2023: New Year. New WORDS, New Theme

 Hello all! Is it really 2023??? 

Well, COVID is at least unofficially over!! Praise God!! The past 2 years seemed to creep by, with the world fully engaged in the pandemic. My mom has continued to go downhill mentally and physically, but she is still with us. Over the past few years there have been some physical and emotional illnesses that continue to plague family members. There have been joyous occasions...like the birth of our great grandson! We have done some traveling, but not as much as I would have liked.

But, probably the most difficult part of that time for me has been, even after things started to open back up, that I was still doing a lot of things the same, day in and day out. Still visiting mom on a regular basis, making sure her health needs were met (still always a work in progress, as staff shortages continue in the nursing homes). Also, trying to know how to address some of the health issues at home. Praying continuously for healing over those who are suffering! But not seeing much change. Waiting patiently for years, but also trying endlessly to make the changes that are needed, when possible!(Which seemed rare to me) Many days, I have felt at the end of my rope, exhausted, and ready to give up! Of course, I am still here, so I always have found even the smallest bit of strength(only through the Lord!) to keep going.

With all that being said, I want to have a more positive outlook in 2023! So, I have once again been motivated to have a word to get me going....actually, I have prayed and felt that there are 3 words that have come to mind. 

CHANGE

                         MOVE 

                                                  MIRACLE

                                                                                                  

With my chosen words of the year I also seek God for a verse to go along with it. 

With them all pulled together, I feel like God is saying, He is going to do something great in my life the coming year. Isaiah 43:19 really seemed the most appropriate!

 "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."

This year, I also have found a quote that really hit home for me...

As we continue into the year, I will be posting different ways that I feel God wants me to use these words, verse, and quote. I will be sharing some goals and hopes for the year. I also will look for ways that God provides and opens the doors to allow for change, moves, and miracles in my life.

Stay tuned for those posts....I promise I will be working harder at posting more often!!!! 

Blessings to you all in 2023!!!

Burn The Ships

The beginning of a New Year often has us looking back and seeing how God has walked with us in the past and contemplating the year ahead. 

We tend to want to hold on to the familiar, the easier path, the old ways....but these often become unhealthy, and even dangerous for us to continue down some paths/have relationships with some people in our lives. When we become aware of these different paths/people in our lives that can hinder/harm us, we may need to "rise from the dust and walk away". 

"Burning the Ships" can be SO difficult(maybe even excruciating.) 

I don't know about you, but FEAR often has kept me from burning the ships and moving ahead. Fear of rejection, fear of what others will think, fear of being alone, fear of not knowing the future. But, God reminds us that He will never leave us, nor forsake us. He is our source of strength. And He holds the future and will take care of us!!

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” ~ Joshua 1:9

This song came to my mind, as I've been thinking about some past relationships/choices(mainly family) that I have held onto, but have come to understand, have not been healthy,

Burning the Ships also means giving God control of things I don't have control of. The song below, also came to mind.

I pray, Lord, let me know when something/someone is pulling me down/away from Your will and plan for my life. Let me have the strength and courage to give it to You and know that if it's Your will to re-connect, You will open those doors again. If not, let me walk away, 'Step into a New Day', and know that You have purposed this for me and You have my back!! Let me surrender to You everything that I have no control over.

 I love You above all else, Lord!! Amen

"Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." 

Philippians 3:13-14

HAPPY NEW YEARS!!

A picture I took of the Canadian geese on a lake near where I live.(Pike Lake, Indiana)

Wishing you all celebrations of joy

as you

leave the past (mistakes) behind

and anticipate

the new beginning (God's plan) that lies ahead!

Happy New Year!!!

Linking on over to:

Beholding Glory

 
Freshly Brewed Sunday

Another New Year's Celebration

source - http://beachcomber26.tumblr.com/

A little over two days left till we say goodbye to 2011 and welcome in 2012.

Some people like to reflect and reminisce about the past year, what they have accomplished or experienced. Some like to look more to the future, making New Year's resolutions or anticipating new experiences they plan on having. Some just live for the moment, celebrating with friends or family.

It seems like the older I get, the less excited I get about this holiday. I don't know. Maybe it's because this is a reminder that I'm getting older and another year has just zoomed by me.  In the last few years, I find myself staying at home, just me and my hubby, on New Year's Eve and falling asleep once the ball drops in New York City. (I think I actually fell asleep before the ball dropped last year) There's not a lot of reflecting or reminiscing going on, nor do I like to make New Year's resolutions.(I usually don't follow thru with them and end up disappointing myself.)

I did write a mission statement for myself in 2011....."to spread optimism with my arms and heart wide open and truly LIVE LARGE for Jesus!"
I started writing my gratitude list a little over a year ago and continue to keep adding to that. I truly believe I have been able to be more optimistic as a whole (probably couldn't apply that to my attitude about New Years celebrations, though). I'm not sure how LARGE I have lived, but maybe I should have been more specific, since I feel like if anything, I've gained some weight....not the kind of large I wanted :)

Which leads me to 2012....like I said I don't like resolutions, but I like to set goals for myself and am still looking for a new mission statement for myself for the new year.

1. Like I mentioned, I gained some unwanted weight last year. I REALLY would like to lose at least 40 pounds this year, preferably by June, when I hope to be taking a family vacation/belated 25th anniversary trip.
2.  Another goal is actually taking a long awaited trip out west - and my hubby and I renewing our wedding vows on a sandy beach.(which is my motivation to lose the weight, too.)
3. I also have the goal of helping my son become more independent. It's not been easy, with the economy being the way it is. He wants to move out on his own, but the search for a full-time job has been a challenge for him. He currently is working part-time and living at home. Some things we have no control over, but I do plan on encouraging him to seek his independence financially and emotionally.
4. There have been and continues to be lots of changes in all of our lives. We have been waiting to see if the sale of  our house, which is pending the sale of the buyer's house, will be completed or not. It's been several months and the market is not good. So I hope to either complete that move or if it doesn't transpire, that I can make some much needed cosmetic changes to our current house.
5. As you may have noticed, I've recently made some changes to the layout of my blog. I am constantly learning new things about blogging and want to continue to learn. I also want to make more connections with other bloggers and make new bloggy friends. I've really found this community of writers/photographers/educators/encouragers so much fun!
6. Finally, I would like to find a new mission statement for myself....it may have something to do with my spiritual walk, my relationships, or a major goal that will better my life as a whole.(I'll keep you all posted when I get that new mission statement)

I'll probably spend New Year's Eve at home, as usual, falling asleep at midnight. Maybe I'll make it till after the ball drops this year.  I have been enjoying the past week and have yet another week to relax and do some fun things with my hubby(who is on vacation) and son. After that, I think life will go back to some normalcy, but who knows. It will be interesting see all the possibilities. I do know I want to look to God for direction each and every day. He is my guide and my support.

Whatever you plan on doing this New Year's Eve, and in the coming year, may you find love and happiness through Christ, family, and friends.

Linking on over at:
Reflections of His Grace