I’ve gotta admit something to you, my sweet and faithful readers.
I have procrastinated this post up and down and all around. I have known for weeks…weeks…that it needed to be written. I’ve had days in those weeks when I could have easily taken an hour, gotten comfy on the couch under my awesome sherpa blanket, and pounded out the words you are about to read.
At least, I hope you are about to read them. (I still have to actually WRITE them. Ahem.)
😉
It isn’t that I don’t want to…it’s because when I look back at this year, I almost don’t know where to start.
Except at the very beginning, so here goes. Please stick with me? Thanks a bunch. 
It really began in 2012, on a cold (and early!) November morning when I was sitting at the table, eyes a bit glazed over, hand clutching my first cup of coffee, making my bloggy rounds. (The list was a lot shorter then.)
I found myself at (in)courage, really the site where it all began for me. I love that sweet space so much and drop by several times a week for the wisdom, laughter, and love these precious sisters share with their readers. That particular morning, I found myself clicking around more than usual, and I landed on a post written by my sweet and now-dear friend, Holley Gerth.
An invitation, really.
She was putting together a God-Sized Dream Team…and would I like to be part of it?
Of course I would!
She was accepting 99 women, and oh…Oh. How. My. Hopes. Flew. Way. Up. Beyond. The. Clouds.
I quickly filled out the application, sharing that my dream was to publish my book.
And when I sent in that application, that’s what I thought. That the heart of my dream was to write a book. Publish it. Maybe be famous, too.
A few weeks later, I received the e-mail that sent me on a little happy dance across my living room. (I really do happy dance. Often. You should try it sometime.) 😉 I’m thrilled to let you know that you’ve been chosen as part of the God-Sized Dream Team!
And what followed in those six months, which turned into a year and now more than a year…
There were gifts like intentional time to find my strengths and pray through how God can use them. (For a non-organized person like myself, this was a good thing. My focus often needs to be narrowed down.) I also learned the importance of carving out that time to pursue book-writing, and I faithfully visited Starbucks (SUCH a chore ;)) weekly to pound out as many words as possible on the rough draft.
In just a few months, I had completed my rough draft and handed it to my first friend.
Dream definitely on its way to being realized.
Yes?
Or, maybe…the dreams were just starting to grow.
Over the course of a year, a little piece at a time, He began to show me that it wasn’t just one dream. While there’s definitely a book in there (and oh, how I can’t wait to share it with all of you!!!) there’s so much more.
SO much more.
Dreams like being the best possible wife and mommy…a dream that I have to daily place in His hands and pray through.
Dreams like someday working on a medical ship as a family. (Yeah, this one’s BIG.)
Dreams like traveling to Uganda to help clean the jiggers from the feet of little children and give them shoes. Shoes that will save their lives…and tell them about the Jesus who saved them, too.
Even dreams that I didn’t know were in my heart…You see, I’d been so used to writing…just writing. Not really connecting, just sharing words and rarely going beyond my little online space.
And then, somehow, God took a group of 99 women and built a family. These women? They’re my sisters. I’ve had the privilege to hug many of them in real life…but all of our hearts are connected.
photo credit: Melissa Aldrich
And then, He took a few of us, and we formed a smaller Mastermind group…and from that, the dream of a brave sister became a new site for dreamers, one that launched yesterday.
And my dream of being a contributing writer came true. The one I’d been so afraid to speak aloud.
I feel humbled, blessed, and honored to even be part of it.
 So when I look back at this year of dreaming God-Sized Dreams???
I see blessings…almost too many to even count.
A finished rough draft. Even a meeting with an agent. (I still haven’t written about that, have I?!) 😉
Hugs and heart spills with friends…those in real life and those online. The gift of community is precious.
Prayer times and Google Hangouts.
Voxer and the laughter, love, and sometimes-embarrassment it has brought to my days.
Allowing my heart to bleed even more for what God is doing all over the world.
Learning to take His hand each day and trust Him with my dreams.
And the reminder that sometimes dreams come in the everyday, extraordinary…like this. And there’s nothing small about these kind of dreams, either.
So how do I wrap up a year?
I don’t.
This journey isn’t over. In fact, I’ll be sharing tomorrow what’s next…or, at least, what I think is next.
This year…oh, He’s shown me just how much MORE He can do…beyond what I could have ever hoped or dreamed. He’s SO Good.
And I am so, so thankful. Praise Him for all of it.
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)
And today, friends?
We’re linking up at the new God-Sized Dreams website! I hope you’ll stop by, read the stories of other dreamers, and even share yours, too! And thanks to each of you for sharing your lives and being a part of mine. You bless me more than you will ever know.
Beautifully said, friend. I’m so glad this journey has allowed our paths to cross. Looking forward to meeting you in real life.
I can’t wait for the day!!! You are a blessing in my life, and I’m so grateful for your encouragement and friendship.
Yes it has been quite the year hasn’t it!! So blessed that we were brought together on this team and grateful to have you as a sister on this journey moving forward!!
You, my sister, are among my sweetest blessings from this past year. You are truly inspiring and beautiful, and I am beyond thankful that God crossed our paths. Thanks for traveling this journey with me.
Do you even know all the ways you have been a blessing to me this past year? I’m so thankful for you. And I just smile when I see all that God has done for you and through you this past year.
Yes, the journey is just beginning!
I smile at how God just knew that we should be friends. You have blessed me so much in the past year, too…you are a sweet encouragement, and I’m so thankful for you!
Here’s to MORE dreaming!!!
You have me crying happy tears in my coffee this morning, my friend. So very, very proud of you, for your dream chasing and God-seeking and open arms to whatever God has “next.” {{hug}}
Love you, sweet friend…thanks for pouring your heart and life into so many, including me. It’s exciting to see how God is making your dreams come true…I’m doing a happy dance for you! (((hugs)))
I am so glad you pounded these words out! Have I ever told you that you are beautiful? I am so proud of you! It has been amazing to see your year unfold and indescribable how God has knit all of our hearts together as family. So grateful for you!!! XOXO
You are such a beautiful encouragement to me, my friend…one of my highlights of the year? The two of us sharing life for one beautiful Friday in December. You are truly family. Love you!
xo
I’m still amazed at how God picked each and every one of us to be in that group. It’s has been WAY more than a book launch, you are my people!! I love each of you and my heart for a community has grown. I see how much I need you. I’m so grateful to have met you and thankful we get to walk along one of our God Sized dreams together!
It’s pretty awesome to look back and see how, really, just the group of us expressing interest in a Mastermind group…and then forming it…turned into something so incredible. Oh, chills…crazy ones! Thank you for the sweet blessing you are in my life. SO looking forward to our (in)RL hug in April!!!
Oh, Mel, such a blessing to have “met” you … fellow brave, bold dreamer! The day must come soon when we can meet in person, though I know we have built real, beautiful, strong bonds in our online community. I am so honored to be a contributor alongside you, and I can’t wait to see what 2014 brings. xxoo
Oh, friend, I am so looking forward to the day we can finally sit down over coffee. (You DO drink coffee, right? If not, I do tea, too…I just don’t talk about it as much!!!) I’m so grateful for you and the beauty you add to my life…here’s to 2014 and a wonderful GSD journey!!! (((hugs)))
I am so proud of you for finding your voice again. I love verse choice too – it describes our year together so well
I also want to hear more about this medical ship dream. I still want travel to Uganda with you. I love that God sent you to my life.
I love that God sent you into my life, too, dear friend. You inspire and encourage me, and I can’t wait to see what He does in this next year! AND…Uganda. Definitely. In His time.
Love you, girl!
Brave and beautiful you are…xo!
Oh, you bless, my friend. Thank you.
xo
I am so grateful for the team and the sisters it has given me. I didn’t even write a new post to link. I linked to one from Nov. Because the words are hard to find. But you my beautiful friend and sister have such a way with words even when they are hard to come by. Can’t wait to see you again!
You are such a blessing, sweet friend…I can’t wait to see you again, too. I hope it’s soon!!! (((hugs)))
So glad I can be a bitty observer and cheerleader as you dream and live your dreams. Happy New Year! <3
I’m so thankful you’re there cheering, friend…Happy New Year back! We need to get together soon.