Monday, January 6, 2020

2020 ~ A Year of Optimism



Hello! Welcome to 2020! Can you believe it? It's an awesome privilege to be alive at a time such as this. Take it from a gal who was handed a cancer sentence two and a half years ago. Praise God He healed me. I will live and not die and declare the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Psalm 118.

I was talking to my husband the other night. He agrees that it would be good to do something special on the 20th of each month this year. A chance like this happens once in a lifetime...1818, 1919, 2020, etc. Many of my loved ones didn't get to see a year such as this. I'm thankful God saw fit to allow me to see it and enjoy it.

There seems to be a lot of optimism among people that I've spoken with about this coming year. Perhaps it's the fact that it's a new decade as well as a new year. Perhaps it's that 2020 sounds like a year of clear vision. Perhaps it's that the economy is doing so well. Thank you President Trump. Perhaps it's because I've spoken to Christians and positive people.

You know, there's nothing wrong with surrounding yourself with positive people and Christians. There's nothing wrong with being salt and light to those who are not walking with the LORD. It's just important not to let yourself be influenced by the wrong ideas and actions.

Some people think I live in my own little world that's not the real world. Nope. Not true. I'm very aware of the evil and anxious and fearful things happening in this world. No, not all of them, but enough. I choose, however, to be salt and light to people around me. I choose to be cheerful. I choose to help others to be happier by splashing the love of Jesus on them. I choose to keep the yuck out of my house. It's like I've said to my neighbor, if we want small town friendly, we've got to be small town friendly. ~smile~

It is a biblical point of view. "...Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:8

I joined a 52 Week Sewing Challenge at the invitation of Patsy at A Working Pantry. The first challenge was to clean up our sewing area. Here's my before and after of the corner of my sunroom that I am setting up for sewing. I will add supplies as I dig them out. ~smile~


My husband's desk is in the opposite corner of the room.


I suddenly became aware that we need to organize some of the things outside and get them put up on the garden shed.

This next week, the challenge is to finish a work in progress. I have an apron that I was working on just before I got my cancer diagnosis. I just put it away and left it. Maybe I'll pull that out and finish it. I have until Sunday night to complete it.

Well, I'm still doing some thinking about where to go with the blog this year. Many things in my life are changing and have changed recently. I want to be sure that I'm still doing what the LORD wants me to do.

If you have any ideas for things you'd like me to write about, or about a different format you'd like to see me try, please comment or write to me at laura@harvestlane.com

God bless you all,
Laura Lane

24 comments:

  1. I'm thrilled to hear how well you are doing. God definitely answers prayer.

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    1. Thank you Kelly, you are too kind. I appreciate your prayers. God has been so good to me.
      Hugs,
      Laura

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  2. Psalm 118:24-The Lord has done it this very day;
    let us rejoice today and be glad.

    Today! 😁 This part leapt out at me.

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    1. Be blessed dear Sandi! You're mining for gold when you open the Word of God.

      Laura

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  3. I am not sure what this year holds, as my world is so different now. I do know that the Lord has me here for a reason. I will do my best to be righteous unto Him.
    I love your phrase - "I choose".
    Blessings

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    1. My life has changed much as well. God will lead us if we lean into Him. ~smile~
      Be blessed,
      Laura

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  4. Replies
    1. Best wishes to you as well!
      Be blessed,
      Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

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  5. Hello, Dear Friend,
    I will read anything you write, so follow your heart!
    Your blog looks lovely.
    So fresh for the new year!

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    1. Dear Billie Jo, You have been so supportive and kind to me through the years. Thank you. Although I don't get to read blogs daily, I always enjoy catching up with you when I come by your blog. Yours is one of the few that I've stayed with through the years. I do wishwe lived close. I'm sure we'd be such good friends. Hugs to you, Laura

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  6. Your mentioning the apron you were going to finish made me think of the fabric and pattern I bought for an apron over a year ago. Perhaps I should really get busy and make it!

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    1. Good idea Joyce. I'd love to see a photo when you finish.
      Be blessed!
      Laura

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  7. Laura I am happy that you are doing and feeling well. Wishing you a year of happiness,health and blessings. HAPPY 2020. Always in my prayers.
    Marion

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  8. You've inspired me to make a craft corner in my sunroom too! So glad you are doing so well, Laura. God is so good! I love your blog and anything you write. You seem to have a great balance between faith inspiration, home stuff and frugal living. It's a joy to read! Best wishes for 2020! Jacci

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    1. Oh, I do hope that you'll share a photo when you're finished with your craft corner Jacci.

      You're too sweet Jacci. Thank you. That's the closest to balanced I've ever been. Ha ha!

      Be blessed,
      Laura

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  9. Good morning Laura!
    I too am working on decluttering and getting more organized. I don't have a sewing room so I bring my sewing machine to the dining room table.
    This year I want to focus on intentional kindness. I'm finding it more difficult than I realize to come up with ideas. I'm thinking maybe I'm focusing too much on trying to be unique in being intentional. Well have fun with your sewing challenge.

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    1. Hello dear Regina, I think that being intentional about kindness is really quite simple. It's just showing the love of Jesus in any situation we find ourselves in. It's being friendly to strangers, about truly listening to others, about being approachable and smiling and lending a hand when possible. It's about hospitality. Not entertaining, just plain old open the door and come on in hospitality. It's getting to know neighbors. It's so many things. Relax into it and ask the LORD to direct you. You know Proverbs 3:5-6 really works.  Be blessed dearie, I always love hearing from you.  Hugs, Laura

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  10. I am so glad you are doing so well. Praise the Lord!!

    I think whatever you want to write about is what you should write about. And if the Lord puts on your heart to let your blog sit idle for awhile, do that. The Lord will lead you!

    Blessings!

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    1. Thanks so much Patti. You're too kind.
      You're so right about following the Lord.
      He's what it's all about. Everything.
      Be blessed,
      Laura

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  11. I am excited to see what God has for us in 2020! We met a dear lady at church who also has a brain injury and she prayed over my husband and that week he had a significant amount of healing in his brain! We have tried to downsize house for 4 years and God has kept us here and now we feel He has real work for us to do in our neighborhood so we are settled in here for however long He needs us to stay here. It is not about us!

    Blessings for the New Year, dear Laura!

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    1. Whatever comes we can be confident that God will work all things together for good for those of us who love Jesus and follow Him.

      You're very right that it's not about us.

      Blessings,
      Laura

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  12. Choosing to surround myself with positive people is a huge area I am working on myself. I just suddenly realized how much toxicity and negativity I am around at work and it's tough.

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    1. Hi Mandy,
      You are so right. It's much easier to be positive around positive people. Do your best to spread sunshine in the dark around you.
      Blessings,
      Laura

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Thank you so much for "talking back" to me!

I read all comments and appreciate them.
Please make sure I have your email if you want me to respond or pray for you.

God bless you! This life only works with Jesus. The next life is a continuation of this one—make sure you spend it with Jesus. Jesus is the only way to God the Father!

Your blog friend,
Laura Lane
5 Year Cancer Survivor