This One's for you, Friend

I can't imagine a lot of people would want to live in LA, and now after several visits I see that not a lot of people would actually "fit in" in LA.
 
When Dawn mentioned they were pretty sure they were moving back to LA, honestly, I thought they were crazy.  What?? I thought Dawn had discernment and strong convictions???  For sure she was off her rocker, hit her head, mild brain damage???  No way this was from the Lord.  I didn't understand why they would want to raise their kids there?? Why the heck they would want to move away from their home, parents who lived minutes away, and close friends???  Clearly, I was not discerning well.

Fortunately I have had many opportunities to visit with Dawn thanks to hubby's job that requires trips to LA.  I remember my first visit, getting to go with her to her woman's bible study.  Not at all what I, SBC raised, was use to!  All of a sudden it was like we were in a different world and she not only understood their language but she spoke it too. I felt so out of place, kind of a twilight zonish feeling.  Not bad, just different.  It wasn't her Scottsdale group of girls anymore which felt odd...but at the same time, comforting because we had all prayed for her.  I sat there and began to cry because I realized my friend would not be coming back anytime soon.  She was where she was suppose to be and even though she didn't feel it at the time, I could see that she was going to be okay.  It was sad but so good.  And I can tell you every visit there after God has confirmed how fitting LA is for the Gregg's.  You know the saying "it was like the mother ship calling them home"... that phrase comes to mind every time I am out there. No doubt in my mind they are where they're suppose to be.  It's amazing now to see how God was preparing them for this sooooooooo many years ago, before they even knew the Lord.

If you've known Dawn for 5 minutes you know she is gifted with the ability to articulate well.  And I say 5 minutes cause you won't get much fluff out of her, she likes to get to the heart of things quickly...love that!  I'm not sure how she does it but when she speaks, it all makes sense, common sense, logical I guess.  And she does it so quickly.  She's prepared no doubt, cause she's a thinker.    Most likely she has thought this conversation out long before OR she has experienced something similar.  Not to mention, her gift of discernment...which is a bit freakish if you ask me.  It's like she's in your brain sometimes lol.  It's great hearing about her conversations/ challenging conversations she has had with people God has placed in her path.  The way she is able to talk with them, in such a loving yet truthful way, AMAZES me to no end!!  It's crazy to me how she gets peoples wheels turning.  And LA is a place that needs to slooowww dooowwwn and think!  I guarantee when someone walks away from having a convo with Dawn they are still thinking and thinking and thinking...I know it for sure, cause that is the affect she has on people and they love and respect that about her...well, not all love it...actually some hate it, but deep down, they love it.  They're just being prideful cause now they have to re-think something they really don't want to lol. 

Another great thing about Dawn in LA...she does not have a judgemental bone in her body!  Truly, not one.  Watching her interact with friends, neighbors, strangers etc. is so great.  It's such a beautiful picture of love.  If you don't think you are a judgemental person, spend some time in LA interacting with people and you will soon realize how easy it is to judge.  Like Dawns pastor said, people come to LA to find themselves...there are a lot of lost people there.  I know I know, lost people are everywhere, it just seems like a different kind of a lost to me, one I am not that familiar with?  I can tell you though, it's a lost that Brad and Dawn identify well with.  A kind of lost their souls are drawn to and grieve over.  When you hear them speak you hear their deep deep love for the people of LA.   It is so obvious their souls are deeply burdened and it is clear they are severing a purpose their hearts have longed for. 

So I can't really end this post without mentioning something I actually can't speak a whole about lol...does that make sense??  It's something I don't really get or understand.... modeling, acting, TV, film etc.  In fact I know Dawn thinks I am a total dork because I am clueless.  That's okay cause here's what I think...I don't need to get it.  For the Gregg's modeling, acting, t.v, movies, and filming are simply vehicles into peoples lives.  Vehicles God has gifted them with.  And its so fun to see them use their gifts.  It's the intriguing part of her family I enjoy getting to know and all the more reason they are there and I am not! Trust me, if you are not a model, aspiring actor, director, filmer OR, don't have knowledge of who won the emmy's, golden globes or know the latest gossip on whats going on in Tom Cruses life then conversations are just not go very far there lol.  No but serious, you can't live in LA and not know this stuff.  Which is another great thing, her kids know this stuff too but it's with a biblical understanding.  She is so great in pointing out the culture to her children.  She is helping them discern. They talk A LOT about this stuff and she challenges their thinking and informs them so that they too will be prepared when conversations come up. 

Really, I feel like I can go on and on.  Every time I leave LA I tell my husband, "wow, I just can't picture the Gregg's anywhere else!"  If they were fish, this would be their water.  Seriously, if only my brain could explain what my heart sees every time I'm there. 

Gregg's we all miss you dearly oh so dearly... but we would never wish you back on account of us.  You are exactly were you are suppose be and I am praying BIG things happen in LA!!

all my love, prayers, kim crawford, tears, dorkiness, and confidence

lucy