DreamMaster

While we were dating, Shawn was exploring the idea of going back to school to get a Master's degree.  He was already in a great place in his career as a Chief Information Officer (CIO) at a small bank but he had an itch to learn that he couldn't satisfy on his own.  Shawn's desire to return to school had little do with his career and everything to do with a longing to discover God more intimately and to study the Bible.  We talked about seminary and casually looked into Bible schools in the Twin Cities but nothing felt right.  Somewhere in the middle of browsing college websites and discussing how to practically pursue a new degree, Shawn was introduced to something called The Master's Program.  The program was an instant fit and Shawn enthusiastically started to learn how to change his world and build God's Kingdom.

Shawn jokes that I basically completed the program also because he would come home from his sessions, and excitedly share everything he learned.  One thing that he was particularly excited about was something called a DreamMaster Weekend.

The Master's Program hosts weekend getaways so that everyone has the tools and the time to plan their dreams with their spouses.  Shortly after we were married we started to pay attention to the various getaways that were offered but our schedules seemed to never quite match up.  A few months later, I was pregnant and we knew that if we didn't make time to get away in the near future, it wouldn't happen at all.  Even though we weren't able to go on an official DreamMaster weekend,  Shawn was bound and determined to plan out our dreams together so he booked a hotel in downtown Minneapolis.  He was excited, I was apprehensive.  We packed our bags, checked into our hotel room and settled in for a weekend of dreaming and planning.

I am not much of a dreamer.  I like to think that I have an active imagination but the "dreams" I have are usually tangible and easily achieved.  I quickly dismiss things that are too far fetched and focus my time and energy on the things I can realistically move toward.  I remember feeling like I wouldn't have dreams to share and I was incredibly nervous that if I did think of one, sharing it before I had time to think through it would make me feel vulnerable and exposed.

As the weekend progressed I naturally shared about my dream to be a mom, and to create a home that was peaceful and life giving.  I was newly pregnant so instead of planning when we would start our family we discussed what we would like our family culture to be.  We agreed that having a baby meant eating dinner around our table instead of on the couch.  We talked about being the kind of parents who limited screen time and the number of sports teams or programs our kids could be in in favor of playing outside.  We each shared about what we thought it looked like to raise a family who knew without a shadow of a doubt they were loved by God and we talked about how burdened we were by the responsibility of it all.  Our harder conversations were around buying a house to raise our family in.  We discussed numbers and timing, square footage and the importance of two bathrooms no matter what.

In the end, I did share a dream that I didn't know I held in my heart.  It was a dream about hospitality and I vividly remember being surprised as the details poured out my mouth.  I now know that in that moment, God was preparing me for a specific kind of hospitality that is a huge part of our lives here in Texas.  God gave me a desire to do something that He had planned long before it ever came to be. I reflect on conversation whenever I feel out of place here in Texas.  I moved here in support of Shawn and his desire to do something God has placed on his heart but in the 11 months that we've called Texas home, God has shown me time and time again that He has a purpose for me here too.

I hope you are well!
Love,
Erica