It’s been almost a year since I’ve written here. What a journey it’s been. I don’t know that anyone will read this, and I probably won’t market or promote it— let it find who it will.
The past two years have been a complete unraveling of pain, PPD, hardship, beauty, and healing. Dichotomy is one of my favorite words, and the perfect adjective to describe my life since I last used this space.
For 2022 the Lord gave me the word “thrive.” That made me nervous, haha. In my experience, “words of the year” often ended up very… stretching.
“Thrive” was no different, as I share in this post on Instagram.
Last New Year was met with a lot of trepidation in my heart, fairly jaded from the previous year (and 2020 to be real haha). So much pain and hurt in so many lives. Even so, the Lord gave me the word 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦 for the year. It was time to come out of survival mode, and learn to thrive no matter the circumstances.
And oh, did the circumstances come haha. 2022 was simultaneously so beautiful… And so hard. There was great difficulty but we fought hard for our family in it. We made mistakes and also made a lot of really sweet memories.
I learned to have compassion for myself and actually enjoy who I am, embracing my quirks and weirdness on a level I hadn’t yet before. There was so much healing; in my heart, in relationships, in my body.
My husband walked through some really rough things and came out gentler and stronger. He has a new job that is bringing amazing provision to our family after the deep struggle of this year. He grew his faith walking alongside, good, strong, healthy men.
We committed to a weekly small group that grew relationships into family, renewed my ability to trust, and continued our healing and growth.
We made the year magical for kids who didn’t know how hard we were struggling. It can be easy to let your focus settle on the negative, but as I look back at our pictures from 2022 we had SO MUCH FUN. Tried new things, learned new skills, visited museums and lakes and libraries.
As I dwell on this past year as we enter this new, fresh start… I feel a lot of hope and pride. The word God highlighted in my heart for 2023 is 𝘙𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦. A rebirth and revival. Of my faith, of my creativity, of dreams… And whatever else this year brings.
I will not look back on 2022 and call it bad, I will recognize the hardship and still call that time good. It stripped us down and we were built back up! And even in that rebuilding the amount of joy was irreplaceable.
@alyssabfalk
As the New Year began I launched a book club for Holy Hygge. It has been a beautiful and convicting process, in which I learned so much and proved to myself that yes – I can put my unmedicated ADHD to brain to something and finish it to completion!
Breaking stereotypes one step at a time.
Now, as we are coming to a close with the final chapter this week, I look forward to honoring the hyggelig tenet of rest, while also feeling ready to explore what all renaissance means for me in 2023.
While reading Holy Hygge I have also started a reading plan to read through the Bible in a year; but rather than reading it cover-to-cover in printed order, we are reading it in chronological order.
I feel like personal revival is stirring in my soul as I am hungering to read the Word. Scripture is coming alive in new and fascinating ways, like I am reading it with new eyes.
The Lord has been giving me visions and speaking to me in my sleep. I look forward to bed with such expectancy and excitement in my heart… “what will He share tonight?!”
As I see revival breaking out in Asbury University I am also seeing it in my church and small group.
Aslan is on the move is on repeat in my brain.
I don’t know what to do with this space. The Lord is revitalizing my heart and all I know is… I am supposed to write.
Niche does not matter.
So, while I still adore the topic of biblical womanhood, that won’t be the only focus here moving forward.
The name remains, because there is something on that in the coming seasons… Deborahs and Jaels and Esthers and Ruths are needed!
I am just going to share whatever the Lord is asking me to in the journey of renaissance.
Thanks for reading, whoever you are dear reader.
All that is gold does not glitter,
J.R.R. Tolkein
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.
Hammer & Bee 
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