A Year Of Possibilities And A Giveaway!

The Year of Possibilities Begins with Winter Blessings

As I sit here and write, the East Coast of the US has just begun to thaw out from two weeks of frigid, arctic cold. The kind of cold that seeps deep in your bones and chills you from the inside out. Even those of us living in Florida have not been immune. Tallahassee saw snow flurries; St. Augustine, Jacksonville, and Tampa were unseasonably cold. Amelia Island saw snow flurries. Fort Pierce and Vero Beach were insulated from the snow, but it it was cold – several nights saw sinking temperatures below 32 degrees.

With the cold comes forced rest; staying inside where it is warm; a slower, more relaxed pace. The blessings that came from the cold weather allowed me to embrace the rest that I so badly needed so that body could heal. For the last several months I have been battling with a decision to have surgery. Knowing it needed to be done, but not wanting to give up my traveling, even for a little while, was a really hard decision for me. And December into January was the only four-week window I have in my schedule until the end of May. So without a moment’s thought to talk myself out of it, I scheduled my surgery for December 20th.

Winter Blessings Lead to Healing Rest

The Lord has used my husband, my friends, books, and the 2 x 4 over the head – figuratively, not literally – to speak rest to me. To “Be Still.” This is nothing new to me – I have received this word for several years. But in 2017 I really began to practice “Be Still.” And let me tell you, it is no easy task for someone who loves to travel, loves to write, and loves adventure!

But following my back surgery, I have had to rely on others – namely my husband – to help me. I can’t bend, can’t twist, and can’t lift. This translates to no making the bed, no stripping the bed, no laundry, no cooking. This has been a lesson in dependance – something that is really hard for an independent, go-getter, on the go gal. And I won’t lie – it has has not been easy to just be still. But I’m learning. And in the learning, I am discovering the blessing of just being; not doing. Just being. And being fully engaged with my husband, with friends, and with family. And in that, is the blessing.

Finding Blessings in my Word of Year

Do you have a ‘word of the year’?

This year I actually received two. The first, “Be Still” is from the Bible, and is an ongoing word that I have been given for several years – I might be the teeniest bit stubborn and hard headed. Being still is really difficult for me, but I am learning. The second word that I was given for this year is “POSSIBLE.” Why possible? When I reached out to a dear friend and shared these two words, her answer surprised me –

“I love both of them, and I love that possible is positive, has a sort of think before you get muddled feel to it, a look deeper than first appearances feel. And to do this, you’ll have to be still, not flustered or hurried, so they fit well. Happy New Year! Can’t wait to see all the impossible the Lord makes possible for you this year!”

POSSIBLE. And that is what 2018 is shaping up to be. New possibilities are opening for me as an entrepreneur. New possibilities in collaborations. New possibilities of travel. It is amazing! And so I’m embracing my Winter Blessings and the Gift of Possible for 2018.

Planning for the Blessings That Come From the Possibilities

My forced rest period has yielded blessings beyond measure. I have been able to just sit and dream (“Be Still”) about my 2018 travel destinations. I have begun to map out the results of some new collaborations and new directions (stay tuned – I will be unveiling these soon! And if you subscribe to our email list, you will be in “the know” sooner!)

One of the best tools for keeping track of all of the new POSSIBILITIES my Blog Well Planner from Katie Hornor! Trust me, if you love planners, you will adore this quarterly planner!

Winter Blessings Giveaway:

This week I am partnering some sweet friends to bless YOU with a fantastic giveaway! I have been blessed so much by several items in this giveaway, and I want to share those with YOU!

2 winners will each receive these Prizes: ($113.49 value)

For the Love by Jen Hatmaker (physical book) $22.99
Restoring the Lost Petal by Danielle Tate (physical book) $9.95
Putting on the Spirit: Ten-Minute Devotions for Busy Moms by Katie Hornor (autographed, physical book) $11.97
In Spite of Myself: How Intentional Praise can Transform Your Heart and Home by Katie Hornor (autographed, physical book) $15.49
#IChoosePraise coffee mug $14.00
The Herbal Salve, 4 oz. $24.oo
$15 Starbucks gift card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms: No purchase necessary. Open only to legal residents of the United States, who are 18 years of age or older as of date of entry. Void in Puerto Rico and all other U.S. territories and wherever prohibited by law. Subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Decisions of ParadisePraises.com are final on all matters pertaining to Giveaway. By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and decisions of ParadisePraises.com. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.
Participation in the giveaway is consent to receive email from sponsors. This is how winners will be notified and announced and digital prizes delivered. Prizes cannot be transferred or returned for cash value.
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Chances of winning vary based on the final number of entrants. Giveaway ends Jan 17, 2018 at 11:59 PM EST. Winners will be chosen randomly and notified by email on Jan 20, 2017. Each winner has 48 hours to respond or they may forfeit prize. Respective Sponsors will be responsible for prize fulfillment. If you have any questions, please contact katie {at} paradisepraises {dot} com. FelizPreneur LLC, Po Box 416, Andrews, NC 28901.