“We have no right to judge where we should be put, or to have preconceived notions as to what God is fitting us for. God engineers everything; wherever He puts us, our one great aim is to pour out a whole-hearted devotion to Him in that particular work. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.” My Utmost for His Highest, April 23, 773 L”.

As I sat and read this tonight, before I sat down to write this I was thinking, “ok I need to get on my blog and write something so inspirational, amazing, and thoughtful to wrap up this years experience”.  I want so badly to impress those of you who actually read this, so I try really hard to come up with just the right words and structure.

…..But then I read my favorite devotional and well it was a kick in the pants!

Impressing you with my blogging skills (which are lacking) is not what He calls me to do; sharing my story all for His glory is.  So as I refocus from this much needed reminder from God, here is my year in review:

*Brought our daughter home from India (actually that was Oct. 2016)

*Answered His call to start telling my story through music (hence Music by Rachel Moore)

*Experienced rejection beyond what our humanness can understand but I am coming out of it understanding just how much God loves us even though we fight, push and try to keep away from Him.

*Put our kids back in public school after years of homeschooling

*Started feeling  my age creep up by realizing I can no longer take it when my kids put something right up in my face to look at (I can’t see that well that close up anymore).  Many other subtle changes too but I don’t want to all list my almost forty glories on my blog…….

*Survived the first year with five kids which includes now two teenagers!!!! Might I add I am still sane…..most of the time!

*Discovered that I no longer have patience to argue things that are really not important to the grand scheme of life….trying to focus more of His grand scheme instead of the worlds.

There is so much more but I might not have anything else to blog about in the upcoming months if I go on.  So in conclusion this has been an amazing year, one with tears, fears, so much cheer.   I can tell you this I would have never in my wildest imagination ever could have thought He would have called me to sing, let alone share my story through our music.  Never!

I can tell you this that as the year of 2018 creeps up on us I know without a shadow of a doubt I will wholehearted devote my songs to Him…..despite my own doubts, my critiques words, and satan’s unrelenting nagging to just give up!  The Lord has put me here; I will serve Him without fear!!

Let me leave you with this beautiful family New Year’s picture compliments of my brother’s superior shopping skills! Thanks Caleb!

One more thing – What will you do this coming year?  Follow the world’s view of success or His plan for you?