13 Comments

1. 

   laurafrantz on January 2, 2015 at 2:14 pm

   test ~ HUGE apology for my readers who are having trouble leaving comments! My web manager is working on it! Thank you.

2. 

   Gabrielle Meyer on January 3, 2015 at 6:37 am

   A lovely phrase to focus on in 2015, Laura. I read your response to Michelle above and I’ve thought often of you in the past couple of years and held you close in thoughts and prayers. Though I don’t know the extent of your struggles, I’m so thrilled to know they have passed and you are hearing a new song. As a writer, that will translate into beautiful stories for the rest of us to savor.

   For me, 2014 was one of my all-time favorite years for so many reasons. It had its struggles, but overall it was a year of refreshment. The biggest joy for me was that my twin boys reached an age (4) where we could finally do things we enjoy as a family without all the stress and work required from years gone by. For the first time in the ten years of parenting, I felt a bit of freedom to extend myself beyond some limits that had been in place before. I took my children on adventures to historic sites and places I had always dreamed of taking them. My hubby and I were able to get away on two wonderful trips to Florida and California this year, and I went to ACFW with much less hassle. We were able to go boating as a family (one of our favorite activities), and so many other things. I received some answers health-wise that had baffled me for the past ten years, and I feel we’ve turned a new leaf in that regard. And last, but definitely not the least, I signed my first two writing contracts. My word for 2014 had been hope, from Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to give you HOPE and a future…”

   The word that God laid on my heart for this year isn’t one I’m too fond of…discipline. I’m finding it increasingly more important that I learn how to discipline my life in every area. I’m disciplined in certain things, but I need to work on others (exercising, sleep, eating, time management). *sigh* I know God has a lot planned for me (as He showed me last year), but now He’s requiring me to be disciplined so I can do the work He’s entrusted me to do.

   Praying your new song will echo joyfully throughout 2015 and beyond.

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     laurafrantz on January 2, 2015 at 2:11 pm

     Gabrielle, I so hear you about discipline. That’s something I am always working on, remembering the fruit of the Spirit is self-control. The longer I’m writing the more I’m learning about how to do that. Amazing what publishing teaches us:)!

     Love the recap of your year here. You’ve had some wonderful things happen and some very challenging things plus the desires of your heart were so evident in being fulfilled this year. I’m still swoony over your debut cover ~ and can’t wait to see your second one!

     We’ve been watching home videos at night of when the boys were 3-4 and we just about keel over in retrospect, lol. We’d forgotten HOW MUCH energy they had at that age ~ and how tired we were! 4 is a real corner-turner as far as attention span and transitioning from being babyish to boyish. I’m so glad you have more time and they are more independent and ‘takeable’ regarding those trips. What wonderful memories you’re making as a family!

     Thrilled to welcome a new year with you. It will be wonderful with God at the helm.

3. 

   Ashley on January 3, 2015 at 10:24 am

   I love your words for this year!

   This is actually my first year doing a word and I actually have three. They are Faith, Courage, and Adventure. Adventure to remind me to go and try new things. Courage to give me the strength for the Adventure and Faith that God is always there with me and knows what is best for me. And, even if I don’t have an “Adventure” this year, Life is really just one big Adventure with an eternal Destination. 🙂

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     laurafrantz on January 2, 2015 at 2:01 pm

     Ashley, You have a poet’s soul:) Love how you said, “Life is just one big Adventure with an Eternal destination.” Beautiful! Not long ago on Pinterest I came across a pin that seemed tailor-made for me as I am not into risk-taking except with writing. It read, “The difference between an ordeal and an adventure is your attitude.” The Lord often brings that to mind now when I balk at something or am tempted to complain. LOVE your adventurous spirit! I think the Lord will honor your courageous attitude. It’s a real joy to journey along with you.

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       Ashley on January 4, 2015 at 6:18 am

       Aw! Thank you for your sweet comments! As someone who writes poetry occasionally, your compliment meant a lot to me. 🙂

       What a wonderful quote! I will definitely be remembering that throughout this year. Thank you for sharing it with me!

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         laurafrantz on January 4, 2015 at 11:27 am

         Love that you’re a poet, Ashley:) It shows. Thank YOU for being such a gracious kindred spirit. Praying His best blessings for you in 2015!

4. 

   Mary Jill Coombs on January 5, 2015 at 2:41 am

   My new word for 2015 is Preeminence. That is my gift to my Lord this year in answer to the question “what should I Give? Last year I would say lOVINGKINDNESS Which is the Hebrew word Hesed which has many meanings one of which I also love-LOYALTY God bless you in the New Year Laura

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     laurafrantz on January 5, 2015 at 4:20 pm

     Oh, Mary Jill, love, love your new word ~ preeminence. I imagine it has layers of meaning. Love your question (and heart) regarding it even more! I am a little bit acquainted with HESED, thanks to Beth Moore and her last Bible study. It has a delightfully rich sound, too, which leaves me wondering if the whole Hebrew language is that way. Which makes me think how much I’d enjoy going to the Holy Land.

     Thank you for joining me for another year here. You are a true blessing!

5. 

   Michelle on January 5, 2015 at 2:52 am

   A new song, I really like that Laura, it’s lovely.

   You know, for a great many reasons, 2014 is a year I’d rather forget, I’m glad to see it ending. (And I’ve said that about each of the last 5 years.) So for me, I think 2015 is all about “a new beginning.” So many changes for me near the end of this year, which you know. So I am looking forward to what 2015 has in store for me.

   Happy New Year!!

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     laurafrantz on January 5, 2015 at 4:41 pm

     Michelle, I so understand and I’m glad to have been with you in spirit through some of those challenges, or at least praying. When I was writing this post I thought about sharing more about how difficult the last couple of years have been for me though like you, I don’t talk about it much. I will say that the last 6 months have been the happiest of my life. And I don’t think they would have been that sweet had I not experienced some trials beforehand so I hope you’re encouraged. You are a gem of a friend and I think ‘a new beginning’ holds A LOT for you. I can’t wait to see what the Lord has in store. Happy New Year to you, too!

6. 

   Bonnie Edenfield on January 6, 2015 at 10:50 am

   Happy New Year, Laura!

   Thanks for sharing your heart. All of us have seasons of struggles , but also of blessings. I am thankful for all of them because it is through the struggles that we grow & learn to trust God more. Like you, I have learned that God is a very personal God, interested in every detail of our lives.

   I noted that one of your favorite devotionals is Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. It is one of my favorites, also. A couple of years ago,I was going through an exceptionally dark time. During that year I was reading Jesus Calling, and the Holy Spirit spoke to me a number of times as I read it, encouraging me and helping me through the difficult times. It seemed I had several very important private meetings with Jesus through that book.

   I pray God will pour rivers of living waters over you this year as you write. In doing so, we – your readers – will also get the refreshment from those waters.

   Thank you, sweet sister in Christ, for allowing God to use you, change you & produce lasting fruit for him during your writing.

   I love you & your writing!

   Bonnie Edenfield

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     laurafrantz on January 8, 2015 at 7:23 pm

     Dear Bonnie, What beautiful words ~ like a benediction poured over me/us here! Bless you for sharing your heart. You know, I always struggle with these dark times and yet they are just as you say – in them we grow and learn to trust God more and find Him ever more personal and involved with us.

     Your experience with Jesus Calling was much like mine. I kept feeling certain readings were written with me in mind and I was so grateful He came near. Brokenness can be a beautiful thing.

     So thankful you have a heart for my books. That touches me more than I can say and gives me that needed inspiration and encouragement as I build on the 25,000 words I’ve written for you with this new one I’m working on. Bless you and love you right back, dear Bonnie E!