I’m bringing you my first blog as a California resident. (Insert happy dance!)

The past few weeks have been a blur of packing, cleaning, driving, hotel stays, unpacking, and organizing. There have been highs and lows, lasts and firsts, bittersweet good-byes and a refreshing new start.

On our five-day journey from Washington to Pennsylvania four years ago, I was so focused on driving our minivan and tending to my carsick four year-old… it was probably the hardest week of my life.

This trek from Pennsylvania to California was completely different. My uncles graciously drove our moving truck so my family of six could travel together in our SUV. Our kids are four years older (which made a big difference) and we were better prepared with gluten-free snacks, planned stops, and fun activities to help pass the time.

There were some intense moments from weather, traffic, and sibling rivalry. Our youngest had some carsickness as we drove through the Rockies, but she never threw up (hallelujah)!

My husband drove the entire time, so I was able to focus on the kids and simply enjoy the trip. I was awed by the beauty in each region of the country. I took way too many pictures on my phone, but none of them quite captured the fullness of the beauty.

Since last Friday I’ve been unpacking a million boxes from our 26 foot moving truck. We’re about halfway done – the first floor actually looks like a home, and we can park our car in the garage! We still have a bit of sorting and unpacking to do upstairs. (Side note: Am I the only one with boxes that have been moved for the last 10+ years that are lovingly labeled “sort later”… the ones filled with journals and kid’s artwork that you just can’t seem to part with? Nope? Just me? Once the rooms are set up, I plan to finally sort those beloved boxes – someone please keep me accountable.)

I was reflecting today on the beauty that I witnessed on our cross-country move, and I was reminded of the truth that beauty is all around. It’s not just in the mountains or the desert. It’s not just on vacations or cross-country moves. It’s in our homes and in our communities, in our backyards and around our dinner tables. It’s in the sky and in a smile, it’s in a song and in the Savior.

Beauty is all around us, but we’re often too busy or distracted to slow down and see it. If we can remember to embrace the “Selah” and practice the pause… if we can choose to be present instead of constantly pursuing perfection… if we can let go of unmet expectations and just draw near to God… we’ll see the beauty. We’ll see Him in it all. And we’ll be able to point others to Him.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.” – Psalm 34:18 (NIV)

“Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see – how good God is. Blessed are you who run to Him.” – Psalm 34:18 (MSG)