Every year, many people I know pick a Word of the Year to define the upcoming year. I’ve only started this in the past few years, and have noticed my Word of the Year doesn’t really follow the calendar year.
Two years ago, I chose Trust as my Word. I struggled with trusting God for all that life was throwing at me, and it seemed like a good first Word. When 2016 came around, I was praying about a new Word, and felt like I needed to keep Trust. So I did not change it.
I have the word Trust on my wall, along with some other words that point me to trust. As 2015 and 2016 progressed, I wrote Bible verses and quotes from authors and friends which spoke of trusting in God and pinned them to my wall, forming a Wall of Trust.
A few months ago, I go the inkling that my Word was changing. It started with a verse:
This is at the end of the Valley of Dry Bones and I have always loved these verses.
This verse started a shift in my heart, and I knew my Word would be changing soon. And not waiting for 2017 to blow in like a frozen blizzard! A land has been promised me – a refuge, a home, a place to hide away and to invite others into peace. In this land I will be firmly planted by the Lord and there I will flourish.
So my Word (more like a phrase!) is Firmly Planted and Flourishing. Living in this tension of the now and not yet has been interesting so far, but I am learning well that Jesus can be trusted, He has a plan filled with hope and a good future for me, He has not left me behind even when it fells like so many others have, I am a daughter of the Most High King of kings and He has lavished me with so many amazing gifts it will make my head spin as I start accepting them and opening them to share with those in my life.
Given my circumstances, my own land seems like a folly to hope for. But I know and trust that God has a plan for my life, and what He has promised me, He will fulfill. Just as Abraham received a seemingly impossible promise from God and kept hoping, so shall I.
I am looking forward to 2017 with great expectation in my Lord. I can’t wait to see what He is working out in me! I am going to look for joy instead of waiting for the other shoe to drop.
I carry this reminder with me everywhere I drive, thanks to the creativity and expertise of Revka at Fabled Treasures!
Springbrook is one of the best places for me to go and let go of anything bothering me. Slow walks or fast jaunts, it is so peaceful here and my heart and mind can rest for a short time. Autumn and Spring are the most beautiful here. 
(I could hear the turtle singing, “I believe I can fly…”) 
There was once a December day where many three generations gathered to celebrate two special boys, J2 and J4. They were both born Thanksgiving weekend, but with everyone traveling this year the party was a weekend later. 
There were balloons to punch and books to read and snow in the yard begging to be rolled up into snowmen. 
J4 had fun watching the snowman building from the comfort of the living room while he strummed a guitar. 
Then our two boys armed with their sweet tooth blew out flames and dug in to their gooey confections of brownies and muffins and cupcakes with frosting. 
Right before the party ended, gifts were opened and played with and packed up to go home. 
It was a splendid day celebrating these two little boys so greatly loved.
This was a calming walk, although quick, because of the brisk cold wind. A sweatshirt just wasn’t warm enough! 