I remember we were on our way to a local waterpark for a couple nights over Christmas break and I was asking God to give me a word for 2018. It wasn't a minute later we passed a church that had the letters H-O-P-E lit up. They were huge letters and so bright. I wish I would have taken a photo.

I'm always amazed that when I look back on the year, it always makes sense. Like when I start the year I have no clue why that's what God is telling me and yet there are confirmations always and then I look back and think 'yup, that was so right on'. 

This past year was incredibly bittersweet for me personally. We experienced life and loss this year. Little did I know that when God gave me the word 'Hope', that we were expecting baby number six, a little girl, who we named Maven Hope. Her name means "one who understands hope". I shared her amazing story on my FB page a day after she was born if you missed it and care to listen you can find the video below. It is probably the most emotional I have ever been on a live and is pretty raw, but it is such a huge part of our testimony... and all such a God story that I knew I was supposed to share it with the world. 

You can watch it here... 

A month or two after finding out we were having a little girl, Jeremy's dad's health really started to decline. He has had health problems most of his life but God had sustained him for so long regardless. But on April 24th, 2018 he went to be with Jesus.

This was by far the deepest sadness and grief I have experienced in life so far. Without turning this blog post into a book, he was one of the biggest influencers in my life and he healed my heart in such deep ways, by simply having him as my father in law. He loved me as a daughter, and it was truly God's gift to me. The cherry on top to marrying Jeremy! Ha. 

I will never forget my last conversation with him. His heart was only functioning at 15%, he could barely speak and would gasp with each breath, and yet he comforted me as I freely cried in front of him, telling him how much he has meant to me. 

He was preaching the gospel in his last waking moments. Which was so fitting as he lived and breathed all things Jesus. He had his flaws, as we all do, but was one of the most Godly men I have ever known and probably will ever know. I am holding back tears just talking about him, I miss him so much. We shared so many good conversations and I miss his presence. But knowing he is healthy, breathing at 100%, no more asthma, no crooked bones, it is incredibly comforting.

But the word Hope was so fitting for us in 2018. Our daughter brought Hope. The hope of heaven and to see Ray again one day. Hope for our future as God has been pouring out his abundance on our businesses after a long season of lack. It was the perfect word for 2018.

I feel my word for 2019 is... Purpose.

We were all created for a purpose and my desire is for everyone who comes across this blog to know it in their hearts and believe it! 

Like really believe it. You were not a mistake. You were born for a reason. You are unique. There is no one else like you! God formed every fiber of your being. You were created for a purpose.

"We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God's purpose prevails." - Proverbs 19:21

"There's an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth." - Ecclesiastes 3:1

"The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever." - Psalm 138:8

I want my life to always have purpose. I want to be intentional in my marriage. I want to purposely do things to show love to my husband and children. I want to bless and give more with purpose in 2019. I want to purposely write down my goals for the year and go after them. I want to purposely take more photos of my children...(so I joined a Project 52 group this year to help keep me accountable.)

Purpose.

I've always loved to write and I used to have a personal blog but it's been years since I've written and I felt God birthing this in me. The name. The logo. The blog entries. A new season. A new purpose to blog. I'm sure it will be a mix of things, I really don't even know as I want God to lead it. But I'm excited to write again as I feel led.

You were created for a purpose. Speak it until you believe it friends!