Hello.
It has been four months since writing on this blog. A time of being still before God. Walking with Him.
I have had a chance to walk quietly back through the past 12 months thanking the Lord for the days He ordained. And had a time to lay those days at His feet in prayer and in praise.
Here is a glimpse of that walk:
New Years Day 2012 began in my studio.
God laid certain words on my heart to have on those walls.
God laid certain words on my heart to have on those walls.
January - We knew a storm was coming. And we walked together into the waves of the storm.
I thank God for a husband who answers to HIM.
I thank God for a husband who answers to HIM.
February - A cold storm of the soul hit. Shock.
I am thankful for seasons that come and go.
I am thankful for seasons that come and go.
March - God took me to Africa where I attended a worship service with words that would become prophetic for Skeet and me in the months ahead. Three weeks in Africa left wonder on my heart.
A week after taking this picture, I returned home and Skeet resigned from his work of 23 years. Friends from across the continent would send us Exodus 14:14. Almost daily for about 3 weeks straight we would receive an email from someone . . . and they would pray Exodus 14:14 over us. God was faithful and consistent in meeting us during the dark moments of hurt and fear and confusion. And He gave me this picture to remind me! God is so good.
A week after taking this picture, I returned home and Skeet resigned from his work of 23 years. Friends from across the continent would send us Exodus 14:14. Almost daily for about 3 weeks straight we would receive an email from someone . . . and they would pray Exodus 14:14 over us. God was faithful and consistent in meeting us during the dark moments of hurt and fear and confusion. And He gave me this picture to remind me! God is so good.
April - A wind storm broke my tree. It was the place I would go to be reminded that even though Skeet and I are different in nature, God has entwined us to "dance" in this life together. And the aspen is a symbol of me, the pine tree a symbol of Skeet.
I was broken this year (See the broken aspen curled against the pine tree?) Skeet has been a covering used by God in my life. What a blessing.
May - All our children came home for Abbie's graduation. And the Tingle-ettes have wings! Both sons are in school at Texas A&M and both daughters are at Colorado Christian University. They are precious to my heart! This has been the best work I have ever done . . . To believe in my God, to love my husband, to say yes to motherhood, and to enjoy being a homemaker. Rich, rich blessings overflow.
June - "Pack your tents." That was the word Skeet and I both received separately from the Lord. So we began.
July - The storms of my soul heated up. Dark and hot. And God waited patiently in that furnace with me as He cleaned out old wounds . . . by using new wounds and His healing touch.
August - Acceptance and peace and healing began to blossom. Bold among the rocky places God kept taking me. He kept giving me visuals like this to remember our time together. Humble Faith
September - God was glorified during a weekend at Trail West where God said, "Tell them what I have taught you this year." And Skeet came to each session, standing the entire time, praying over the words spoken, being my covering. He stood. I spoke. And my heart smiled as lessons (in being empty of normal, broken, giving forgiveness, and seeing His blessings) were taught. This was an amazing experience with God.
October - God brought the teachings of Staci Eldridge to me. I chewed on His words for weeks after this time with Him. We worshipped and praised and learned and rested.
November - My prayer became: "God renew Your joy in me. Bring Your joy back. Search me, o God, clean out my heart and my thoughts, see the hurtful things in me, and lead me in the everlasting way. Lead me to You." I struggled with hope, being afraid to wish for anything.
Hope. Such a little word with such a chasm of meaning. Look at the first picture in this blog . . . on the window is hung the word JOY. John 15:8-11 are my directions to joy.
Joy is not found to be of this world nor is hope. Both are of eternity.
Hope. Such a little word with such a chasm of meaning. Look at the first picture in this blog . . . on the window is hung the word JOY. John 15:8-11 are my directions to joy.
Joy is not found to be of this world nor is hope. Both are of eternity.
December - We were all home for 2 weeks. We walked through traditions, walked in the woods, and walked through the past year, sharing where we had experienced God. It was gracious of the Lord Jesus to prepare a place in our hearts to say good-bye to 2012 in our home of 23 years. Something new is coming.
What would your list of 12 pictures look like from this past year? How did you experience God?
Now we look forward to the new. "See! I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:19
And we have spent time in prayer. Prayer is such a precious gift from our God. Jesus met with the Father regularly in prayer. And we follow Jesus.
May today be filled with thoughts of Him. (Col 3:2-3)
May the peace of God rule in our hearts. (Col 3:12-15)
May our joy be complete as we walk in obedience to Him. (John 15:10-11)
May we be refreshed as He is the object of our trust. (Proverb 3:5-8)
May our sleep be sweet when we lay our heads down. (Proverb 3:21-24)
And may we be surrendered to our faithful God as Father and Redeemer and Teacher.
Love Always,
Angie
Angie
