I love Spring. This spring, not only have I enjoyed watching the beautiful flowers burst forth from the bulbs planted in the fall, I am also experiencing new beginnings in both my civilian and military jobs. New beginnings are never easy. To start new, you likely have to say goodbye to parts of your past. Just like the tulips and hyacinths growing in my garden, it requires change and transformation in order to fully experience these new roles. As my flowers struggled to break through the soil, the conditions and environment had to be just right to enable them to flourish and grow. New beginnings are similar. The conditions are often set to help you succeed, but you have to be willing to break through the soil by meeting new people, learning different tasks-getting out of the comfort of being buried in the soil where it is warm and safe. But when you break through, when you allow yourself to be uncomfortable-look at what beauty comes forth!

One of the amazing things I get to do with the military is travel to Africa with our partnerships. On one of my first trips to Botswana, I sat and watched a cultural night where the artists showcased music and dancing across all the regions and tribes. I fell in love with the country and culture and couldn’t wait to bring my family back. We returned for Spring break the following year and traveled across Zimbabwe and Botswana. Our guide happened to be from the local tribe near the resort. We asked him if we could spend a day with his tribe. As we pulled in, he showed us the remnants of a home and smiled as he told us that he was not strong enough and that was all that remained of his first home. As we continued, I started coming up with solutions. I knew how we could bring power with solar panels, running water and a water tank, and how we could modernize this village. Then it happened, a young girl stood outside her hut and smiled and waved and you could hear her laughter on the wind. Our treasures are in Heaven and not of this earth. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19-20, NIV).

This week I am still thinking about the ocean! Rob and I are both scuba divers and we took our oldest daughter diving in Indonesia in celebration of her graduation from high school. We traveled close to three days to arrive at our destination directly opposite to North Carolina on the globe. We were ready to go as we watched everyone around us prepping all their camera gear and continuing to prepare for the dive. We saw all of it! Walking sharks, not one, but many pygmy seahorses. It was amazing. God reminds us that “whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap” (Ecclesiastes 11:4, NIV). Fretting and worrying about what may be coming or focusing on the picture you plan to share with others causes us to miss on living in the moment.