{Believe} Boldly

When the New Year comes, I always think it's a good idea to choose a word to reflect on

But, I have never done it...

...until this year 

Call it a sense

Call it a feeling

Call it a knowing

Call it the Holy Spirit 

But this year feels different than any other year 

 So, to be different I decided to choose a word 

BELIEVE

AND... I even chose a bible verse to go with it

Yay me! 

This past year I didn't think of a word 

But if I were to describe the year, it would be the year of preparation

That is what I am going to call it

It was also a year full of new beginnings, growth, and lessons learned

 And my favorite, lots of pruning of relationships, bad thinking habits & selfishness

It was both painful and joyful all at the same time knowing that pruning always leads to sweeter fruit

And all of that pain and joy was preparation for THIS year 

That is what I am BELIEVING

I am also believing that in 2016 the Lord will open up doors only He can open

I am believing for unusual miracles

I am believing my deepest desires to come true

I am believing for chains to be broken and miraculous healing

I am believing for answers to my boldest prayers

I am believing for a bigger platform to be used for His Glory

I am believing for stronger confidence and bolder faith

I am believing for my deepest dreams to be fulfilled 

And I am believing my biggest goals to be accomplished 

"What you BELIEVE about God will directly determine the legacy of your faith and your impact on the world for the Glory of God" 
- Steven Furtick 

I am believing God will show up big time in 2016
Why?
Because I want to leave a big legacy for His Glory 

Because I want to make an impact on this world
I am believing boldly because this is what I know about my God;

1) He is faithful to those who BELIEVE

Abraham never wavered in believing God's promise. 
In fact, his faith grew stronger and in this he brought Glory to God. 
He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever He promises.
Romans 4:20-21 

Keep in mind, that the Lord your God is the only God. 
He is a faithful God who keeps His promise
Deuteronomy 7:9 

 2) He is faithful to complete the good works He started

Being confident of this, He who began the good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ
Phil. 1:6 

3) He is loves to give the desires of our heart 

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart
Psalm 37:4

4)  He always gives us more than we ever dream or imagine

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine
Ephesians 3:20 

5)  He is not an ordinary God, so our lives shouldn't be either 

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth
Genesis 1:1 

 6) He is loving

For God so LOVED the world He gave His only begotten son, 
that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life
John 3:16  

All over the Bible, there are examples of ordinary people, with extraordinary BELIEF
And because of their faith, amazing things happened in their life for His Glory
This is the kind of belief I want this year

I will be a woman who believes in the promises of God
I will be a woman who believes that God will fulfill her desires
I will be a woman who believes her God is trustworthy and faithful, even if

The best part?
He promises it only takes the faith of a mustard seed
(if you don't know, they are extremely small)

Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to that mountain "move from here and there" and it will move
Matthew 17:20 

Will you join me in BELIEVING that God is able, willing and ready to make this a life-changing, extraordinary year for you too? 

My and my girls

Read more »

Stepping Into A Whole New Level of Trust

Welcome to the new In The Waiting

Since moving to Arizona July 2014, God immediately placed the theme of In The Waiting on my heart 
At first I was confused as to what this would mean 
Because, in MY life, I was perfectly comfortable with "Enjoying The Journey" 
As that was the former title of this blog 
A journey has been exactly what the Lord has been taking me on 
And learning to enjoy the journey is what He has been teaching me
So, why do I have to change something that has been comfortable the past four years?

As time went on in Arizona, God continued to stir In The Waiting in my heart
I have learned that when God continues to tell us something we cant ignore it, as much as we try
Just as seasons change, God changes us as well
We outgrow the season we are in as He calls us out of our comfort zones 
And we grow and we stretch more into the person God created us to be
He challenges us to go higher and deeper in trusting Him

So, after a year and a half of wrestling, doubt, prayer, excitement, provision, and more prayer
I have decided to start In The Waiting
Call it a blog
Call it a ministry
Call it a blog ministry 
Maybe even a book one day 
Whatever the case, I am stepping into a whole new deeper level of TRUST
And I hope you will step with me

Here is a little bit more background of my story In The Waiting 

Let me take you back to one night in October 2011
I was weary, unmotivated and frustrated with how my life was going
I had little passion, no purpose and no direction for my life 
I knew in that moment I had to let go of control 
So I prayed, "Lord, I surrender"

I had no idea that that one little prayer would lead me on a path I never imagined
Since that very night the Lord has placed dreams and visions in me I never knew existed
He has taken me on an adventure I never dreamed of
He has answered prayers better than imagined
{You can read more about my journey to Arizona HERE}

Here is the thing I have learned through this journey He has me on; 

We all have dreams

We all have longings

We all have desires

And if our hearts are surrendered to Him, then we can be confident that He WILL fulfill them
And God has been so faithful to answer some of my deepest longings and desires

 "I am sure that God Who began the good work in you will keep on working in you until the day Jesus Christ comes again" Phil 1:6 

But, I am still praying for some to be answered
And I bet YOU are, too

God LOVES to answer our prayers
He DESIRES to answer them
But here is the thing, He answers them on His own time
In His own way 

There is a saying, "when God closes a door, He always opens another one"

But sometimes we forget that there is always a hallway in between the doorways
Between the answered prayers is a time of waiting

I believe that we ALL are waiting for a prayer to be answered

I believe we ALL have desires and dreams God has put on our hearts that we are waiting for

How do we stay trusting God In The Waiting?
How do we live boldly and confidently In The Waiting?
How do we live faithfully In The Waiting?
How do we stay strong In The Waiting?
How do we continue to enjoy our journey In The Waiting?
How do we live in expectation during our moments of In The Waiting?

My hope and vision for In The Waiting is not only to share my journey, but for YOU, other women, to share your journey of In The Waiting, too

A place to share moments of vulnerability, weakness and growth

A place to share moments of great JOY, celebration, and gratitude

A place to share encouragement, wisdom and support

Let's empower each other to live boldly and confidently, with GREAT expectation while In The Waiting

Read more »

Embracing the Year Ahead {2016}

A New Year brings much expectation and excitement this time of year

And even from the beginning, God designed seasons for our lives
Change of seasons is a necessary, and biblical, process for growth
To move forward into the greater purpose of our lives

"As long as the earth endures, 

seedtime and harvest, 

cold and heat, 

summer and winter, 
day and night will never cease"

Gen. 8:22

Can I be honest here? Looking back at 2015, it was a tough year for me
So the change of season is very welcomed in my life

Trying to find my path in life in Arizona was not easy in 2015 

Distractions 

Lost stability

Lost vision

Lost my balance

I felt lost 

Then one day this fall, as I was literally wondering in the desert
I knew God was calling me back
He chased me down

Pursued me and guided me back to His path
Because that is what God does

 We can get lost in life sometimes

Get distracted on the wrong path

Make one wrong decision and feel completely lost 

It might be for a day or for a year

But through it all, here is what I learned;
Through our wondering
Through our confusion
Through our doubt
We might wonder for a bit
But God will never leave us wondering

He showed me more of His Grace this year than ever before 

He showed me more of His Mercy this year than ever before

He showed me more of His fierce Love this year than ever before 

And this fall, He released a passionate pursuit to bring me back

I felt Jesus more than ever before this year 

So, this year was one of the most challenging, emotionally exhausting, and physically demanding

But here is the thing, when we decide to walk with Jesus, not ONE STEP is wasted

Not a single moment, decision, or experience is wasted
Not one year is wasted when we walk with Jesus

He will use all things to work together for OUR good and HIS Glory 

"And we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

God will use 2015 to make us stronger

God will use 2015 to equip and prepare us

God will use 2015 to strengthen our testimony 

God will USE ALL things in 2015 for His Glory 

It is His promise

Today is day 2 of a new season
 I am believing for more Grace and more Mercy
Bigger blessings and bigger favor in 2016 

And so should you 

I dont know what your 2015 was like

Maybe it was the best year ever

Maybe you had a few struggles and trials 

Maybe you want to forget all of 2015

Maybe you don't remember 2015 

Whatever the case, a new season is upon us

Let us learn from the lessons of 2015 and embrace the new season with gratefulness

Let us remember the moments of 2015 and embrace the new season with an expectant heart

Let us embrace the new season knowing God is still on the throne directing, guiding, loving and preparing us for HIs Glory and His plan... which is always better than we can ever imagine

Cheers to enjoying the journey in 2016
It is going to be an amazing year ahead

Home in Arizona

Read more »