Deb Kastner here, wishing you the very best for 2020. Hey–that’s fun to type. 2020. 2020. 2020.
Oh, wow!
How did I end up with the opportunity to blog on New Year’s Eve? It’s definitely a God thing. What a privilege and honor it is to spend this time with you, taking a look back at what last year has wrought and forward to our hopes and dreams for the year to come. I think for most of us, we’re especially self-aware during this time, whether or not we choose to make resolutions.
Last year I chose not to make specific resolutions, as my life was crazy with family issues and health and I felt as if I was hanging on by my fingernails. Here at the end of the year, there’s still family and health issues, some better, some worse, but despite that, I believe I need to move into 2020 with more intention than in the past.
It’s hard for me to talk about, but I think perhaps full disclosure is in order. For those who may not know, my husband had a stroke a little over three years ago and I’m now his full-time caregiver. I also babysit my eight-year-old grandson 40+ hours a week and write books. Since I’m now the primary breadwinner, I’ve also taken up freelance editing to pay the monthly bills.
Most of the time I’m living with a muddled mind. Not the best-case scenario by any means.
So, this year I choose to live with the intention of spending every moment of every day in the Lord’s presence. Of course, I always am, whether or not I’m aware of it, but in 2020 my goal is to commune with God in a special way, to be aware of His glorious presence even during moments which are especially tough or stressful. For me, it’s easy to say, “Praise God!” when something good or exciting happens, but not so much when the pressure is on.
Let me start out 2020 in the way I intend to continue:
Three…Two…One…
Happy New Year! And Praise the Lord!!
How did last year go for you? Are you making New Year’s resolutions this year?
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~~Love Courageously~~ Publisher's Weekly Bestselling, award-winning author of 30 novels, Deb Kastner enjoys writing contemporary inspirational western stories set in small communities. She feels especially blessed to be able to include faith as a natural and genuine part of her characters' lives. Deb lives in beautiful Colorado with her husband and a pack of miscreant mutts. She is blessed with three adult daughters and two grandchildren. Her favorite hobby is spoiling her grandchildren, but she also enjoys reading, watching movies, listening to music (The Texas Tenors are her fav), singing in the church choir, and exploring the Rocky Mountains on horseback.
I did make one for 2019 and stuck to it. Thinking about making another for 2020.
I am not making a resolution but I do want to think of 2 words I want to live by for the next year. I know one word is going to be joy.
Prayers, Deb, and Happy New Year to you and your family…I try not to make resolutions, but I am trying out a word for this year….Peace…. we’ll see how it goes 😁
I don’t make resolutions, never really have. I, too, am a caregiver. I’m my Mom’s. She’s 95. Mom can still pretty much take care of herself, though she doesn’t see well and is hard of hearing. She can do her daily care, though she can’t cook any more, do laundry, banking, those types of things. I’m home with her every day, though I can leave her alone for a few hours at a time. I only do that if I have to meet with a client, or for Bible study. I also am the one who makes sure she takes her meds and gets those ready. Thankfully, most of what she takes is vitamins!!! So, I know a little about what you go through.
I set goals for each year in a variety of categories, and I usually complete them, or come pretty close. Blessings on your New Year, Deb (and Joe)!
Blessings on you, Deb, and your family, esp. Joe. I have prayed for you this year and will continue into 2020. Hub & I have health issues….don’t get out much but I can pray and read (185 this year).
Hugs
2019 was rough. I’m not sad to leave this year. My step-dad, who raised me so he’s really my dad, was killed in a car accident. He was a flawed man for sure, but he was an awesome man. In addition, my daughter was diagnosed with petit mal seizures. We have no idea why she has them, and we don’t know what her future holds with these seizures. She could grow out of them, or they could grow worse. And, if that’s not enough, my best friend has been battling a very rare cancer. She has had a really rough few months, and it scares me a little. I know God’s got us all in all of this, but 2019 will go down in history as my least favorite year. I don’t do resolutions. That’s not me. But this year I want to be intentional about not letting the bad get me down. I don’t want to be a whiner or complainer. I want to just do what God asks. I know I’ll need to be in constant conversation with God … complaining is my forte … but I know He’ll see me through. God is good all the time. Happy New Year!
I don’t make resolutions; but a word I need to work on this year is patience. My husband also has health issues, and he’s starting to have memory problems now. I find myself getting impatient when he can’t say what he’s trying to, or he overdoes it during the day. So with God’s help, I’ll try to be more patient. Praying for a better year for you and your family.
Way to go, Kim! Hope 2020 is equally as successful for you.
We could all use more joy in our lives. I think that word would be a good challenge for me. I’ve done the one word resolutions in the past with some success. I guess if you boil down my rambling, the word for this year would be intent.
Happy New Year!
Hi Paula. Peace is a lovely word for the year, and definitely one I would love to join you in. I don’t know about you, but I feel sometimes as if I live in a whirlwind! Wishing you the best in 2020.
Hi Trudy.
Caregiving is a whole other thing, isn’t it? I definitely wasn’t prepared for the changes after my honey’s stroke, but I’m just grateful he’s here for me to take care of. I try not to leave him alone, so if I have to go anywhere, he goes with me.
I’m praying for you that you’ll have the strength and courage to continue to care for your mother and that you’ll find rest and joy along the way. Have a wonderful New Year!
Aww, Val, you’re showing us up! Always so organized. :) Happy New Year!
Hi Kathy,
Wow, I really get it. And the Catch 22 in all that is that if he’s anything like my husband, he’s actually frustrated and impatient with himself, but then he turns it outward and I struggle with patience with him. It’s a crazy cycle.
Praying for you that this year will be smoother for you and your husband. Happy New Year!
Wow! I’m impressed. I wish I had more time to read amidst the chaos that is my life. I appreciate the prayers so much and will pray for you in return. Happy New Year!
Hi Nicole. My heart hurt when I read your post. I also had two very close friends diagnosed with the big C this last year and it’s been really painful to watch them fight the good fight. It’s hard not to get to feeling down. And I’ll admit I *may* complain much more than I should. I’m praying for you that 2020 will bring you rest and peace in your heart and many good things. Happy New Year!
I have basically made the same resolution as you. I desire to be more aware of God every day and to start every day in His Word and prayer. Nothing else has greater priority.
Hello and Happy New Year’s Eve! The end of 2018 was so difficult for my husband and me that I chose not to make any resolutions for 2019. We moved to a new state and away from everything and everyone we knew, including our church family and I felt stuck in a vacuum and couldn’t really move forward. The only thing that helped us get through this time was our love for JESUS and more importantly, HIS love for us. So, I need to get unpacked and moved into the house we bought 2 years ago. My resolution for 2020 is to unclutter my belongings, but more importantly, my life. We are going to move forward again, being intentional, diving into church life, and keeping Dr. appointments as needed. I pray that folks experiencing any sort of difficulties would turn to HIM for help first.
I don’t really make resolutions, but this year I want to focus on being more present in life and intentional to live life instead of just getting by.
I should further explain that the hardest part was not the move, but the fact that I spent a bit of the time in and out of hospitals and my husband somehow developed a hole in the macula of his eye. As we are older Americans and on our own now, it was difficult with all these new situations.
Deb, praying for you and your family. I don’t usually make resolutions. But one thing I’m going to do this year is clean out my closets and drawers and get rid of stuff I don’t use or need. Hubby and I have already started, but we have a ways to go.
Happy and blessed New Year. Thank you for sharing.
Happy New Year to you. My year was tough. But I know God was with me every step of the way. Even when I didnt think I felt Him. My dad got sick, and it went down hill real fast. Before we knew it, he died. I was in charge of his will and trust and that turned out to be a total mess/disaster. Finally his second wife had papers drawn up so I could give everything over to her. And she has done wonderfully with it. My husband got sick, my nephew. Our 13 yr. old cat died in December. This is the tip of the ice berg. This last year was a roller coaster. I am so grateful for my husband, my sister and my close christian friends that stuck by me. There was some good also sprinked throughout the year. I know God was saying, “Ok, Lori, fill up your fuel tank, I am here”
May this new year be a blessing for you and may you find you are closer to God.
Isn’t that the truth, Linda? And yet it’s so easy to slide into daily life without first putting our minds and hearts where they belong–in the Lord’s hands. God bless your 2020!
Hi Linda. I join you in your prayer that those experiencing difficulties would find peace and rest in Christ. I hope you’ll be able to find more of a sense of home this year. I desperately need to declutter, as well. I think it would help. Happy New Year!
Hi Megan,
Yes, exactly. My mind is so often in the past or future and I feel as if I’m scrambling from one thing to another. Wishing you the very best 2020.
Do you have any good suggestions on decluttering, Merrillee? Maybe it’s my bipolar disorder, but I’ll start cleaning in one spot and then the next thing I know I’m somewhere else and end up getting nothing completed.
Happy New Year!
Back at you, Lelia. Many blessings!
Hi Lori,
Sounds like 2019 was a rough one. Will be praying for you that things will smooth out in the new year.
Boy, sounds like 2019 has been rough on a lot of us. We had my mom’s memorial service in January, financial difficulties over the summer, my mother-in-law in and out of hospital from March to September when she finally passed away. And now my sister-in-law had a massive stroke while sitting at the big family dinner on Christmas day and we are dealing with likely end-of-life issues for her now.
One of the ways that I have been encouraged by the psalms is not just the praise psalms and Psalm 23 but those where David just pours out the struggles of his heart. It means so much to me to think that our heavenly father is even better at embracing and comforting His weeping, struggling children as we are with our own. Sometimes all I have is the tears. He is still there and knows exactly what to do. Pain may not be pleasant but it sure keeps His kids in touch! :)
A blessed and hope filled New Year, y’all!
I don’t think that’s bipolar because I have it, too. Mine is AAADD, Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder. Honey, have you seen my cleaning rag?
I didn’t really make any resolutions except to see less doctors of any sort less than the year before. I think I actually did it this time. I was averaging about 3 times or more a month. 2019 I think it was more like 21 times in the year with 5 being specialists. If I can go even less this year would be wonderful.
2018 felt like 1 step forward 10 steps back. 2019 felt like I had finally turned a corner till the end of the year when I hurt my back but it was still a lot better than the previous years. Finally finding something to control the migraine and other head pain to bring it down to almost not noticeable a lot of the time is HUGE.
I say I want to eat better etc but making a resolution to do it puts to much pressure on. I am going to do the not buying any chocolate or candy for as long as I can. I have a little here at home still to eat but if once that’s gone I am not going to replace it. I know I can do this as I have other years and I if I can go a few days without chocolate I can go months.
I hope your year will go well. Sorry to hear about your husband My dad had a stroke when I was 8 it wasn’t one that left him paralysed at all but it affected his memory and changed him so he couldn’t do somethings without being asked or suggested. like if the fire needed more wood he couldn’t see that but mum would just say I better go get some more wood and he was up and getting it. She learnt from a great doctor what was happening and that if she suggested something by saying she was going to do something he would do it. It really helped her to know why he didn’t think to do some of those things. She was his care giver for several years and it wasn’t easy.
Hi Jenny,
I’m so glad to hear you found relief from your migraines. Would you mind sharing what finally worked for you? My neurologist is suggesting Botox but I’m balking a bit on that. May have to do what I have to do to keep trying to find an answer.
It sounds as if you’ve really struggled with your health. You’ll be in my prayers. Happy New Year!
I’m so sorry you’ve had so many health struggles in your family. Really tough year! You’ll be in my prayers that 2020 will be full of peace and rest for you. Happy New Year!
My mom used to tell me to clean my room and then would find me hours later with a book in my hand. Another big deterrent to decluttering!
Last year wasn’t my favorite. I started the year coming home from the hospital after a triple bypass surgery on Christmas Eve. That was followed by the flu a month later which took a month to recover from. I lost my 18 y/o dog in October and 14 y/o dog in November. Kind of a frustrating year. Peace is always a good word for me…how do we spread it to the powers that be? They are the ones that need to learn it. Health is what I look for this year and in the coming years. I want to keep my heart strong for another 20 anyway. I always said I wanted to live til 90. Anything past that is icing on the cake.
I didn’t make any resolutions last year. Some years I do and some I don’t.
I’m hoping to survive 2020, is that a resolution? On New Year’s Eve my husband and I were talking about what we expect, he was sweet and said something about our lovely kids and I was tired and told him it’s going to be a totally crazy year and I just hope to survive. As of this month, I’m 35, my eldest is 3ya, and the youngest is 5months old. I also got a new job for 40h/week, which I can’t do at night, like I’ve been doing in my old job, so that means less time with the kids, more on the clock work (and yes, I’ll still have tons of off the clock night work to do as a professor). There are so many things I’d love for 2020, but just surviving it would mean a lot. I think God gave me the job now, so He must know what He’s doing, which stops me from freaking out a lot, but not entirely.