The end of 2016, we found out that we would be introducing a new little life into our family, so 2017 was full of preparing to bring in a boy to the mix. We enjoyed some extra special time with the girls before the inevitable chaos of a newborn, camping at Peninsula and on a whirlwind Chicago trip.
Life slowed down substantially when Jack joined the family, and we found a completely different rhythm and balance to give everyone the care and attention needed... Honestly, we're still working on that. Simply put, we're outnumbered and outgunned, and that's not going to change anytime soon.
This fall and winter have brought more inside time than our family is used to. Luke and I love being outdoors, and we love winter adventures. Ice fishing and hiking are some of our favorite activities, but they definitely aren't baby/toddler friendly. So our yaktrax, otter sled, and auger have been momentarily replaced with play doh, spit up clothes, crayons, and flashlights. Boy, does our family like flashlights. And lanterns. And glow in the dark perler beads. And candles. They transform the mundane into the magnificent.
I think the mandatory inside time is what sparked my 2018 Word. I've seen several bloggers and friends embrace the "word of the year" for a couple years now. For those unfamiliar, this trend promotes picking a word or phrase to provide clarity and inspiration through the year. It's not a resolution, just a focus.
So, my word for 2018 is:
This fall and winter have brought more inside time than our family is used to. Luke and I love being outdoors, and we love winter adventures. Ice fishing and hiking are some of our favorite activities, but they definitely aren't baby/toddler friendly. So our yaktrax, otter sled, and auger have been momentarily replaced with play doh, spit up clothes, crayons, and flashlights. Boy, does our family like flashlights. And lanterns. And glow in the dark perler beads. And candles. They transform the mundane into the magnificent.
I think the mandatory inside time is what sparked my 2018 Word. I've seen several bloggers and friends embrace the "word of the year" for a couple years now. For those unfamiliar, this trend promotes picking a word or phrase to provide clarity and inspiration through the year. It's not a resolution, just a focus.
So, my word for 2018 is:
I've enjoyed giving some extra thought to how the word light is used, not just in the Bible but also in our everyday lives. Light is necessary for clarity, plant growth, discernment. It is directly given from God. It's the opposite of heavy. There can be "false light" in our lives. It's the first thing God talks about in the Bible!
There are so many amazing Bible verses that talk about light, and I'm hoping to focus on those especially for 2018. For now, I'll leave you with one that's especially "enlightening:"
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him,
and without him was not any thing made that was made.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."
John 1: 1-5
So, in the next 10 months, if you find yourself stuck in an elevator with me, waiting beside me for supper, or just wanting to strike up a conversation-- ask me about light! Or better yet, tell me about YOUR light. What blessings have you gotten lately? Where have you learned something new? Do your light bulbs need replacing? Watt-ever it is, I want to know.
Illuminate me!
Jennifer
