Embracing the New Year: Celebrating Blessings and Fresh Beginnings
- Myra McIlwain
- Jan 10
- 3 min read
The start of a new year brings a unique opportunity to pause, reflect, and look ahead. It invites us to celebrate the blessings we have received and to welcome fresh beginnings with open hearts. This moment offers a chance to reset our intentions, appreciate what truly matters, and embrace the possibilities that lie ahead.
Recognizing the Blessings of the Past Year
Before moving forward, it’s important to acknowledge the good things that have happened. Blessings come in many forms—relationships, health, personal growth, or even small moments of joy. Taking time to reflect on these can build gratitude and strengthen our outlook. These are some of my joys and accomplishments for 2025.
Graduations of the youth in November from junior, and senior high schools
Fellowship with friends
Colaborating with the Smith's of LivingSent Ministries, inc.
Establishing a Non Government Organization (NGO) that will solidify MCYEP in Guatemala Seeing our family grow in stability
Having delicious meals prepared by my hubby
Having lunch with my grandson Nathaniel in Baltimore
Celebrating 30 years of ministry in Guatemala
Enjoying the blessings of married life
Relocating more permanently to Guatemala
Providing Sshool shoes
Successfull ctaeract surgery and the wonder of colors I felt I had never seen before
Accompaning my husband on a mission trip to Pakistan
Celebrating birthdays
Ministering with the women
Visiting in the community
Youth outreach to the community
women's Ministry
What the new year brings
Spending time with the Lord in reading my Bible and prayer
Seeking God's guidance
Appreciation and respect for my husband for all that he is.
Encouragent for the youth in their relationship swith the Lord, their families and their school
responsibilities
Growing more in love with my husband
Stepping back and letting Danny use his talents and gifts with the youth
Looking more at succesion plan for the future
Encouragement for Gilma and the other workers in their tasks
More outdoor campaigns with the youth leading
Taking the youth away for a trip
Traveling overseas with my husband
Exercising and eating healthy
Changes
Creeativity through painting and writing
Gratefulness
Finding Joy in the Journey
Joy in the journey has always been on my prayer list. ..for real. I get tired, frustrated and feel overwhelmed at times. It happens infrequently but when it does, it truly brings me down. That is why I always pray to have joy in the journey.. I cry out to God, "Restore to me the joy of your salvation". Within a short time, I realize the weight has been lifted and I have been refreshed. He truly is the answer for any situation.
I am grateful for the support and prayers that have enabled me to stand, not in my own strenth but in the strength of God through His Holy Spirit. I am so grateful for God's presence in my life. I know without Him I can not do anything. He has proven himself faithful through out my life and in 2025.
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