The Struggle is Part of the Story: January 2017

Saturday, January 28, 2017

The Mountains Are Calling

So those of you who know me from the last year know that I went to these amazing Tetons mountains and I fell in love. Like waaayyyyy in love. The beauty of these mountains captures your heart. You can't look away. You can't help but hold your breath. Can't help but thank God for the magnificence in front of you. I had my Jesus cry at the top of it...you can check that out here in my Out of Death Came Life post. I did climb part of it and looked over a scary rock.
Through the struggles God took my mountain and help me climb it. He helped me hike up switch back after switch back. He didn't move it for me, but he did grab my hand when I needed it. So of course I wanted something to remember this wonderful trip and to remember that all it took was the faith to get to where I am. Tattoo #9 came! I am in love with it! I put it on my right lower arm. It is the exact outline of the sticker I randomly found at the store down the road from our rental we had. I love this part of my story. I love that I have my mountains in my heart and on my arm. BUTTTTT....
I didn't stop there. I mean duh---I got a hand painted bible! I sent the artist a couple pictures from my trip and she did a wonderful job! She put Jeremiah 29:11 & Matthew 17:20 on the front of it as well.
I am super excited to wrinkle the pages of this bible. Write my thoughts and prayers inside. Add some highlight and dates to when God brings something to my heart. For it to be carried through my story and live life with me on this new journey.

The mountains are calling and I must go.

Friday, January 6, 2017

My Heart

Ain't no gift like the present tense...long live the heart, long live the soul....

Getting my first present from my dad was by far one of my favorite things about this Christmas.

Those that know me should know that pictures are my thing. I love to capture life as it happens and

candidly. Yes, I know that we should all live in the moment. I do, I just also make sure I snap

memories. So getting a photo album was awesome. Michelle, Jacob, and I Facetimed Dad and June

so they for the first time watch us open up the gift. It was special. Sharing a holiday with a part of

my family that I never got to before this year.   It was cool seeing where the Esparza's started and

where we have come from along the way. Plus, seeing me and Michelle at the end. Seeing our story

printed out for all of us to remember. AND....I got a cool AZ Cardinals shirt. I mean I have to root

for their team every now and then in football.   We also got to Facetime with Allen, Julie and Gianna

so we could all open our presents at the same time. I am sooo thankful for technology and being able

to still "see" them and have us experience things like this together. One day we will all get to be

together and spend a Christmas together.

      We also got to have our normal Sister Christmas. Mom and I do our movie Christmas where we

go to the movies and eat hibachi. Its our thing and I love that we have this tradition for us two. As

much as children hate it I like that I'm a lot like my mom. (most days mom 😉) We normally have to

wait to get together since everyone has other dinners to attend and 2-3 are too many for one day. The

last couple years we also switched up what we have for dinner. Its not the "normal" Christmas

dinner so we went with good ole Prater BBQ. Then it's not a sister get together if a game isn't

played! Fun was had by all and many many laughs.

       Life is good. My heart is full.

The Struggle is Part of the Story.

Britt