It’s mid-February and I am just now writing my new year post. There are some reasons for this 1) I’ve been busy 2) This is a personal story (I don’t write a lot of personal posts) and 3)I’ve been having trouble deciding on my word for the year. It has been a tie between 2 words for the last 6 weeks and “New” has finally solidified itself. You see 2014 is a year of change for our family. Change is a good thing, especially when it shows growth, which I believe this change does. Change is the word that has been tied with new but new has a more positive tone with it.
So by now you are probably wondering, “Hey, Cindy, what’s new?” Lots of stuff is new.
Church is new. If you are a regular reader you know we have always been very involved in the life of our church. We spent 19 1/2 years at one church, my kids were raised there, we were all in various forms of leadership there, and I was on staff there. Last year was a tough year at church, on many fronts. I’m not going to go into detail because I don’t think it is appropriate to do so. In many ways we were becoming uncomfortable with decisions that were made and changes that took place. We met with the pastor to discuss our concerns and we were told that our thoughts and opinions were divisive to the church! In October I prayed a prayer of desperation. I told God He had to either change the situation or He had to change me because I couldn’t live with the stress, anger and hurt anymore. In that moment He told me we were released, but, we had to finish out our commitments for the year. I went outside to my husband’s workshop to tell him we needed to have a serious talk that night and he said, “I know, God told me we were released, we just need to finish out our commitments for the year.” Talk about confirmation! So, since the first Sunday of January we have been visiting churches in our area and asking God to show us where “home” is.
Work is new. I have worked part time at the church as Connections Director (social media), Membership Secretary and Volunteer Co-ordinator. When we left the church, I left my job. I applied for one job, which I thought I was a perfect fit for but i wasn’t chosen. Now every time I get online to search for a job I hear the Lord tell me to stop, so I do. So, right now I am waiting on Him. I am also praying about finally starting my own social media management company, which has been on my mind for years. It is very tough without my income so hopefully the right door will open soon.
Home is new. No, we haven’t moved, why would we, our house is paid off! The “feel” at the house is new. Jordan, my 18 year old was home from the mission field for November-January. It was wonderful having him home. Now he is back with his team from The 99, currently ministering in Harlingen, TX. Summer, age 19, is working full-time teaching pre-school and talking college classes online. Aaron will be 21 on March 4th and he is working 5 jobs in IT, Audio Engineering and Radio Production. Aaron and Summer are seldom home and when they are they are often in their rooms. The nest is beginning to empty, the house is quieter and this is a new season of life for Ron and I.
My schedule is new. Without having to leave the house for work and weeknight church events the only regular things on my calendar are my Tuesday & Friday morning chiropractor appointments, the Monday 5pm piano lesson I teach and our Sunday evening get-together with our friends. Being home so much, I could easily get distracted and not accomplish anything. I have worked out a schedule for Bible study, exercising, blogging, social media work, housework and unplugged time so that I stay focused and don’t spend all day watching movies on Netflix.
The verse above has emerged as my verse for 2014. His mercies are new every morning. I have walked into the changes of 2014 enveloped in the steadfast love of the Lord and prayerfully asking Him to guide my steps.
I know some of you are here as part of the Commentathon from Blogelina. If you’d like to read some other posts here are some easy recipes, posts about Disney World and my weekly giveaway linky. Please feel free to subscribe to my RSS feed, follow me on Bloglovin’ or any of my other social networks, my badges are in the sidebar. Thanks for stopping by.
Lindsay says
New things and changes are often scary. However, it sounds like you are handling it well. I hope it all works out for you.
Lindsay recently posted..Letter to My Future Self to Get Back on Track
Quarter Life Cents says
It is so exciting when your year begins like this. It is good that you have faith that God is leading you in the right direction. If you continue believing this, everything you do will be new and exciting. Good luck, good things await you!
cindy says
Thanks! I appreciate your kind words.
Sheena says
Thank you for sharing the new in your life. We should always have new in our life. Being stagnant is destructive. I hope your NEW year brings you blessings over and over.
Sheena recently posted..Why I Let Thursday Be My Favorite Day of the Week
cindy says
Sheena, Thanks for stopping by and for your well wishes.
The Jewish Lady says
Having no mortgage is the best change ever! Congrats on paying off the house. That’s a major accomplishment.
cindy says
Yes! It is such a blessing to have paid it off in 21 years.
Sarah Arrow says
Wow, you’ve had a difficult 2013, and lots of new and positive changes for 2014. I hope you get the message about your social media business soon, I think you are being guided in the right direction x
Sarah Arrow recently posted..Content Marketing: 50 Creative Video Marketing Ideas
cindy says
Sarah, thanks for your encouragement and for stopping by!
Sasha says
Love that verse! I have lots of “new” right now too. I resigned from my job a few weeks ago, right before I hit 18 years of service there! Such a big change to be home with my kiddos, but I am loving it so far! Good luck finding a church home!
cindy says
Sasha, Enjoy being with your kids, they grow up sooooo fast!
Tanya says
You do have a number of new things happening this year. I think the word of the year is very appropriate.
Good luck on finding a new church. We have been through a church move and it can be painful and confusing.
Tanya recently posted..One Dish Dinner: Smoked Sausage Scramble
cindy says
Tanya, thanks for your encouragement.
Erica says
Transition can sometimes be difficult. I’m glad you made up a schedule so you don’t get distracted. It is so easy to do. I spent a month home with my preschooler. there were some days we were very distracted. Good luck with all the NEW
Erica
We Three Crabs
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cindy says
Erica, We homeschooled for 16 years and I had to live by a schedule so everything got done. This time home is a bit more distracting than when I had kids to wrangle.
Lisa says
I love how open and honest your post is. Your intentionality for 2014 is shining through! Choosing to focus on change in a positive way by choosing “new” as your word means a lot. You will be open minded as you encounter all that 2014 brings! Wishing you the best!
cindy says
Lisa, thanks for your support and encouragement. I appreciate it.
Deb says
I am so behind this New Year that our holiday cards are still sitting here. Will be a nice St. Patrick’s Day surprise for our family. Best of luck to you in 2014 with all your new things going on!
cindy says
Deb, It happens, I’m sure your family will be happy to hear from you whenever you get around to connecting with them.
Angie Astry says
Hope you have a wonderful 2014!! Love your site!
Angie Astry recently posted..Welcome (and giveaway)!!
cindy says
Thanks, Angie. Stop by any time.
Debbie Williams says
Change is hard, but NEW is exciting. I know you have a wonderful year ahead and it sounds like you are heading into it with the perfect attitude. Good luck with all the NEW things to come!
cindy says
Thanks, Debbie.
Natalie says
Beautiful post! I saw a quote once that stated, “Listen quietly as God whispers and the world is loud.” I know this to be true. Something that came to me as I finished reading your post is that maybe you should write a cookbook in the form of an ebook for sell.
cindy says
Natalie, thanks for the encouragement. I have a few ebooks in my head, I just need to get them out! I love that quote. Thanks for sharing.
Zan says
It seems like you have a lot going for you this year. Two years ago, we had a similar church situation that we had to deal with, too. We church hoped for almost the entire year, until the Lord lead us to a great church. I love Lamentations 3. That verse is such an encouragement…Great is His faithfulness to us who are so undeserving. Thanks for a great post. Really enjoyed it:)
Brittany says
What a scary but exciting time! Remember that God knows what he has in store for you. Trust Him. He’s got something great up His sleeve! (Jer. 29:11)
Brittany recently posted..February Challenge: Speak Words of Love
cindy says
Thanks for the encouragement Brittany!
Jessica says
Hi Cindy,
It’s amazing how much peace can be found just by listening to what the Lord has to tell us. It’s great you’re letting Him lead your path. Enjoy your NEW year!
Jessica recently posted..Finding Your Path With Food Allergies
cindy says
Thanks, Jessica. Yes, the peace has been amazing.
Donna says
So sad that a church you’ve devoted yourself to for so many years have dismissed your views like that. Hope you find a new ‘home’ soon.
Donna recently posted..Competition: Win a £25 voucher for My 1st Years
cindy says
Thanks Donna I’m ready for a new beginning.
Yona Williams says
I like your word ‘new’ for 2014, and my focus for 2014 has been ‘productivity.’ I have been successful with that so far…so I guess, I’m kinda like you…i have a ‘new’ attitude towards this ‘new’ year.
cindy says
Great job Yona!
Sheila R. says
We have been talking about finding a church for a while now. The last church we belonged to was not just a ‘dead church’ but was a very negative environment. I volunteered a lot there and when we left I just had a hard time even considering a new church. Now we live in a beautiful little town and I think it’s time to find our church home!
Sheila
SeeSheilaRun
cindy says
Sheila, I pray that the Lord will lead you to a new home.
Clarinda says
There are alot of changes going around here and my word of the year is TRUST. Specifically Trust God to see where He is leading us.
Clarinda recently posted..Why Hormones?
cindy says
Clarinda, Keep your eyes on Him and it will be a great year.
Gina says
I can so relate to this post! I feel the same way about this year. I turned 40 last year, and I started wondering what have I done to work on “me?” I was a mom at 19 and now married 20 years later, we have two outside the nest and two still at home. I don’t want to neglect my youngest two, but I want to work on me. This is my year to start a blog, perform the RV experiment of less, and go back to school to begin pursuing a masters in Math. Oh, and I have a similar story of God confirming to me and my husband a release from a church. It’s so cool when He speaks to both spouses, separately, but exactly the same!
Gina recently posted..The Top Ten Reasons I’m a Runner
cindy says
Gina, we have to make sure there is always a little “me” time to pursue whatever it is we are called to.
Stephanie says
Great bible verse to go with your word!
Stephanie recently posted..Who is at the center of your resolutions?
cindy says
Thanks Stephanie, I love that verse.
Becky says
Church issues can sometimes be tough, but God will lead you
Becky recently posted..Cutting Your Grocery Bill
cindy says
Thanks Becky, He is leading us.
Abby says
Great post, Cindy! We started a new church about 9 months ago after much prayer and waiting on God and what a blessing it has been. It makes such a difference to be in a place that feels like home. And how wonderful that your home is paid off! That is huge. Congrats.
cindy says
Abby, thanks for the encouragement. I know we will find our “home” in God’s timing.
Diana Marie says
Reflecting and finding a New outlook on life is a great way to start the New Year!
andrea k says
Change is good, but it can be scary. Just remember that God is good…all the time <3
cindy says
Yes He is!
Charity says
I’ve noticed a lot of people doing the word for the year thing. I’ve never been a fan of resolutions, but a word is an interesting idea.
Charity recently posted..Unschooling Works, But How Do We Know It’s Working?
cindy says
Charity, I’m not much of a resolutions person either. I think the word gives me some focus.
Bobbi Parish-Logie says
Wow, that’s a LOT of changes! I love your attitude and perspective though–we can always fight change or go with it to where our next destination is meant to be. I like the way you are having patience, waiting, and discerning the next wise move. I wish you the best of luck! ~ Bobbi
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cindy says
Thanks a lot Bobbi!
Natasha says
Wow! You have a lot of NEW to look forward to! Sounds like it was a tough transition to get to this point, but I have faith that you will find the spiritual home that is right for you and your family.
Natasha recently posted..Cuckoo for Coconuts!
Ana says
New year and new things happening all around. Change can definitely be scary, but seems like you are adjusting quite well. Happy New Year!
cindy says
Happy new year to you too Ana!
Lindsey Whitney says
Wow, that is a lot of new! Working at a church does complicate things … you lose your church and job in one swoop. I’m sure you miss the people after 19 years… hoping you find some good connections soon.
Lindsey Whitney recently posted..What’s in the Bible: We’ve Reached the End!
cindy says
Lindsey, Thanks yes, there are some people I miss but honestly the ones I was closest to, I am still close to.
Carmen says
Nothing like a fresh start to the new year. I enjoyed seeing your openness to share your process. This was truly a fun read.
Carmen recently posted..Psalm 91 (w/Audio)
cindy says
Carmen, Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed the post.