How to Organize a Date Night Co-op

William and I have been blessed by an almost weekly date night for the last 3 1/2 years! Prior to organizing our date night co-op, we maybe had two real dates (without kids) during Moses' first two years of life.

I get asked all the time how we organized our date night co-op so I thought I would share it here. I'm guessing some of you are desperate for a date!

First I should note that the date night co-op was William's brilliant idea. I think he got it from Mark Driscoll. So, there's the credit where it's due. Or whatever.

1. Find three other families with kiddos around the same age as yours. It doesn't hurt to have a couple slightly older kids in the mix for helpers. Make sure the total number of kids is a number you are comfortable watching just the two of you. (We have nine kids in our co-op.)
2. Decide on a date and time. We do date night on Fridays from 6:30 - 9:30. (Yes this is past all of the kids bedtimes. Alone time with your man is more important than schedules.)
3. Determine your rotation. If there are four families it works easily - Family #1 has childcare the first Friday of the month, Family #2 has childcare the second Friday of the month and so on. If there are five Fridays we skip the fifth one.
4. If a family will be out of town on their childcare week they are responsible for switching with another family. This way, no one has to really be "in charge". 

Four families = Three dates a month.

Here's an example of our schedule
First Friday of the month - We have childcare. All the kids come to our house.
Second Friday - We get a date. Couple #2 has childcare.
Third Friday - We get a date. Couple #3 has childcare.
Fourth Friday - We get a date. Couple #4 has childcare.
It's that simple! Happy date-night!

Don't forget to check out the shop and use the FREE SHIPPING code "spring" when you check out!

The Battle Is Not Yours

 

And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's. Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, east of the wilderness of Jeruel. You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.”

~2 Chronicles 20:15-17 (emphasis added)

 

 

These are verses I read and prayed numerous times during William's battle with cancer. Even now, when he gets his CT/PET scan every four - six months, (also known as the "mortality reminder") I cling to "Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's... Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.”

 

 

Last week one of our friends and a fierce man of God, Jeff, was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. My heart immediately went out to Jeff and also his wife Sherry. The ground comes out from underneath even the most Godly person upon hearing the "c" word.

 

 

The evening before Jeff had his CT/PET scan (that would provide diagnostic information an MRI cannot) I texted him the above verse. His official diagnoses came later that day and a huge weight fell over everyone who knows their family. Prayer chains were started, meal planning began, fundraisers were being brainstormed and Jeff received over 70 visitors and 500 emails the first day! God's people are surrounding this family and holding them up when it is hard to just. keep. going.

 

 

I've been praying 2 Chronicles 20:15-17 this past week and realized, it doesn't apply just to cancer. (Duh.) Each of us has a
battle. Each of us goes to bed with a tomorrow we wish would never come. Each of us is up against a horde.

 

 

I don't know what your battle is. I know many of you are battling for children and the horde you are against is Satan disguised as piles of paperwork and adoption fees and governments near and far. Maybe your battle is cancer. Maybe your battle is a hostile work environment. Or a hostile marriage. Maybe your battle is a grown child who has gone astray. Or a broken friendship.

 

I DO KNOW THIS: The battle is not yours. It is God's.

 

 

I know there are amazing stories, particularly in the OT, of God winning battles on behalf of His people. But this mama is no theologian. I can't retell those stories accurately let alone eloquently. (I should really work on that. Seriously.)

 

 

What I can do is point you to scripture that is clear about Who is fighting your battle.

 

 

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
and I am saved from my enemies.

~Psalm 18:1-3

 

 

Who is this King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle!

~Psalm 24:8

 

 

He redeems my soul in safety
from the battle that I wage,
for many are arrayed against me.

~Psalm 55:18

 

 

I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted,
and will execute justice for the needy.
Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name;
the upright shall dwell in your presence.

~Psalm 140:12 - 13

 

 

Blessed be the Lord, my rock,
who trains my hands for war,
and my fingers for battle;
he is my steadfast love and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield and he in whom I take refuge,
who subdues peoples under me.

~Psalm 144:1 - 2

 

 

The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.

~Exodus 14:14

 

The Lord your God who goes before you will himself fight for you, just as he did for you in Egypt...

~Deuteronomy 1:30

 

You shall not fear them,

for it is the Lord your God who fights for you.

~Deuteronomy 3:22

 

for the Lord your God is he who goes with you

to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.

~Deuteronomy 20:4

 

For thus the Lord said to me,
“As a lion or a young lion growls over his prey,
and when a band of shepherds is called out against him
he is not terrified by their shouting
or daunted at their noise,
so the Lord of hosts will come down
to fight on Mount Zion and on its hill.
Like birds hovering, so the Lord of hosts
will protect Jerusalem;
he will protect and deliver it;
he will spare and rescue it.”

~Isaiah 31:4 - 5

 

 They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you,

for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you.”

~Jeremiah 1:19

 

Whew! That was a lot of scripture! It was therapeutic for me to read and I felt led to share all of them here, knowing many of you are tired and weary as well. I hope you are refreshed by these words describing our God:

 

///refuge///strong///mighty///safety///

///executes justice///deliverer///protector///

 

Praise God Deuteronomy 20 verse 4 says he is with us and fights for us TO GIVE US THE VICTORY. BUT, let us not forget Who the victory belongs to:

 

The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but the victory belongs to the Lord.

~Proverbs 21:31 (emphasis added)

 

Ready your horse, draw your sword, and remember when the battle is won, all victory and praise and honor and glory belong to Him who fought the battle for you.

 

Would you please join me in praying for healing for my friend Jeff? He has fought tirelessly on behalf of the fatherless in our community for more than a decade. We know God is able and believe he is willing to heal Jeff completely so he may continue the good work God has laid before him. Thank you!!!

 

And if you need continued encouragement (let's be real, who doesn't?) jump over here to win all FIVE of these awesome books!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Words of Wisdom (not mine, David Platt's) and a BIG book {GIVEAWAY}

Some blog friends and I got together and decided to do a BIG ol' book giveaway we are calling "Words of Wisdom". We have each chosen a book to write about and YOU will have the chance to win ALL of them.

My pick is Radical by Daivd Platt. This book was all the rage a few years ago when it was published but I still come across folks who haven't read it which always surprises me!

David throws down so much wisdom in this book that any "review" by me would never do it justice. Therefore, I am blessing you with some of my favorite quotes to give you a taste of what's inside. 

 "We realize we are saved not just to be forgiven of our sins or to be assured of our eternity in heaven, but we are saved to know God. So we yearn for him. We want him so much that we abandon everything else to experience him. This is the only proper response to the revelation of God in the gospel."

"In direct contradiction to the American dream, God actually delights in exalting our inability. He intentionally puts His people in situations where they come face to face with their need for him. "

"What if God in all his might is simply waiting to show his power in a people who turn their backs on a philosophy of life that exalts their supposed ability to do anything they want and who instead confess their desperate need for him?"

"...according to Jesus disciple making involves going. It involves intentionally taking the gospel to people where they live, work, and play. Disciple making is not a call for others to come to us to hear the gospel but a command for us to go to others to share the gospel."

"When we realize we have the responsibility to teach the Word, it changes everything about how we hear the Word. Exciting things happen when the people of God believe the Word of God is worth spending their lives to teach others."

"If there is no sign of caring for the poor in our lives, then there is reason to at least question whether Christ is in our hearts."

"...little of what we have would be considered necessities, and as long as we are living in our culture, we will be surrounded by luxuries. So why not simply begin a process of limiting and eliminating some of them.? Why not begin selling and giving away luxuries for the sake of the poor outside our gates? Why not begin operating under the idea that God has given us excess, not so we could have more, but so we could give more?"

"The point is not simply to meet a temporary need or change a startling statistic; the point is to exalt the glory of Christ as we express the gospel of Christ through the radical generosity of our lives."

"This is a cause worth living for. It is a cause worth dying for. It is a cause worthy of moving urgently on. We have the gospel of Christ in us, and we do not have time to waste. Some wonder if it is unfair for God to allow so many to have no knowledge of the gospel. But there is no injustice in God. The injustice lies in Christians who possess the gospel and refuse to give their lives to making it known among those who haven't heard. That is unfair."

Wow huh?

So here's the scoop:

Visit the links below. For each blog post you comment on and each blog you follow (including this one) you'll get an entry to win these five awesome books!

Yours Truly:::word from the wallaces:::Radical, David Platt
Ashley:::In My Own Words:::Irresistible Revolution, Shane Claiborne
McCall:::Lee, Me, and the Girls:::7, Jen Hatmaker
Tiffany:::Stuff and Things:::Dangerous Surrender, Kay Warren
Wynne:::Gloriously Ruined:::The Circle Maker, Mark Batterson



The giveaway ends this Friday at midnight!








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37 Things I Love About My Husband

1. He's hot. 

Let's be honest, 

it's the first thing you noticed
about your significant other too.

2. He beat cancer.

3. He is an amazing father.

4. He is an amazing provider.

5. He is an amazing storyteller.
(Are you picking up on the theme?)

6. He has traveled to 13 countries on 5 continents.

7. The tattoos.

8. He is a dreamer.

9. He planned our entire honeymoon
which included staying in this treehouse:

10. He is running his first 5k next week at the age of 37.

11. He is sweet.

12. He is silly.

13. The beard. I may not be crazy about a year long pursuit of epic facial hair 

but I love a trim beard. 

14. He was the face of one of the most awesome adoption fundraisers ever. 

Or so I was told.

15. He loves the Lord.

16. He is a fighter. 

He has fought for our marriage, his life, 

and the fatherless.

17. His heart for Africa.

18. He has held jobs ranging from tarot card reader to youth pastor and everything in between.

19. He forgives me and forgives me and forgives me and...

20. He sacrifices his time to play in our amazing worship band at church.

21. He supports me in everything. 

And I mean everything. 

22. His birthday is St. Patrick's Day.

23. Early on in our dating he told me he wanted to be married before he turned 30. 

He was 29 1/2.

24. He won't let me commit suicide by Nutella overdose. 

(This would also be on my 37 Things I Don't Love About My Husband list.)

25. He protects me from discouragement.

26. He has the work ethic of an ant.

27. He loves silent films.

28. On our first Christmas he bought me about a dozen gifts 

I had mentioned in casual passing

since we started dating four months earlier.  

29. He loves dogs. 

He won't admit it anymore but he does.

30. He is wrapped around our daughters finger and loves every second of it.

31. He has a quirky sense of humor.

32. He once drank nothing but carrot/apple/green juice for 12 weeks.

33. He once lived in a tent in Alaska 

and a bear poked his nose into said tent while hubby was inside. 

You can't make that up.

34. He was a bronze sculptor.

35. He has curly hair.

36. His name is William Wallace.

37. He made this amazing video for our Give1Save1 week. 

Did you WATCH, GIVE, SHARE, ENTER, AND REPEAT? 

Do so here.)

The Wallace Family - Adoption Story from William H. Wallace II on Vimeo.

PS (Dear Me Part Two)

(You can read part one of this post here.)

PS pre-four-kids-under-the-age-of-five-self:

A few things I forgot to mention (because little people are like memory leaches)...

Many books and resources about managing a large family will tell you to include the above mentioned leaches in the daily chores and house cleaning as a way of "training" them. That's great. And sometimes it works. It is also completely acceptable to put them in front of the TV and do it yourself because it takes 1/100th the amount of time.

The urine smell that permeates your house even after you have scrubbed the bathroom from top to bottom? It is the shower curtain. Wash that sucker.

Do not make two meals. I repeat, do not make two meals. Once you do it they will never ever forget the time you made them something else because they didn't like the perfectly acceptable meal you first presented them with. Don't do it. They will not starve.

Just smile. When you are out in public and people give you strange looks or you hear "You've got your hands full" for the 50th time that week... Just smile. It's not worth it.

"Mama where am I from?" "You were born in Indiana" "Oh. I was just wondering where I am from. Did you lay me?" - Moses (bio) March 2013

Don't neglect your "first" kids. They may not be tantruming or having night terrors or screaming curse words at you but they are having a hard time too. Figure out a way to get them some one-on-one time AND time out of the house and away from the craziness. One day they will get it but right now it is hard. Don't overlook them.

Someone will say it. Those words you dread hearing. Those words that are most unhelpful and unloving and unsympathetic - "This is what you wanted isn't it?" They will say it at just the wrong time and they will have no idea how hurtful it is. It may come from someone who loves you very much and wants to be helpful and loving and sympathetic. You must forgive them. They don't know and you didn't either.

Your family will never be normal again and that's not a bad thing. It's a good thing. You will find a new normal. You will emerge from survival mode with a new family who is closer and stronger and more like Jesus. Normal families may not understand you or your new way of living. Those normal families have no idea what they are missing.

Oh, and your husband wants you to know that if you practiced half of what you preach your life would be much easier.

Eshet chayil!

Mama of four-kids-under-the-age-of-five,

a chat over coffee

Photo courtesy of Sunergos Coffee.

Let's say you and I meet up for coffee. It's a rainy not-quite-spring day and we pull our chairs close so we can cozy up to our mugs. The steamy decaf latte aroma slithers right up to my nose.

We rushed to get here and sitting down into comfy chairs feels like sinking into a gentle wave. Ahhh.

Peace. And conversation.

You ask me how things are going.  I nod as I take a sip and tell you things are good. We have had a few weeks of "normal" behavior and it is refreshing. It's funny, how God works, I say. I started praying several weeks ago for MY attitude to change. For MY response to the behavior to change. I prayed for God to give me patience and compassion and He did. And then the behavior improved and I am SO grateful for His grace and answered prayer. I know we will ebb and flow, that boy and I, but God has been gracious to give me compassion for him.

God is teaching me so much about his unconditional love for me through this boy I tell you. I never imagined the lessons He had in store for us. It's almost been one year. Wow you say. It doesn't seem that long. I nod in agreement.

Then you ask me about Glory and my eyes glance away. It's easier to shift my focus than be in the moment where He has me. Then I tell you the facts - her birth certificate has been filed for, in a couple weeks we should have the judgement and then we will enter into the first 30 day waiting period.

You mention the pictures. Yes, I say, we received four photos of her last week. I pull out my phone and hand it to you. She is so adorable you say and I nod and take another sip. It's hard I tell you, because she is growing but getting thinner. Yeah, that must be hard you say. And it is, but I don't share anymore because I can't quite wrap my mind around my baby being half way around the world and not knowing what and how often she is getting nourishment for her little body. Then I blurt out it was different with the boys; they were older. They could tolerate hunger. A 10 month old? I worry about her I tell you.

And then I shift a little in my chair, take a sip of my latte and meet my eyes with yours. What about you I ask. How are you doing?

/////This is the interactive portion of our program. I'd love to get to know some of YOU better. Please feel freedom to play along./////

The Influence Network (Link Up!)

I'm interrupting the "He Provides" series to participate in A Meetup of Influential Women: members of The Influence Network!

Since joining last month, I have been so blessed by The Influence Network. I want my presence in this online space to have eternal purpose. I want people to read our story and my words and be pointed to the One who wrote them. The Influence Network has given me encouragement and inspiration to hold fast to my desire for this space.

And, I'm a rule follower SO, three things about me:

1. Yes, my hair is naturally curly. Ain't nobody got time for that.
2. I don't drink coffee. Except once a year when we drive 12 straight overnight hours to vacation.
3. Mostly, I just want people to love Jesus and orphans.

And, I love this picture of myself because this is how I roll. I can usually be found under a pile of preschoolers and it's a dream come true.

Thanks for visiting ladies! I can't wait to see your faces and learn more about YOU!

Dear Me (an open letter to my pre-four-kids-under-the-age-of-five self)

Dear pre-four-kids-under-the-age-of-five-self,

You are about to go from two to four kids overnight. It will be fun and exciting and crazy. It will earn you interesting looks and comments like "did you bring your daycare kids to the zoo?" when you dare go out in public.

Here are some things it would have been handy to know ahead of time: 


First, write down everything they say. Examples to follow.

I know you're one of those crunchy green mamas - Get.Over. It. Buy napkins. The paper kind you don't have to wash. Same things goes for paper plates. And clorox wipes. This too shall pass.

Speaking of clorox wipes, keep them near the toilet. The one that will be used by three preschool boys approximately 536 times per day. Aim much?

Your double BOB is worth it's weight in gold. You'll be pushing four kids weighing a total of about 150 pounds. Someone will have to pry it from your cold dead hands.

Parenting someone else's kids is hard. Really hard. I got nothing to say to make that any easier. Just know it.

March 29, 2012 - T told Moses he didn't like him. Moses responded "Yes you do. I do lots of cool things!"

Run your dishwasher every night. Even when it is not full. I know, it makes your earth mama skin crawl. Just do it. Trust me. Waking up to dirty dishes is not a fun way to start the day.

Hand sanitizer is your friend. Washing and drying eight little hands is more work than it sounds. Buy a bunch and put one in every bag.

Baby wipes? Also your friend. Use them. On their faces and hands and anywhere else you might wipe.

Let some things go. For example, it's great to have a separate basket for each type of toy. But that ain't reality. Making beds? Let it go.

"My feet hurt because I ate yogurt and grapes and that makes my feet hurt." I have no idea what kid said that but I wrote it down, May 5, 2012

Stainless steel water bottles at every meal. Cups have to be washed. Water bottles? Not so much. If they start growing something looking oddly similar to black mold - wash them. I hear that happens.

Melatonin is your friend. Some people will poo-poo it. Those people have kids who sleep.

Pick your battles. Shirt on backwards? Who cares.

"When the sun come ups can we go to Halloween?" T, May 14, 2012

Take notes. Even if all you do is send yourself a coded email before collapsing into bed. When you can look back and see that bedtime use to take three and a half hours and now only takes one, you'll be glad you did.

Go to bed. Pinterest and Facebook may feel good now but you will regret it in the morning.

Get up before the little people do. Wake up for them not to them. This is easier said than done. Try to do it and give yourself grace when it doesn't happen.

Amazon Prime is your friend. Running out for a quick trip to Target ain't what it use to be. It now involves wondering if someone is going to call the police on the crazy lady, ahem you, "holding" the kicking screaming kid in the bathroom.

Have fun. Dance parties. Cupcakes for breakfast. Tents in the living room. Fun. Is. Good.

Keep the kids out of the bedroom. No kid toys, no kid clothes, no kid paraphernalia in the bedroom. Adult bedrooms are for one thing. Making kids.

Accept help. Yes you want meals brought over. Yes you need someone to pick something up while they are out. Yes you need those hand-me-down clothes. If no one offers, ask. Some folks just don't know how hard it is.

"Moses your feet are hairy. Like Esau's. And Mr. Williams." T, summer 2012

Don't be a slave to appointments. The therapists, doctors, social workers and judges (ok, maybe not the judges) are not in control of your life. Schedule the appointment when it makes the most sense for your crew, not when they have an opening.

Never ever ever forgo date night. There will be weeks when you live for it and it will be the only day of the week you shower and speak to an adult. The kid may cry while you are gone but you come back a much happier version of the burned out mama you were when you left. It's worth it.

Simplify the stuff. Kids from hard places are easily overstimulated. Cut the toys in half. Get rid of anything broken, missing pieces or with dead batteries.

Most everything you read in the books and learned in the classes is true. It will happen in your living room. Don't be so surprised. Take a deep breath, pray and do what you know to do. Then get yo'self a therapist girl. For you.

Find someone who gets it. You will need someone to laugh and cry with.Someone to drop meals on your porch and bring you kombucha. Someone to pray for your kids and help you google all the crazy things they do.

Last, love those kids with everything you've got. Life is short, these little years are much shorter. You are not promised tomorrow, focus on today.

Mama-of-four-kids-under-the-age-of-five,

linking up today with Lauren Casper at Traded Dreams

My 2013 Reading List (And Beard for Glory: Day 11)

I LOVE to read. If given any amount of free time, my activity of choice would be reading. 

Since I don't have free time, I've got my work cut out for me ...

From top to bottom my 2013 reading list is:

The Autobiography of George Muller - "These excerpts from his diary allow Muller to tell his own story."

The Irresistible Revolution - Shane Claiborne - "This book will comfort the disturbed, disturb the comfortable, and invite believers to change the world with Christ's radical love."

Turn My Mourning Into Dancing - Henri Nouwen - "Let God move you through your suffering - whatever form it takes - and into the joy of dancing - moment by moment in His grace."

A Place At The Table - Chris Seay - ""Author Chris Seay is giving you a challenge: eat and drink like the poor for 40 days and donate the money you save on groceries to a charity or project that serves the poor in concrete ways."

The Poor Will Be Glad - Peter Greer & Phil Smith - "What if there were a way to eradicate world poverty and hunger? A Way to help the poor help themselves, while giving them the priceless gift of dignity? Sound too good to be true? It's not."

Tend to Me - Emily Cook - "Our jobs are never done, and what did get done could have done better. Our hearts are too small, our bodies are too tired, to love these little people as they deserve to be loved."

When Helping Hurts - Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert - A path forward is found, not through providing resources to the poor,but instead by walking with them in humble relationships."

The Urban Halo - Craig Greenfield - "When Jesus moved from the most exclusive gated community in the universe to the worst ghetto in the world, seeking out prostitutes, lepers and children, he sparked a revolution in at least one man's life. My own."

Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ - John Piper - "The depth and complexity of Jesus shatter our simple mental frameworks."

Sub-merge: Living Deep in a Shallow World - "This book is a handbook for anyone serious about ministry. It needs to be read by the whole church."

31 Nuggets of Hope - Shelly Roberts - "Nugget by nugget, you will be drawn tot he source of all HOPE. You will come away deeply encouraged and better equipped to care for the needs of your family. You will be reminded that you do not walk this journey alone."

The Power of the Praying Wife - Stormie Omartian - "Every woman who desires a a closer relationship with her husband will appreciate this refreshing look at the power of prayer in marriage."

Our of the Spin Cycle - Jen Hatmaker - "You may be busy or even overwhelmed. But you are also strong and brilliant. And here's a secret: a lot of those things on your list of expectations are things Jesus never expected you to do on your own."

Before You Were Mine - Susan TeBos & Carissa Woodwyk - "As parents, we will never be able to fix our child's fragmented beginnings or have all the answers our child will want or need. But we can offer a message of hope and redemption."

Not pictured: The Connected Child - Karyn Purvis, David Cross & Wendy Sunshine - JUST READ IT

Beard for Glory: Day 11 Update

Beard: 101

No Beard: 76

The No Beard votes are catching up! 

Keep sharing - we have paid our referral fee but the dossier fee is right around the corner!

OH - And what's on your reading list for 2013?

Dying to Myself - My Resolution For 2013

 I'm all for resolutions. Starting fresh. New beginnings. Strategic plans. I love it.

As I began thinking ahead to 2013 and the things in my life I want to be different, I kept circling back to the same theme - dying to myself.

I know, that sounds kinda morbid but follow me here.

I do want to:

• read my bible more
• pray more
• serve my husband
• be a more patient mother
• exercise (at all)
• eat better
• and a long list of other things!

But first, I must die to myself. In order to truly do any of those things well, I must put aside my selfish desires and guilty pleasures. I can't put my husband ahead of myself if I always want to be right. I can't show my kids the love of Jesus when I am grumbling at them.

I want to give of me until it hurts. My heart. My finances. My patience. My time. Myself. I want to give it all away to the glory of God because I think it will get me closer to Jesus.

I want more of Jesus and less of me.

Jesus came to die but first he served. He healed. He broke bread. He partied. He wept. He laid down his life for you and for me and I think if we are to truly know Him then we too must lay down our lives for the sake of others.

For our husbands, wives, kids, family, friends, neighbors, orphans, widows and the poor.

Laying down your life is really giving it away. It's saying "Here I am Lord. Use me."

So my word for 2013? Dying. Dying so that I may truly live.

What's your word for 2013?