Every year I choose a one word resolution. In 2015 my word was Exceed. I wanted to exceed in every talent God had given me. My goal was to exceed His expectations for me and exceed the expectations of those watching me. I wanted to give Him everything I had and then some. I wanted to give of myself 'til it hurt. I wanted to be like the Israelites who were asked to bring what they had for the building of the tabernacle. They brought such an abundance that they had to be stopped because the blessing exceeded the need. I wanted to pour myself out until God himself said stop.

2015 taught me surrender. Every time I wanted to rest I could hear God say "just a little more". I gave myself until it hurt.

In church service one day we were taught on the tabernacle of God. I was struck by a word on a sign hanging in the room. It read: Abide. All day I thought on that word. In fact, I thought on it for weeks. 

It struck me that I had been building something in 2015. I was building my own character. I was learning to sacrifice, to trust, to commit even when it seemed useless. I witnessed miracles and experienced loss and I found a peace that passes all understanding.  
I've selected my word for 2016. This year's word is ABIDE.

The scripture I will be meditating on this year is Psalm 125:1 which says: 
Those who trust in the Lord 
Are like Mount Zion,
Which cannot be moved, but abides forever. 
The word abide in that verse is Strong's # 3427 (yahab) which means to sit down, dwell, remain, settle, marry, continue, ease self, endure, and establish.
In 2015 I was taught to exceed limits and I was stretched to excess for His kingdom.

You learn to trust when you're being stretched. It's hard to give him everything completely and abundantly, but it's so worth it. He is trustworthy and he proved it last year when so many times I couldn't see where he was taking me, but walking in the dark, I found myself above the storms. He built something awesome with each thing I laid down, he built a new Heather. 
I really believe that now He is bringing me into a year of abiding, coaxing me to dwell and settle into His presence where He can ease my mind and teach me to just "be His".

This doesn't mean a year of laziness. In fact it's not even close to that. It's a year of steadiness, confidence and unshakable creativity. It's establishment and that means settling in to these gifts he's given me, listening close to his voice, following his leading and making something that will endure. 

This year I don't have a resolution to lose weight or stop a bad habit. I simply want to be the person I was created to be, to cozy up in my purpose and abide in it. 

I have some specific goals to achieve this:
1. Daily Bible time and reflection (getting quiet before God)
2. Writing a minimum of 274 words/ day 
3. Unmovable, unshakable commitment 

This is my year!

What's your one word resolution for 2016? Post in the comments.  

I'm a mommy. If you're new here and didn't know, I actually have 4 munchkins. Are you a mom? If so, you understand that they go through periods of being weird little people. They are needy humans. They can be silly and smart. They can be creative in good and bad ways. They're always full of surprises. As Psalm 127:3 says, Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. 

Sometimes I forget that:

• back in the days of the two a.m feedings
  
• when the school work doesn't match my expectations
  
• when sibling rivalry is at a high 
  
• when behavior and respect seem to be on vacation
  

I don't always feel the reward of parenthood. Is that too honest? 

Then, suddenly, I'm caught off guard. I'm filled with remorse for taking them for granted, for missing that special thing that only they can add to my world.

In a flash, I see God's fingerprint on my children as they light up with gifts and talents I can only dream of possessing. I marvel over the reality that they really are something truly special, not just because they make me proud, but because they reflect Him in the way they use their own unique gifts. 

As I sit and admire their abilities and giftings come to life I cannot help but scratch my head and whisper "that beauty came out of me?"

I wonder if God gets this feeling washing over Him when the gifts he planted in us start to take root and blossom. Does He beam from ear to ear and think "I made that". I hope I evoke that feeling in Him with what I write and how I use the gifts He's equipped me with.

An awe washes over me and I realize how blessed I am that His love extends generations. 

My oldest daughter has a bit of her mom in her in that she likes to write. She's begun to write songs and her skill is improving. Her voice is beautiful. 

Someone stood in my corner years ago when I said I wanted to be a writer. They didn't tell me it was a silly dream or speak can'ts over me. They said "do it" and gave me the tools to succeed. I hope I can begin to do that with my daughter and attempted to take steps in that direction today as I pushed her to share her gift, dream big and sing loud. 

Here are two songs we recorded out at the lake today. Nature sang along. The first song is an original and the second was written with help from my daughter's best friend. Enjoy!

Today my son and I had a little fun making some coloring page designs with my own art and sketches. Here is what we created . . . .

Click to download pages separately. Each page is made to fit an 8x10 piece of paper. We hope you enjoy this and if you do, please tell us in the comments.