Happy New Year!

When I reflect upon the three hundred and sixty five days of 2024, I paid honor to it, I forgave it, I gave it grace, I accepted what I could not change, I fought against what I could, I learned from it, I received the blessings it offered, and I thanked it for the year that it was.

As in years gone by, in 2024 there was laughter and there were tears. Sometimes the laughter was so grand, so loud that tears came with it.

I've experienced quite a few life changing miracles in my young sixty-three year old life.

• Homelessness.

• Two benign brain tumors.

I used to partake in new year's resolutions. Beginning twelve years ago I chose instead to seek an intentional word for the new year.

At some point within a year, however and whenever the Spirit leads, I ask God for a word for the new year. He is faithful to show me. In the past, a couple of His words to me have been Joy, and Surrender. For 2024, it was Faith.

It was odd to me to have been given this word, because in the natural I felt my faith was strong. My faith is always in Him, so I was puzzled as to the reason He would give me this word.

As the year began I soon realized it had nothing to do with my lack of faith, He was reminding me to keep my faith strong. You see, the reason I ask God for a word for the new year is because He is all knowing. He knows what awaits me. When He gives me my word, I go into His Word and I study it. He gives me fresh eyes and opens my understanding. In March, I knew the reason He gave me the word Faith and the reason for me to strengthen it.

Breast Cancer. A life changing miracle.

2 Corinthians 5:7 - For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

I would have thought His word for me would have been Healing. It had been. In 2013, that was the word He gave me for 2014. [The first brain tumor was discovered March 2014]

As I journeyed through this valley** it was indeed apparent that my faith in Jesus was going to have to be strong, above all else. The power of prayer is miraculous in itself, and praying the Word of God over my life I felt, from the moment the doctor walked into the office after the biopsy and announced that it was cancer, I would be equipped and empowered to get through this and be victorious.

I claimed victory!

Being a breast cancer survivor left an internal mark on me that I didn't know could exist. I learned so much about myself. Where I am in my life, what I want out of it, what I don't want, and what do I want to do with the rest of it.

Being a breast cancer survivor has allowed me to "take my glasses off" and let the world see me. See Him in me.

To God be the glory, that I am doing well! I am five months into a five year course of hormone therapy. The type of breast cancer I had was ER+ (Estrogen Receptor Positive), which means that it is a type of cancer that relies on estrogen to grow and the hormone therapy lowers the estrogen levels or blocks the estrogen receptors. There are side effects but they are mild and manageable. I do what I need to do to combat the fatigue and strengthen my joints and bones. All good!

I can once again enjoy my massage treatments, being able to lay comfortably face down.

I hiked back up Runyon Canyon.

I dance daily. Like in my living room as part of my routine to keep my joints active, I take dance breaks. I love it!

Last year I asked God for my word for 2025. Hope.

1 Corinthians 13:13 - And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Yes indeed!!

Romans 15:13 - May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 40:31 - But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Just as my faith is strengthened, my hope expands.

This month I will have my first official mammogram after my victorious journey. I admit, I am a bit nervous, not about results, just about the pain. I still experience healing nerve pings, but they actually make me giggle, because I do tend to forget that my nerves are still in the healing phase.

So, here we are 2025. I'm alive. And everyone who is reading this is alive too! I thank God that you are.

I offer to you all the usual prayers and wishes for a new year, renewal, joy, health, wealth, and happiness but let me add a few more.

I pray you do things. I pray that you want things, not tangible things but things internal that maybe only you and God know. I pray that you have passion in your heart for God, yourself, and for others. I pray you take hold of your total health - mind, body, and soul. Forgive them. Then forgive yourself. I pray that you shut up sometimes and just listen. Be a safe space for someone else. Give when there is no possible way on earth that someone would be able to pay you back. And in the words of Lee Ann Womack, I hope you dance!

Remember

**Towards the end of the year I was faced with one of the biggest challenges of my professional life and the testing of my faith was evident. This valley is deep and ongoing. He knew. The battle is not mine but His. Jeremiah 29:11 ~ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.