You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11

If you are looking for some absolute joy and uplifting of spirits, ladies and gentlemen, you have come to the right place! I would love to invite you into Hoppy Holler! A place where the residents tend to be on the green side and are a sweet nod to the little things that God puts in our lives to shower us with reminders how uniquely he has created each of us and delights in you as his creation!  So you ask why so hoppy? I would love to take you on a tour and why this brings my quirky self the joy of the Lord!

Hoppy Holler didn't start because I was head over heels for frogs. As a matter of fact, to touch one a couple of years ago would have been a very quick ick for me. But somewhere over time I began to keep the front porch light on to attract the bugs so that they could feast. To try to get in the front door could be a feat because I was terrified that they would jump on me. I am talking like if you have ever seen the matrix movies and how they moved, I was thinking in my brain that I was gonna maneuver like that. They had a purpose and a plan and I knew what that was. They could stay as long as they got rid of the creepy crawlies. I liked that these tiny defenders kept them at bay. I started watching them more. God was also showing me in this, that even though I was uncomfortable, I didn't know the joy and delight on the other side that would be waiting for me!

So let's just fast forward for a moment.  We have been redoing our backyard for the last couple of months. I tell you it has been messy. Messy in a way that I would never dream of letting you see it. Messy in a way that I was thinking that this is never going to look better. Sometimes we find ourselves sitting in that with the Lord! Scared that it's always going to look the same and never change. But the frogs have been still hanging around. We, meaning that Don put it together and I was the creative director, put together our frog hotels. You should look them up. They are quite adorable. The frogs had a moment of safety and respite, especially from one of my dogs who likes to stalk them. A shift started happening in our backyard. Finally with the work that had been put into it, and not just for the frogs, but for us, we began to see the vision of a place for us to have that moment of peace and safety. A sanctuary. That is exactly what the Lord does for us! He gives us a space for just us and him, that he takes delight in you and loves you no matter how messy you are and he wants you to claim that space with him!

So as I sit here on this rainy day, the frogs are singing, their throaty voices only amplified by the pipes that they are hanging out in, I want to relish in the moment and listen to them. They are doing one of the things they were created to do. Just like how God created us, I can only imagine how he sits back and watches us in those moments. Whether we are singing, battling the creepy crawlies, or just sitting in those special spaces, he created you to love and to be loved by him!

Hoppy Holler is still under construction with phase two and three in the works. God is never done with us no matter our age or where we are at in our walk. I hope as you read this you know that I am praying for each of you and how loved you are in your journey!

Also, how cute is it that I get this guy as my backyard helper! Please subscribe if you would like my blogs to come right to you!  If you would love to chat about what the Lord is doing or have questions about any missions trips, please reach out to me at  heather.walker@adventures.org    or if you feel led to partner with me with your prayers, finances, or your gifting's, then click here Heather Walker partner with me page