A journey . A week. A moment .

So a week ago I just returned from evacuating from the fires of Santa Barbara, not excited to be heading to the bitter cold of Chicago.

I said ,”Never again am I coming back to Chicago in the Winter .” The cold. The snow . The rush .

But a friend said,” Be expectant!”

A few spontaneous meetings and chance interactions later my icy heart was defrosted .

Here’s ten gems that friends and strangers shared with me:

1. The trip isn’t about you …it’s about what you can give to others.

2. Find joy in a moment . Don’t focus on the past or crap of tomorrow . Just the moment .

3. What you want in your 20s, is not what you want in your 30s. What you want in your 30s, is not what you want in your 40s . What you want in your 40s, is not what you want in your 50s .You need to be constant evolving .

4.Love the ones that God has given you .

5. You deserve BIG LOVE; wait for it !

6. The right guy, job, or house will be natural, easy .You will feel it .

7. Be around people who don’t steal your energy but multiply it.

8. Don’t measure a year by what you’ve done but instead by how you felt or how you served .

9. Open your HEART, then lose the letters H & T . You are left with EAR. Open your ears and you will hear God speak to your heart .

10. Whatever you wish for, believe it is coming .

What number speaks to you?

Open your heart . Open your ears. And let the whispers inspire you in 2018 . Be expectant…I am !

“ Wait on the Lord . Be courageous. He will open your heart .” Psalm 24:17