One Word Wrap-Up

I’m so sad this year’s word is coming to an end.  I have loved this word and all that the Lord taught me.  The Lord led me to the word Others for 2018 ...you can read about my initial thoughts HERE. And now as I wrap up this year, I am reflecting over all the things He brought me to that fell under the word Others.

My initial hope was that I would move past my daily prayers for myself and focus on praying for other people around me.  After 365 days of prayer for 365 people, I would say that is exactly what happened.  I feel the Lord lifted my eyes from my own little sphere and showed me just how many people are out there that need pray ...like serious, God- moving prayer.  I would still pray quickly for things in my own life, but my focus was on the person of the day.  I listened to the Lord during my quiet time, to the music on the radio, was cognizant of what I was reading...nothing was happenstance.  If I felt the nudge of Holy Spirit in anything I was doing throughout the day I asked for confirmation and then I would do what He asked.  Sometimes it was call, text or write that person what I had heard, sometimes it was to go find that person and pray over them, sometimes it was do nothing. But one thing I know without a doubt is I am certain of His voice, His nudge, His divine appointments and even His silence.  When I don’t hear, I don’t move, and that is still obedience.  I’m sure, in my own power, I could have done this year’s word; prayed some prayers, checked off my list, said some encouraging things, but I didn’t want this to be in my own power.  Francis Chan said, “The world is not moved by love or actions that are of human creation.” I wanted and needed the Lord’s power to touch all those around me, so that only He gets the glory.

As the year went on I found that I was put in many situations where I was able to tangibly help others.  As I prayed for the person on my list I was also able to buy someone’s lunch or lend a listening ear or host a group from Uganda.  That was one of my favorite experiences from this year! The days seemed to turn into adventures to see what crazy thing would happen where I could help someone. And then, when the opportunity arose, it was exciting, somewhat expected,  but never a burden. Sometimes we get so drawn into our own circle and our own to do list that we miss the fun and love the Lord has for us and those around us.

Lastly, I saw God show up in several ways that blew me away.  In one instance I was informed of a crises of a person I had already prayed for and was able to look back and see what the Lord directed me to pray and how they were covered long before they knew they needed it. In another instance, when the storm came for one couple, I was praying for the wife that very day and prayed for the husband the day before. Coincidence? Absolutely not!! He knows and sees and hears and sometimes we just need to be reminded of that.

What a fun year! I pray I can take what I have learned and continue to implement it as I start a new year with a new word.

Christmas 2018

Christmas’s morning started slow and quiet. We only had Koby and Kelby at home so they they slept in and I took advantage of the stillness. Once they got up we let them open their stockings.  Batlle, Troy and Teague opened their stockings once they got there.

Then my family arrived and we opened all the adult gifts.

Then the Hollingsworth crew and Troy and Teague all got there are we were able to eat and then let the kids open their gifts.  Koby and Kelby were so patient having to wait until almost 3 to open anything!

The rest of the night we played games while Richard and Dad figures out our new drink maker! Looks like we need to host another party! I enjoyed every moment of the day!

Christmas Eve at the Hollingsworth’s

We started the night with Kelby reading us the Christmas story. Then we ate dinner, played a few games and opened lots and lots of gifts! Christmas Eve is always so relaxing and enjoyable. We had a fun night with family and enjoying the many blessings that the Lord has given us!

We played a game of rotation and ended with an envelope filled with lotto tickets. I think everyone won something!! 

I got the girls monogrammed sweaters.

Maysen and Austyn got a karaoke microphone and it was a hit!! 

 

McCaig Christmas

Our annual Christmas at the McCaigs. This year the boys are with their dad and Richard could not sneak away from the fireworks store so it was just me and the kids...but more on that later.  Judy and Neal always have the warmest home with delicious food and fun games and great conversation. We played the gift exchange with the dice and once again Dominic and I were stealing and swapping for the same gift just like last year!

Then the kids played the mittens game where they had to open a gift wearing oven mitts. Koby was victorious and took home the money!

Then we opened gifts and took the annual kids picture by the Christmas tree.

        

As we looked back at old pictures, I realized it had been 5 years since the boys and I joined the McCaig Christmases, but like I said earlier, always with Richard. This year it was just going to be me and that made me wonder if I had a place there, not because of anything the McCaig’s have ever done or said, they are wonderful, but because of the insecurities the enemy brings up in me knowing my weaknesses. Blended families are so hard and I try, probably too much so, to think through the feelings of others in each situation and I wasn’t sure if I belonged. The Lord silenced the enemy by quickly reminding me that He is showing me an earthly picture of Heaven. As I look at my extremely large extended family I can’t help but smile. I am living out what I prayed for almost a  decade ago. Although a blended family was not my initial prayer, the prayer that came next was of unity and love ...wow, did God provide! As I look at the Pippens and the Hollingsworths and the McCaigs and the Abbes I see a glimpse of Heaven. Each one of these families living out the spirit of adoption as we all do life together.  I know at a drop of a hat I could call any of these people in my tribe and they would be there for me! In Romans, it says we are all adopted in as children of God and I am so thankful for the earthly picture He has given me. He is always faithful!

A Christmas Formal Good-bye

 This year’s Christmas Formal was a bit different than years past. We had food and a gift exchange game, but we ended the night honoring Richard and saying good-bye. The Lord has slowly been leading us into a new season and that includes stepping down from leading youth at Acts. We have loved every minute with these kids and even though we won’t see them regularly at youth on Wednesdays, we know we will still see them around as they have become like family to us.  

Since June we have been listening and obeying what the Lord was asking us to do...those baby steps seemed fun and exciting and simple, but then we were faced with the decision to keep obeying when it gets hard. We love Acts! The pastors there married us.  All 4 boys were baptized there. Baylee and Richard and I all met Holy Spirit there. Richard and I began leading youth together there. We love Acts!  But we both know when the Lord says something it is better, and easier in the long run, to obey Him... even when it hurts and it’s change and it’s scary...obey.  So we did.

We are still not clear on the whole picture.  We are waiting on the Lord to give us the next piece in the puzzle to know where we go from here. One thing is certain, however, there is still lots of Kingdom work to be done and we are honored to be used by Him in whatever ways He sees fit!