2010.

2010.  What will the year hold for me this year?

           2009 in many ways was a sad year.  My sister-in-law passed away a few months before and I was helping my brother gain bearings for his three young children at the beginning of the year.  Then precious Rebekah went to Heaven and now I am the one trying to gain my bearings.

 So here we are...2010. 

I don't make resolutions to ring in the new year. 

 However, Dale and I did decide to start walking in the morning.  Too bad it snowed this morning (wink, wink). 

I didn't cry too much when he rolled over and turned off the alarm.

I do like to theme my year, though.  I'm an organizer like that.

2007 was "Joy." 

I was struggling with some issues that I felt like was robbing my joy.  So I tried focusing on God and His definition of joy.

2008 was "Organize." 

 That meant practical things like insurance, records, etc.  But also tried to organize my prayer life and quiet time.

2009 was "Simplify." 

We needed to ruthlessly simplify our lives and I am so glad we did.  We were able to enjoy my pregnancy and the short time we had with little Rebekah.

 So I have been thinking of my word for this year.  "Hope" came to mind, but honestly I feel God has given me so much hope already. 

So, I couldn't think of anything and then I saw the word "Abide."

I like that.

 John 15:7

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

 John 15:5

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

 DEFINITION: 1 to remain, abide. 1a in reference to place. 1a1 to sojourn, tarry. 1a2 not to depart. 1a2a to continue to be present. 1a2b to be held, kept, continually. 1b in reference to time. 1b1 to continue to be, not to perish, to last, endure. 1b1a of persons, to survive, live. 1c in reference to state or condition. 1c1 to remain as one, not to become another or different. 2 to wait for, await one.

Strong, James: The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible

 I found this on another site.

• 
  
  To wait for-We as Christians need to spend much more time waiting on God. By this we mean spending time with God, seeking His will, not jumping ahead of Him.
• 
  
  To endure without yielding-To be determined to experience God's presence.
• 
  
  To bear patiently-To abide in Christ when we don't feel like it. To be patient waiting for God to reveal His will and Himself.
• 
  
  To continue in a place-We need to spend more time, staying in His presence.

It seems to be more about "being" than "doing."

I have been "doing" a lot lately. 

I think I need to just be "being" in God's presence.

We'll see..

 On another note...

Christmas came and went and God's grace was sufficient.  I was loved on by some precious women and feel refreshed for the new year.  My heart hurts, but God sent those to minister to my hurting heart and get me through the season.  I am blessed!

 I did work on a new system for scripture memorization and prayer journal.  After trying notebooks and journals, I switched to index cards on a ring.  I think I will like this better because I am one of those who doesn't write in books or her Bible, so journals seems so intimidating.  I want everything to be perfect...my handwriting, the entries, etc...I know it is a sickness=).  But with index cards, I have no remorse of tearing out a card if I mess up.  We'll see how that works=).

P.S. If by some chance that person checks this blog, thank you for leaving the beautiful flowers on Rebekah's doorway. It touched us so much!