Christmas decorations, except the nativity, are down at our house (I just love mine so much). We’ve stuffed ourselves with all the celebratory treats we can. And, we’re itching to return to routine living. If you follow over on my Facebook page, you might have seen that I recently asked folks about their word of the year. That seems to be a big thing lately. Instead of resolutions, one chooses a word to focus on for the year. Do you have one? Mine is “deliverance.” A friend told me it sounds foreboding. Intense. Maybe a little scary. And, maybe it is.

But the second half of 2016 felt tiresome to me. I became buried under the weight of some struggles, both mental and physical, that I need deliverance from. There’s no sugar-coating here. Life’s hard sometimes, this side of heaven. So, I’ll be praying and trusting that God will, in his infinite wisdom and compassion, deliver me from these strongholds.

In addition to choosing a word, I’m holding tight to a verse of Scripture that keeps my heart focused on this need.

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs u; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
— Isaiah 43:19

In Other [BIG] News…

I’ve been SO thrilled and thankful for the warm reception from readers of the Blue Ridge University Series short stories. November and December’s stories were so fun to write and share with many of you. Those stories will resume in February. For January’s newsletter, going out January 10, I’m taking a break from story telling and instead reporting some news. Some big news. Some really exciting, life-changing news.

This inner-circle of newsletter readers and supporters mean everything to me. You are my biggest cheerleaders, and for that I’ll confide in your first. Want to be part of the fun and secret telling? SUBSCRIBE HERE before January 10.

— GIVEAWAY —
One NEW subscriber will get a $10 Amazon gift card!

I can’t wait to spill the beans. EEK!