#TellHisStory: The Very Best of 2013
A whole year of days stretches out in front of us.
Stretches out like a promise.
And I pray that your 2014 is a year filled with mint-chip ice cream, fuzzy slippers, snow angels, great books, dark chocolate, sweet surprises at your front door, laugh-til-you-cry friends, good endings, the presence of mind to stop for someone who needs you, a perfect pair of jeans, take-your-breath-away sunrises, sentimental stories, fresh air in your lungs, thimbles of wine and pinches of bread at the altar, people to tell you how you matter, new starts, fresh dreams, and more love than your heart can hold.
My “Best of” for 2013
Our 2013 Highlights, in 38 seconds flat.
My Most Treasured Ministry Moment with The Girls
We pitched hundreds of rocks into a lake, each rock bearing the named burden of a woman — burdens like fear, approval of others, not enough. We threw the rocks far, far away. And we’ve been reminding each other to keep our hands free. Because we can love better with empty hands.
Most Treasured Ministry Moment with YOU!
In less than two weeks, we raised more than $5,000 to build a house for Adeline in Haiti. And we did it by buying thousands upon thousands of dollars of ViBella Jewelry. On Black Friday, I was able to deliver the news, in person, to a very surprised and grateful Adeline. I tried to wrap the hugs of a thousand women, or more, into one tight embrace. I felt it in the depth of me — how Christ is still in the business of turning the darkest, blackest Fridays into Good Fridays.
My Favorite Guest Post Elsewhere
Ann Voskamp — a dear friend — invited me to her porch. We are both farmer’s wives, whose husbands like green tractors and pigs. 🙂 And she has been one amazing encourager in my writing journey, and in my faith life. You can find the post here: When It Seems Like It’s Just One Trouble After Another.
My Most Popular Guest Poster Here
In 2013, I hosted a series of writers who shared encouragement for storytellers. Lynn Morrissey rocked the blog with this piece, found here. She wrote:
“Just write! Write like time is running out, because it is. Write like you have something to say, because you do. Write like you’ve been gifted to write, because you have. Write like God has called you to write, because He has. Write like He wants you to obey, because He does.”
Favorite #TellHisStory Post from the Community
Each week, I try to feature one #TellHisStory post from our linkup, by including it in the sidebar on the blog. One post, by Michelle DeRusha, still has me laughing out loud. Read it, and then bookmark it for Christmas 2014: One Small Thing (Done in Slightly Irritable Love).
Favorite books from 2013
Prototype by Jonathan Martin
This book will help you rediscover — or discover for the first time — how beloved you are, and how that can really change everything.
The Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp.
This book transformed Decembers and Christmases everywhere. As Max Lucado said in his endorsement of The Greatest Gift, “Ann Voskamp on Christmas is Monet on sunsets — made for each other.”
I’ve been begging encouraging Ann to write a devo for every month of the year. Please, Ann? 🙂
All is Grace by Brennan Manning (with John Blase)
It’s hard to imagine a world without more books by Brennan Manning. He died April 12, 2013. He has deeply influenced my spiritual life, and my thoughts on grace. I wrote my thanks to Manning here.
About the book: “It has been over twenty years since the publication of The Ragamuffin Gospel, a book many claim as the shattering of God’s grace into their lives. Since that time, Brennan Manning has been dazzingly faithful in preaching and writing variations on that singular theme – “Yes, Abba is very fond of you!”
But today the crowds are gone and the lights are dim, the patches on his knees have faded. If he ever was a ragamuffin, truly it is now. In this his final book, Brennan roves back his past, honoring the lives of the people closest to him, family and friends who’ve known the saint and the sinner, the boy and the man. Far from some chronological timeline, these memories are witness to the truth of life by one who has lived it – All Is Grace.”
Books You’ll Want to Read in 2014
I got an early peek at some great books that will be coming to a bookstore near you in 2014. You’ll love these. LOVE!
Also: Check out Holley’s new community of encouragement, Coffee for Your Heart, launching Jan. 1, 2014. You won’t want to miss it.
Favorite Instagram Moment of 2013
This moment was a dream come true.
And so yes, there’s one more book I’m hoping you’ll consider
in the coming year. 🙂
I’ve written the words in this book for you, and while I poured myself out on the page, I felt God pouring in, changing me in the most profound ways.
I can’t wait to tell you more. Stay tuned.
(I’m on Instagram at @dukeslee.)
Your turn! What’s on your “Best Of” list?
Tell me about one of your best moments of 2013, and what most excites you about 2014. Feel free to share in the comments, or link with us here at #TellHisStory.
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I loved that video with the rocks and your precious girls! I remember when you posted it. Thanks for hosting! I hope you have a wonderful New Year!
Thank you, Candace. It was a memorable afternoon for us. Unforgettable. Happy New Year.
Happy New Year! I love your recap of 2013. I need to check out the books you’ve shared. Thank you for all your encouragement this past year. You are a blessing! Wishing you a joy-filled 2014.
Much love,
Beth
Hi Beth! I know you’ll love the books. I read all of them cover to cover, through a lot of laughter and tears. Happy New Year.
So grateful for you and your friendship! You are a beautiful gift to this world, your readers, and my heart. Love you!
Can’t wait to chat with you tomorrow, friend. I am missing you! I’m excited to see what God does through you in 2014. It’s going to be GOOD! xo
Two of my best moments were shared with you–in Nebraska and in Texas. And 2014? Not knowing what it holds excites me–and scares me a little. But I’m hoping to get really serious about this writing life. 🙂
Love you so, so big!!
Those were precious moments, SHK. I’m so excited to see where your journey leads, especially your writing journey. I love your voice. You’ve got style, babe!
So many beautiful moments. Happy New Year, Jennifer! Love to you.
Happy New Year. Shine on! Love your “word” for 2014.
Sweet! Can’t wait to read the other baby your getting ready to share with the world!
Bless you. Thank you. Nervous. Excited. Anxious. Eager. Freaked-out. All of it! GAH! (Hold me, Jesus.)
Lovely recap Jennifer. And you are so generous with your platform, it is encouraging. Holding my glass up to 2014, its gonna be a wild ride huh?
Clink! <— Our glasses.
🙂
What a lovely surprise, Jennifer!! Thank you beyond words for your generosity. You are such an encouragement to me, personally. I thank God for you–one of the best people I’ve met in 2013! You are such a special lady. What I particularly loved on this New Year’s blog (besides your kindness to others) are the wonderful videos of you and your family. What a treasure this is and will be in years to come. And I shall never forget those two darling daughters of yours casting our stones in the waters of forgetfulness, so to speak. Mine was among them from the JT retreat, and I know that it is buried there, never to be dredged up again. Thank you for this blog, which also helps each of us revel in stones of remembrance that you place here several times a week….in remembrance of the One for whom the stone was rolled away once and for all! Glory! Have a wonderful New Year, and congratulations again on your new book. I canNOT wait to read it!!!
Muchlove and Happy New Year!
Lynn
The pleasure is all mine. Your words were — and still are! — a gift.
It has been a delight getting to know you and your heart here. Thank you for the community and the way you mentor and encourage. Thank you, Jennifer. Happy New Year!
I feel the same about you. So glad to know you.
What most excites me about 2014 are the POSSIBILITIES. That’s my word for this year! I am excited about what God will teach me this year! And I know it’s going to be awesome because my family is undergoing the hardest challenge in our lives! :^) Bless you dear sister! It was great journeying with you in 2013! Here’s to a wonderful 2014!
God bless you, Patsy. Happy New Year.
Thank you so much, sweet sister, for including my #TellHisStory post and my book in your Best of list – honored and humbled and excited! Love you, girl, and so delighted to be walking arm and arm into 2014 with you!.
Your book is … oh, what’s the word ? … COMPLETELY FABULOUS!!!!! I told another friend about it tonight. It’s going to rock the world.
Oh girl this is just beautiful! Beautiful. Can’t wait for those books and especially yours. Blessings, abundant ones, for 2014.
Smooch… Just love you Alene. Would you pray just a single prayer? For the women who will hold the book. My knees are shaking.
You got it friend!
Smiling so big and wide whenever I am here. But especially big at the recap of glorious joy and goodness in the past year. As well as hearing your book news again, afresh, so excited with you and for you.
News about the book so soon. And thank you for staying so close, E. Pray? It’s kind of nerve-wracking .Won’t lie.
Praying. And when it flies out of your nest, just ask me and I will gladly shout it out ( and read it) from my place.
What a wonderful list …your year and memories….So glad I met you in person and hugged you this year…Many blessings as this year unfolds 🙂
A whole lot of Amen to that, friend. Can’t believe I got to meet you!