EXPLORE, DREAM, DISCOVER: IOLA

Exactly 23 years ago, we explored, dreamed, and discovered our way into Canada. I recently had the opportunity to write an article for the premier issue of iola magazine (just released, woot-woot!) and was asked to share about my home city in British Columbia. I started listing its marvels and singing its praises until I felt compelled to reign it in a little. Ahem, we don’t want the whole world and his uncle moving in. (Joking. Sort of.) But honestly, it was a beautiful lesson in counting my blessings— and a reminder that it’s never too late to explore, dream, discover…

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgiving, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” William Arthur Ward

Isn’t that the truth? Taking time (and that usually means s-l-o-w-i-n-g down) to notice our surroundings, to appreciate the village or town or city we call home, to love where we live, this fills our hearts and can truly transform the everyday ordinary blahs into something precious.

“There’s no place like home.”

I agree, Dorothy. And emigrating is not for the faint-hearted. Uprooting from everything comfortable and safe to start a life in a brand-new country is equal parts exciting and terrifying. Of course, I chose to lean into the exciting part (that was the twenty-something Laura!) We truly believe that God led us right to the city of Kelowna, where we raised our now-adult kids and made oh-so-many memories. No regrets. Much gratitude.

EXPLORE, DREAM, DISCOVER:

Whether you live in an itsy-bitsy village or a sprawling inner city, be it at the coast or in the country, may I challenge you a little to EXPLORE, DREAM, DISCOVER in your area? I feel like I go around with blinkers on half the time when there is so much to see! God places us in communities where He wants us to live. It’s our job to find out why and what He would have us do there…

“From one man he has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live.” Acts 17:26

This new magazine, iola, is such a beauty, friends! It’s a smorgasbord of hope, humour, honest talking, and home. It’s more like a coffee table book than a mag, with gorgeous photos and encouraging words. Best of all, the name “iola” is Welsh (as is my husband!) and it means “valued by the Lord”. That’s you, lovely.

If you are in the US, Canada, or the UK, and would like to peruse the pages penned by my writing friends and I and read about living life well— my Amazon link is HERE. (This affiliate link means I get a very tiny commission while you pay the regular price. Full disclosure here.)

And…

For my subscribers, I am going to be giving away THREE copies of iola at the end of this month! THREE! If you’re not a subscriber yet (what?!) you can simply go HERE and put that right. Also, you’ll receive my FREE ebook, Diamond Devos, just for signing up! 🙂