Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Let the New Year Begin......

Whether this has been a year of pleasure, pain, or a wild mix of both...it was undoubtedly a year that God was at work in your heart and life.
I for one feel like it was a year of tremendous highs and desperate lows. One that I am thankful I do not have to live over again, yet on the other hand one that I wish I could enjoy part of  once again.

Every year as the last page of the calendar turns over I find myself reminiscing and pondering the past. Not just the last year but the years before.
Tonite I am remembering the New Years Eve, many moons ago that I braved the cold and crowds along with my three kiddos as we camped out overnight in downtown Pasadena, California waiting for the annual Rose Parade. It was definitely a night we will always remember.
Most of our New Years Eves were spent at home playing games and sipping sparkling cider watching the ball drop in New York City Times Square and I remember those just as fondly.

All those years I was the only one who fessed up to  "making resolutions".  I still make resolutions/goals for the new year. I spend time pondering, reflecting and praying about the lessons of the past and the growth of the future.

I always have so much I want to accomplish, so much I hope to achieve. I find myself making lists and journaling my thoughts.
How about you? Are you a resolution maker or do you just take it as it comes?

I do not think there is a right or wrong way. I think we are all wired differently and whatever works for us is what we should do.
It's just like how I need to write things down to remember them and some people just remember.....

I just challenge you to pause, pray and reflect long enough to feel God's presence and hear His voice. To have a bearing on what HE is wanting for you in this new year. What changes you need to make, what things you need to continue with. What is He telling you to do differently? Is He calling you to step out of your comfort zone? Is He calling you to do that thing you have been putting off? Is He maybe just calling you to come closer to Him? Maybe it has been too long since you have drawn near to Him?

Listen.......
What do you hear?

I pray this is a year of drawing close to our Father as He longs for us to be close to Him.  He is our source of strength and hope as we step into the future.

For several years now I have chosen a "Word of the Year". Last year my word came to me and did not make much sense, well that is until the year began unfolding. It did not take long for the word EXPLODE to make itself understood! It was definitely a year of explosion for me. Much of that was positive but just as much was negative and difficult. Like I said, it is a wild mix of both!

 Such is life.

I haven't had a word "come to me" yet, for 2014. I am taking some time tonight to pray and see what He has for me.
How about you? Do you choose a word? What is YOUR word for 2014? I would love to hear it.

I want to wish you a new year filled with HOPE and PROMISE, with HAPPINESS and JOY, filled with LOVE overflowing!!!!
Be blessed and KNOW the love of God that is beyond everything!!!!!

XO Blessings!
Sherry

Thursday, March 28, 2013



Greetings to my dearest friends and family…

As many of you remember back in 2002 I participated in the Avon Breast Cancer Walk.

 It was a three day-60 mile life-changing  journey.

I have wanted to do this again for many years, but because of my chronic health condition I have at times been unable to walk around the block let alone 1 mile or 60!

 But, PRAISE GOD….He has brought restoration to my body and I now feel like I can do it!!!

I have signed up for the 2 day – 39 mile walk in San Francisco in September 2013.

 I am so excited to help bring awareness to this dreaded disease that has struck close to home far too many times. 


I am making a plea to you for your help in reaching my requirement of raising $1800.

I have a couple of fundraisers in the works…..


The first one is a QUILT RAFFLE.

 My dear friend Mary Bowen created a gorgeous pink quilt for me to raffle off.

 For every $5 in donations I receive I will put your name into the raffle.

 

The other endeavor is a YARD SALE on Saturday May 4th at my house.

 I would appreciate any donations for this, which I hope to be my biggest boost in raising funds.  During that yard sale I will take the last donations for the Quilt raffle and then at noon we will draw the winners  name.


When I did the walk in 2002  I was able to raise MORE than I was required to and it was because of all of you who gave so generously. I am depending on that same love and support this time around. I could not have done it without you then and I cannot do it without you now!


Thank you for believing in me!!!

Sherry

 

 

www.avonwalk.org/sherrycoggins

I am not certain why but this is no longer a direct link (so when you go there just select participant and then type in my name and it will take you to my page)

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Happy 2013!!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR ONE AND ALL........

As I was thinking about today, New Years EVE, I was realizing how this day is just like my favorite part of a DAY.
Dusk is my favorite part of a day. New Years Eve is just like DUSK!
 It is the end of the year when things are calm and there is a sense of pause in the air.

I love pausing and reflecting at the end of a year. Pausing to reflect and remember the blessings of the year and the anticipation of the year ahead of us. For as long as I can remember I have taken time to sit down and go over the past years calendar, making note of the things I have done and the things that have transpired, lessons learned, memories made. There are always things that make me wish I could have a do-over and things that I wish I could live over. Things I wish I did not have to go through (but seeking the lessons learned)
 In it ALL I know God is in control and it is HIM that I seek to please and honor.

My hope and prayer for 2013 is health, peace, LOVE, happiness and GROWTH. I want to grow in His love and mature in my walk with HIM!

I happen to be one of those who choose a word of the year. I have only just began pondering my word and so far the one that is sticking is GrOw!!! I have always loved the play on the word....to GrOw/GO forward in my walk with the Lord...to be all and do all for HIM!!!!
I have some ideas about the new year ahead....I am still consulting HIM about them....IF they are of HIM then I shall be seeing some astounding and profound growth in this new year ahead.

What about YOU?
Are you refelcting over the past year and it's events and lessons learned?
Are you ready and excited to embark upon a new year filled with promise and potential?

What are you hoping for, planning for?
Are you consulting HIM?

Are you choosing a "word of the year?"

I would love to hear all about it, all about YOUR New Year process.

Love & Blessings to you for the new year ahead!!
XO