2017 In Summary

Christmas Tree

How do you sum up 2017? Hard? Difficult? Lonely? Trying? Eventful? Perhaps you faced a lot of changes or challenges. Maybe it was a year of renewal and inspiration. Even a season of prosperity.

I don’t typically think of a “word for the year” unless it comes to me in contemplation or prayer, or maybe out of the blue, and it feels right.

At the end of 2015 my husband asked if my art tablet was nearby. Now I do NOT draw but I like to doodle.

“It’s in the other room. Why?”

He shrugged. “Just wondering.”

That evening we were in the living room with friends talking and watching TV — yes at the same time. I was drawing in the tablet and I wrote the word Freedom.

My husband leaned forward. “I was going to tell you to write that word and draw around it.”

It seemed Freedom was on God’s heart for 2016.

For 2017, I wrote the word Peace. The Lord continues to bring us to places of freedom and peace in this season of our lives. And I am grateful.

I’ve dubbed 2017 the year of family. I’ll give you the run down.

January — My maternal grandmother died at 102 years and seven months. It was good to see the extended family at her funeral and remember her together. Even cousins from my dad’s side came to honor her. Also, my husband’s sister and her husband moved down to spend time with my mother-in-law. We’ve not had this much family in our neck of the woods for over 17 years!

I started a new book, The Love Letter. Our “girl” Cassie came for a few days. She’s not technically ours but we like to claim her.