Welcome to the Beautiful View Podcast where we encourage you to look for opportunities in your life to see a beautiful view. I'm candy. 

And I'm Paul. Today we are going to share some reflections with you as we look back on the past. We are. 

Also going to share our 2025 word of the year with you. You, with some encouragement as we begin the next chapter of each of our individual stories. 

So sit back, relax, and enjoy the beautiful view! 

Happy New Year everyone. We hope this year has started off well for you. 

Mm. 

It started off cold here. 

Yeah, it is cold. 

I got up this morning and it it said 18°. Yeah and and it's cold. Old, but it's extremely dry. 

There's no snow on the ground, which is really bizarre for January. 

No snow. It. And it's so dry that even with these cold temperatures, when I'm out back with the dogs, I'll throw the ball for them and then they do that about turn to catch the ball and dust kicks up like this dust clouds in 18°, which doesn't like make. 

Mm. 

Mm. 

It's. 

Frozen dust, but it's dust. 

Frozen dust, which doesn't make a lot of sense. But nonetheless that. 

There's. 

We're facing now. 

Yeah, this is the first year that we've been here, the first winter that we haven't had snow on the ground this time of year and there's not really any in the forecast either, so. 

I know it's wild. No, but they're South of us. 

Yeah, yeah, they're getting pelted. 

There is like like a ton of snow. Could be worse. So yesterday I got to try something new which I told you about when you got back. 

Yeah. 

Work. So I got to eat. Boki, which is Korean food. 

Hmm. 

Yes, that was about what you look like when I told. What I was eating and. 

Yeah. Did you say that? You pronounce that correctly. 

I think I did took Boki. 

Did you? It and, you know, ask him to pronounce it for you. 

I I didn't and and see The thing is with me as I pronounce everything just a little off from everyone else so. 

So if you know the real pronunciation of that would you just like, shoot us a message and let us know that? 

Yeah. Let let me know. And uh, I probably never gonna say it ever again, but, I mean, I thought it was good. You know, it's like these little rice cakes. 

Yeah. 

Rice cakes that you boil and then you put it with a chili sauce. 

OK. 

It's spicy. 

Mm. 

And I I kind of enjoyed. I think there's a couple of different ways of preparing it. 

OK. 

It's kind of a street food. 

OK. 

So and I think it fits in with our new eating habits for the new year. 

OK. 

I'm going to give it another try. 

Sounds good. We spent New Year's Eve celebrating with some of our best friends and we had a great time. 

Yeah, that was fun. Uh. 

It was a pretty busy holiday season for us. Had a lot of back and forth so. Thank you guys for bearing with us. While we kind of took the month of December just to kind of take a breather from everything and creating new content and all of that, we really needed just a month to just kind of. 

Yeah, yeah. 

Yes. 

Pull ourselves together. 

We did, yes. 

So it was. Thank you for bearing with us. 

We have had a busy season as we wrapped up 2024. 

Mm. 

We celebrated Thanksgiving with family in Texas. 

He said it was wonderful. 

Yes it. And my oldest daughter got. She did this Saturday after Thanksgiving, so we had that celebration as well, we. 

Good. Did that was. A really busy week, but it was. Lot of fun. 

It was. Was. 

And. Emily and I flew back down to Texas for the family Christmas get together the Saturday before Christmas and. Then we came back to Bellevue on the 23rd on Monday the 20. So that was kind of a quick trip, but so glad that we went and this year has been a lot of kind of first. Without my mom. So I just really felt like I needed to be down there with the family for for the holiday and everything, and we just all just enjoy each others company so much and we're able to make some new memories together. 

Yeah, it was the right thing to do. 

Mm. 

It was a really special time. 

Yeah. We also had a great Christmas here. Tyler's girlfriend joined us and we all wore matching pajamas. 

Yeah. 

We did. 

We were kind of cute. 

And. 

That was actually, that was Tyler's request. 

Yeah, air clean. 

The matching pajamas are 16 year old son wanted matching pajamas with the family. Love. I am gonna like, soak up those little moments for, like, as long as they'll give them to me. 

Yeah, he's really interested in keeping those traditions alive. 

He is. I love it. 

And Speaking of traditions, we had our traditional Christmas pudding. 

Mm. Oh yes, we did. We I have been well, I think the first year we were married, I think I bought it 'cause I yeah. 

Yeah, yeah, which is fine. 

Then after that I looked up a recipe and. Figured out how to make a traditional British Christmas pudding and. 

Yes. It was good. 

I think I've pretty much nailed it. 

Yeah, you did a great job. 

I mean it's it's it's really. So every year we have that with whatever for dessert with whatever else we. This year, it's Mexican food, so we have Mexican food for dinner and British Christmas pudding for dessert. And it's lovely. 

Which is it's quite the mixture, but it's it's great. 

We are quite the mixture bag. 

Yeah, we are. 

We are definitely a mixture. Yeah. So that was really. But the reason that I bring it up is. Because I won. 

Oh, you. Yes. So tell what you want. The what that means. 

So it's kind of a tradition and it goes back a long way in British history that you put a coin in the Christmas pudding when you cook it and so you bury the coin deep down in the pudding and then you serve the pudding to the family. 

Mm. 

Of whoever else you have in in the house and whoever. 

Mm. 

The coin. Gets good luck for the new year. That's true. A broken tooth. 

Or a broken tooth, which we really we're rare, that the coin is in there. So we're very careful when dishing it to notice who actually gets stitched. And we kind of call who who's bowl this is going to be, this is going to be tylers bowl. OK Ty. 

Yes. Yeah. 

Well. 

Your bowl. This is going to be your bowl. Oh, look. 

Well then it helps that we use a really large. 2 lbs not not pounds in weight, but pounds sterling a £2 coin, which is it's a good size coin and so it's obvious when you see it. 

Mm. So it's large. Yeah, yeah. It's not like a dime hidden in there or something. 

No, it's not. That would. That would be a bad thing to do mean. 

Yes, yes. So we. Have some fun things planned for 2025 and look forward to jumping back into our podcast. 

Yes, we do. 

Thank you for joining us. 

Here we are. 

Yep. So today we want to invite you to join us as we do a little bit of reflecting and a little projecting for the new year. 

And Gracie is busy projecting squeaks from her toys. 

She is. 

20. 

24 was a year of twists and turns for us. 

Mm. 

We spent a good portion of it in separate states. 

We said, yeah. 

We got the news about your moms diagnosis while we were at the Shawnee National Forest for the eclipse back in April. 

Mm. 

I was listening to candies side of the phone conversation with her sister and pieced together from the tone of her voice and the few words that she was able to speak roughly what was happening. And I knew from that point forward it was going to be necessary to take one day at a time. 

Yeah, our word of the year for 2024 was bloom. It's always interesting to me to see how our word plays out each year as the year develops. 

Yes. 

I can think of several ways in 2024 that I bloomed. 

Mm. 

Some intentional, some just surely out of necessity. 

Right. 

When I think of the word bloom, I think of a. Of course, it starts as a bud, but when the circumstances arrive, it opens up and becomes exactly the thing it was created to be, right? 

Mm. 

Yeah. 

It doesn't get to choose though. Kind of flower, it will. 

That's true. 

It doesn't get to dictate the circumstances around it. How often it will get? How many other flowers bloom around it, or when it's growing, season will come to an end? It just stands tall and provides nectar for the little insects that come to visit it that need to be refresh. I feel like that was my life for the entirety of this past year. In 2024, I had to dig deep and accomplish things I never dreamed I would do. 

Yeah. 

It was. 

I bloomed into exactly what I was created to be. I couldn't. Done any of it though, without fully relying on the Lord and without the support and prayers from my family and friends. How do you feel like our word of the year from last year played out for you? 

Well, I got to see you demonstrate the principle of blooming in whatever ground you were planted in. Whatever situation you found yourself in, whether that was Iowa soil or Texas soil, there's a struggle involved. As a plant grows from a seed through the earth through a crack in the sidewalk, through a gap, in a layer of mulch. Or a thin crust of rocky ground. The stem pushes up toward the light and seeks nourishment from below, from its foundation as it matures and blooms. I think there were many people who really appreciated how rooted you are and how you brought beauty into some dark days this past year. For me, I realized just how essential it is to be rooted in good ground before. Challenging situations arise. I wouldn't say I was in a bad place when we stepped into 2024, but I was not as well rooted as I needed to be when the time came to bloom, I was undernourished. And its too late to start gaining emotional, spiritual and physical strength once a crisis begins. One day at a time is merely a survival strategy. Not an indication of strength. 

We did have a difficult year in a lot of ways, but there were also a lot of ways that we bloomed together this past year. Tend to be kind of hard on yourself, so let's turn this around and talk about some of the really exciting and fun times too. 

Yeah, let's do that. 

We won an award at the Iowa Podcast Awards. 

We did. Did. 

I feel like our podcast really bloomed over this year. We added video to the mix. 

It did, yeah. 

Mm. 

And we have consistently produced quality content and that's from content creation to the editing side of things. It has been a team effort. 

Oh, it really has. We put a lot of time and effort into producing these episodes, each and every one of them. It was very validating to receive the award and to find out that we were among peers in the Iowa podcasting scene. We have a podcasting community. 

We do. 

There are other crazy people like us. Do this. 

True. 

But that said, I particularly hold dear to the positive feedback we received from our listeners and particularly from our friends and family. It means so much to hear that our conversations together on the podcast are appreciated by young members of both of our families. 

Mm. 

I'm also very happy with the quality of work we have produced for the business over the past year. 

Mm. 

We continue to provide content and service for our clients and welcome some new clients. 

We did. We had a ton of quality time with extended family this year as well, which that gave those relationships an opportunity to bloom and grow as well living so far away from the rest of the family. 

Yes, we did. Yeah. 

Is. Sometimes we don't get to quote UN quote do life with them. A lot of times. 

Mm. 

No. 

I love how my siblings and I just rallied around my parents and each other this past year and watched through the hard times together. It made the heart just a little bit easier. We had a beautiful time on our beach trip. And we're planning another family reunion at the beach this coming summer, which is exciting. 

Uh, huh? Yep, it. 

Is. 

Are there any other thoughts that you have about how we saw a word play out in 2024? 

The word kept surfacing around us like as we went through the year. 

That always seems to happen. 

It does. 

That interesting. 

It appeared on two buildings in town that, you know, full view of everyone, which was it? 

Yeah, yeah. 

It was just kind of wild that that happen. It was painted on a wall at the cafe here and on a window on a commercial building. Initially I thought it was a very positive word and it really is a positive word, but I took it as an indication that we would see success from our efforts in 2024. Not that we didn't, but that was kind of all I was thinking is like. 

Mm. 

Yeah. 

It's time. And we did bloom in several ways, yeah. But as we. Difficult times. I was constantly trying to figure out what. Those difficult times had to do with blooming now, with the benefit of a little reflection, I understand better. 

Mm. 

Yeah, that's usually how this word of the year thing works. Is so interesting, isn't? 

Yes. 

Choosing a new word each year always feels like a huge responsibility for me. I do not take it lightly. I have poured over and prayed over our word for 2025. Always begin with reflecting on. Year I go through all the photos on my phone starting. Oh, there's thousands. Thousands. 

All the many photos. 

I love doing. I start with January and I just love to go through and remember all the little things that happen through the year and actually this year. I started something kind of. I haven't done before I started in my little notes app on my phone. 

Yeah. 

I went through each month and I listed like January. And I wrote down some of the highlights of the key points that happened in January. As I look through my photos. 

OK, nice. 

So I kind of just you know, because we do so much each year, it's hard to remember what you did in January or February by the time you get to the end, right? So I just. 

Mm. 

Yeah, yeah. 

Yeah. It's like was that 2023 or? 

Yeah. 

24. 

So it's just really refreshing to kind of go through all the pictures and kind of make notes of things that we did and kind of the highlights and stuff. And so kind of reflect on that was kinda nice. 

Yeah. 

OK. 

Yeah, we really pile a lot of things into our days, months and years. 

Hmm. 

Some highlights for me from 2024. It started with the eclipse trip. 

Yes, that's kind of. That was our first big thing and I feel like we started January planning for the Eclipse trip in April. 

Yes, we. I mean that's that was all four of us, two dogs. And we are going to the middle of the forest with, like, no hookups, no anything. 

Yeah. Oh yeah. Tense. 

Yeah. So we were like, OK, we're going to have to get serious about this. 

Oh, that was so. We did a whole episode about that experience, by the way. If you want to go check it out. 

Yeah, we did. Yep, and something that we maintained through the year that we've been very conscious about is we've done our, you and me day every month. 

Yes, yes. 

Umm. Pretty much. 

Yeah, except for the ones that. Were apart, but yeah. 

Yeah, yeah. But for the 23rd of each month, which the 23rd is, February is our anniversary. 

It is. 

So every 23rd of every month or as close to as we could, we took a day and we did a day trip and just have fun together. 

Mm. 

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. 

A museum? Something like that. 

A date? Yeah. 

A date day. Yes. So that's what we've been doing. 

That's nice. 

We also got to do some photography jobs together. 

We did. 

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, we got to. 

Those are always fun. So. 

To take photographs of some vacation properties. 

Yeah, actually the first one that we did this year and I'd forgotten about this, that it was in this year. Got snowed in. 

Really ups this year. 

That was in this year. Was January of this. 

Huh. Wow, OK. 

Year we went, we went to Makokuta to do a photo shoot in this really large mansion of a house and we got snowed in there and had to stay an extra night. 

Wow. 

Yeah. We did what? Darn it. 

Oh man. 

I. 

It was a lot of fun. 

When the back and forth between Texas and Iowa, one of the highlights of the year for me, which I still really don't understand why it's a big. 

Mm. 

For me, but it was. 

A little comical. 

I was just going to take the trip down to Texas to come and join you and sort of like see how far I got, you know, because I was just. I wasn't taking the RV. 

Mm hmm. 

So I was coming down in the truck. 

The first time you were bringing the RV down. 

And. 

And that's when you found off. Gridley was it? Tyler was with you the first time. Because you were on your way and you're like. Need somewhere? 

I'm not losing my mind. 

Pull over and yes you are. 

In front of the camera, 2 cameras and audio recordings. 

This is This is why we keep things pretty scripted. 

This is why we keep things scripted. And The thing is, no one knows. You could have just. It go. 

Yeah, but I'm like, yeah, but I'm like, no, that's 'cause. I feel like you're going to get into it and then you're going to be like, that's not how that happened. 

And tell me afterwards. No, I. No, I'll do afterwards. I'll just be. That's the way it was. Anyway. 

Oh, my God. OK. 

So. Where do I pick that up? Oh. Uh, Tyler and I set out and we didn't know how far we were going to get driving. 

Right, that's a long. 

Wanted. 

A long drive. 

It's a long. It's not going to take one one day it's going to take at least 2-3. 

Mm. 

So we decided what we would do is just keep. And but as as time was going on, it became evident that we needed to, you know, find somewhere to pull over. 

I'm. 

So I called you and so you like. I found a place. 

You did? Yeah. 

It's. It looks great, has great reviews. 

As a little off the beaten path, though, so that was kind of my concern. Like you were gonna have to, like, go off the Interstate. 

Little off the beaten path. 

Yeah. So we got off of 535 and in Kansas and we drive to this little town called Gridley. 

Your bed. 

Mm. 

And we we get there and there's this just it's owned by the city is little campground owned by the city and it's by. And justice beautiful. And it felt like it was in the middle of nowhere. 

Because it was. 

As it was, and so. So we stopped there. 

You were so excited about it, though. 

Hours apart. So. 

Ohh my word. 

Yeah, no. 

You. 

Were sending me video and pictures and. 

Let's just stop right here while we're on two cameras, OK? Because I've redeemed myself. The first time I stayed at Gridley was in the tent. 

Mm. 

We didn't stop him. Gridley, when Tyler and I came down. It's when I came back. We stopped in Des Moines and then from there we went from Des Moines, which, you know, I mean, why would you stop in Gridley after that Des Moines? And then we stopped halfway from there. 

Oklahoma. 

In Oklahoma, at that place you found us. 

OK, you were in a tent the first time. Sorry I. I was trying to figure out how the RV got down there. 

Yes, we have evidence. We have evidence. 

John, OK, I was wrong. Forgive me, I think. Wrong. 

But it also means I wasn't crazy. 

This isn't right. 

We didn't stop in an RV until we both went. 

OK, OK. I was trying to figure out when you got you guys went back and forth like way too many times. 

Yeah, that's what it was. That's what it. I don't know if any of this is going to make. 

OK. 

In the podcast, but I feel great right now. 

You're probably gonna leave it in just for that reason. 

So I'm. To have to start it off again. As if I'm going to edit all this. 

OK. 

OK. 

So the first time we went to Texas, Tyler and I came down together and we were with the RV. Then I had to get him back here because he had school and things to do. 

That's right. Yeah. So you were just in the truck. You left the RV in Texas? 

So yeah, I left the RV in Texas and we were just in the truck coming back and then I returned to Texas. 

Mm. In just the truck. 

Just the truck truck. 

Yes. 

And I called you. And so you looked up on your apps and you found Gridley and man, that was just fantastic. 

Mm. 

I'm there with Gridley. 

Gridley, KS. 

So I'm there with my tent. And it was like 5 bucks a night for a tent. 

Yeah, it was very off the beaten path, like it was like in the sticks of Kansas. 

Great. 

It was in the sticks, but it was like the city of have built this fantastic campground with all the amenities and there's like a really nice like shower house there. 

Mm. 

And like geese on the lake. And it was just fantastic. 

Oh, you called me and you were over the moon about it sending me pictures, videos and I. 

I thoroughly enjoyed that. I was praising you up and down for all of the wonderful searching that you did. 

Feeling pretty good. 

Yeah. So and and actually later on in the year. When we came back from Texas and brought the RV back, I'm like, we have to stop at Gridley. 

Mm. 

So we did. 

Yeah, we. I took her to Gridley. 

And you had a fun little nickname for it. 

Yes, because it was so far out and in the middle of nowhere, I nicknamed it off, Gridley. So from now on, it's off. 

Off, Gridley, can we stop it off, Gridley. 

Yeah, we will be. We're going to go back there. But we had other camping trips during the year. Well, yes. 

We. We got to camp with our friends in Decorah. 

Yes, we did. 

We kind of missed the the mark on the reserving, the RV site. So we had to take the tent, but it was in October, so it wasn't, it was fine. 

There it was. 

So we took the 10th and we had a blast. We had a great time. And then when we got through there, it was like we weren't quite finished camping and they weren't either. 

Yes, please did have a good. 

Yeah. 

We camped at our little local county park up the road. 

Yeah, that was good. 

We did come back and get our RV for that. 

Yeah, we. 

So we stayed there for about a week. 

We had a. Bit of a little bit of glamping down there, yeah. 

We did, yeah. As we enter this new year, I find myself feeling hopeful. 

Yes. 

But also a little bit apprehensive. I have walked very gently into 2025 as if to not disturb. 

Anything. 

I spent the majority of 2024 taking care of everyone except myself, and I think that's OK for a season. That's what I was supposed to do. But it's left me feeling a little bit like I just want to curl up on the couch with my BL. 

Mm. 

And. Read my Bible and journal and create things. I just long for quiet times where I can just sit and pray and. Just be present in all the little moments. 

Well, that sounds like a dream. 

Yeah, I think so too. 

That also sounds like something we can do from different places, like in our RV by the river or maybe even off Gridley. 

I see where you're going with this. 

Just. 

I'm sure that 2025 holds camping in our future. I I'm. 

Yes. Yeah. When? 

We. 

Of course. 

Kind of the whole summer of camping this last year, so I really I feel that that needs to happen this year. 

Yes. That's gonna. Yep. 

I really miss the days when we lived in the RV and life was so much simpler when I could just pile up on the bed with my. 

Yes. 

Bibles. Multiple. Spread out. And just spend several hours there each morning just studying and pouring over scripture and praying and journaling. That was just such a sweet time. 

Mm. 

I just. Can't seem to find the time for that these days. You know you moved back into a house and you get all the things that go with that and it's just very different. 

Yeah, things have changed, yeah. Yes. Yeah. 

I kind of hit a point at. End of this past year where? My well of creativity was just completely dry. I was tired. Was. I was burned out. Was. I'm just grieving still and just I hit empty. 

Understandable. Yeah. 

I enjoy my job at the brewery, but. I cannot allow it to take over my life and there are too many other things that I have to do. 

No. 

I can feel burnout coming on and I just need to find better balance, so I feel like. 

Yes, yes. 

Need to pause. I need to breathe in deeply and exhale fully. 

Yes, but you're doing a great job at the brewery. 

Well, it's a lot of. It really is a lot of fun so. 

Yeah. It's kind of like the the perfect fit for you. Which is kind of why you're in high demand because like you are gifted at it, like you're great with people, you're great with the staff, with the customers. 

Yeah, I know. 

Uh, so, but yes, I look back on the days when we were both praying and reading regularly. 

Mm. 

That led to our reintegration into a community here in Bellevue, Iowa, and taking our more responsibilities and being able to help others. It would be going a little too far to say that I was ready for anything at that point, but I was definitely at a place where I was at my strongest. 2024 caught me off guard. As I said before, I wasn't in a bad place. Was just not ready for. 

It. 

Yeah. 

The culmination of that was hearing about our friend's sudden passing in November. 

Mm. 

We drove to Texas for the funeral, and as we walked into that church to the sound of I'd go anywhere playing over the sound system I. I've developed a thick skin over the years when it comes to facing tragic situations, but being able to have those things just bounce off the outside of you and not be fully present in them is not a sign of strength or health. There were times during your mom's sickness that I was kind of jealous of the way that you and your family were able to grieve openly together and share love and comfort. A. It's a gift. 

It is. 

So this brought me to a conclusion. I'm not as prepared or grounded as I need to be. I need we both need the kind of nourishment that develops strength and durability, the kind of strength that can enable a person to walk into the middle of a challenging situation and weep, but also speak words of life. With a conviction that comes from deep within. So that being said. What is our word of the year for 2025? 

Well, in 2025, our word of the year is abide. Yes, we are going to abide fully in Jesus. I need the Holy Spirit to consume me again, to inspire me to lead me in all that I say and do. I want to have more balance in my life and to schedule time for content creation for my job at the brewery. For Bible study for my kids, for my husband, and most importantly, I don't know if it's most importantly and for me. 

I think it is. I think it is. 

You can't pour from an empty cup. That's the biggest thing. So I that really is important. 

No, I think I think the thing the thing about that is is kind of like when you're on the plane and they go through the routine at the beginning. And they say, be sure to put your your oxygen mask on 1st and then help someone else. 

Masked on. Yeah, that's true. That's true. 

That that kind of a situation, yes. 

I really need to. I need to take better care of my body, my health. 

Mm. 

I want to Minister those around me and lead by example. 

Yes. 

I feel like I'm playing catch up a little bit with my family since I was gone. Good portion of this past year, so I really just want to. All of those little moments the word abide, really conjures up a sweet, comfy picture in my mind of. Sipping coffee with my Bible splayed out. Up my savior's love. Yes, this past year was very unsettling for all of. And I'm just really craving the space to do all of these things when I think on the word abide. I feel at home. I feel settled. Comfy, peaceful. Reassured, grounded and it just settles my heart. 

When you announced to us our word of the year, it confirmed my suspicion about the way ahead. I need to abide in my faith, abide in my family. Abiding community and abide with my friends. 

So that was your initial reaction after sitting on it for a few days. Does it hit you now? 

Well, it's helped me take a breath. And relax a. You know the word abide. I I have those same feelings that you have when you think about that word. It's it's not like a motivational word that you're like, I'm I'm going to achieve or I'm success or. 

Yeah. 

It's it is a very a rest, comforting word. But I know it doesn't mean 365 days of vacation. 

It's more of a. Yeah. 

I know. 

There's soil to till there's some soul growth that needs to happen. We need to fulfill our responsibilities well, but not seek out new ones. Not this year. 

Yeah. 

I feel good about where this will lead. 

Yeah, in my preparations, I chose a total of 10 words and I just took time with each of them, just reading them, looking up definitions. You know, just really pouring over them. Abide was actually the first word that came to my mind when I initially started this list. The first word that I wrote down and after pouring over all of them. 

Yeah. 

It was the one that kind of hit closest to home for me, so it's the one I went back to. 

Mm. 

It was the thing I felt we needed the most. 

Yep. 

That I needed the most. 

Mm. 

It's kind. A big thing to choose a word not just for me, but for our entire family. 

Right, right. 

So what are your thoughts about? How do you feel about me choosing a word for our whole family? Why don't we? 

Well. 

Each choose their own. 

Well, I've said many times in our conversations that there are two occasions in the Bible where the word helper is used to describe a person. The first is in Genesis, where Eve is described as the helper and then in the New Testament Jesus tells his disciples that when he leaves them. Helper the Holy Spirit would take his place among them. 

Hmm. 

So there are times when I definitely feel inspired to say or do a thing that meant something in our lives as a family. 

Right. 

But I sense that you mostly kind of remain in that state. So for you to bring the word of guidance for us as a family seems entirely appropriate. And also like if if we all had separate words then you know that that's that separates us and our intentions and our goals when we have one word together as a family. We. Kind of check in with each other and you know, hey, this happened today, right? 

Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, it is. I I enjoy. 

That's kind of cool as well. 

That aspect of doing it as a family, I think that's it brings us together. 

Yeah, it does. It does. Now I want to say that I haven't tried to guess what the word will be in the past. At the end of 2023, I wrote down a word because I knew that you were thinking and praying on it for, for the for our word for 20. 4. And so I kind of I was like, you know, I really think I know what the word is. And so I had this all planned out and I wrote down the word on a piece of paper and I sealed it in an envelope and I said, I'm going to put this envelope right up here. 

OK. Mm. 

And don't pay any attention to it and maybe it become relevant at some point. 

Hmm. 

And so, of course I knew what the word was that I put in the envelope, and then we did our New Year's Eve thing going over the year. And came to a point where you. And it totally wasn't the word in the envelope. And so I was like. I wonder if she's forgotten about the and you've forgotten about the envelope. 

Yeah, I have, yeah. 

So I just sort of like went into the kitchen and snuck it off the shelf and just threw it in the trash. 

So you got to tell me now, what did you think it was? 

Well. 

Now this was for 20/20. 

4/20/20. 

When it was bloom OK. 

Yeah, when it was bloom and I thought the word would be family. 

Oh, OK. 

Which, as it turned out, you know. 

Yeah, that. Yeah, there was a lot of family in 2024, so. 

Yeah, it. But it wasn't the word. 

OK. 

But but I. You know, I was just like. Like if it works out that it's the same word. This be cool. 

So you didn't try to do that again this year? 

No, no, no, no, no. 

Oh, OK, OK. 

Doing that again. 

Not doing that. 

That's funny. The word abide is used 10 times in the 1st 10 verses of John Chapter 15. Looking at the Greek roots of the word, we discover helpful definitions. To abide means to dwell, remain, be present and to be held or kept. Abiding addresses both our posture and place. 

One of those verses is in John Chapter 15, verse 4. It says abide in me and I in you as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine. Neither can you unless you abide in me. 

The verse that follows that verse 5 says yes, I am the vine. You are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them will produce much fruit. At the end of the day, you cannot pour from an empty cup. 

No. 

It is time to refill our cups so we can pour out the love and light to those God places along our path. 

So in 2025, we will abide. Him, we will seek more balance. We will rest in our saviours, love and look forward to the fruit that abounds from that commitment. Thank you for joining us today. Our hope is always to inspire and encourage our listeners. So we hope that this episode has encouraged you to think about a word that you can adopt for the year ahead. 

Yeah, take a little time to reflect on the previous year. What do you need more of in the coming year? What are? Good things that you're bringing with you into the new year? And what things do you need to leave behind? May your resolutions, goals and aspirations for the new year bring you tons of beautiful views. 

Speaking of beautiful views, be sure to check out our new merch store. Pretty excited about this. As you can see. 

We are very excited about this. 

So we have established this. And we can add products to the store as time goes on and we already have a good range of products. 

Mm. 

We have some hoodies and T-shirts that have like sayings on the back of them. One saying is life is a journey. Enjoy it. Another is always look for opportunities in life to see a beautiful view. 

Yes. 

And so there's various colors available, and we're going to be adding new products this time goes on. 

We have a beanie. Have a snapback. 

Yes, we do. 

We have several other things. 

Mug with the logo on it on on the right side. 

Camping mug. 

Thank you. 

That sucks. 

I did suck. 

Which is comical, but OK, somebody might need beautiful view. 

I can't wait to get a pair. Those socks? 

To take you on your beautiful views. 

Everyone, everyone needs beautiful view. Sucks so. 

I tell you what, you wear your beautiful view socks and I'll wear my socks with your face on them. 

That out. 

Yes. Oh gosh, that's. 

Not a beautiful view. So so check out the store and we're going to be adding products as time goes along. And so you can find the link for our new merch store in our show notes. 

So follow us on Facebook, Instagram. Feel free to share our. Share the link to our podcast with your family and friends so they can listen to our craziness as well. 

Mm. 

You can also find us on YouTube or your favorite podcasting platform. 

As we conclude each podcast, we always like to give the topic for the next episode. So what's up? 

Yes. Well, we have a very exciting opportunity coming up for our next episode. We will be doing. A live podcast from River Ridge Brewing here in Bellevue, IA. 

Uh. 

Shout out to the Man Stream podcast for putting this event together. 

Yes. 

Join us for a day of excitement and entertainment. At on TAP a live podcasting event featuring an incredible lineup of shows and special guest appearances. It's the perfect day for podcast lovers to enjoy live recordings, interactive discussions and tons of fun. 

I've got to admit I am a little nervous about this. 

It's gonna be great. 

Our episodes as we record them now. We do not record the whole thing live and send it out as is. We have the opportunity to go back. 

And edit. 

And edit so when when I'm right and you're wrong about a story, we can go back and edit it to make it look like we were. 

And vice versa. 

Right all along. Yes, but I met with Josh from the mainstream podcast yesterday and we walked through kind of how that's going to work. And yeah, it's going to be a good time. 

It will be a good time. 

Yes, the date for this event is Saturday, January 18th, and the event will kick off at 1:00 PM. And for those of you who are not local, this episode will be recorded and it will be released as our next episode. 

Well, thank you once again for joining us. We hope you have a great day and remember to always look for opportunities in life to see a beautiful view.