It’s that time again. Time to bid farewell to another year and welcome in the new one. This is my annual post of reflection and expectations.
Word for the Year: As my regular readers know, every December I ask God for a word or words for the coming year. For 2008, the words He gave me were Intimacy and Devotion: Intimacy with God and Devotion in Prayer. I’m not sure I realized all He wanted for me to learn in those two words during 2008, but He proved Himself faithful as my Instructor. Two examples:
- First, I decided (obviously after God decided) to do another Beth Moore Bible study, this one called Stepping Up: A Journey Through the Psalms of Ascent . Turns out that the overriding theme (at least for me) was deepening my intimacy with the Father and definitely a devotion to prayer.
- And second, I was asked to read a new Bible study for endorsement. I have done three Bible studies by the authors before and loved them, so I didn’t even ask for the title (if it was ever mentioned, it went in one ear and out the other). Imagine my excitement when the study arrived and I saw what the subject/title was: Live Intimately: Lessons from the Upper Room . Through a totally unexpected means, He gave me more lessons in intimacy.
And now to reveal my words for 2009:
Press in/Press on. Press in to Jesus and Press on in the faith.
I pray that when I do a recap on December 31, 2009, I’ll be able to say I soaked in the lessons He had for me.
Bible Reading: I read through the New Testament three times in 2008. For twelve years, I’ve alternated years of reading through the whole Bible (odd years) and then reading the New Testament three or four times (even years). But beginning in 2009,
I’m going to slow things down. For Christmas this year I received the new NLT Study Bible (Tyndale). This is a wonderful study Bible with a “ton” of study helps. (Not only that, it is available for Logos software, both PC and Mac.) It has a reading plan to take five years to go through the Bible, not just reading the Scripture text but going deeper in studying the meaning, history, etc. I believe I’ll alternate Old and New Testament books.
My Novels Released in 2008:
- The Perfect Life (Thomas Nelson, March 2008)
- Wagered Heart (Zondervan, June 2008)
- Bundle of Joy (Steeple Hill, Oct 2008)
Books I Worked on in 2008 (includes writing new manuscripts, revising, line edits, copy edits, and page proofs, any or all):
Wagered Heart (2008)
- Bundle of Joy (2008)
- When Love Blooms (2009)
- A Vote of Confidence (2009)
- Fit To Be Tied (2009)
- Untitled novella (unscheduled)
- AWTTW preliminary work (2010)
Favorite Books I Read in 2008:
- Rhett Butler’s People by Donald McCaig
- The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
- Try Dying by James Scott Bell
- Marley & Me by John Grogan
- The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner
- Abraham Lincoln: a man of Faith & Courage by Joe Wheeler
- Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
Favorite Movies I Saw in 2008 (in theaters or DVD):
- Marley & Me
- Enchanted
- John Adams (mini-series)
- Bella
- The Kite Runner
- Martian Child
- Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium
- Duchess of Duke Street (mini-series)
- 3:10 to Yuma (2007 version)
Other Notes from 2008:
- Using fun yarn, I knitted ten scarves for the women in my brainstorming group. It was such great fun to give those to them. I prayed for the recipient of each one as I worked, and it became a blessing to me and, I hope, to them.
- Two of my grandchildren turned 16, and one of them took driver’s education and will soon have her license. Yikes!
- I started using Facebook & Twitter. Oh my!
- I bought an iPhone and love it!
- I began writing a new historical romance series, set in the early 1900’s, based on the question, “Who says a woman can’t do a man’s job?” I’ve had a great time with these women who have jobs traditionally held by men.
My Hopes for 2009:
I’m hoping the new year will be one of improved health (I’ve had some “issues” this fall), and I’m praying that God will continue to help me write books that are pleasing to Him and entertaining for my readers. May He bless this new series. I want to be ever more consistent with my exercising and more self-disciplined with my writing time.
Well, that’s enough from me. What about you? Any reflections to share? Any goals for the new year? Do you have a word or words for 2009? Please leave them in the comments section.
-rlh-
