Him and follow where He leads. When we do, we get to see His beauty and experience His abundance and peace. I can testify to this truth. I was scared and afraid, and he gently took my hand and led me closer to Him than I have ever been before. There is nothing sweeter than to hear His voice, to experience Him and know that He is near. I promise it’s worth every step you will take in trust and faith. Psalm 121:8 tells us, “The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” What a promise! Enjoy the song! Enjoy the video of the ocean waves hitting the shore, and may it encourage you to be BRAVE, TRUST and RISE with Him! You can do it! #gloryup #summer2015 #Seaside #familyvacation

Walk across the shore
Walk across the sea
Stand upon the waves
And walk with me
Journey through the door
Come see what I can see
All the reasons we were made
Who we were meant to be

Rise, He’s calling you to come
Just leave it all behind
And rise above

Beyond the obvious
And what you can attain
Past the here and now
Where faith remains
Lift your weary head
There’s too much left to lose
More than you can imagine
It’s waiting there for you

Rise, He’s calling you to come
Just leave it all behind
And rise above
Come and stand
And join with me as one
Now take my hand and we
Will rise above

(yeah) (ooh, oh) (yeah) (ooh, oh) (yeah) (ooh, oh)

Rise, He’s calling you to come
Just leave it all behind
And rise above
Come and stand
And join with me as one
Now take my hand and we
Will rise above

(ooh, oh) (ooh, oh) (ooh, oh)

Come stand with me

(ooh oh) (ooh, oh) (ooh, oh)

Come stand with me