I love reflecting on the old year. I love anticipating the new. And my favorite way to do this is with two words.
One that summarizes the old. One that predicts the new.
I started doing this two years ago after being inspired by fellow blogger Tamika Eason.
If you want, you can read my 2010 New Year’s Post and my 2011 New Year’s Post.
Here’s a brief recap:
2009’s word: Growth
I grew a lot. As a believer and as a writer.
2010’s word: Surrender
I learned what it means to surrender my dreams to Him and find freedom and joy on the other side.
2011’s prediction: Anticipation
Which has been pretty accurate. Much of 2011 has been spent anticipating the release of my debut novel.
But I think there is a better word. One that is more all-encompassing.
2011’s word: Trust
Because in 2011, I quit my job.
I won’t lie. It was more than slightly terrifying. People would often say, “You’re so lucky you can afford to do that.” But here’s the thing.
We couldn’t!
We lost half our income. An income that helped pay the bills. We also lost the benefits that come with being a teacher. Namely, cheap health insurance. Yet the more we prayed, the stronger we felt God calling us in this direction.
So we crunched numbers. We changed our lifestyle. We turned into minimalists. And we stepped out in faith. Trusting that where God leads, He’ll also provide.
In 2011, we decided to adopt.
Which is also more than slightly terrifying. Especially in light of the job quitting. But we couldn’t ignore God’s prompting. So we filled out the application. We were accepted. And now we’re on a road that will lead to our future son or daughter. We chose to trust. Even though financially, it makes no sense.
In 2011, God has shown himself as Yahweh-Yireh (Provider) in our lives.
We’re trusting He will continue to do so as we trust and obey.
2012’s prediction: Change
This time next year, not only will I will be an author with one book on the shelves and another on the way, Ryan and I will be getting ready to fly to the opposite side of the world to unite with the newest member of our family.
Change is in the air.
Let’s Talk: If you had to summarize your 2011 in one word, what would it be? What do you predict 2012’s word will be?
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I need to to thank you for this great read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it. I’ve got you bookmarked to check out new things you post…
My one word for 2011 would have been TRUST. This year my word is strength. 🙂
Happy New Year, Katie!
Oooh, this is cathartic!
Let me think. 2011–REASSURANCE. As in, God relentlessly reassured me, through sermons, prayer and others’ support, that I was supposed to keep writing. Even when it seemed easier to give up.
2012–I’m hoping it will be FULFILLMENT. Of said writing dreams. I’m headed that way, so it also makes me very HAPPY! :>
Wishing a very happy and fulfilling 2012 to all!
I love those two words! Hoping your dreams will be fulfilled too, Heather!
I will be praying for your adventure this year, Katie!
2011-Accomplishment
I finally saw my first book, “The Dragon Forest” be published and released after 20yrs. With that came changes and adventures that led me to meet some pretty wonderful people.
2012-Trust
Will I get a new job this year as a teacher? Will I find an agent? Will I be able to go to Slovakia on a summer mission trip?
I don’t know, but I do hear the Lord asking me to trust Him more than ever this year.
So I will!
Blessings and Happy New Year!!
Ruth
Then we will trust together, Ruth! I love getting a sneak peek into your past year and into the hopes you have for the future! Thanks for sharing!
I’ve been doing a theme the past 3 yrs. 09 was Brave. 10 was Focus. 11 was Grace. And 12 is Listen.
I love your word….listen. Do you mind if I steal that??
I predict that 2012 will be a year of change for me and my family. But I have yet to pick a word I want to embrace and focus on….I’ve been struggling to find just the right one, and I think you’ve found it for me.
I want to Listen.
To God. To people. Really, really listen. Which means not talking so much!!
You’ve had an amazing year, friend. Adopting will be such a blessing to your family. Change is a wonderful word to embrace. My word for 2012 is Faith. I moved past Hope from 2011 into Faith.
Past Hope, Into Faith….that sounds like the title of a nonfiction book, Lisa. 🙂
First, I’m so proud of you for trusting– that’s what God calls us to do and I’m so proud that you were able to step forward in faith and do what was right– even when it was frightening. I know he will bless you for that.
Sadly, I think my word for 2011 was “survive”. It was a tough year– I spent weeks in the hospital with a tough pregnancy and then having a new baby… I feel like I lived in survivial mode. So, 2012 is “INTENTIONAL”– intentionally parenting, intentionally pursuing Christ, intentionally writing, intentionally building relationships.
Happy new year!
Intention is a GREAT word! It’s something I strive for every single day – to be intentional with my life. Because man, life just slips by so quickly, doesn’t it?!
Congrats on your adoption! I used to work in the adoption field, and it was such an amazing privilege to be a part of so many children coming home to their forever families. Then, last year, we welcome our nephew home and, well…he’s just perfect. 🙂
Hmmm…
2011–rollercoaster. Such highs. Such lows.
2012–HopefulFaith. Yes, I’m a cheater.
So fun to see you here, Karen! I love your attempt at squishing two words into one. Hopefulfaith should totally be a new word. I love it!
I can’t WAIT to see the changes ahead of you in 2012, Katie!
My words?
2011 = Revived. My sister got her new heart, I landed an agent, and I lost fifteen pounds. A revival for my family, my writing career, and my body. 🙂
2012 = Forward. I know Sherrinda already said it, but I was thinking it before I saw her answer. Promise. 🙂 No matter what 2012 brings, I can’t wait to move forward from the craziness that was 2011.
That makes THREE Forwards! That’s awesome!! I love that word. I love what it represents. Great stuff for 2012.
My word for 2011: Hope
My word for 2012: Trust.
:O)
We’re debuting books in the same month (May) and clinging to the same word: trust!
Loving how we’re doing this journey together!
So do I, Beth! I absolutely love it. And we totally need to do a video interview together!!
2011 definitely was Faith. God really built my faith last year and then surprised me in unimaginable ways!
2012 word: Grace. Because I need to show more grace to people around me–especially my family.
Great post, Katie. Thank you–I’m excited to see what God does in your life this year!
I love your humble heart, Casey. It is so incredibly winsome and attractive. And thanks for the reminder to be more grace-minded toward others!
My word for 2011 was FAITH. My first contract brought many twists I didn’t expect, and some real challenges. I had to gut it out and rely on God, and He brought me through just in time to begin 2012 with a new word: FORWARD. But more on that later. 🙂
I am so excited to follow what 2012 is bringing for you!
I love that you and Sherrinda both have the same word, only it’s such an uncommon word to have! Very cool! Can’t wait to see what FORWARD means to you for 2012!
I think 2011’s word was accomplishment. It felt good to finally finish my Master’s degree (a lifelong dream!) and to finish the first draft of my first attempt at writing a novel.
2012’s word would be patience…Because I’m going back to work full time (tomorrow!), I might not have as much time to write and work toward that goal…but I will still work toward it, slowly and steadily. But I’ve realized that I don’t have to keep running at a frantic pace to get there, because slow and steady wins the race (I wrote about this on my blog today…funny how so often other people’s postings bring me back to the subject on my own!!). 🙂
I can’t wait to hear about the changes in your life this year, Katie!
Accomplishment, for sure! A masters and a novel. That is awesome, Lindsay!
I love your word for 2012. I know I could always use a little work on that one! Even though I pray for it every single morning.
I love word games.
2011- Preparation
I feel like we spent much of this last year preparing for our daughter Aria to come home, and God preparing our hearts through His teaching and revealing for what would come next.
2012 – Wonder
I’m using this word twofold – I wonder what this year will bring and how God will work and provide in our next adoption.
I also am in awe of the WONDER of an Almighty God that is in control of every aspect of the universe. It is a wonder that a great God like that cares so much about the goings on of my small life.
My word for the work God is doing in and through you is AWE! I can’t wait to follow your journey, Kristin! I love your two words.
This is my first year of picking a word! 🙂 My word is LOVE. And it’s inspired by this:
If what we call love doesn’t take us beyond ourselves, it is not really love. If we have the idea that love is characterized as cautious, wise, sensible, shrewd, & never taken to extremes, we have missed the true meaning. ~Oswald Chambers
I want 2012 to be the year I love God and others with a generous, risk-taking and adventurous mindset.
I love this, Melissa! You are so right – true love, real love means risking ourselves for the well-being of others. Wow. I really love that.
I’m going with HOPE. It’ll probably always be my word. Every single year.
I love the changes coming in your life. I love that God is providing. I simply love you.
~ Wendy
Right back at you, woman!
What a neat idea! And how exciting this year of change is going to be for you- many blessings it will hold.
Settling -I think will be my word for 2012. With our move this year,everything has been turned topsy turvy. I’m ready to settle down, leave the ache of our old home behind, and plant some roots with my family here:)
There’s something so still and pleasing about the word “settling”. Not as in settling for second best. But the state of being settled. I love that and hope that for you in 2012, Kara!
2011 Tough
2012 Same
Have some health problems that are getting worse. But my 3rd. word is (turnover)everything to God. He has never failed me.
Praying for you, Wilma.
2011 was… I dunno what it was. I don’t believe there is one word to accurately describe this past year, to be honest. Mind-boggling maybe? There were such unbelievable highs (3 a.m. phone call about getting a heart, bringing Annabelle home for the first time) and such unimaginable lows (almost losing my daughter more times than I want to think about.) No words….
2012, God gave me this wonderful symbol. Not a word… I think he likes to change things up with me!
?
Yep, that is it. I guess it kinda goes along with trust. I blogged about it myself today. As I thought about the next year and what it might hold, all the possibilities shook me. It was like this big ? over 2012 and God was saying, “Walk with me, I’ve got this.”
I think you’ll like my post this Wednesday, Krista. It’s very similar to that question mark symbol God gave you!
Happy New Year, Katie! I’m so excited for the many changes God has in store for you in 2012.
I’m really struggling to find a word for 2011.
Thanks Heather! How about acceptance? didn’t you fight yourself for a long time about switching genres? But then you realized that’s where your heart was. So you accepted it and embraced it.
How funny! I talked about myoneword on my blog today! I love how you predict, summarize and then choose a word. Let’s see…for me…
2011’s prediction was Passion, but it turned out to be Settle. I was able to get a new job, slow down, and settle into life. It takes some doing to settle after being frenzied.
2012 – I chose FORWARD. Whatever journey I am on, whether spiritual, writing, weight-loss, etc, I want to keep moving forward. Every step taken is a step closer to the goal.
p.s. I can’t wait to see all the changes in your life this year!
Sherrinda – I didn’t know you took a new job! That’s great. I know your old job was pretty stressful and incredibly busy. What are you doing now?
Love your word for 2012. That is the key. That no matter what, we keep moving forward. Even if we take a few steps back from time to time, it’s important to regroup, not bum out about it, and get moving forward again.
2011 – Refocus. I started the year with a 21 day fast. Amazing!
2012 – Anticipation. There are so many opportunities waiting in the wings for me and my husband. Can’t wait!
Holy cow! Tell me more about this 21 day fast! Did you seriously not eat anything? I love your excitement for the new year, Sherri!
2011 – Trust
2012 – Joy
Love your word for 2012!