Looking back to 2025…wow, what a year!

I’d venture to say, one of the best! Thank You, Jesus! God did a lot of incredible things in 2025, in my life and in the life of people I love. Let’s start with the best.

Easter, April 20th, 2025 – God moved in the heart of my oldest son, Christian, and he ran back to Jesus! This boy of mine who had the scripture Hebrews 12:2 “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfector of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God”, wrapped around his high school bedroom, who then went off the college and questions God’s existence, this wonderful young man who was trying to figure it all out…ran back into the arms of His Savior. And I got to witness it. Our pastor preached on freedom that day, I was singing my song “Freedom,” for the invitation and my husband was standing down front, ready to pray with anyone wanting freedom. Christian came and embraced his dad and said “I need this freedom.” Once I was able to leave my post I hugged my son, told him I’d been praying for hi for so long and he thanked me for praying. Then I said “Welcome Home,” and he replied “Sorry, it took so long.”

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

God is good. He sees us and hears us and He answers. My son and his sweet little family (wife, Sydney) and daughters (my awesome granddaughters, Faye and Martha) come to church with him and us and then come over for lunch most Sundays. I have seen wonderful changes in all of their hearts and I am so overwhelmed with gratitude.

On September 9th, 2025, I published my first book! A devotional called “Looking to Jesus”, A Worship Service for Every Day. The Lord put this work in my heart to do the Summer of 2023 and over the next two years brought it all to fruition. He gave me ideas that were uncommon, there’s a QR code for songs I’ve written that go along with each day’s devotional (aka worship service). And God put so many amazing people in my life to help put it all together.

I have songs in the works and I shared one I wrote in 2024 “Linger” at our church’s ladies retreat and at Praise Giving service. I have a sweet new little song called “My Best Friend, Jesus” that I’ve been teaching to my granddaughter. I’m hoping to get her, maybe both of them, into the studio with me to help record it.

God gave me 6 opportunities to speak at women’s events last year, this just blows me away. It was such a growing time in my walk with Him.

I got to lead worship and praise my Jesus at music festivals, revivals, women’s events and more!

The Lord continued work on a new ministry that should launch in 2026.

And God opened the door for James and I to walk back into prison ministry. We’ve been going to Boonville Correctional Center for the past 6 months.

But some of the sweetest things He did, some of the most amazing things He did were not in things produced but what He did in the hearts of people through those things and just in being who He is – God Almighty, a good, good Father. He used all the things He gave me to do but He didn’t need me for any of them and I just can’t get over that I get to do the things He has given me to do. I am so blessed to be a part of His work and to witness His moving in the lives of others. And one of those hearts He changed and refined….was mine. God did a work in my own heart in 2025, a healing that I thought may never come. 5 and a half years ago someone close to me hurt me pretty severely and over the next almost 5 years I would pray, I used resources like Lysa TerKeurst’s book “Forgiving What You Can’t Forget” and I would choose to forgive even when my heart still felt the sting. 2 years ago, I got a white bracelet on Freedom night at our church (a white bracelet symbolizes something you need freedom for or from that you’re going to work on). This bracelet was a reminder of forgiveness and each time I looked at it I would continue to forgive and remind those voices in my head and the whispers of the enemy that I had indeed forgiven. But there was more to it, what I didn’t know then was that God was going to do something radical in my heart. He showed me that the pain I endured was for my good, He pointed out things in my own wicked heart that needed forgiveness and given over to Him. And so, last May as I was preparing a message for a women’s conference in Rock Port, MO, I got free.

THIS is what Jesus does. These are the best things of following Jesus. It’s really not about all the STUFF you can do for God, it’s about what He does in you and what He does in people.

I’d love to say that the entire year was simply perfect but you and I both know that we live in a fallen world full of heartache and pain and sometimes just bad days.

My youngest son, Cameron and his wife moved to Michigan the end of May and I miss them terribly. I have extended family members and friends who are suffering with really hard things. And even ministry gets difficult. But God has a perfect plan in all of it.

Moving into 2026.

God has already given me some speaking and worship leading opportunities. James and I are sharing our marriage testimony at our church’s marriage conference on January 31st. There will be more prison ministry services, worship nights, music festivals, precious church services and more and I’m here for it. Anything, Lord. God has put some special young ladies to mentor and others to love and form friendships and a community of women who love me in spite of me. God, You’re just too good to me. Thank You.

And…there may be hard things. But I trust You, Lord. And I’m here for that too.

When I have questions about what the future holds I know that God has the answers and that they are good. And no matter how hard my path may become or what decisions need made, I have confidence that the plans for me are for my good and will bring Him glory!

“In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will” Ephesians 1:11

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

“For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Philippians 2:13

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11