Author: Katie Ganshert

Over the past several years, I’ve has fun summarizing the previous year using one word and predicting what the next year’s word will be.

Here’s a brief recap….

2009’s One Word Summary: Growth

I started doing this in January of 2010, which means I didn’t have a prediction for 2009. Just a summary. And with all the growing I did as a Christian and as a writer, I’d say that fits the bill.

2010’s One Word Summary: Surrender

Jokingly, I predicted that 2010 would be my year for Victory. Ended up being a year of surrender. Gotta love the irony there.

2011’s One Word Summary: Trust

2011’s prediction was Anticipation, since I had just signed a two-book deal with Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group. Throughout the course of the year, I not only quit my day job, Ryan and I said yes to adoption, both of which required a lot of trust.

2012’s One Word Summary: Grateful

2012’s prediction was Change, since I became a work-at-home mom and assumed we’d be bringing our Congolese son or daughter home at some point that year (oh Katie, you were so naive). Even though that didn’t happen, it was a year of many blessings–both tangible and intangible.  

2013’s One Word Prediction: Surprises

Let’s see. Major highlights. 

In 2013, Ryan and I accepted a referral for a little girl. That was in February. We thought she’d be home by the summer. But then Congo adoptions turned upside down and we watched from afar as timelines were extended and government departments shut down. Our Congolese Cutie officially became a Ganshert in July, but as of right now, we have no idea when she will come home. 

In 2013, I traveled to Congo twice. Once in April for a humanitarian trip. Again in November to spend time with my daughter.

In 2013, I saw an outpouring of God’s provision like none I have ever seen before. Kelli Standish’s flash mob made my 2nd trip to the Congo possible and it had God’s fingerprints all over it. 

In 2013, my second book, Wishing on Willows, hit book stores.

In 2013, my debut novel, Wildflowers from Winter, was nominated for a Christy and won a Carol! 

In 2013, I signed another 2-book deal with Waterbrook Multnomah, and wrote a novella for Zondervan’s A Year of Weddings novella collection.

In 2013, my son’s life became increasingly miraculous. Yearning for a child has a way of making you appreciate the one you have in a profound way.

If I had to sum up the year in one word, it would be….

Surprises

Because the shoe fits…

If you would have told me last year that we’d somehow have the money for me to fly to Congo TWICE, I would have laughed.

If you would have told me last year that I  would be nominated for a Christy or win a Carol, I would have laughed.

If you would have told me last year that we still would not have our daughter home, I would have laughed.

The year was filled with surprises–some amazing, some not. But surprises nonetheless.

So what’s my one word prediction for 2014?

I have no idea.

In fact, I’m going to stop making predictions.

Here is what I do know…

I’ll spend these next two months in a writing cave, finishing my fourth novel.

My third novel, A Broken Kind of Beautiful, will release this April (I am so beyond excited to share this story).

My first novella, An October Bride, will release in….well, October. (I’m pretty excited about this one too.)

Our daughter could come home, or she might not.

There will be days when I can handle the wait and days when I can’t. 

Brogan will start kindergarten (what?!?!)

I will give my husband lots of kisses and my son lots of cuddles. We’ll probably do some bickering and I’ll probably lose my patience. I will do some writing, some playing, some laughing, some crying. And lots and lots of praying.

Happy 2014, from me to you!

Let’s Talk: How’s 2014 looking for you? Any big highlights to share from 2013?