By faith.

Contrary to belief and what you may be seeing, life here can be light hearted. Sometimes we think we have to go elsewhere to escape the mundane, when goodness is right in our midst...... if we can only find a way to build something, more than what we know.........

I began to contemplate a return home months and months ago, and determined to take the steps necessary in that direction. We learned early on the west was a transitory time; for how majestic the mountains are, the mundane is there as well. The movement has to come from within us......

Over the course of this almost two year period of time, I began to see the toll this transition had taken on all of us. It was in June of 2014 I began to contemplate our "exodus". Whenever you feel enslaved to a system or society, God will always be a way of escape......

This would take every ounce of courage I could muster again, as well as my kids. There's a certain pride that comes with being called a "Californian." We had a choice to make. Follow our further calling or protect the pride associated with the statehood.

I believe I will return to the land one day, for a mission, promise and purpose. It's a great place to visit and I'm thankful to hear the kids are doing okay on their own. For now, my path is being laid out for me to follow as a result of obedience. My late husband helped us learn this "by faith" concept.........

We continue in the recruiting process for Logan and college, as he's in his junior year and plans to play volleyball in college. Lately, my nights have consisted of late night coast to coast calls for business, the blog, and for fun just before midnight. It feels longer than 4 weeks that we left them behind...... to obey.

Chynna is receiving lots of affirmation of the job she's doing coaching in Cali. This has been a time of development her knowledge and skills, and reaffirming the call she has on her life.... and there is definitely a difference in the play of the "game."

And who knows where adventure will take us next...........

Hang onto Hope.

Beliefs take a hit when your world is rocked and something so out of the ordinary is thrown your way. Belief in ourselves, in humanity, and in a "Higher Power" are shaken down to the very core of one's existence....... perhaps that is why some say they have none.....

With no hope, there is nothing invested. Nothing is lost. In my opinion, that is not a life lived.

The kids and I came to this land of idolized images and perceptions perpetrated, with great expectations and good intentions. Had our belief system hinged on man's ways and what money secures, we would be sunk, let down left and right......... however,

"Hope is the anchor for our souls which is firm and secure....."

As a woman and mom, I have always tried to offer the best of my beliefs to my kids, not cramming in through control, but modeling by my lifestyle. Here, the climate is not conducive even to the basics; there then, is no foundation to build from. Nothing is firm. Nothing is sound. The ground shifts. There is no progression.

When loss hits, there's a chance to rebuild......... your beliefs, the basics.

There have been tough lessons for my 20 year old to learn lately......... issues of incompetency in every arena; hoping for help but finding there is no one to care in this SoCal climate. Self preservation prevails......... it is The Beautiful Letdown.

My belief remains that each lesson learned and opportunity taken is meant to add to the quality of my life, in one way or another. Hope is a hot commodity; easily taken or traded away; hope needs to be protected. For some, it is all that is left to build upon........

Hope is a belief in the better.