I Had A Dream

​I had a dream...
 
I had the sweet privilege to help host a shower for some precious kiddos. I feel, as I know his momma feels about our youngest son, that I helped raise this young man. As I looked around the room, I couldn’t help but see the love everyone has for this beautiful couple...new acquaintances and dear old friends...I felt so blessed to get to be a part of this sweet celebration! Toward the end, after the gifts had been opened, he stood to give a thank you speech - this is his hometown after all. But he moved us all to tears when he said, “my mom has always taught me and my sisters that it’s not things that are the most important, although we greatly appreciate all of your gifts. It’s people and the memories that you make with them that are the most important things in life. We will never forget this day and all of you being here with us...” Right? This young man has not only been taught well, but he has also learned well...and I am so proud of him!
 

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​As we are coming upon our one-year celebration here at YaYa’s, I cannot help but feel a very similar sentiment. I can’t help but feel excitement when you walk into our shop and express how much you appreciate that we are here and how much you love the products we have carefully chosen to offer. I can’t help but feel humbled when you take a moment to share your finds from Ya Ya’s on social media or with me on messenger - I know you all are so busy, but you take the time.... I am so humbled when you take a few moments to hear our story and share with me yours. I can’t even begin to tell you how moving it is to get to pray with and for so many of you...words cannot even begin...all I can do is say thank you! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! We are so...thankful...grateful...humbled...
 
You see, I had a dream; a dream that rose and fell, waxed and waned with the busyness of life; a dream that was not fully visible; no words to fully describe what was in my heart...just a dream, a hope, a misty morning vision of something...something special...not just for me...something special for this community of people who have blessed me and my family for so long...something I could share and bless back. I just knew it...but no words to fully express. All I knew and even still know is that I feel compelled and even lead by the Lord. I know it sounds crazy. I can even hear some of you say, “I think God has bigger things to do than...” but, you nor anyone else take this from me. I cannot help but remember from scripture how God used Lydia who sold purple cloth. Many, many years ago while praying about this little shop dream, Darren asked me what I felt it would be about. I told him that I wasn’t sure, but I felt strongly that it would have something to do with words and painted furniture. LOL! So random, right? I shared even last year that I wasn’t fully sure what all YaYa’s would be about, but that it would be full of thoughtfulness and careful consideration. Well, as I look around, I am in awe. The most beautiful things this past year are the sweet memories of getting to meet and visit with all of you! I have loved every moment, all of the laughter, tears, hugs, and conversations with dear old friends and new acquaintances who have become dear new friends...this has been the best, the most favorite. I am so thankful! The hope and dream of YaYa’s is still not fully focused. Have you ever seen the dense fog on a valley just at sunrise? Everything is dreamy, yet when the sun hits an object in the field, the colors randomly pop and make it so vivid even if you cannot fully realize what the object is...this is me...this is YaYa’s.
 
I told you earlier this year that I felt my word for the year is beloved...don’t laugh, it’s just this thing I do...it’s something I feel the Lord lays on my heart...don’t you dare roll your eyes! BELOVED! Once again, it’s not in full focus...I’m not completely sure why, but this I do know-You are dearly loved. Yes, by me, but most importantly by the Father-John 3:16-for God so loved the world that He gave His only Son.., John 15:13-no greater love than this.., 1 John 3:1-see what great love the Father has lavished on us...I shared with a friend earlier today that my biggest fear is that God told me to go right and somehow I turned left. Even still I know He’s big enough. Even still I feel compelled and somehow on the right path that is not fully visible in the early morning fog, but the sun is rising...
 
This I do know...You are dearly loved. You are Beloved... One of my favorite quotes from Maya Angelou is this, “I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn. I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” I hope more than anything that we made you feel loved. Beloved. As I look back over this year, it’s not the pretty things, the sales, the events, although we greatly appreciate you shopping with us…you could shop anywhere. IT IS ALL OF YOU!!! It’s all of your sweet faces that come to mind! It’s all of the memories that have been made with you! The sweet conversations, new friendships, rekindled old friendships, these are the treasures I hold dear in my heart.
I have a dream and you came true. Thank you, beloved friends, thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Have a beautiful day!