What Is Your ‘Word’ for 2023?

Happy New Year and welcome back to the Purpose Beyond Motherhood podcast! In this first episode of the year, Nicole and Holly sit down with their friend Sarah Heath to discuss goal setting and inviting God in to be a part of that!  

We all have hopes and dreams coming into a new year, but it’s important to include the Lord in our goal-setting. In Matthew 6:33, the Word says ‘But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.’. 

Friends, our prayer for you this year is that you will look to the Lord for strength, hope, and guidance and that it will be your BEST year yet! 

Episode Highlights: 

• Acknowledging God is in control
• Goal Setting in the New Year
• Coping with disappointment and finding gratitude
• Inviting God in and making Him the CEO of your life
• You are Not Alone

Links Mentioned in Episode/Fine More on Purpose Beyond Motherhood and :

• Twelve 12 Ministries Website
• IG Handle: @twelve12ministries
• Facebook: @twelve12ministries
• Email: info@twelve12ministries
• Purchase our Declaration Cards!

Transcript

00:01.35
twelve12ministries
Hey friends welcome to another episode of the purpose Beyond Motherhood Podcast Happy New Year We have missed you guys in just so glad to be back in the recording house. It's just it's been a minute and so um, holly.

00:13.40
Holly 
Um, yes.

00:16.70
Holly 
Hey girl it was good I feel like this was a quit like a fast Christmas like it was a accelerated speed this year what about you.

00:17.74
twelve12ministries
How was your holiday.

00:22.29
twelve12ministries
Yeah, yes, yeah, same thing it was a little tiring but I'm I'm just I'm glad that the holidays are over and I'm just like ready and expectant to what the lord.

00:31.45
Holly 
Um.

00:38.30
twelve12ministries
Is going to do this season. Do you have a word. Do you have a word like what is your word for 2023

00:38.17
Holly 
Yes, you know I feel like my word for this year and kind of the end of last year was established like I feel like the lord is just wanting me to remember that he's established me like where I'm sitting where he's placed me.

00:50.50
twelve12ministries
Um, okay.

00:52.68
twelve12ministries
Um, okay.

00:55.85
Holly 
Um, as a mom you know that's mine I saw yours what is yours I know I saw it I Love it.

00:59.17
twelve12ministries
Mine yeah is a restoration and the lord is so kind in that in my verse I'm going to probably butcher this Joel two 25 I think it is about yeah.

01:09.65
Holly 
Yes.

01:12.30
twelve12ministries
Ah, that is my verse in just restoration is my word. So again I'm expectant I'm excited for what he's going to do this year. So like we said happy New Year friends and we've got a guest today. Love love this. You guys are like why do they have a guess.

01:18.21
Holly 
I Love it.

01:29.49
Holly 
Surprise.

01:29.51
twelve12ministries
We have a guest and Sarah is here I know surprise we're just so excited you guys in full transparency. Ok Sarah love her. She was in a bible study support group that we did but also she's just amazing. Her heart.

01:43.20
Holly 
Um.

01:47.93
twelve12ministries
For the Lord okay in her heart for her family is just in her heart for God's people is just is so amazing and she's super wise. Um, she's just got this really awesome career and just like killing the game.

01:52.95
Holly 
It's good.

02:03.83
twelve12ministries
She's going to share all about her things but I just wanted to hy her up really quick because she really is so wonderful and she made this like Facebook post and I was like holly we need Sarah on the podcast and so so glad that she's here and we're just going to kind of dig into that. But I'm going to get out of the way and just Sarah hi welcome.

02:04.29
Sarah
Um.

02:12.74
Sarah
More.

02:20.85
Sarah
Hi. Thank you so much for having me hi Nicole far Ollie I'm glad to be here ladies today.

02:26.24
Holly 
Um, hey girl.

02:26.47
twelve12ministries
We are so glad that you're here. Okay Sarah tell us a little bit about you and just you know what? the lord is doing.

02:36.55
Sarah
Cool, um, well um, I'm Sarah my name is Sarah Heath I am forty years old I'm happily married to a wonderful husband and we have one daughter in heaven and we are currently awaiting our next miracle. Um, we'll learn more about that journey along the way. Um, but for work I have a few different personalities I serve as marketing director for 2 local firms Walton Cpa and your payroll department and they serve and support local businesses with a variety of services. So it's a lot of fun to work for work for small businesses and serve small businesses and nonprofits to. And then I have a fun little side gig called red dog custom designs where we do customized t-shirts, branded apparel and personalized gifts. So I have I keep I keep busy. Um, it's named red dog custom designs after my dog who's a vichla.

03:27.91
twelve12ministries
Oh oh.

03:30.81
Sarah
Um, her name is Ember and she's a lot of fun and adds a lot of energy and joy to our lives.

03:34.99
Holly 
Wow You got a lot going on girl.

03:38.18
twelve12ministries
Yeah.

03:41.38
Holly 
Um, that's amazing I Love that That's so cool.

03:41.79
Sarah
We're blessed in a lot of ways we are. There's It's always there's always something to do never a dull moment.

03:46.17
twelve12ministries
I know that is so cool. Okay Sarah so do you have a word for 2023 has a lord drop something in your heart.

03:53.76
Sarah
I was thinking about that and I don't actually haven't like sat down and like done the exercise to to come up with the words if I just came up with one just straight out of the blue when you ladies were talking about that. The word that came to me was miracles.

03:59.51
Holly 
Um.

04:04.92
twelve12ministries
Yeah, um.

04:07.65
twelve12ministries
Oh come on.

04:10.43
Holly 
Um, what's good. Yes amen. Yes.

04:10.51
Sarah
So we are We are ready to receive.

04:15.30
twelve12ministries
Yes, well this Facebook post that you made sweet sweet sweet Sarah um, just really starting off with Matthew 6 33 which is seek first. The kingdom of god in his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you what does.

04:22.47
Sarah
Um.

04:32.60
twelve12ministries
What does that verse first. Just mean mean to you and just where you are in your journey.

04:35.45
Sarah
Um, it's It's a reminder of who's driving the bus who's in control and what when we when we're in these different seasons of life when we're looking for what's next looking for what to do looking for direction looking for.

04:43.30
twelve12ministries
Um, yeah.

04:55.16
Sarah
Peace looking for comfort looking for help. Whatever it might be that we're looking for and this happens a lot this time of year where we sit down and say what do I want and what do I need and what do I want to achieve it was just a good reminder for me when I came across that verse to say seek ye first the kingdom of god.

05:03.10
twelve12ministries
Um, yeah.

05:12.19
twelve12ministries
Um, yes.

05:14.16
Sarah
And his righteousness. What is right to him. What is good to him and then all of these things will be added unto you. So if we if we take the time and effort to include the lord in our goal setting. Invite him to that conversation invite him to that table and say lord you know the desires of my heart but you determine my steps I want to know and I want to seek what you want for me and where you want me to go in this year in this season.

05:32.50
twelve12ministries
Um.

05:38.30
twelve12ministries
Um, yes.

05:38.57
Holly 
It's good.

05:50.10
Sarah
In this journey then that only not provides it provides so much help and direction because he provides that when we seek it and we ask for it but it provides peace in that process too and I've really I can speak to that and I found that that when.

05:52.53
twelve12ministries
Um.

06:08.18
Sarah
I Acknowledge and surrender that God you're in control and I want what you want for me then it takes away a lot of my anxiety and fear around is this ever going to happen or is this ever been am I ever going to achieve this goal I don't know the answers to that yet. But I know god.

06:14.25
Holly 
Are.

06:27.42
twelve12ministries
Um, yeah.

06:27.95
Sarah
Has it in control and that gives a lot more peace than all of the feeling that we experience when we feel out of control.

06:38.40
Holly 
That is so good that that is something that I have been thinking about the last like week. Um, we're prepping for another embryo transfer and I have it's funny to see how much you change in like a year or however, long your journey has been.

06:51.27
Sarah
Yes.

06:54.65
Holly 
And just how you can you can manpower that as much as you want, but the results are not a reflection of your power. They're a reflection of his so whatever it looks like. It's not a report card of you. It's his glory like I've heard someone say my glory. No no his glory.

07:04.62
twelve12ministries
Um.

07:08.18
Sarah
Yeah.

07:12.78
Holly 
My story is glory. Um, and that's I thought about that while you were talking like I feel like you have chosen to give him the glory even when it doesn't make sense and even when it's hard and I think that's amazing. Sarah.

07:13.61
twelve12ministries
Yeah, yeah.

07:14.25
Sarah
I.

07:24.12
Sarah
Um, I've seen some things lately. This is choose happiness like for for those of us who've is experienced loss and know know that kind of grief or just have been on a fertility journey for so long in I.

07:29.75
twelve12ministries
Are.

07:31.12
Holly 
Um.

07:41.87
Sarah
Or whatever struggle people may be facing in their own and and individual lives Happiness isn't always a choice because sometimes you just feel sad or you just feel bad or you just feel disappointed or you there's a lot of a lot of things. But what I think is a choice is feeling.

07:45.94
Holly 
So true.

07:49.77
twelve12ministries
Um.

08:01.76
Sarah
Gratitude that can be a choice and and feeling hopeful can be a choice. Um, and that can help open doors to to other emotions that will help you cope with feeling sad or feeling disappointed or feeling frustrated.

08:02.61
twelve12ministries
Um, yeah.

08:03.28
Holly 
Um.

08:07.98
Holly 
It's good.

08:16.79
twelve12ministries
Um, yeah.

08:18.71
Sarah
That that are only natural feelings that come along in this journey but choosing to take a moment and find gratitude for what the lord is doing for you what he has done for you in this past year knowing that you have an embryo that you're getting ready to transfer.

08:33.62
Holly 
Um, it's good.

08:37.34
Holly 
Totally.

08:37.63
Sarah
That's a miracle that's a gift that you have a team of doctors and nurses that are on your side that you have a support system of wonderful women and family members and people that care about you that we have medicines that are able to support our bodies in this process you know, ah the shots are not fine.

08:38.59
twelve12ministries
E.

08:57.29
Sarah
But I got I'm so grateful for them.

08:57.61
Holly 
Right? Yes, Amen Totally anytime I I you know people post videos of like doing their shots and stuff and I'm like but if we didn't have that like I don't like if we lived in bible times I would I believe the lord can do it regardless but I would.

08:57.61
twelve12ministries
Um.

09:16.31
Holly 
Not have a baby like at this stage of whatever my body's doing I wouldn't have one if it was back then and so it's just like I'm so thankful I Love that thinking. It's good. Yeah I mean oh my gosh God bless.

09:25.89
Sarah
So many things would be different. We flew in bible times. What are we going to say nicole.

09:27.21
twelve12ministries
That's good. He's serious something you said right in bible times I know.

09:33.82
Holly 
Literally.

09:36.49
twelve12ministries
Sarah something I want to pull I want to pull out really quick that you said is just um, earlier about inviting god in and inviting god to kind of sit with us and just like help us with with what we're doing what our goals are and things like that. But just you know.

09:44.45
Holly 
Um, and.

09:53.40
twelve12ministries
Just guessing what if the average person doesn't know what that means or or how to do that. What does that look like for you. How to invite some invite the lord in into what you're doing and making him the Ceo of your life.

10:08.24
Sarah
That's a great question and um, that's it's very valid because I think a lot of people may not know how to do that or just struggle with having that conversation with the god of all the universe. How do I ask him for what he wants for me but maybe spend a little time with yourself and just. Acknowledge that there is that higher power create the one who created you he loves you and he wants wonderful things for you and he wants to have a relationship with you. That's what god wants to rest through faith is is the relationship which is a 2 way street with any relationship.

10:44.42
twelve12ministries
Um.

10:44.60
Sarah
And maybe if someone's never sat down and thought about that before he is more powerful than we are. He is smarter than we are he is and more capable than we are so all of those things if we acknowledge that and everything that we do have comes from him. So everything that I have achieved in my career and my life and all of those things it's because he he gave that to me and he allowed that for his home that we live in it's because of him and the work that he's done in my life to prepare me to receive these blessings. So if if. You're sitting down and you want to set some goals this year and you do have goals for yourself. That's always a good thing have a vision have a goal set those things down but when you're having those conversations with yourself of what do I want this year Bend a little time in prayer quiet reflection and say god what do you want for me. How would you like for me to go about approaching this situation and listen and just pay attention and just open that door of a conversation and say. And surrender even just by saying god I want what you want for me. That's huge because saying that I want you to be the lord of my life I want you to be the Ceo of my home and my family he will swoop in and take control if you allow that.

12:05.24
twelve12ministries
Um.

12:15.96
Sarah
And it's only human nature for us to try and take it back sometimes and say no I want to do this or I wanted it to go this way and I wanted I wanted to have control over this. So. It's even a constant conversation going. Okay, check back in how are we doing am I listening to you. And do I have my eyes and ears opened for what you're saying to me not only through the Holy spirit but through the people that I trust that you've placed in my life to guide and support me so pay a little attention. Um acknowledge your role because we don't just do nothing. We do have to do things right.

12:48.64
twelve12ministries
So.

12:52.94
Sarah
Do have responsibilities um with the Ceo o maybe Ceo the vp of my department. Um, but but we have to acknowledge that he is more powerful. He is more capable and he wants amazing things for us.

12:53.28
Holly 
Yes, that's good.

13:00.16
twelve12ministries
Ah.

13:11.25
Sarah
So there's also that verse that um he can he wants more more than you ask think or imagine according to his power. That's what he's capable of giving you So let's not limit what he's capable of giving us.

13:15.66
Holly 
9

13:24.98
twelve12ministries
Yeah, was that ephesians 3 twenty I think it was Ephesians 3 twenty that he can give us more more than we ever ask or imagine Amen I love that thank you for sharing that.

13:28.40
Sarah
Maybe do what you may have installed.

13:28.42
Holly 
Um, that's good figure right.

13:32.29
Sarah
Yes, good.

13:38.17
Holly 
It's good.

13:41.45
twelve12ministries
Holly what you got I know you have something for us like.

13:42.81
Sarah
Would be.

13:43.96
Holly 
I don't even know y all I just thought she's so calm I was just like listening like sweet Sarah speak um, you know I think just heading into 2023 I don't do resolutions I don't this going to sound so. I don't do like a food plan or something I think 1 time in college I like fasted caffeine which was really bold. Um, but I think as an adult and now as a as a wife and a mom more than anything I just want to make room for him and I think Sarah mentioned that at the start or someone did. Just want to make room for the lord to move I don't want to have distractions in the way Nicole knows how add I can be and I just am trying to really hone in on where he's called me and to not let myself be pulled in directions that are not going to bring him glory.

14:16.59
twelve12ministries
You know.

14:31.16
twelve12ministries
Yeah.

14:32.80
Holly 
So think just making the space setting the boundaries prioritizing my time All of that stuff is what I'm trying to focus in on more. Yes.

14:40.43
Sarah
Well, that's good. Yeah, because that's those are things that we can do to allow him more room So those are our responsibilities because we can't allow the lord to swoop in and do amazing things for us if we're not tuned into him or if we're doing.

14:57.85
Holly 
Um, yes.

14:58.39
Sarah
That earned in alignment with what's righteous and good and and in alignment with a relationship with him. Oh I don't know if I'm saying that right? But yeah, that those are those are maybe you have ah ah I think ah in the world of business. We have goals and then we have objectives.

15:02.59
twelve12ministries
Um, okay, and um.

15:08.11
Holly 
Um, yes, absolutely yeah, no.

15:18.17
Sarah
The goal is this the objectives are how the things that we're going to do to get to that goal right? So your goal is to lose £20 our objective is have a daily workout have a nutritional plan etc sleep every night etc etc. So the objectives are the things that we can do contribute to the overall goal.

15:18.58
Holly 
Um.

15:23.26
Holly 
Um, it's good.

15:30.30
twelve12ministries
Um, ah 6

15:37.59
Sarah
But where the overall goal is ultimately the responsibility of the work.

15:40.33
Holly 
Yes, yeah, absolutely yep, that's what even with ivf I'm like at the end of the day I've literally done everything and the natural that I can do so now it's like Lord you hold this.

15:43.90
twelve12ministries
Are.

15:48.77
Sarah
You know you know.

15:55.68
Holly 
And I want it to work not because I mean I want to grow my family but I also want his glory to be revealed through it. It's not just so I can have maternity photos and another nursery to decorate it's because I want people to see him again. Answer even though my first daughter went to heaven I don't want that to be. What people remember you know and they don't because we have Kenley but I just want his glory to be continuously revealed through my story. Whatever that looks like in any situation. But yeah.

16:22.49
Sarah
And and and that's kind of the hard part too with especially with ivf because gosh there's so much on the line. This is this is a big situation and even my doctor told me when my initial consult with him.

16:24.76
twelve12ministries
Yeah, um.

16:33.90
Holly 
Um, yes.

16:34.53
twelve12ministries
Um.

16:41.56
Sarah
And we've we've done multiple rounds of ivf as well. So far, no success but our journey continues. Um, and our we change doctors after 2 rounds in the doctor I'm currently with he acknowledged the fact that Sarah.

16:44.94
Holly 
Um, okay, yes.

16:56.20
Sarah
You know it's a very stressful environment to be in. It's a very stressful thing to do and I was like well thank you for saying that number. Thank you just urge me on do that? Yeah, it's like it's really stressful and he said there's been clinical studies done. There's bite papers published.

17:01.50
Holly 
Yeah, little louder for people in the back. Yes.

17:04.80
twelve12ministries
Good.

17:08.40
Holly 
The.

17:11.43
Sarah
Show that the stress levels that a woman and a couple but a woman experiences during and fertility treatments like Iv are equivalent to the stress level that a cancer patient experiences and I was like you know what? I believe that.

17:25.16
Holly 
Um, oh wow.

17:29.61
Sarah
Um, because obviously cancer is one of the most devastating and and stressful things. A person can go to go through because you're trying to preserve life. You're trying to keep life going and Ivf is kind of contrasting because fertility treatments we're trying to create life.

17:33.76
Holly 
Um, truly yes yeah.

17:35.65
twelve12ministries
Um.

17:46.93
Sarah
We're trying to grow our family. We're trying to add ah more people and and see miracles done in a different way. Um, so that's it's it's so stressful and to be able to do all of those things make all the appointments eat all the foods do all the shas take all the vitamins Don the everything to do. Ah, slept I bathe and I listened my meditations and and then the big day comes of the transfer and you're just waiting and now we have that two week wait and it's brutal. It's brutal.

18:15.60
Holly 
Yes, yes, yeah that I'm realizing how many things I've blocked out from the last few times because I I just didn't want to remember them like my even my nurse when I called to talk to her I was like these headaches from estrogen she was like you don't remember this stuff and I was like no.

18:17.37
twelve12ministries
Yeah, yeah, move that.

18:34.52
Holly 
I just have like I'm like Lord just take it away. But I think with anything hard in life some I think a lot of times the lord just wipes your brain because he knows if you remember the specifics you wouldn't sign up for it again. So I think that like in his kindness. He's like let me just put this blanket over your brain.

18:36.23
Sarah
O.

18:53.64
Holly 
So we don't remember these things and then when we get back into it I'm like oh shoot. Yes, yeah, like bumper like bumpers like when you're bowling and you have bumpers. That's what he does to your brain with a lot of it I think you think he's like oh no, no, no they I going to do that. We're going to just remember the good stuff.

18:56.29
Sarah
Um, often the edges a little bit right? Yeah, definite.

19:06.71
twelve12ministries
Oh my goodness.

19:10.62
Sarah
Well and and then when you think about it in those times. It are really bad. You know those devastating moments when you get the news that you don't want to get or or you know I mean I've had those devastating moments too of failed transfers and um embryos that tested after a round and we had no normal embryos to use in that round was.

19:11.23
Holly 
Um.

19:15.52
Holly 
Famous.

19:25.83
Holly 
Um, yes, um.

19:28.91
Sarah
Over and that was probably even more devastating because we're like well what do we do? Um, the yeah softening those edges a little bit because he he still wants you to focus on him and remind I was there with you in those moments.

19:31.70
Holly 
Goodness. Yeah.

19:41.25
twelve12ministries
Yes, yeah.

19:41.78
Holly 
Um, so true. Yes, yes, right.

19:45.29
Sarah
Because you got through them and now look at where you are now Holly yeah those those times were tough and those things heard and all those things but I was there with you and I'm going to be with you again. So you can do it again.

19:57.29
Holly 
Um, it's good. Yes.

19:58.74
twelve12ministries
Um, yeah.

20:01.39
Sarah
You are strong enough to do it again because number 1 you've done it before but he's also going to be there with you during that if you choose to do it again or whatever that next step of the journey is um, along the way.

20:09.96
Holly 
Yeah, yes, Amen I love that.

20:12.15
twelve12ministries
Wow, That's powerful. Yeah soften the edges you know because we do know that in this fallen world. We are going to have trouble and that we can look to the one who brings us peace and comfort and just loves us so much and so that was.

20:20.71
Holly 
Bright.

20:29.65
Holly 
Amen. Thank you Sarah that was she's so calm like so I could let's just listen to her all day long. Both of you calm humans I need that in my life. Well Sarah thank you like? thank you for sharing. Thank you for being honest and vulnerable and um.

20:30.33
Sarah
Welcome and welcome.

20:30.81
twelve12ministries
Great.

20:41.92
twelve12ministries
Yes, yeah.

20:46.80
Holly 
Just showing more of what the Lord's taught you through this last year and what's coming in 2023 um Nicole I know I supposed to close this but I just I okay go.

20:53.60
twelve12ministries
I know no, that's okay, but I I know but I really would love to ask Sarah 1 1 last thing before we do close because Sarah just for our audience really quickly just for the ladies or the families that are listening that just have.

21:05.41
Sarah
Me.

21:12.44
twelve12ministries
They're going through something you know and they are really looking forward to 2023 um just kind of just what would you share just a word of encouragement. Um, just to you know that listener who is is kind of having a tough time. They want to set all of these goals and they have all of these um aspirations and things. But.

21:15.85
Sarah
Yeah.

21:32.31
twelve12ministries
You know, maybe they are lost a little bit in their relationship with the lord and so just what would you say.

21:38.81
Sarah
Well I found through through this group through 1212 ministries that I'm not alone and that's been a huge comfort to me to to be open about sharing my story be open about sharing.

21:39.90
Holly 
Ah.

21:54.19
Sarah
The good times and the bad times because that's been the most important thing for me to realize is that I'm not alone. It can be very isolating. It can be very hurtful to get different diagnosis and not know what to do but to realize that I'm not the only one going through this.

22:02.70
Holly 
Are.

22:12.67
Sarah
But I'm also not the only one who's ever been through it. You know the bible study that we did together and went through all the ladies of the bible Sarah Hannah Rebecca Elizabeth all of the the wonderful women. However, many thousands of years ago

22:16.13
Holly 
Um.

22:16.84
twelve12ministries
Um, you know.

22:22.55
Holly 
It's Ken.

22:29.74
Sarah
Who were in the same shoes that we are in now they were afraid they were scared. They were unsure. They were devastated and didn't know where to turn next but they turned to the Lord and the lord was there for them. So if you turn to the lord and just ask him to be there with you now. Will be there with you now and I found that in in in being a little brave and sharing my story. It's allowed me this opportunity to encourage other people and I think that's what God has kind of planned for me. And if you want to be open about it. Be open about it if you don't don't but if you feel like sharing with someone that you trust I'm having a hard time because this is what I'm going through right now share with them so that they can encourage you.

23:12.57
Holly 
It's good.

23:17.00
Sarah
Get involved with following twelve twelve ministries because we'll be here to encourage you Nicole and her team are just fantastic people and have a lot of great resources. Um, but I think just mostly know that you're not by yourself. You have people that love you, you have people that are praying for you. You have people that want the absolute best for you. But even in those quiet moments when you feel alone, you're not because your creator is there with you and he loves you too.

23:47.64
Holly 
So good. So sweet. Thank you so much for that I know that's going to bless so many women what you just said I really believe that it will Sarah you are a peaceful angel of a human thank you for talking with us. Thank you for sharing. Um, you are a blessing to us.

23:48.64
twelve12ministries
Um, yeah, yes.

23:51.79
Sarah
I Hope that it does I hope that it does.

23:59.40
twelve12ministries
Um, yes.

24:00.70
Sarah
Um.

24:05.26
Holly 
Thanks for being our guest today. Yes, okay Nicole what else do I say see real soon friends.

24:05.34
Sarah
Um, thanks for having me great.

24:10.39
twelve12ministries
We're yeah we're good I Think that's it see you real soon? Ok I'm I'm cutting. Ah.