I don’t know about ya’ll, but I’m welcoming 2014 with WIDE open arms!
I’m not one to write things or people off but the last year proved to be one of the most trying for me. Or rather, I think I had a hard time with The Waiting.
-> Waiting to move into our house. (which I’ve YET to give you guys a tour of!)
-> Waiting to see if my job would get any better. And realizing that I had to go in an entirely different direction.
-> Waiting to heal, mentally and physically, from two miscarriages.
-> Waiting to get pregnant again.
-> Waiting for sponsors to come forward for Blend 2014.
-> And now….waiting for God to heal me completely of this pregnancy nausea.
The thing about The Waiting….it’s when we GROW THE MOST as people.
When we become stronger. When our patience is truly tested (and not in a, “Wait to open your Christmas present”-sort of way, but in a, “God isn’t speaking clearly for what seems like months and you want Him to NOW!”-sort of way.). The Waiting brings our demons to the surface and then it’s OUR choice as to what we do with them.
Deep thought –> I think life is GOOD for my flesh when there is no waiting involved, when every answer is given right away (because I’m pretty impatient). I think life is GREAT for my faith when I’m forced to wait (patiently or not) in those sticky, messy times. This is when the chaff gets burned away. And believe me, we WANT the chaff out of our lives.
Isn’t that the point of every January 1st anyway?
To let go of the crap (chaff) and start something new and fresh? <-YES!!
I’m not one to make resolutions but I will say that I expect great things out of 2014.
-> A new baby.
-> A trip for Blend (can’t tell you WHERE yet but Blend 2014 will go down June 6-8th! Tickets will go on sale SOON!)
-> A new career venture. <-more on this to come. 
-> A new car! (don’t get too excited. I’ll soon become a minivan mama.)
-> Another exciting year of homeschooling my littles.
And whatever else God has in store for us!
———–
Ya’ll – I won’t be missing 2013 one little bit. Honestly, The Waiting sucks.
But it’s made me so much stronger than I was before.
And for that alone, The Waiting is beautiful. Needed. Welcomed.
Bring on 2014!
———–
QUESTION: If you could describe 2013 in a few words, what would they be?? What will 2014 bring for you?
splendid…lindsay
2013 sure was a year of waiting. Waiting for our house to sell, waiting for our new house to close, waiting to see if I got the new job. All of those things ended in positives so I’ll call 2013 a great year!!
So excited and anxious to hear where Blend will be this year!! :)
2014 is going to be your year sweetie!! thinking of you!!
Happy New Year ;)
Such wise words. :) Love that you’ve come away from such a grueling year filled with wisdom and hope and gratitude rather than resentment. Still praying for healing for you, friend. May this be the best year yet for you and your sweet family!
xo
Can’t wait for this year to really get going – it’s going to be a great one. I think 2013 was about trying new things – I would have never predicted I would do a bikini competition and actually love it. Craziness. And I can’t wait for Blend!! (although I’ll warn you, I may be a bit boring, as I’ll be a month out from my next competition most likely).
I’m very curious to find out where you’re hosting blend this year! I couldn’t make it last year because of work conflicts.
Ugh, waiting….I am so not a patient person, but will say that 2013 definitely taught me patience and perseverance. I am still in waiting mode though…. :)
I can’t wait to see what 2014 becomes for you. I am excited to hear about BLEND. I really want to try and go this year. And maybe even help somehow?
Ooooh, I so hope I can make it to Blend this year!!!
I know 2014 is going to be a great year for you! I can’t wait to hear where Blend 2014 is! :)
Gosh, 2013 was a year of waiting for me as well! And for wavering (is this the right decision? who’s will am I following, mine or His?, etc). Although I always feel sad at the end of a year (the last 3 months of the year are my favorite), I’m so excited for the changes that lie ahead for us and to see what The Lord has in store!
June 6-8 has been marked in my calendar! ;)
I had a really great 2013, full of life’s many ups and downs and I’m looking forward to seeing what’s in store for 2014.
I LOVE this post and your insight on what waiting does – you are absolutely right! Waiting is hard, especially for us impatient types, but it IS where the growth happens and the lessons are most learned. So in that, I try to embrace waiting for what will come of it, tangibly and intangibly. As for what I’d sum up 2013 to be for me? Blessed, lived, prioritized.
2013 was a year of waiting for me too. I’m so glad for a fresh start in 2014!
God is SO good, and I can’t wait to see what God brings in 2014 for BOTH of us! xoxo
lots ups and downs and thankfully the biggest up of my life!!!! can’t wait for baby itz in 2014!!!!!!!!!!!! (& baby porter!)
My 2013 went in completely different directions (in pretty much every area of my life) than I ever expected it to. What I’m working on learning, because of that year, is to TRUST the Lord FULLY.
IM SO SO SO SO SO READY FOR A NEW 365.
beyond.
bring it ;-)
Fun video (especially since I’m in the still shot!)
waiting is hard, but man oh man GOD does wonders. Blessed in waiting. You are.
I would call it ‘trying’. I was still getting used to living in the country. I hope 2014 will be the year I’ll start feeling right at home.
BLEND is on my birthday! The 6th :)