When our foster daughter moans- “I’m soooo booooored- There’s nothing to do.”

I laugh and tease her.

“Andie- you need to get a LIFE!  🙂  YOU actually gotta go find your life!  God has a LIFE filled with discovery, adventure, and purpose- but it’s up to us to find it!”

[Tweet “Create a #vision that makes you want to jump out of bed in the morning! #adventure”]

When Bethany becomes obsessively “fixated” on- “Mommy! I just want to get married and have a baby of my own!!!!”-

I sigh and re-remind her God has plans and purposes for her right now– in this season:

“Bethany- don’t miss today’s joy by wishing for something that can’t even happen yet! Let’s find an adventure for today- this week- this year!”

[Tweet “Hold your #vision with #patience- God’s plans have an appointed #time.”]

When I’m discouraged and overwhelmed- I realize I need to break life down into bite size pieces AND have an overall vision for where I want to go and what I want to accomplish.

“Cindy- just exercise and make good health choices today- and the next day- and the next- and you’ll finally get where you want to be.”

[Tweet “#Vision without action- is merely #daydreaming. #GodsPlans”]

NEW YEARS DAY found my sister-in-love, 4 nieces, Bethany, my mother-in-love, and I crowded around our big farm table making Vision Boards for 2016!

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Laughing, sharing our dreams and goals, sipping hot tea and hot chocolate, we flipped through mazes of magazines, trying to find the right pictures or words that would capture our “vision” for the year.

[Tweet “Where there is no #vision- there is no #hope.”]

I “chose” the central theme for Bethany’s board. You’ll see, smack dab in the middle is the Bible verse- “He has made everything beautiful in His timing.” (Ecc. 3:11)

This was very intentional on my part because Bethany’s main goals seem to be getting a husband, a house, and a baby.  I figure she might need some help “visioning” what 15 (and 16, 17, 18, 19….. ) look like. 🙂

As soon as Bethany starts pining for a husband, a house of her own, and a baby, I jump in and say- “Wait! Stop!  remember???  God is making everything beautiful IN HIS TIMING.  Your dreams are good but they’re not for a long time off.  What beautiful adventures does God have for us NOW??”

patience—-  enjoy life right now——be excited as God unfolds your life——-don’t miss being 15———learn to be content.  (All wonderful lessons for me to learn also.)

So- around that central verse, Bethany started hunting, cutting pictures and pasting.

“Mom- look- this picture means I’m going to eat real healthy- not too much sugar……….. and this apron means I want to learn to cook more stuff. Could I cook dinner sometimes?………….  And then of course I gotta have my family in here. I love us so much! …………..  And Dad and you can keep teaching me to drive.  Mom, when can we go practice again??”

On the right hand side of the vision board, you’ll see more excitement! “Mom- Aunt Melody, hey everybody! You’re invited to my Sweet 16 party this year! I’m gonna have a big, big party with lots of fun and you’re invited…………… Hey guys, this girl looks like me dancing- I get to dance on my big stage this May! I love Big Stage.………….

And I need a job this summer Mom. I want to work at Dillons or Sonic. Will you help me get my job, Mom?”………….”and I like this Alpha Omega thing- what’s it mean? “(lol- I told her it means God is the beginning and end of our lives) “Oh, yeah- that’s good too”, as she pasted it on her board.

“Oh and look- Mom- I’m putting this at the bottom.  Perfect.  Perfect! Everybody knows LOVE is most important.”

Finished- Inspired- Encouraged: we shared our boards and their meaning with each other! What a great day! Bethany went to hang hers in her room chanting, “ALL things beautiful in His timing.”

I had her bring it out later to show Jeff, I noticed a small little picture that had been added after I thought we had finished.

I had to smile.  🙂 There- on the verse, God is making ALL things beautiful in His timing was a tiny picture of a water globe of a miniature Bride and Groom.  *my girl is determined- I’ll say that- nobody’s gonna talk her out of something she wants to do! 🙂

Surprising Treasure: [Tweet “Without a #vision- God’s people perish- but those who seek His guidance are #blessed.”]