It seemed as if I had stepped into a different world, and I had yet to leave the airport.
Something was different in the air- rustic and adventurous. Travellers searched for their gates and passed by each other slower than I had seen in other airports. They were content to be here, there was no rush. No one seemed worried that they would miss their flights. A huge window covered wall in the main terminal revealed mountain ranges and snow filled skies.
Washington.
I don’t know if you’ve ever waited in excited anticipation for something that you know was yours. Like at Christmas, when the presents are tagged and huddled under the tree- designated, marked. You’re not really sure what’s hidden under the paper wrappings, but you know which paper wrapped packages are yours. Something is waiting for you. Your name is on it. You can see it. You can touch it. It’s there. It’s yours…
Washington.
Timing is everything. At the most perfect time that present goes from being an unknown box wrapped in pretty paper, to a gift, purposed and planned for one person. When that time comes, your delicate with it at first, slowly separating the paper where the tape holds it shut, but if you’re like me, that doesn’t last long and before you know it you’re ripping the paper away. Gratitude overwhelms the senses as you realize the giver of the gift knew exactly what they were doing. Somehow, someway, its more perfect than you ever dreamed it’d be. You had no idea you wanted it but they knew you better than you did. The gift is one you never saw coming, and you realize you couldn’t want anything more.
For months on end I’ve waited in excited anticipation for the day when the Lord would unveil a gift marked with my name on it. It had been the most sanctifying process. I’m not complaining when I say that it was a difficult season.
I’ll be the first to admit that patience is not one of my stronger suits.
This past week, the Lord handed me a pretty package- the gift that I have been eyeing for far too long, the gift marked with my name on it and He said “It’s time, open it”.
And what was unveiled blew me away and brought me to my knees.
Over time I’ve learned that God is a good God who only gives good and perfect gifts to his children. It is simply a part of His character. Everything He does is purposed and intentional. If he decided to give me a gift, but tell me to wait to open it, there had to be a good reason.
Washington was that gift to me. It may sound silly, but my biggest gifts have always been people and experiences. I’m not one to collect things or enjoy the luxury of materialism…. instead, I collect experiences, moments, and tuck them away into my memories.
My week in Washington was filled with wonderful experiences, and incredible people. Snow powdered mountain tops, cinnamon lattes, buffalo dotted hills, evergreen filled forests, Northwestern coffee shops…. They were just a handful of “good things” the week was composed of.
The great things were the foundations of ministry that were laid. Late nights that turned into mornings, skype meetings with people from across the country, day dreaming that turned into plan making, coffee + blueberry cake that were made for breakfast and eaten all day… oh, and google documents, countless google documents.
I can’t give away every secret, but I will say that God blew my mind this week. To put it simply I traveled to Washington for Delight. Being a part of a ministry that allows for young women to use their creatives gifts and talents for the Lord, while encouraging them to be the best, most confident, self? That was my gift. I get to be a part of eternal life change in young women across the nation. It is something that I never knew I wanted, but never could have imagined anything more incredible to be a part of.
This is Claire. She’s a Delight girl– and she’s absolutely gorgeous!
This is Jessica Lauren, one of the most beautiful, red headed and radiant women I’ve ever met. She is an amazing photographer out of St. Louis, but she’s an even greater friend.
She’s also the most perfect model.
She may or may not be laughing because I fell over in the snow while taking this photo… 🙂
Radiant!!
Such a beaut!
This is Kristin 🙂 She’s the founder of Delight and so many other wonderful things. 
So thankful.
These two! The best in the business! They even snapped a few of me!
In everything you do- choose joy. For joy won’t fade when happiness does, joy is an eternal reflection of life. A reflection of Christ.
Wishing you the most joyous Monday,
xo
AnnaFilly
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