Tuesday, December 31

God-sized Dreams continued

In 2013, I was blessed to be a part of Holley Gerth's God-sized Dreams Team. What was intended to be a 6-month encouragement, accountability, and resources has turned in to so much more... Lifelong friends, an amazing prayer team, and continued encouragement. While I'm still floundering in my dreams and whether now is the right time or not, I have a few friends that are reaching for the stars and following God's leading and launching some awesome dreams come true.

Blossom Bunkhouse

One dream I'm excited to see launching is a way for all of you to get a glimpse of the community that began just a year ago... and to join this community and dream with us! Today, we are linking up a blog post about our dreams, so be sure to check it out and subscribe to this fantastic resource for dreaming God-sized Dreams!!!


When I look back at my dreams a year ago, I sometimes get a little discouraged. I wonder why I'm still floundering and I often fail to see the little successes and the baby steps that have happened in the last year. But I know that there have been successes and there have been steps in the right direction and for that I am thankful.

I think about how I always have good ideas and I'm great at starting stuff... but the executing and the finishing just doesn't happen. But then I remember that God is still working on me and as long as I am still on this earth-- I am NOT finished. So me and God and my Dream-Team Sisters are just gonna keep working on this together.

Here's what I started with last year.

I believe God has created and called me to serve and support my family through encouraging, serving, cooking, and listening. (Not that these are my strongest skills, but the ones I need to grow for the sake of my family)

I also believe God has created and called me to encourage and support other women through writing my stories, creating handmade cards, and connecting through both cards and stories.



And here is where I feel I am right now...

Being a good wife and mom seems so relative. This is one area where I really struggle to see the little successes. Instead I see every little failure and blow it up into something way bigger than it is--- which in reality shows a little bit of pride. Truth is, overall I am making good meals for my family (and lots of good Christmas cookies, too). I've been improving on my listening and encouraging and celebrating the little successes with them. I'm making an effort to "catch my kids doing good" and praising them. ... and I am listening... maybe still not as well as I could, but improving over the past. And when I have a bad day and I don't do these things well, I focus on truth, these moments do not define me!

In the area of writing, I just wore myself out. Taking some college courses where I had to write challenged me something awful... and awesome. I loved some of the writings I worked on during my classes, but I was too chicken to share them here... or submit them somewhere else.  FEAR keeps creeping in.

And in the area of cardmaking, I launched an etsy shop!! And even had some sales!!! Christmas was a discouraging time for me, so the fear is creeping in again and I wonder if I have what it takes to be successful in the handmade world. But when I focus on truth, I see that I did step out in faith and in all things there is an ebb and flow...

I am so excited to keep dreaming with the friends that God has given me... they rock and are such an encouragement!

12 comments:

  1. Yay you blogged!! :) I have been so blessed by you this year and am excited to see what God has in store for you in the coming year! Hugs friend!!

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    1. Receiving those much needed hugs! and so blessed to have you in my life!

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  2. Life is a walk, not a run. Keep dreaming, keep reaching, keep taking one step forward at a time. An etsy shop is a huge thing! And your family is so lucky to have you striving to be the best Mom/wife you can be.

    Christy @ A Heartening Life
    www.ahearteninglife.com

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    1. Thanks for the walk reminder... I've never been a fan of running anyway! :) I will definitely keep dreaming!

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  3. Sweet friend, YOU have blessed me so much this year, and hugging your neck at Allume was a highlight. I love you and am cheering loudly for you through each step, no matter how big or small. :)

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    1. Giving thanks everyday for the cheerleaders in my life!!! Thankful for you!

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  4. Oh I love this, so encouraging!! Love your dreams!! You have inspired me to not give up on my dreams, thank you. Love you.

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    1. Jennifer, thank you for your visit and thank you for your daily encouragement!! you inspire me to keep going as well!!

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  5. YOU!!! Oh my stars how I have seen you grow over this past year. You even voice voxed me! I believe you can do it again, and again, and again... So much amazing tucked right inside of you that I can't wait to see spring forth, friend! :)

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    1. Thanks for seeing my amazing, even when I can't see it myself! so thankful for you in my life... hoping our paths can cross (physically) sometime, somehow, somewhere this year!!!

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  6. Julie, you did great!!!! I think you should know that your spontaneous prayers are amazing. Your times with the prayer team were such a blessing to me, and your prayer over me at Allume was awesome. Thank you! You are making a difference.

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  7. Oh Julie!! I love your heart for dreaming!! And your love for your family, encouragement and other dreamers. How fun it was to finally meet you in person at Allume!!

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