2007 started off with a bang! God placed it on my heart to go for my dream! To never stop. To never look back. To give it all I had and to simply go for it! This was scary and exhilarating at the same time. Then, I read John Maxwell's book The Difference Maker. In this book, Mr. Maxwell says your attitude toward things can either make or break you. After reading this, I knew that no matter how frightening it seemed, no matter how inadequate I felt, I had no choice but to give it my all. Next, I read The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson. Everything he said in that book was written directly to me. He says that God places a dream within all of us and that many of us never pursue that dream. Many of us never feel worthy of that dream. Guess what? We're not. It is only through God that we can accomplish our dreams...His dreams. So, I urge you to dig deep inside, commit yourself to heavy conversation with the Lord, and find your dream. Then, live it!
April 2, 2007: Today my laptop died! It took a while for me to figure out that it is gone forever. A friend thinks her husband can retrieve my hard drive for me. I pray that he can, since much of my recent work is not backed up on disc yet.
April 7, 2007: Hard drive retrieved! Thank you Lord! Thank you Steve H. for all of your hard work. Unfortunately, the laptop is truly a goner, though.
April 26, 2007: I did not realize how dependent upon my laptop I had become until I had to begin working at a desktop again. It really stunts the creative process. I have found myself going back to working with pen and paper, then editing as I type. It is a bummer, but, as a dear friend (Karen C.) reminded me today, it's better than a quill pen and ink and dim candlelight. So true.
May 10, 2007: Today, my husband called me to say that his Jeep clutch went out. My first thought was, of course it went out. Here we are committing to live debt-free and not use credit cards. Of course, we would have an expensive car repair. This would happen right before our youngest's thirteenth birthday, and when we were saving up to get the air repaired in my car. It's okay though, because we know the Lord always provides.
June 6, 2007: My daughter has left for a three-week mission trip to Jamaica with our church. This is the first time she has been gone from home that long. We'll be so glad when she gets back, but we're glad for her to have this experience.
An opportunity to work part-time from home became available to me this week, something I have wanted for years. At first, I did not even want to consider it because I am trying to launch the ministry and get my books out there and because school must be a priority. But, then God showed me that with two teenagers in the house, and with our desire to live debt-free, this was an opportunity I could not pass up. So, I am training for this work. I commit this next leg of the journey to the Lord. He knows what the future holds and why I will need this job.
June 27, 2007: My daughter is safely home from her three-week mission trip to Jamaica. Boy, am I glad she is back safe and sound. She had a great time and built lots of relationships with people.
July 20, 2007: God is so good! This week I have stressed and worried over the costs I have acquired getting ready for the two conventions I am speaking at. Books to be printed, booth details to work out, lodging, and oh so much more. Today, God showed himself big time to me. I'll share more as I see how everything unfolds.
August 3, 2007: The conventions are over. They were wonderful experiences. I met some truly sweet people and booked a few more speaking engagements. God is slowly, but surely, opening doors.
My husband's Jeep died again. This time for good. We are now up against a wall as to what to do regarding vehicles.
August 17, 2007: Still no developments with the vehicle situation. My husband borrowed a truck two weeks ago and that is how he has been getting to work. He will return it this weekend. Our sixteen year old daughter started her first job today. So, we're faced with the decision of whether or not to be a one-car family for a while and figure out how to juggle Dan getting to work and Kayla getting to work or going into debt for a vehicle when we know the budget can't swing a car payment. Could be this is why the part-time job for me became available. We're seeking God's will whole-heartedly.
September 1, 2007: We sold the Jeep AS IS because it was going to cost too much to repair it and we just were not confident that repairing it was the best choice for our family. Praise the Lord someone bought it who works on Jeeps! Now we are on a quest for a replacement vehicle for Dan and Kayla's first car. Oh, and today my dryer broke! :)
September 4, 2007: I went to the doctor today and got in trouble for my weight gain. I have been convicted about it, but it seemed that nothing worked. She suggested that I try Weight Watchers and get a stationery bike. So, that's what I'm going to do.
September 5, 2007: We were able to get a replacement vehicle for my husband today. Praise the Lord!
September 25, 2007: Yesterday I spoke to a group in South Georgia. I traveled alone and spent the night in a hotel alone. It was truly a neat experience. I enjoyed the time of quiet...although I did come in to find my hotel room unlocked and the door partially ajar. After searching behind the curtains, under the beds, in the closets, and behind the shower curtain, I figured out that I was the culprit. I forgot to pull the door tight all the way when I left for my meeting. :)
October 1-5, 2007: We went on a much needed vacation this past week to our favorite spot on the Gulf Coast of Florida. It was wonderful!
October 14, 2007: I began working with the Middle School girls at my church this week. I am usually in my homeschool community, so working with this group of girls was definitely a step of faith and a leap out of my comfort zone/ homeschool bubble.
December 2007: Well, the year is at a close. It has been an eventful one, to say the least. God has been good and he has blessed our family in so many ways. He has also shown me ways that we need to improve. So, those are the things we are going to work on for 2008. My goal is for us to draw closer to the Lord and nearer to each other all the while reaching out to the world. I love my Middle School girls at church...branching out has been so good for me. It has helped me to see the hurts that are out there. You don't have to go outside the walls of the church to find the world, that's for sure. Also, I have lost the 20 pounds that I set as my year-end goal. So...yay God!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
