2025 a Preview

 Welcome to 2025!! After 12 consecutive years, somehow I did not post a 2024 Preview last year...oooops.

Each year, I like to preview the year ahead (a tradition I started years ago), and here is what I am thinking...

2025:

* Finances: Just going back to the simple things, cash vs credit. Saving vs spending. 2024 seemed to be so expensive, 2025 take it easy please lol

* People that I know and love will pass away or suffer through illness. And it will also be my part to love and support friends and family who will experience loss and sickness this year. A prayer and kind word or deed, goes a long way in the dark days of grief. This one, every year this one both breaks me and builds me up.

* At work: Sigh. Let me translate that. I love what I get to do with first gen students. I know I am making a difference. With the shifting political landscape, hard sigh, it is my prayer that programs like mine don't get cut or destroyed. I do not know. I will work each day and commit to reminding others of the importance of students on the margins. We should hear back about the 2nd grant I wrote to expand our program, in June or July. However, again it all depends on what pressures mount in DC. 

* At church: In simple words, may God continue to allow me to use the gifts he has given me. Knowledge, compassion, a willing spirit, and being able to "see" the need. I am able to help be the voice of our Women's Ministry and that blesses my life, as we bless others.

* At home: In my marriage allow grace and time to do its work. There are many things that could shift for us in 2025. All of them require waiting and that is difficult.

* I will be 40 this year! WOW! 4 fun trips during the 40th year? I don't know but I do spy a girl's trip to NYC in December 2025. And my brain is thinking of an Orlando birthday dinner with many family and friends in April. When I think 40, I would just like to have my people with me and break bread, I've simplified lately. 

For 13 out of 14 years  I have closed the same way, so here we go:) Take care, love others well and Happy 2025!

Now with all of that said I will say this.....2025 is a completely unknown entity. Sure, I know some things but they are so tiny compared to what I have no idea about. The key is to hold fast to God, have faith and grace, love my family and friends, and be the very best Sabrina Stewart Melvin that I can be.....that should not be too hard ( I am kidding) it will probably take me 365 days to kind of get it right!