Colorful handwritten text reading 'Word for 2023: EXPECTANT' above the bold black text 'January 2023' on a white background.

Why I Write

Expectant: one who is looking forward to something

I’ve never been a person who had a word for the year, but 2023 was different. In January, as I was preparing for my day, I had the urgency to write down the word “Expectant” at the top of my planner. Now, in January that is not really surprising, right? We are all hoping for a year different and definitely better than the year before. But when I looked at the word “expectant”, it sat with me. I knew that there was something to it and it was just how I was supposed to approach things in 2023.

By August, I was starting to think that maybe I had gotten that wrong. I mean, the year is almost over and some things weren’t exactly going as I had hoped. But things can change quickly, right?

In August, God said it’s time. I knew what He was talking about and this time, I didn’t brush it off like I did in the past. I’m not a journaler by nature, but this is my feeble attempt to right down the thoughts as they come. How God reveals Himself to me in little bits and pieces so I can share them with you. I’m not a theologian or some uber-Godly woman, but I am a person who is seeking and, for some reason, I think that’s enough right now. My hope and prayer is that these will speak to you and encourage you. Or maybe you can just laugh at whatever nonsense comes out of my mouth. Who knows? But let’s see where this leads us and what lies ahead, because I expect it is going to be something neither of us expected.

Cathleen Collett Cathleen Collett

Badlands

Badlands, our last main stop on our trip out west. We hiked, saw bison, climbed plateaus, dug in the sand, looked for fossils, admired the views, met new people, and just enjoyed the last few days of this epic trip together.

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Cathleen Collett Cathleen Collett

Yellowstone Pt. 2

The shutdown didn’t dampen the rest of our experience at Yellowstone!

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Cathleen Collett Cathleen Collett

Yellowstone Pt. 1

We finally made it to Yellowstone! But will the government shutdown affect our stay? We got in as much as we could before the possible closure and ended the day on a high note that we won't soon forget.

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Cathleen Collett Cathleen Collett

Grand Teton

Grand Teton National Park is the first stop on our fall road trip. From a campsite with incredible views, to the buffalo in the plains, and my kids singing worship songs at the top of their lungs, we were overwhelmed with God's beauty and goodness.

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Cathleen Collett Cathleen Collett

Canoe Trip

Our canoeing trip yesterday reminded me of the last time I went canoeing, 26 years ago…

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Cathleen Collett Cathleen Collett

One Giant Sandbox

It’s all about perspective. The Arches National Park was enjoyed differenly by each of us, but we all found a piece to love and a way to be present to what was right in front of us.

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Cathleen Collett Cathleen Collett

Off The Beaten Path

It has become apparent to me just how much my crew loves to be off the beaten path.

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