Austin, Texas | Cabo San Lucas, Mexico | Vancouver, British Columbia | Bellevue, Washington | Portland, Oregon | Salem, Oregon | San Francisco, California | Antioch, California | Bristol, England

It is a brisk winter day. I do not mind the gloom for it makes the warmth of the sun so much sweeter when it begins to shine again. Everyone is in their wool or fur coat and snug boots. It is not yet Thanksgiving, but Christmas decorations have begun to fill the stores with cheer...

How, oh how, have I come to a place in life where hope is abundant again?

I spent most of my day yesterday walking around the city. My camera-bag slung around my shoulders and my determined steps moved me forward. I took pictures of everything around me. With my piercing eyes focused through the lens, I zoomed into details not many people would care to see. I captured all that I could. I breathed it in. The salty air. Then I released it. The sadness I had carried with me.

Bristol is a small town 2hrs west of London. It's known for its maritime history and I've been told that the Bristolian accent is one similar to pirates. But out of all the places in the world, why am I in Bristol?

Last July, I attended Bethel Church's WorshipU Conference and received a word to go to the UK in November. I remember the overwhelming feeling of inundation.

"God, why do you want me to go there? How do I...? Where do I...? I have so much paperwork to still file. My house still isn't sold. I am still in debt. I have never traveled internationally by myself before. I am empty. I am still so, so sad.. if you want me to go there,... You make this happen."

I spoke to a friend I just met at the conference, Hannah. I shared with her my thoughts and feelings, and her words I will never forget. She looked at me with her compassionate eyes and said, "Claudia, if God wanted you to do something or go somewhere, and He's called you to do that, then shouldn't you be excited? Shouldn't you be excited because you know that everything you need done -will- be done?"

She was right. A brilliant perspective. A mind of faith. She changed my paradigm forever.

If God is a Father who provides, my Jehovah-jireh, then the anxiousness and worry I felt was unnecessary. This habit I had of surrendering, yet supplementing with my efforts of planning and overthinking,... it was not productive.

God brought me to Bristol to help me learn how to release the temptation to control my future. I had to allow my heart to trust.

By September, everything on the list that kept me from traveling to Europe (including financial provision) was complete... and more.

That's the thing with God. He will always give you what you need,... and more.

I'm outta my head hopelessly devoted to you - Olivia Newton John