As I (Amy) reflect on January 1st, 2024, the Lord gave me the word “Courage” for the new year.  I felt a sense of adventure and an invitation to step into 2024, knowing that there were things that the Lord was asking of me that would take a new sense of courage. I embraced the verse Joshua 1:9 and wrote it down in my journal. Separately, the Lord had prompted Don that the word “Strengthen” would be key for his year. We were both surprised to find that in the Message translation of Joshua 1:9, both words are mentioned with great emphasis and promise: “Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take.”

I am in awe of the strength, courage, and presence we have found available to us, especially through this past year. Truly breathtaking awe! As last year came to a close and we welcomed 2025, I found it hard to journal all that was in my heart as the tears came every time I reflected on the miraculous power of God that I have experienced on this sacred path with Jesus.

AND… in two days (Wednesday 1/8), I will reach an important milestone of completing the last of twenty-five radiation treatments, and I am filled with CONFIDENT HOPE. Those are the words I am embracing for 2025. “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13 NLT)

I have revisited many of my reflections from this past year, and what I wrote last April resonates profoundly in my heart today:  “This is a season where I am again experiencing the power and presence of God on an unknown path that I could never have imagined I would be on. My walk this evening on a nearby trail reminds me so much about the beautiful views unique to my current life path that could not be seen anywhere else. I am grateful for the deep trust cultivated over the years in our faithful God, which continues to grow even more now. I hear my Savior’s invitation to live each day WITH Him in the present moment. I’m not thinking so much about tomorrow or yesterday or months from now, but just today. And I am discovering a deep sense of joy, peace, and hope that is powerful evidence that He is near.” 

And then I reflected on this quote from Brennan Manning:

“…The music of what is happening can be heard only in the present moment, right now, right here. Now/here spells nowhere. To be fully present to whoever or whatever is immediately before us is to pitch a tent in the wilderness of Nowhere. It is an act of radical trust – trust that God can be encountered at no other time and in no other place than the present moment.” Ruthless Trust – Chapter: The Geography of Nowhere

As I begin 2025 I find that the toughest climbs—the rockiest paths— do lead us to the most beautiful viewpoints. In so many places in my journal this last year, I found myself writing, “I can see now…” Yes, I see the Kingdom of God with new eyes, and I’m experiencing joy and peace because of a new level of trust in my triune God, who is with me and leading me daily. 

The finish line of radiation treatment will be crossed this week and though I feel the physical toll on my body, I know that it is in my weakness that HE is strong.  Through His word and reading today, I am reminded that there is an invitation from my faithful God, who loves me more than I could ever imagine, to join HIM on this adventure of faith.  

As I look to the New Year ahead of me, I accept God’s invitation to adventure WITH HIM with confident HOPE. I will take the next steps one at a time – leaving the roadmaps and the outcomes up to HIM, trusting my Good Shepherd with each day – one moment at a time!

We are so grateful for your faithful prayers and encouragement!