Ah, the beginning of a new month, a new year, and it seems to be flying by. It's already the last full week of January! So, I'm taking a few minutes to write down my "Share Four Somethings" for the month. Heather has included 3 new topics and used Pantone's 2022 Color of the Year, "Very Peri", on the monthly graphic! 

Something Loved: I love the possibility of a fresh start to a new year. (Shout out to Five Minute Friday word prompt this week) It's a month of both sadness and joy for me. My husband and I remember God's faithfulness during the loss of our twin daughters, Amanda and Catherine, to stillbirth 30 years ago, and my father-in-law passed away 2 years later.  January is also a time of celebrating my wonderful husband's birthday which we celebrated with a quiet stay-cation of rest and reflection. This time away from the normal busyness brought hope to my weary soul and a renewed joy in God and in His Word! 

During this time of reflection, I also found "my one word" for 2022. Some years it comes quickly, but this year it did not. I prayed a little and answered a few questions in the online quiz from DaySpring. I know it's not scientific, or super-spiritual, but when this word came it resonated with me. "Empowered" means "having the knowledge, confidence, means or ability to do things or make decisions for oneself." I'm excited to see how God is going to use this word in my life this year! 

Something Gleaned: This is a new topic Heather has included for 2022. This is similar to what we've read, but can also be what we learned or how the reading impacted us! 

I want to share one of my husband's recent blogs, The Youngest One in the Room. He shares 5 nuggets from the story of Elihu in the book of Job on being a leader when you don't feel like you are one. Even though I'm not the youngest in the room anymore, I was encouraged by Jonathan's admonition to "be courageous" and also to "be bold and speak up." I also think this blog goes along nicely with my one word, empowered! 

Something Braved was going to work, even though the weather forecast was predicting several inches of snow. It wasn't snowing when I left for work, but it started shortly thereafter. Indeed, the forecasters were correct and we got about 6 inches of snow! That may not be much for some of you, but for those of us in TN, it is! I thought I was going to need to be brave to drive to the hotel close to work. However, a co-worker offered to give me a ride to the hotel and then back to work the next morning. What a gift! The only thing I really needed to "brave" was uncovering my car from the snow and ice the next day, so I could go home after work! 

Something Achieved: I'm not a person who loves to set goals, but I do like to complete tasks, even if they seem small to others. I FINALLY took the time to clean out one of my email inboxes from around 300ish emails down to 50! Ahhh that's better! 

May this Scripture remind you who empowers us with His strength, as it did to me.

"But those who trust in the Eternal One will regain their strength. They will soar on wings as eagles. They will run—never winded, never weary. They will walk—never tired, never faint." Isaiah 40:31 (The Voice)