Getting Ready for 2017.

Each year I choose a word that I believe God is impressing on my heart. I know some may think this is cheesy or silly but it works for me. In previous years my words have been grace, mercy, peace, joy and this past year REST.

The last few weeks the word that keeps coming to my mind is LAUGH.  I know that may sound strange.... its not spiritual .. it doesn't have some great meaning.....  it is just ... simple....

LAUGH

So I am going to share with you.... why I feel this word is meant to be my word for 2017. I am an older mom. I am 55. My two youngest boys are 13 and almost 15. My oldest is 31. I have homeschooled for 26 years. I love my life....   even though I have shared with all of you a sustaining longing that I have struggled with for years and years.  My husband was diagnosed in 1989 with Agoraphobia with severe panic attacks. 

I am a detail person. I like details and I like to know details so it is very hard for me not to  share all the little but big things. 

Lysa went to college in August. She has met some amazing friends.... lifelong best friends. I see pics of her and her friends, I see snaps and they are always LAUGHING. I see friends here.... and they are always LAUGHING.....   

here at home....   we are often tense ....   not much LAUGHING.  I have realized this and it makes my heart sad. 

My children move away and are in their adult lives and are out from under the stress of mental illness. IT grieves me that our home can't be a more LAUGHING place. 

So I am hoping in 2017 I can LAUGH more with them. We bought the game Speak Out. It is so funny and we roll LAUGHING.  God has been showing me how much we do not LAUGH here at home. 

Can you pray for me. My heart is sad. God gives me the grace each day but the older I get the more tired and weary I become. I want to "Not grow weary in well doing.... for in due time....  "   

Thank you for listening.  I am always nervous about being so real..... 

LET'S LAUGH MORE IN 2017,

Grace~ Teena