Mondays

 Here I am with my annual blog about how I am going to write more this year! Yes, I’ve said it before and I’ll probably say it again next year. But, right now, I have the intention to write every Monday as part of my Monday morning routine. At this point it seems sustainable with my schedule. So, I’m hopeful that it will stick this year! 

2022 was a busy year and it seems like it just flew by! Work seemed to be the dominant factor of my days, but I had some other great things that happened, too! 

I went back to Guatemala and was grateful for another opportunity to serve and learn while I was there. I met some really great people and was grateful for that as well as the time in Guatemala. I had thought about going back in 2023, but it doesn’t seem to be working out. But, I am at peace with that, even if I don’t go back. Before, I felt strongly that I had to go again. Now, I’m ok either way. That, I believe, is God working in my life and directing my path. I’ll wait to see what He has planned for me next!

I had been working with tweens a bit before last year, but with Covid, it became sporadic. In 2022, I was able to dive deeper into that part of my life and am now doing monthly tweens, coordinating youth Sunday School, and this past Sunday we started confirmation! I feel excited whenever I start working on youth ministry stuff and have realized that even though it’s not my full- time job, God is not done using me in this calling yet! I’m so glad because I love it!

I am now less than a year away from finishing school for my certificate. It won;t really get me much further in my career, but I’m really enjoying it anyway! I’m learning a lot and having fun connecting with people who are in the same field. Recently, my professor asked me if I would get one of my assignments copyrighted so that he can distribute it to others. It’s a dating guidebook for neurodivergent people. I’m excited that an assignment wasn’t just something to do, but rather something that can be useful to others! Once school is back in session, I’ll get that done. 

As I look back on the year and ask myself “where did I see God?”, I almost have to ask where didn’t I see Him? He was everywhere! In my jobs, in my family, in my classes, in my church, and volunteering, I was blessed to experience the presence of God. 

As I look to the year ahead, I am excited about the possibilities! My word for the year is “FOCUS”. I tend to be doing a million things at once and sometimes that works out. Other times, not so much. This year, I want to be focused, to be present, and to be intentional in what I’m doing. More on my word and the plans around it in my next blog!

I will say that this practice of writing where I have seen God will be part of focusing. If I’m focused on looking for God, in experiencing God, in listening to God (by the way listen was my word last year and it really popped up more than expected- even in my classes! I even had to take a test on listening!) then taking time to write about it weekly will be a good reminder to continue those practices. I also plan to focus more on Sabbath time. Monday mornings will be a part of that Sabbath time. I can’t do an entire day because of circumstances. But, there is a method to how I’ve chosen when to do my Sabbath time- which is coming soon in a blog about Sabbath! I’m doing an interesting podcast/ study that is helping me learn and understand some things! 

I’d love to hear from you and find out what your word for the year is, where you have seen God lately, and anything else you want to share!

Where did I see God today? Listening to my podcast this morning helped me out some things in perspective and helped me start figuring out my Sabbath journey and where I need to start. And, that’s right here- writing this blog!

Blessings,

Jennifer