Happy New Year faithful followers! I’m back to blogging, and I could not be more excited!!! I have so much to share with you. It’s been a little over a year since I have written.  2017 was a year of submitting to The Lord and being gentle and quiet. It was the most challenging year of my life. When The Lord asks you to be quiet be prepared to learn. He will begin to speak and show you things about yourself that you never knew. I feel like a new me has emerged from the ashes, and I am so much better from having gone through the valley with the faithfulness of The Lord by my side.  If there is anything I desire for you to take away from this post…it’s that our God is FAITHFUL. He WILL see you through your darkest hour, and you WILL be STRONGER and CLOSER to our Creator than you ever were before. Trust Him!

In the fall, when I was at my lowest point, my sister invited me to a Women’s Retreat in Wimberley, TX. I am so grateful I said yes and went. The message spoken to all of the women present was the beginning of the turning point for me and where The Lord IS leading me…it’s where He is leading all of us if we will ARISE and GO. “Moses my servant is dead. Now arise, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give them –to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses” Joshua 1:2-3. I love how God calls Joshua to action. The Israelites were stuck…not moving forward. They had been encircling their problems instead of encircling their promises. What an ah-ha moment for me. I was just like them in my own journey. The words of hurt that had been spoken over me and my family continued to keep me stuck in the pit of despair. I was not moving forward. That is not the intention of our Lord. He wants us to move forward each new day towards our Promised Land. I love this quote that the leader of the conference spoke over us, “When we ARISE, the position and posture of our hearts change and point us to the promise.” When I looked up the definition of arise this is what I learned: Arise is a verb that means to get up, to stand, to emerge. It’s an action that we must take. Instead of focusing on our problems, we must focus on our PROMISES.

Check out these promises: “No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will NEVER leave you nor forsake you.” Joshua 1:5

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

Friends, I can attest to this truth. He never left my side this past year. He was with me through it all. He listened to me. He affirmed me. He loved me. He spoke truth over me. I am a child of God, and so are YOU! These same promises are for us all.  We can ARISE and GO.

I love how honest He is with us at the same time of sharing His promises. He is reminding us we are going to have to be STRONG and COURAGEOUS. When he called Joshua to arise, he told him not once, not twice but three times in a row to be STRONG and COURAGEOUS. The reason…because he knew it was going to be hard. “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and courageous. Be careful to obey all the laws my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do NOT be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:6-9

So that’s it…that’s the message The Lord has spoken over me. “Arise” is my word of the year. I will stand up and GO! I will be STRONG and COURAGEOUS while doing it. My verse of the year is Joshua 1:9. I even have a shirt of the year. It’s perfect. “RISE UP, TAKE COURAGE and DO IT!” Ezra 10:4 If you want one visit this link: Pure Hope Foundation. By purchasing one you will be an active part in the fight against sex trafficking and you get a darn cute shirt. It’s a WIN WIN! Will you join me?

You know I love music too. It speaks to my soul.  Take a listen to my song of the year. I hope it inspires you like it did me. You are so loved sweet friends. Keep fighting the good fight. You WILL make it to the Promised Land! I can’t wait to see you there with our Savior. He is so worthy of our PRAISE!!!  #gloryup #arise

“Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.” Psalm 105:1