2021 The Year of Discernment
Perception- in the absence of judgment- to obtain spiritual guidance and understanding.
Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to exceedingly and abundantly more than we can ask or imagine.
This year I began praying through this verse without expecting everything in store.
My course work in my doctoral studies would be nearing the end in 2021, and I was opening up to opportunities that I would have with free mental time. My career had focused on flexibility for our family during our younger children's days, and I now wanted to explore opportunities to grow my career. I had experiences in education and entrepreneurship that created this flexibility and growth in professional outlets. My specific prayer written in my journal in February 2021 was job opportunities. My thoughts were in my current role in higher ed with a yet-to-be-named president and opportunities with that new leadership.
I have hosted nearly 30 speakers in the ASI Distinguished Lecture Series over the past 6 years. After hosting each speaker for a day or two, I was changed somehow. The speakers were authors, athletes, filmmakers, politicians, lawmakers, peacemakers---leaders in their fields of expertise. Most of the conversations during the time together were about the speaker and her/his career or topic of expertise. A couple of speakers were different.*
One speaker asked me, "what are your career goals?"
What were they? I had been working with my head down at my job, focused on mentoring students in the developing leadership program, researching and writing a dissertation about mentoring, and without a mentor of my own.
At this stage of the game, I did not have much time to try out a few options but focused on goals that could advance my career. This speaker gave me valuable advice on gaining experience to reach my goals.
The job opportunities prayer came with a call from that speaker who asked, "what are your career goals?" He shared an opportunity to give me the experiences needed to advance my career.
After many hours of prayer and discernment, I was offered and accepted the job in Advancement at Taylor University and started mid-June 2021. I work from a home office, enjoy developing relationships across the southeast, and monthly trips to Upland, IN. This opportunity has opened a door that I did not realize I was looking for by "responding to a restless heart and pursuing a new season of fulfillment." (DML)
I am very blessed to have a husband who supports me in new opportunities and always encourages me to follow my dreams.
During this exciting time of discernment, we found out in March that we would be grandparents--Mary-Margaret and Landon were expecting their first baby in October. We were thrilled and could not imagine anything better. Until we found out about 6 weeks later that Anna-Grace and Josh would have their first baby in December. "Exceedingly and abundantly more than we could ask or imagine."
Last year our New Year card had us and 5 dogs. This year, we share our beautiful grandchildren. (December 2020)
Born to Mary-Margaret and Landon Tabor
Amelia James
October 22, 2021
5.13#, 19"
Born to Anna-Grace and Josh Hurt
Harrison James
December 11, 2021 (12.11.21 a prefect palindrome, btw)
6.3#, 19 3/4"
What joy these babies have brought to our family and hearts. We can only imagine what 2022 holds--exceedingly and abundantly more than was can ask or imagine.
I had a unique opportunity to explore the Buffalo River Trail (BRT) in Arkansas with two AT-experienced friends, Susan and Kim, on a four-day/three-night backpacking (28 mile) adventure in early December.
With their dog, Pax, Conor, and Alyssa live and work in the PNW (Pacific Northwest). We plan to see them in early 2022 after several pandemic time trips were canceled. They just celebrated their 9th anniversary, and we look forward to all that is in store for them in the new year.
(Flashback to 2012 rehearsal dinner invite)
Mary-Margaret and Landon live in Coppell (a Dallas suburb) and enjoy their community and church. They are prayerfully considering a move in the early spring of 2022, and we are alongside them, praying for discernment in the process. Landon works from home, so that gives them much flexibility. They are entirely smitten as parents.
Everett Belle is the editor-in-chief of the Bison and senior at Harding University. Last summer, she was bitten by the big city bug in Arkansas Congressman French Hill's office as a press intern in DC. She is actively seeking opportunities to explore DC after her May graduation. She has grad school plans for the future.
Check this out to see a little of her work: 
After several months of discernment--we finally decided on our grandparent names. We raised a glass at our Christmas dinner table to G-Mama and B-Daddy. Time will only tell what Amelia and Harry will actually call us.
Our Christmas Day 2021. The Peggys are now Great Grandmothers; they were already great and are officially Great, thanks to Amelia and Harrison.
I have reflected over 2021 and all that was exceedingly and abundantly more than I could ask or imagine. It has been a beautiful blessing to see Mary-Margaret and Anna-Grace become mothers and see Landon and Josh work alongside them as fathers. I admit it is a little hard to release the year of discernment and Ephesians 3:20.
My word for 2022 is
Reveal: make (previously unknown or secret information) known to others.
“Listen to my words:“When there is a prophet among you,
I, the Lord, reveal myself to them in visions,
I speak to them in dreams." Numbers 12:6
"We reveal most about ourselves when we speak about others." Kamand Kojouri
Praying for and looking forward to all that will be revealed in 2022.
Happy New Year.
Blessings,
Kim
*Two other favorite speakers were gracious to be "references" for me in my new role.
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