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On this day we often reflect on the year that is ending and look forward to the new year. Each year has its high points and low points. If we’ve had a particularly bad year, we may be glad it is over. As we look ahead to the new year, we might think of the following scripture from Philippians 3:13b-14 “but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.” We can know that whether the year is good or bad, we can keep our eyes focused on the goal of serving God. As a writer, I want to remember that very idea as I tell my stories.
I’m looking forward to telling more stories in my Front Porch Promises series. The first book has been out for a couple of years, and I’m excited that the second book will be released in early 2016.
My 2015 was a very good year. How was yours? What are you looking forward to in 2016?
I will give away a copy of A PLACE TO CALL HOME to one person who leaves a comment.
Merrillee Whren is an award-winning author who writes inspirational romance. She is the winner of the 2003 Golden Heart Award for best inspirational romance manuscript presented by Romance Writers of America. She has also been the recipient of the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award and the Maggie Award for Excellence. She is married to her own personal hero, her husband of thirty plus years, and has two grown daughters. She has lived in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Chicago and Florida but now makes her home in the Arizona desert. When she’s not writing, she spends her free time playing tennis or walking while she does the plotting for her novels.
Two of my favorite things are massive wrap around porches and rocking chairs, so I love your covers Merrillee. Congratulations on your latest release! I look forward to reading it.
In 2016, I’m looking forward to spending more time with family and friends, as well as the release of my first Love Inspired book.
Happy New Year!
I love your covers, Merrillee! I’m looking forward to a lot of good reading in 2016! Plus family, friends, and much more.
2015 had its ups and down. It was half bad and half good. Thought each trials I take as lesson learned. For 2016, I am going to be more involved in church and complete the things I keep putting off. So I look for to 2016 and I’ve decide that like 2015 I will look at each experience as part of me growing into a more wiser person.
Looking back on 2015, our family had ups and downs like everyone. Our trust in God helped us in every situation. I am praying that 2016 is a wonderful, healthy, happy year for everyone. Happy New Year! :-)
I had heart surgery in 2014, so was looking forward to doing more & going places in 2015. Then my husband started having heart problems, so most of 2015 was spent going to his doctor’s appts and heart procedures with him :-) Now we’re both in better shape and hope this year to do some traveling around the US.
I love your covers! So cozy. :)
2015 was a mix of good and bad. Thankfully the good outweighed the bad.
I’m not sure what I am looking forward to in 2016. I’ve been living in the moment this week enjoying my boys being home from college. I’ll do some soul searching once things go back to my new normal and see what the Lord may have for me in 2016.
My 2015 was full of interesting things at my work, with my family and in my walk with my Lord. Nothing earth shattering, but enough to give me pause.
I’m looking forward to see what God has in store for my this next year. I already know He’s going to stretch me in ways I need to grow, but I’m confident of His LOVING presence all the way.
Thanks, Jill. I know anticipating your first Love Inspired book is exciting.
Thanks, Valerie. Each year with family and friends is a blessing. Each year I think I’m going to read more, but sadly, the time I used to get to read is taken up with writing. My daughter gave me a huge book, over 800 pages, on the life of Alexander Hamilton that inspired the hit Broadway play, Hamilton. My hubby said if I read 2 pages a day, I’ll finish in two year. LOL!
Colleen, it is important to learn from the good and bad we’ve been through. This last Sunday our pastor encouraged us to do the things we’ve felt called to do and have been putting off.
Mimi, trusting in God is so important. Thanks for sharing.
Margaret, I’m glad you are both doing better. I pray you have a wonderful year ahead.
Kimberly, that’s a good way to look at it. Enjoy the moment and be reflective when we have a quiet time.
Marylin, I love how you spell your name. Yes, the Lord with stretch us. I’m looking forward to that in 2016.
Like most of the others, 2015 had its ups and downs. We have been struggling with issues with our 21 year old son who has moved out and it not making smart decisions. All we can do now is pray for him. Our daughter is on the right track and doing well in college, so that is a blessing. Looking forward to 2016 and praying for a good year. By the way, both book covers are very inviting. Happy New Year!
I’m mentally sitting down on that porch, Merrilee, and looking back. 2015 was one of those ‘that’s good, no that’s bad’ years. Something good happened but it had a bad side which then had a good side which then had a bad side. Some of my prayers from 2015 will carry over into 2016. Some things I can leave behind. But while each year will bring it’s challenges I know that in all things God holds me and my family in his faithful and loving embrace.
2015 was a good but busy year, we moved a couple of times. Looking forward to 2016 and all the new books to read!
Happy New Year to everyone at Inspy Romance.
Jennifer, I wish the best for the new year, especially in dealing with your son. Children are so important to us.
Carolyne, so often we see multiple results from things that happen, and it is comforting to know that through it all God is with us.
Lientjie, Happy New Year and to more reading in 2016.
I love your new cover. Thanks for wiring. I love to read clean, Christian, romance. Our year has been busy. Our youngest is a senior in nursing school. She just became engaged, and she is leaving for a short term mission trip to Africa today. We were able to visit all our children for Christmas, so that was special.
2015 was good, though not what we expected. I am looking forward to seeing 2016. Right now we are planning two graduations and a wedding (our sisters’) and other than that I’m not even sure what to anticipate. =) I am glad that God knows and I can trust Him!
Diana, thanks. Congratulations to your daughter. Glad you had a good Christmas. Best wishes for the New Year.
Katy, you do have a busy 2016 in store. Yes, it is good to know our futures are in God’s hands.
I’m excited for you Merrillee on your second Front Porch Promise book releasing this year! I’m sure you’re pretty excited about it :-)
One thing I’m looking forward to in 2016….to work on my massive TBR pile!! I’d love to cut it in at least half, I have so many physical copies on my bookshelf. It’s almost overwhelming!!
Happy New year, may it be the best yet :-)
I hope you make it through your TBR pile. I don’t see my pile any more because it’s on my Nook.