Moments of Magnitude

WARNING... this blog comes off as "judgy" it's not intended to, it's a look inside my brain as I was/am navigating some of these challenges ...and maybe it could help one of you

 So how do we know what it looks like to walk in faith even though it feels like we may walk off a cliff?

As 2025 comes to an end, I'm reminded by a friend that it was the year of the WOOD SNAKE. A year where we will shed our old skin, have deep renewal and enter 2026 the year of the FIRE HORSE.

The FIRE HORSE brings themes of rapid movement, freedom, passion, and significant personal transformation, signaling a time for bold action, career shifts, and emotional breakthroughs, especially impacting signs like the Snake, Tiger, Horse, Dog, and Dragon for major changes, marking a powerful period for growth and breaking old cycles.

Although I do not believe in the Stars, I do believe in GOD and that he may speak through others and use signs, numbers, and dreams to help guide us.

The Bible doesn't mention the specific year 2026, but many Christian interpretations connect it to prophetic themes of expansion, new beginnings, spiritual authority, and increased urgency for evangelism, often linking it to the Hebrew year 5786 (a year of declaration/mouth) and viewing it as a pivotal time for believers to grow in faith and share the Gospel, with some seeing it as a significant point for world events, though emphasizing staying watchful, not date-setting.

The common theme of NEW BEGINNINGS seems to be dominant.

So if you are reading this and feel a spark of hope, know that God has a plan.

2025 took off like a bullet for me. Starting the new year with a hysterectomy, and 2 days after being cleared from that a Ceramic on Ceramic hip replacement. Not even a month later, I was on the move. Literally..

There was no comfort zone to hide in, no certainty, no friends, no family in the land we were to move to. Tennessee.

Eccentric, bonkers, risky are words that come to mind, however, irrational does not. Tennessee has a lot of opportunity, Christianity, growth, mountains, great schooling, and there are lower taxes, lower costs of living, making it an optimal place to raise children, for a family to THRIVE not just SURVIVE...

My very financially minded husband reminds me that most people live beyond their means.

• Carrying Credit Card Balances: Using credit to fund purchases you can't afford.

• No Savings: Having little to no emergency fund.

• Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle: Barely making it to the next payday.

• High Housing Costs: Spending over a third of your income on housing

and how the Bible warns us again such things... The Bible strongly advises against living beyond your means, emphasizing contentment, responsible stewardship, and avoiding greed, warning that debt leads to bondage and chasing wealth brings dissatisfaction, while encouraging saving, generosity, and focusing on eternal riches over temporary possessions. Key verses highlight that "a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7) and being content with what you have (Hebrews 13:5) are pleasing to God, contrasting this with the emptiness of materialism..

NOT THAT WE ARE PERFECT IN ANY WAY!

And this of course comes at Holiday time where the most money is spent!

And how the heck can anyone survive in the world we live in today like this?

The truth is, more than half of us don't, but it can be done. It requires discipline, budgeting, and sometimes resisting consumer culture, but it's achievable, especially by prioritizing saving early and making conscious choices. 

So when I've been asked why we would move from Colorado (a place that is near and dear to my heart) to Tennessee, my response is an emotional but a wise one. GOD.

(I can still remember the awkward moment of silence when the pastor of our new church asked me why we moved. )

Knowing that God has a plan for me, just like he has a plan for you too. In hindsight seeing how God has used my life long education, experiences (good or bad), to prepare me for this moment and to continue to use me on purpose for a purpose. But if he used all those years for this, then I wonder what he is preparing me for next? Am I walking in FAITH or walking off a cliff?

And not just me... what about you? Why do you exist? What do you think your purpose or purposes are in life? And to what Magnitude are you living it?

2025 had many Moments of Magnitude for me...

Just when you think you have it figured out... the devil comes along and reminds you that he likes to instill..

• Deception: Believing lies about yourself or God.

• Discouragement: Losing motivation and hope.

• Doubt: Questioning what you once knew.

• Distraction: Being pulled away from important things.

• Division: Creating separation from others or God. 

So I'm reminding you that life is hard. It hurts, we don't always understand it, make sense of it, or always thrive in it... BUT THERE IS HOPE. THERE IS GOOD.. and we know if we don't change anything, NOTHING will change!

THE GOOD THAT THE CHANGE I MADE BROUGHT...

A season of growth, pr's and empowerment at GCA XC. Not just for the kids.. but this Coach too includes SPIRITUAL GROWTH!

• 24 of 28 athletes PR'd

• 44 Total PR's (many athletes continued to PR throughout the season)

• Multiple Athletes broke the School Records

• MS Girls Regional Champions

• 2 ALL STATE HONORS

• Girls 5th at State Placement

Onto MMXC Club Cross Country For November and December

• 4 of 4 athletes PR'd

• There were a total of 5 PR's

• 2 ALL AMERICAN HONORS

• MULTIPLE MEDALS

And the fun... competing in Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, and North Carolina...

• Coach raced too :) earning my 5th National Champion title (although the event wasn't really promoted as such, so it's hard for me to say this was as earned like my others... this one was AAU).

• AAU 1st Place, 19:40

• Brooks 1st place 18:44

And Maya and I had our fun jaunt down to Atlanta Georgia for the USATF 5k Masters road Nationals and open 5k!

• Michele: 2nd Place 19:01

• Maya: 5th place in the open 23:00

CHECK OUT OUR VIDEO HERE!

https://youtu.be/F37PTAdsfb8

" FAITH WITHOUT ACTION IS DEAD" James 2:17

So how do we know what it looks like to walk in faith even though it feels like we may walk off a cliff?

• When things are unclear: You move forward with confidence in God's guidance, not your own limited sight.

• When you feel anxious: You praise and trust God, leaning into His strength instead of your feelings.

• In daily decisions: You align your choices with God's promises, not just your desires. 

If there is a one liner that sums it all up for me for 2026 it's... "LET GO AND LET GOD"