How do you prepare for the New Year?

Hello! I pray you had a wonderful Christmas and are still enjoying the blessings of the season. His love and provision amaze me.  I’m thankful for a job that allows for me to enjoy the week following Christmas too. With my author hat on, the Dunkin Donuts coffee brewed, and the ideas racing in my head ~ I retreat to my writer’s cottage. (aka – my space)

Each day as I start to write I pray for God’s leading and blessing in all I write, speak, and share.  This morning the Lord blessed me with Psalm 19:14, “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Wow…This is my prayer everyday as I venture into the world of author and speaker. Can you think of anything better than everything we say, think and feel being “pleasing” in God’s sight. I can’t.

With the New Year in a few days I have noticed a common theme from advertisements on the television and radio to the blogs I follow. It is the time of year when most reflect, contemplate, and make a plan for the coming year. I am no different. In years past I have listed my goals for the year. My goals have ranged from losing twenty pounds to some virtual impossible transformation in my home or life.

Last year I was inspired to select one-word and a Scripture verse for the year. It took me most of January to determine each but I did and the reward was far beyond anything I could have imagine. My word and verse appeared in the most bizarre places and each time, I was blessed. A new, New Year’s tradition has been birthed. If you’ve never thought of this, I encourage you to. This coming Sunday and Monday I will reveal my one-word and Scripture for 2012.

In addition I made a list of my writing goals. I gave a copy to my parents, my husband, and placed them strategically throughout the house and my notebooks so I wouldn’t lose sight of my goals. With the exception of a book contract for Where’s Heidi? The Search Begins, I achieved my 2011 goals. This year I will list my writing goals once again and I know the publication of this book will be on the top of the list.

Writing is joyful and inspiring. The publication process requires patience and heart, both of which the Lord has been doing a mighty work in my life. We celebrated our 18th Christmas without my sister, the same number of Christmases we celebrated with her. As I look to my goals for 2012, I pray to keep HOPE in my heart. Hope for Heidi, for Healing, and for God’s will on my writing and speaking. May my goals, lists, dreams, and life glorify Him.

“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14