Updates
To all my friends & family, "grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you," Philippians 1:2-3
This month, I have been experiencing and reflecting so much on how grateful I am for the community God has placed me in. Not just the one here in Mazatlan or Flagstaff or Minnesota, but all of them together make up my full community. I couldn't be where I am without any of them.
Ezra and I had the opportunity to head to the States for vacation in the middle of this month. To prepare, the first couple of weeks were busy with scheduling, teaching, and having conversations to make sure my position was covered. With that came a lot of business & stress of trying to plan a lot of things in the future, which isn't my strong suit. We first went to Big Lake, Minnesota, to visit Ezra's family. It was a packed couple of days, but fun because I got to meet & hang out with Ezra's community. We also went to a wedding of a girl I met here in Mazatlan.
In Flagstaff, after immediately being attacked with so much love from my brothers, we celebrated my brother Sam graduating from High School. I can't believe how fast he grew up! I know there are only 2 years between us, but he was always my Sammy buddy & now he's an adult man! I felt like I just graduated yesterday, but 3 years has changed so much in my life.
I then went shopping for my wedding dress & found it at the first place! I am so excited for all that's to come. My mom & friends also threw me a bridal shower at our home. I felt so loved, celebrated, valued, & supported. Even though God has called me to live in Mexico, I have a group of women who are praying for my relationship & marriage to come.
Vacation was also such a sweet time with family. One morning, I got to take my 3 little brothers out for coffee. I'm so grateful that even as they grow up, I'm still their older sister who gets to love on them. My mom & I went out for coffee, ran on errands, & wedding planned. She is such a gift!! I'm so thankful for her creativity & all her ideas. We did several fun activities as a family at the park & we played egg roulette. It's where you put regular & hard-boiled eggs together & then smash them on your head! So much fun!
After returning to Mazatlan, God just opened my eyes to all that I am blessed with. Busy week after busy week, I can take my life for granted. Taking the time to pause & rest made a huge difference. I appreciated things in a new way & saw more of who God is. I've been back for 2 weeks now, but I'm practicing having rhythms of rest that ensures my grateful heart.
To all of you, maybe do the same. We aren't meant to live in a rat race. God created us for connection. First with Him, then with those around us. You are made to abide in community.
Life isn't about what we do, it's about whose we are.
Prayer points
- for wisdom with wedding planning & all this future stuff coming up
- that I will continue having grace for myself in this season where a lot of things are changing
- that even as things get busy again, I will abide in God's rest & peace
Contact info:
Phone: 928-856-2891
Email: bookwormljc@gmail.com
Ways to Donate:
Venmo: @Livvy-Cutlip
PayPal: @oliviacutlip
Zelle: bookwormljc@gmail.com
