One Word 2022

I had never heard of One Word until I attended Bible study at Ada Bible. However, it turns out that this isn’t just a Christian thing. But for this (and I would guess most) Christian it is typically a little different because I tend to anchor our word with a Bible verse.

So, what exactly is One Word? I have seen many things but it comes down to this overall concept: To change anything in your life you need to focus and picking one word, with God’s help, to focus on and have clarity about for the year will bring you that change.

To be honest, I do not think I have ever really used it the way I should through the years of picking a word. Because, it has gotten hard. Not just hard but Satan pushing in ways that break me and I have allowed him to win over the years. And then, I finish the year without any focus on my word, or much of anything to be honest.

And the worst part is I never even realized it, until this year. Here we are only 18 days into the new year. My word is picked. My verse is picked. I have started and stuck with a new habit of writing scripture out each day. I am leading a Bible study and attending two other Bible studies. I have been doing well, to the outside world.

And yet, my word, which happens to be Fulfilled, is no where in site. My home life is in chaos. My desire to draw closer to God through scripture writing and Bible reading and studying isn’t there. Yes, I am doing both of them. Yes, I am getting in depth with both of them. Yes, I pray for God to light a fire within me for His Word. And still, so many things are going wrong.

Do you want to know what all of these things are telling me? Satan is working overtime my life. This has got to be a fabulous year that I will be feeling Fulfilled in all aspects of my life. I mean, normally the devil gives me a little bit of time. Typically I am pretty focused on the word for a good 4-6 months and then it goes downhill. And here we are not even out of January and I am being hit hard.

My favorite hat says, “Not Today Satan” and I often say it out loud. I even, at times, open a door or window and tell him to get outta my house!

So, what if you want to give up making resolutions and just focus on One Word for your year? How do you decide on a word? How do you even begin or know where to start?

There are a lot of blogs out there and websites that have lists of words to help you get started. But this is what I have done.

1. What went on in the past year? Was there something that really stood out that I wasn’t happy with?
2. I typically have a couple words in mind at this point and I pray over them. I flat out ask God to give me a clue as to what word I need in my life. Where do I need to focus so I know it is coming from Him and not me.
3. Once my word is chosen I start digging into Bible verses. Sometimes they have the word in it and sometimes it does not but it hints at it.
4. I write both the word and the verse down. Commit it to my heart. This year I also committed it to God that I would focus on this all year and not allow other things to get in my way.
5. I share it. I don’t have to but I am hoping it will help with the commitment to keep it in my forefront all year long. When you have an accountability partner who can say, “Hey what has God done with you and being fulfilled lately?”

Are you going to pick a word for the year? I would love to hear what yours is!

Coming Home

As a believer living in a this world it is easy to become jaded and miss what gifts God blesses me with daily. I accepted Jesus Christ into my heart and each day I have the Holy Spirit who is giving me the guidance I need to navigate this broken world. But there are still times that my focus is on this world and not Christ.

Luke 15:20-24

When I wake up each day I try and start by give thanks, praise, and gratitude to God. It doesn’t matter if it is something simple like being able to wiggle my toes or if it is something huge like having a roof over my head. I find when I start my day with giving thanks I focus on the good things just a little longer. 

But as each day goes on, I tend to lose site of Jesus. I rush around trying to accomplish all the things on my to-do list, which is never ending. I become impatient as the person in front of me on the road is going 5 MPH slower than the speed limit. I ask my family to do something and then I have to ask again, and again, and again. And by that point I am frustrated, impatient, and yelling. I get overwhelmed with trying to keep appointments, meals, plans, and life all straight and in order. 

And at the end of each night when I crawl into bed and reflect upon my day, more often than not I am not proud of who I was, what I thought, the words I said, or even what I accomplished. 

At the end of each night, Jesus embraces me.

Then I look up and I see the Father running towards me. His arms wide open, tears streaming down His face. When He reaches me He embraces me. He is filled with love, compassion, hugs, and kisses. And once again He says, “We must celebrate with a feast! For you, my child, were dead and has now returned to life. You were lost, and now you are found.”

I am reminded that Jesus is the way and the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father except through Him. That nothing I do will make Him love me less and nothing I do will make Him love me more. But thankfully each day, I am able to start over because of God’s grace and I get to come home to Him and so do you.

Luke 15:20-24 (NLT)
“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.

“But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

Lamentations 3:22-24

Lamentations 3:22-24 (NLT)
The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” 

When Fruits and Veggies Are Not What You Think

I rang across this article that talks about how different food is today than it was in the past.

To be honest, I already knew this and it was probably because I was really privileged and at a lot fresh foods from gardens growing up. But, the truth is there is way more to it than just that.

My grandparents and parents got twice as much nutrition from some fruits and veggies as my kids and I are getting these days. TWICE AS MUCH! That makes my heart hurt. Especially since I have been so sick and then learning that the best way to fight illness and disease is fruits and veggies.

I have not always made the healthiest choices and because of that neither have my children. But, about 4ish years ago I made some major life changes. I started to eat whole food nutrition daily. I started to cut back on processed foods and sugars. And, truth be told, I thought that I was probably doing enough because I was eating more fresh foods.

Turns out I wasn’t doing as much as I could or should. And that makes me sad. Still, with all that being said I am now currently doing all I can and more for my family, daily.

That was when, after 8 years of watching a friend eat their daily capsules and chews I started my family on them. It has been life-changing. When you are immune deficient, it is scary. When you are allergic or sensitive to a lot of foods and some of those are put into medications, it is scary. When doctors run out of options for you, it is scary.

I recall going into my general practitioner’s office and trying to hold back the tears. She has been doing everything she could to help me and that included sending me to specialists. I am forever grateful for everyone who has ever taken time to listen and treat me because I am a very unique case and I know this. But I sat in her office and when she walked through the door the flood gates pushed open and I could not prevent the tears from flowing.

Each specialist either wanted me to try another new pill, have testing done I had already had done, and/or see another specialist. I didn’t think I could handle much more.

It wasn’t that long after that moment when I did give up and went to eating what Dana was eating daily. We have had some amazing developments since that time. Healing has occurred in many areas for me and is still happening inside of me. My children don’t miss nearly as much school (which if I am being honest, Jack David HATES). We have been able to take vacations because of not missing school and me not being as sick.

It has been pretty amazing. So, if you are curious as to what we are eating daily, I will gladly share it with you! The link is below. I also am going to share the article that talks about broccoli and how it was twice as nutritious 50 years ago. Why? Because education is so important for those we are currently living and those who have yet to be born!

This is scary in our day and age, especially with the flu and coronavirus spreading like they are! Do you want to read the article or learn about how I am getting more fruits and veggies into my kiddos and myself? Click here

Do you want to read the article? Click here.

You Have To Be Resilient To Make It Through Life

The problem is so many people think and feel they should not have any difficulty going through life. The solution is we have to be willing to learn to be resilient because difficulty does exist.

Life is hard and I have been through my fair share of difficulties. Unless you are in my inner circle or personally in my life you probably do not know most of what I have dealt with and how I have overcome it.

The key though is I am resilient. I am emotionally resilient. I am physically resilient. I am mentally resilient. I am resilient.

I am pretty sure I have been most of my life but I didn’t always acknowledge it. But, if I am not willing to acknowledge that I do get knocked out and that there is something inside me that helps me get back up, I am truly missing out on helping others!

What is the hardest thing you have gone through? A partner cheating? Sexual abuse from someone you knew? Rape from someone you knew or even someone you didn’t know? A divorce? Abuse in a marriage or relationship? Financial ruin? Self-abuse?

The list of things is endless, how you respond is not.

I am a hot air balloon. I can be high up in the sky and see God’s artwork, which I am a part of and I can be down deflated on the ground where no one can see me but those who are close. But no matter where I am, I have the potential to fly high and go far, I just have to light my resilient fire.

Have you had times where you have no idea how you are going to keep on going? Maybe you are on the ground now and need help getting your fire lite again. Ask to join my inner circle by clicking here!

The Purpose Of Proverbs

I started using the NLT version a lot more when I am using the YouVersion app.

Today in my 90 days of reading through the Bible I got to Proverbs and this just hit me. The Purpose of Proverbs!

It is beautiful…

“Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise.” We are so blessed! Have you ever thought about how in the old testament times they didn’t have the Holy Spirit in them. They had to memorize everything! Most days I can’t recall what I ate for breakfast how in the world am I going to memorize the O.T.?! And yet, we are so blessed! God left us this amazing gift, the Bible. It is God-breathed. It is His love letter to us. He wants us to be wise and He has left this wisdom for us to use and learn from.

“Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser.” Lord, I know I have so much room for growth and I am not as wise as I should and could be. Please use Your words to seep into my soul. Gift me with knowledge and wisdom and allow me to feel Your Holy Spirit within the depths of my soul. ~ Amy

Do you love learning? Do you love the Bible and discovering new things you hadn’t see before? Did anything jump off the page at you? Would you like to join my inner circle? Click here to do that!

Do You Know Your Temperament?

Because I’m very curious, tell me what temperament your top two are. If you don’t know here is a link to a quiz for it: Temperament Quiz

Now some people feel this one is spot on and others feel it seems to be wrong and off. I did my first test a long time ago and this one gave me the same results as I had gotten back then!

So, tell me, what are your top two temperaments? Are you Sanguine? Are you Melancholy? Are you Choleric? Are you Phlegmatic?

The Ebb and Flow of Marriage Sometimes Needs Some Guidance

All relationships have ebb and flow! I don’t think arming yourself with tools is a bad thing.

Currently Jack and I are doing this thing at church called, “Connect”. At first it was learning about your temperament. Which was really interesting. I had learned mine a LONG time ago. I had used it for a time to learn about myself but I stopped. I became the know it all teen who knew better than everyone else in the world. And yet, here I am 30+ years later using it again.

Now we are learning how to do intentional dialogue. Let me bare my soul here —> I suck at it! No joke. I realized something very interested and it came to me and I had never realized it before. We were doing our first of 2 practices (we were encouraged to do 2, 10 minute dialogues before this next Sunday because we are doing it in our small group). We were encouraged to pick something really light and easy just to practice. 

Jack picks something about his work. I did okay (I think) on the mirroring part. Then when we got to the other parts I lost it. I would dare say we were probably at 1:30 of our 10 minutes and the tears started to flow. Jack held his hand out and told me to take it. I put my hand in his and that is when it hit me, the thought I had never had before, when I do not understand how to do something from beginning to end and when I can’t do something perfect, I get frustrated and I cry. 

I had never realized that before. And boy am I good at it! I rock the crying when I have frustration. It was this eye opening moment and it all came from him talking about his work and me not understanding how to do this intentional dialogue! 

Anyway, I do believe having tools to help relationship are great. So I do love reading suggestions for how to make things work or better or even how to make it through the ebb and flow of daily life! I found this article and I really do like what they suggest. Maybe you will too. Here Are 11 Tips To Keep Your Marriage Fresh!

Want to connect with me in my inner circle? Click here.

Gossip Is The Problem and People Are The Solution

Gossip is the problem and people are the solution.

I am sure you have been in this situation before because we all have. I was sitting in a restaurant and overheard the table next to me talking. I know, I can hear it now, that’s the pot calling the kettle black, you should not have been listening to them talk, it was a private conversation, and I realize all of this. Still, when my ears catch a word, I struggle to turn them off. And when you are in public anyone can hear anything you say.

She was talking about a friend. She wasn’t lifting her up. I would dare say that Susan really wasn’t a friend of hers!

I am the solution to gossip. I’m working hard to change my mindset so I am confident with who I am.

I once heard a story about a feathered pillow that went like this, “My mom held a feather pillow and said, ‘If I tear this open, the feathers will fly to the four winds, and I could never get them back in the pillow.”

I encourage you to keep your pillows together because you never know when you will need to lay your head down.

Do you want to learn solutions to combat gossip in your life? Click this link to be invited to my inner circle: http://bit.ly/LifeSynergyInnerCircle

Make Your Own Sleeping Balm And Change Your Days

This world is busy and our brains have a hard time shutting off. I have started using a homemade sleeping balm on my feet and wrists to help me shut it off.

I know you have been there! You want to sleep and your eyes are burning. You climb into bed and can not wait to drift off to sleep. And you get all snuggled in and it seems that your brain didn’t get the memo that the rest of your body did. You think about everything that went on that day. You think about everything you didn’t accomplish that day. You think about conversations you had, what you could have said instead, what was left unsaid. And the thoughts just keep on coming.

Wouldn’t it be great if you could help your brain shut off? Wouldn’t it be great if you could do it and it was natural and not harmful to your body? The good news is there is something and it is natural and you can make it!

When your brain is the clown car and the clowns just keep on coming out. Sometimes, you have to slam the door to stop the madness.

Are you ready to help yourself relax and to shut your brain down naturally? Give a shout out and ask to be added to my inner circle so you can have the recipe!

Gluten-Free Sandwich Bread Recipe

Bread is amazing but if you have celiacs or even a sensitivity to gluten, you can feel as if your life is over!

I have a great solution for you. It is a gluten-free sandwich bread recipe that is to die for! It is soft, it is moist, it is amazing.

But it does take some work! Are you up for it? Ask to join my inner circle for the recipe! I am only giving my recipe away in my FB group!