Finding Beauty

My passport came in the mail today! It's hard to believe that in a few short months I will actually be leaving the country! Maybe I'm a little strange for making this such a big deal. I'm just going on a missions trip for a long week. But I think I have reason to be excited, right?! I get to share Jesus with orphan children in another country! I'm visiting a new culture, much different than the one I live in. I guess it's just really hit me today; it's happening! I'm really going to Costa Rica! Ahhh, I'm so excited and ready to see what God has for me. I don't doubt that this will be a life-changing experience. I know that I am so fortunate and should be so grateful for what I have....but I feel like when I get into the "swing of life," I just go with it and don't realize how much I really do have. I serve an amazing God. He provides me with what I need and soooooo much more. I really don't realize it. I can't imagine living in a country where every day is a prayer to live. I pray that God opens my eyes even more and shows me more of Himself and how awesome my Creator is! Lately I have been thinking a lot about how I tend to focus on the negative, and even unimportant things in my life. I need to focus on the positives and the blessings God gives me every day of my life. A quote that I love says, "There is something beautiful in every day, you just have to find it." There really is so much truth to that. How often do we focus on all the problems in our life and disregard the blessings or "beauties" that are part of every day? I have started a challenge, a few friends have joined me, that seeks to find the beauty of our days. I have a notebook where I have written that quote at the top of the page and then the date below it. Under the date I write all the beauties and blessings in my day....from the sunshine to playing fetch with my dog. When you start looking for the blessings God provides, it's truly amazing what you see. I encourage you to try this challenge as well, it's really starting to open up my eyes and make me more thankful for even the little things.