My Word for 2015 and a Linky Party #oneword365

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!  Can you believe we're actually 15 years into the new millennium?  Why is it when you want time to go faster, it creeps by, and when you want it to slow down, it flies.  As I get older, time seems to really fly ;)

Do you have a "word" for each new year?  I didn't know I did until I began to think about it a couple of years ago.  I could look back and see different themes for prior years so, I guess, you could call that my word for the year.

My word for 2015 is ACTION.  This whole past year God has been nudging me to dream.  I don't just mean "oh that would be nice" kinda dream.  I mean d-r-e-a-m and dream BIG!  So, I did!  I began dreaming about some of my biggest goals in 2014.

That was fun!  Just thinking about what those dreams are was fun.  And exciting!  However, now that I know what those dreams are, God's encouraging me to act on those dreams.  Move toward them.  Work for them.  Knowing it may not be all fun and games, I'm going for it.

It's funny that even in our dreams, we limit ourselves and God.  We tend to dream safely, if you will.  We think if the dream doesn't work out, at least we won't be that disappointed.  I did that at first.  I was setting goals (dreams) in safe mode.  Each time that I did, God would respond, "Ok, but I'm bigger than that."  It was incredible.  He knows how to give beyond where we even know how to receive.

So, the action part.  That's what I'm moving toward this year.  Have you ever felt that you were made to do a certain thing?  That thing inside that has always been with you?  That idea of how something would be in your life because you "just knew" it would be?  Maybe it's that thing that just comes naturally to you, like making a house a home, tending to those in need, sharing a skill with others, hosting others in your home for fellowship, etc.   I have and that's what I'm acting on in 2015.

Do I think it will go smoothly?  Nope.  I'm sure there will be stumbling blocks in some areas, tasks that appear impossible, laziness and doubt on my part even.  I may even feel like giving up and want to shift into "safe mode" again.  However, my hope is to keep taking that next step, moving toward my goal.

So, who's with me?  Are you ready to act on those dreams?  Get dirty, tired, frustrated, excited, motivated, elated?  Sounds crazy doesn't it?  Have you acknowledged that b-i-g dream?  Dig deep in your heart.  Bring it to God and say, "Here it is.  You created me to be _____.  Let's do this!"  Then hang on!  Some of the ride may not look like what you had expected but I know it will be so worth it.
Stay with me this year and we'll compare notes.  Deal?

If you have a "word" for 2015 post, be sure to link up below!  If not, be sure to check out some other great blog posts for their word of the year.

Thanks for stopping by and may you be all that God has created you to be!

Angie

An InLinkz Link-up

I'm linking here:
THE STYLE SISTERS
JENNIFER RIZZO
HOME STORIES A TO Z
FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS

COMMON GROUND

HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY

FRIDAYS UNFOLDED

FEATHERED NEST FRIDAY

ONE MORE TIME EVENTS

TWIRL AND TAKE A BOW 
SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE

STONEGABLE
UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING

A DELIGHTSOME LIFE
ART IS BEAUTY

CLEVER CHICKS BLOG HOP DIY SHOWOFF IT'S OVERFLOWING

THREE MANGO SEEDS

ELIZABETH JOAN DESIGNS

WEEKEND CRAFTS

PRETTY PINTASTIC PARTY
THOUGHTS FROM ALICE
HYMNS AND VERSES
MISS MUSTARD SEED
CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT

Looking Forward to 2014

I hope you are having a great start to the New Year!  My hubby and I enjoyed an evening at home alone, a rarity but something that's becoming more common as we inch toward our empty nest years.

This post is a little different than my usual but, since it's New Year's Day, I want to share something with you all.  I recently emailed the families in my tutorial with some words of encouragement as we begin the 2nd semester.  It really can apply to more than just school.  I'm actually applying it to my blogging and Etsy business.  I thought it may encourage some of you as we begin a brand new year...full of so many possibilities.  I hope you can take something away from it.  (Sorry, I'm not sure why it's highlighted like it is.)

Hi families and tutors-

It's actually 3:00 a.m. that I'm typing this and I feel a little like Jerry Maguire.  I couldn't sleep because of these thoughts so I felt I'd better get up and begin writing them down.

We're entering January!  For us, that's like half time of a ballgame.  Time for a locker room pep talk!  Time to evaluate how this "game" is going.  Is this year going to be a blowout or is it still too close to call at this point?

We are a team.  That doesn't mean just the students are players.  Parents and tutor, we are players in this game too.  January through April generally feels like the long stretch to the end.  However, it is time to really dig in.

1 Corinthians 9:24 NIV

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Students...seventh and eighth graders, consider yourselves on the road to the playoffs.  These are important years to get you where you want to be.

Freshmen through seniors...you're in the FINAL FOUR!  So what's it going to be?

I want you to do something.  I want you to dream big.

No, big!

Really.  I mean BIG!!!

What is your big dream?  To create new machines?  Develop life-saving medicines?  To build houses?  To design beautiful things?  To bring clean water to those without?  Caring for the sick and needy?  Whomever God created you to be, go for it!

Will it be without fears or troubles or complications?  Absolutely not.  If you've seen the movie Jerry Maguire, when he woke up the next morning, why did he regret sending out his proposal to everyone?  Because he feared what they would think.  He began doubting what was in his heart by the rationale in his head.  That causes fear.  Acting on our dreams, what God has put in our hearts, won't be without fears or troubles or doubts.  We don't live in a perfect world...yet.  BUT, God does say He will be right there with us through them.  And, what's waiting on the other side of those obstacles?  Blessings!

Someone once compared what God has to bless us with and what we actually dare to receive as this.  Remember in the movie National Treasure when they finally find the storeroom with the treasures?  When they first enter, they are excited with the things they've found.  Then, they discover a trough of oil that illuminates the entire hall, revealing the vastness of the treasures.  They are blown away.  God would love to blow us away with all the blessings He has for us.   I want to take a minute to say, I'm not implying the blessings are all monetary or material things.  Some may be.  I'm simply saying God has some much more that He would delight in giving us.

Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. 

So, back to the second half of this game.  I can guarantee for some this second half will feel long and tedious.  You may question why you have to do the work you're assigned.  Does it all really matter?  Yes.  Yes it does.  

Students, we are all on the same team.  We believe in you and are here to help you get to where you want to be.  To fully be the person God created you to be.

Are you a failure if you don't get there?  Absolutely not!  Will there still be blessings from God?  Absolutely!  

Romans 8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

So, what do you say?  All in?  Ready for this second half?  I am.  I may even pull a Jerry Maguire and rethink this when I wake up.  I may think it sounds silly or someone will judge me.  I am human and we tend to let our heads lead our hearts.  However, at this moment, I'm clicking Send.  I'll talk to God about any fears I have about this when I wake up :)

Happy New Year!  God bless and thanks for stopping by!
Angie