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.
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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
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!
Thanks! I appreciate your kind words.
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
Sheena, Thanks for stopping by and for your well wishes.
Having no mortgage is the best change ever! Congrats on paying off the house. That’s a major accomplishment.
Yes! It is such a blessing to have paid it off in 21 years.
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
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Sarah, thanks for your encouragement and for stopping by!
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!
Sasha, Enjoy being with your kids, they grow up sooooo fast!
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
Tanya, thanks for your encouragement.
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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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.
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!
Lisa, thanks for your support and encouragement. I appreciate it.
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!
Deb, It happens, I’m sure your family will be happy to hear from you whenever you get around to connecting with them.
Hope you have a wonderful 2014!! 😀 Love your site!
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Thanks, Angie. Stop by any time.
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!
Thanks, Debbie.
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.
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.
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:)
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
Thanks for the encouragement Brittany!
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
Thanks, Jessica. Yes, the peace has been amazing.
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.
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Thanks Donna I’m ready for a new beginning.
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.
Great job Yona!
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
Sheila, I pray that the Lord will lead you to a new home.
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?
Clarinda, Keep your eyes on Him and it will be a great year.
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
Gina, we have to make sure there is always a little “me” time to pursue whatever it is we are called to.
Great bible verse to go with your word!
Stephanie recently posted..Who is at the center of your resolutions?
Thanks Stephanie, I love that verse.
Church issues can sometimes be tough, but God will lead you 😉
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Thanks Becky, He is leading us.
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.
Abby, thanks for the encouragement. I know we will find our “home” in God’s timing.
Reflecting and finding a New outlook on life is a great way to start the New Year!
Change is good, but it can be scary. Just remember that God is good…all the time <3
Yes He is!
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?
Charity, I’m not much of a resolutions person either. I think the word gives me some focus.
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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Thanks a lot Bobbi!
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.
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New year and new things happening all around. Change can definitely be scary, but seems like you are adjusting quite well. Happy New Year!
Happy new year to you too Ana!
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!
Lindsey, Thanks yes, there are some people I miss but honestly the ones I was closest to, I am still close to.
Nothing like a fresh start to the new year. I enjoyed seeing your openness to share your process. This was truly a fun read.
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Carmen, Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed the post.