Happy New Year 2012!

I was glad we were back in California to celebrate the New Year with Andrew. We also were greeted by dad and Kimberly who came to see us and our surroundings. We celebrated the new year by going to church and a coastal walk.

Great boots for the hike!

papa!

It felt good to head to church the first day of the new year.

Good words were given and I wanted to share them from the New Years Day sermon, these are not my words: "A New You...not a New Year. We all want to be set free (from whatever keeps us down). We want a fresh revelation from God, Paul talks about in Galatians 1:11-17, he received a fresh revelation, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For many, this is not new information, but a fresh perspective. "The man who has experienced (revelation) is never at the mercy of a man who has a theory." What changes us is a personal encounter with God."

"Wouldn't it be great to received a fresh glimpse of God this year? After the grief of what was lost when we let go of the past we see Him and we can do those things we are called to. Not living for past fears and insecurities. The search for happiness never gives happiness."

The pastor talked about how he spends the month of January setting his prayer goals for the year, Lord, what do you want me to pray for? What are God's interests? Your life changes when you pray..."

Another goal is to read through the Bible (something Andrew and I want to try, I have never done it) and ask questions..."Lord I saw..." 'Help me with" Instead of "what will my year be like"...ask, "what will I be like."

We are also called to relationships both to grow our relationships we currently have and to build new ones (this is a challenge for me moving to a new area and starting all over again!)

"Consecrated to Him

Faith to Faith

Strength to Strength

Glory to Glory"

"A fresh revelation of who God it and new/growth in relationships by the end of the Year"

This was all encouraging and hopeful to me. I truly want to be different and live a life surrendered to the one who I profess to worship and follow. In order to do this, I want to know Him more intimately, have believing faith, and look to Him for everything!