Faith & Family2017…the Most Powerful Year Yet January 4, 2018Isn’t there just something that’s pure magic about the New Year? I love fall and Christmas with my whole heart, but as the holidays move to the rear view mirror and the clean slate of the New Year approaches, I get butterflies fluttering expectantly at what’s ahead. Each year, I spend the week after Christmas reflecting on all that happened that year. I go back and read journal entries from the previous year, I re-read blog posts, I remind myself of the girl I was when that current year ticked over. It’s always refreshing to see the changes that have occurred since those words were written. While time does seem to pass quicker and quicker, so much unfolds in a year. Each year in my adulthood has brought changes. I’ve left the old Lindsay behind and gone into the year ahead with new convictions, new goals, moving more toward the woman God is shaping me to be. But this year, wow. 2017, you blow away all the others. The first half of the year was filled with so, so, so many highs and big changes. We went from one baby… …to two, which made for some of the most joyous days I’ve had. You can read some of my favorite posts about this below: A Letter to My Son Dax’s Birth Story Part I Dax’s Birth Story Part II Dax’s Name Meaning I also made some changes where the blog is concerned. As I’ve shared this year, when we got married seven years ago, we were drowning in college debt. It felt hopeless, we saw no way out. And from that place of despair, God sent us on the most beautiful adventure…one so powerful only He could’ve written it. In many ways, this past year felt like the culmination of much of that adventure…one phase being closed and another opening. I shared The White Buffalo Story series in the spring. It’s something I’d felt called to share for awhile and with us selling The Buffalo Bungalow and God nailing our debt to the wall, it felt like the right time to do that. Sharing this felt dangerous. I knew it was moving the blog in the direction God was leading, but I also knew it would come at a cost. Getting more real with all of you, showing more and more heart and purpose behind the renovating and design was scary. It had become a necessity to me, but I also knew it wasn’t for everyone and people would be lost. But I did it and immediately, I was more proud of that than anything I’ve ever done for this blog. But what was beautiful and so unexpected was that it also resonated with y’all more than anything I’ve ever done. The amount of comments and e-mails that have come in from that top what I’ve received for anything else combined! When I finished it, I knew that God had used His story in our life to tap into something we were all clearly desperate for….REAL, PURPOSE, HEART, SIMPLE, INTENTIONAL LIVING…more than pretty. I felt more in tune with my purpose here than ever before after that. I knew I’d found my groove and was ready to move without apology, without fear in that bold, new direction. While this year felt like it was an end in some ways to the first part of our story, there is so, so much more to come. My vision for that series is to add new videos to it periodically as there are updates to share….and let me tell you…I have a feeling some major updates to that story are coming this year. I can’t wait to see what God does with the days that lie ahead. But because that’s been such a popular thing, really sums up the direction and heart of where we’re headed, and will be a series that continues, I’m working on creating a more prominent and permanent home for it. Soon, there’ll be a heading up top that links to them, so they are easily found as I make some much-needed blog updates this winter. Until then, I’ll link to them page on my sidebar. You can catch up on The White Buffalo Story if you missed it by clicking the button below (that’ll live on my sidebar after this post). As part of that developing story, we sold our last house, renovated, and moved into The Buffalo Stone Cottage, downsizing our living space by half…right after we added another baby. Crazy, I tell you. But when purpose calls for crazy, it’s always a good thing. Even if it’s hard. This was taken back in the spring when she became ours. So much has changed around here since then. I’ve revealed a few of my favorite spaces I’ve ever designed like the new living room: The one bathroom in this tiny house: And my favorite of all, the new collected kitchen: All of those developments alone make this such a huge year for our family! But it didn’t stop there. As y’all know, all of this change wore me down and brought a lot of emotional trials along with it. I shared about this journey and how I was feeling in a post a few months back. When you’re down is the prime time for lies to be fed and man, did they come. After doing the story series back in the spring and really processing what God had done and was doing through our family, our renovation journey, and this blog, I was on fire. For the first time, I felt so much clarity of where God wanted me to head, I was walking confidently in my God-given giftings and was so excited about continuing in that vein. And here’s the issue with that….that’s a powerful place to be. And I believe when Satan sees God about to do big things through His people, he tries his darndest to shut it down. And try he did. But y’all, God is good. And as I said above, His provision always exceeds His calling. I knew as I was sorting through and walking through dark, lie-filled days that out of struggle comes fruit. I had this deep assurance that God was doing something miraculous. I felt Him saying, you will come out not as the confident, joyful Lindsay of the spring, but stronger. It was a time of equipping. The last two months have been a bit of a spiritual whirlwind. Right after I wrote that post in early November about my struggles, God started showing up and smashing lies in a way I’ve never experienced, y’all. The closeness of Him and certainty of His message was palpable and He orchestrated encounters and events in ways that revealed only He could’ve sent that message. Tomorrow, I’m going to share a few of these incredibly powerful encounters with you. Because I believe with all my heart that He works in our lives, He brings us out of dark caves into fields of new shining light not for ourselves. But because that light is intended to be shared with others making His name famous, bringing Him glory, and bringing others hope. As a part of tomorrow’s post on how God really put a new me back together, I’ll share a glimpse at what’s ahead for The White Buffalo in 2018. Thanks for being here, friends! I hope you all had the merriest of Christmases and the happiest New Year. 2018 is going to be good.
Sandie says January 4, 2018 at 4:45 pm I’m so ready to read more! This is THE blog that when i see it in my inbox, it must be opened immediately…. I’m that excited to read it! I appreciate And crave your Godly, honest share. It is such a breath of fresh air. I can relate and I’m in my 60’s!!! Keep following God and your heart. God bless. I also really, really enjoy your videos. I’m such a visual person and the videos just come alive for me. Thank you. Reply
Lindsay says January 5, 2018 at 10:40 am Oh Sandie. Thank you so much for saying that! As I said in the post, I know it isn’t for everyone, and I’m learning to be totally okay with that and move more boldly in that direction! But hearing that there are some resonating with it is so affirming that it’s truly what God is saying. So glad you’re here! Reply
Shamrock says January 4, 2018 at 6:39 pm Exactly what Sandie said! You have a beautiful family, beautiful home and beautiful attitude. Reply
Lindsay says January 5, 2018 at 10:40 am Oh thank you so so much! Y’all are encouraging me so much 🙂 So grateful for you being here 🙂 Reply
Rachel Winchester says January 4, 2018 at 7:39 pm Yay! You’ve inspired me to do more focused reflection on 2017. Looking forward to tomorrow’s post! Love seeing your evolution – so inspiring & refreshing. Reply
Lindsay says January 5, 2018 at 10:39 am Thank you so much, sweet friend! Have thought about you so much since our coffee date! Looking back, I can see how God is bringing just the right people in my life with areas where I need and want to grow and you’re one of them! You’re such an encouragement to me! Can’t wait to do it again 🙂 Reply
SAMANTHA L HOOPER says January 5, 2018 at 3:32 pm I can’t wait to see what you do with your blog this year! You are starting down a dangerous but amazing journey by basically telling God “to use you for His glory”. Scariest and most awarding sentence to utter to our wonderful Lord. Like I said previously on other posts, I love coming to read your blog because you do commit to put God & your family first & now seeing what y’all are doing to get out of that debt is very inspiring. I pray many blessings on you and your family. I also love your design choices! 😉 Girl, just remember not to let Satan’s lies bring you down because God is using you for His glory & when our God is for us nothing can come against us. Reply
Lindsay says January 5, 2018 at 3:59 pm Thank you so much, Samantha! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your sweet words! It is such an encouragement to me! Reply
Deborah H says January 5, 2018 at 4:39 pm I came across you b/c of the style of your home(s), but stayed b/c of your faith walk. Thank you for sharing your heart! Your journey is a blessing in my journey. Reply
Lindsay says January 5, 2018 at 5:22 pm Oh thank you, Deborah! That is amazing 🙂 And exactly what my deepest hope is! I want that to be why people are here above all else! Reply
Sharon says January 5, 2018 at 5:49 pm Your blog is so inspirational on so many levels. Thank you for reaffirming many things I feel God has been speaking to me. The line ‘His provision always exceeds His calling’ stood out so huge to me. Why do we doubt Him, why do we take our eyes off of Him and only see the stumbling blocks that try to derail his purpose for us? Thank you for sharing your heart, I love your design, and coupled with your passion for Christ–it makes your blog amazing! Reply
Lindsay says January 9, 2018 at 3:20 pm Oh thank you, Sharon! I can’t tell you how much those sweet words you shared meant to me 🙂 Reply
AmandaKB says January 5, 2018 at 7:36 pm Wow, so much goodness in this post. I just had an incredibly overwhelming day that only could’ve been orchestrated by God. I’m still processing the entire thing, but I wanted you to know that as I read this tonight, I felt myself nodding in agreement with so many of the things you said. “But when purpose calls for crazy, it’s always a good thing. Even if it’s hard”… Isn’t that the truth?! And do you find people look at you in the strangest ways when you try to explain why you’re doing something “crazy”? haha “I believe when Satan sees God about to do big things through His people, he tries his darndest to shut it down.” I’ve experienced this myself. It’s annoying and frustrating… yet reassuring all at the same time. Like, okay, this must be important if Satan’s trying to derail me. I was at a place in my life a couple of years ago that wasn’t the best, and God placed a handful of people in my life who were exactly who I needed. It was so humbling, and I’m still so incredibly thankful. Please know that I so appreciate your willingness to share what’s on your heart. I love the design posts, too, as that’s what initially brought me here, but I appreciate the heartfelt posts just as much. I’m looking forward to following along with your sweet family’s adventures in 2018. Reply
Lindsay says January 9, 2018 at 3:19 pm Thank you so much, Amanda. You are always such a source of encouragement here! Thank you for always being light to me 🙂 Reply