Daily Life with Audrey Jeanne, Faith & Inspiration

The New Year and Seasons of Change

53 Comments

I have a special love for New Year’s.  Throughout my life I have spent the time between Christmas and New Year’s thinking about what was good in the past year, what wasn’t, where I can improve and turning my eyes towards the New Year ahead.  I love New Year’s so much that my beloved husband and I were married on New Year’s Eve!  It’s quite amazing, everywhere we go they are throwing a party for us, LOL!

This New Year finds me with some very substantial changes afoot.  My beloved agent Mark Timm and his wife Angela have made some wonderful changes for their company “Cottage Garden Collections” and have merged with Roman, Inc.  This merger has already done some amazing things for Cottage Garden with much more to come.  However, one of the changes that this merger brought, is that Mark ceased to represent me as my agent so that he can spend 100% of his time working with Cottage Garden.

After five years of working together, playing together (our trip to the Bahamas comes immediately to mind!) and growing deeply as friends and “family” it’s hard to let go and move on.  We’ve gone through thick and thin together.  Fortunately, I still work very heavily with Mark and Angela because of my wonderful connection to Cottage Garden Collections (oh boy are there some really awesome new things in the works there!!!!)  They will continue to be an important part of my life.

So there is a very special NEW in my NEW YEAR and it is my new licensing agency, MHS LIcensing.  I debated for several months which direction I wanted to go.  I have many licensing relationships that are already established and I could have made the step towards representing myself, but I always keep this one thought in mind when making plans for my career.  “Does this decision give me more or less time to paint and create?”  There is no doubt in my mind that I will have the freedom to design and create much more by being represented by as solid and reputable organization as MHS Licensing!

I decided on approaching them after talking to several of my manufacturers.  I asked them who they most liked working with.  Which agency handled things in the most professional manner and had the best artists?  The unanimous feedback I received was in support of MHS Licensing.  I am so enjoying getting to know all three of the agents I will be working with there and am looking forward to a long, fruitful and FUN relationship!

You can take a peak at the beginnings of my portfolio there at: LINK TO ARTIST’S PAGES I am the 7th artist down the page.  We’re feverishly working to get my portfolio up in time for the 2009 show season.

For those of you who are my digital clip art customers, you’ll see lots of things that won’t be available for quite a while yet, so it will be a bit of a tease.  However, you’ll see these designs in lots of other products in the years ahead so I  hope you’ll enjoy the preview.

NEW YEAR’S MESSAGE:  Do you leave 2008 with some painful regrets?  Have there been tough seasons in this past year?  Are there areas that you feel you have failed or where the year has not lived up to your expectations?  I’ve observed that the people in my life that who have the greatest difficulty around this time of year seem to be those that have the most regrets, or those that struggle with shame and/or a fear of failure.  The answer to each of these struggles can be found in the following passage:

SCRIPTURE:  2 Cor 5:17-6:1  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!  All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:  that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.  We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.  God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.  NIV

COMMENTS:  Many of us are separated from those we love due to unforgiveness, disappointment, hurtful experiences and painful histories.  Some of us have been those that have been the “hurt” parties and others of us have been the ones that failed and perhaps caused the hurts.  To be reconciled to each other and to God can seem to be a huge, if not impossible task to accomplish.  It can also be one of the great longings of the human heart.

The world often feels that God wants to push “sinners” away, He does NOT!!!  He longs to gather us all in and has made a way for us to be reconciled to Him.  His part is done, He is already willing, you don’t have to guess whether or not He will accept you — IT IS ALREADY GUARANTEED THAT HE DOES.  He has reconciled to you — all that waits is if you would be reconciled to Him.

For those of us who seek to be found “In Christ” it is an instantaneous process.  We become new creations in him, all things become new, the old passes away and our sins are forgiven.  The longer, transformation part of the process then begins.  God loves reconciliation.  He reconciles us to Himself, then he begins to reconcile our past and restore the relationships that have failed.  On top of that, he gives US the ministry of reconciliation that we might bring others both to Him and to reconcile with each other. Isn’t this an exciting way to begin a new year?

Can you let go?  Can you let go of past hurts?  Can you let go of your failures?  Can you turn your face upwards to the Father above and ask him to reconcile all the loose ends of your life?  The New Year is a great time to let go of New Year’s Resolutions and instead ask God for New Year’s Transformations.  When HE changes you from the inside out, the changes last longer than a week or two!!!!

PRAYER:  Lord, I’ve approached New Year’s Day often with a long list of things I know need to be changed.  I start out with great intentions and reach the stage of failure by the second or third week.  This year I want my life to be fully reconciled to you and your ways.  Give me the power to truly become a New Creation in Christ.  Give me the ability to be fully reconciled with You and to grow into the ministry of reconciling others to you as well.  Make this New Year my best ever, Lord!  AMEN

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

53 thoughts on “The New Year and Seasons of Change”

  1. AJ, you were right…it was a long read, BUT as always, it was a GOOD READ and a delightful lift to the weary spirit! Thank you for being the wings for those that have forgotten how to fly! I love ya, GF!
    Happy (early) Anniversary & I hope that 2009 brings you so many blessings that you can’t count them all!!

  2. AJ, How refreshing and encouraging to read! Thank you for sharing this with us. I wish you much Happiness and success in the New Year.
    Happy Anniversary may you have many many more!

  3. Good luck in your new adventure. Happy early Anniversary to you and your hubby. Also enjoy reading your blog and looking at your designs.

  4. Thank You for always knowing just the right things to bring to the fore. It has been a hard 2008 year but your writings are so encouraging for me.
    Have a Happy Anniversary!

  6. Congrats on your brand new venture, AJ! It sounds like the Lord led you in the right direction & it will be a relationship that will bring forth much fruit for both parties.
    I so appreciate your thoughts & Word for the New Year. My hubby needs to reconcile with a sister that has wounded him over the past year. I’ve been encouraging him to do so (we were just discussing this an hour ago………God’s timing is always perfect). Thank you for allowing yourself to be used by the Lord to touch so many lives.
    I count you as a dear friend & look forward to your new art in 2009 (what a tease you are……LOL)!
    Love you

  9. It is so important for us to forgive. Unforgiveness can cause physical sickness among other things. Many times it may not be fair–we may have really been wronged, but it is always in our best interests to choose forgiveness. Thanks for your insights-God has blessed you with that gift!! and Happy Anniversary!!

  12. You will be great in the coming year. Just remember you don’t know how far a rubber band will go unless you stretch it. So stretching ourselves we learn how far we can go. Best wishes for a wonderful year. Lori

  13. As always, you are an inspiration. I so enjoy your stand for Christ. It’s nice to know we are sisters. Thank you, and Happy Anniversary.

  14. I am a newby here, but I like what I see and I know you will have a prosperous 2009 and beyond. Have a safe and happy New Year.

  15. Thanks for your message AJ and for encouraging us to approach the new year in a new way.

    Good luck with your new agent and teasing is not nice. Didn’t anyone ever tell you that?

  16. Happy Anniversary & Happy New Year to you & yours. By the sounds of things you’re starting off with a Bang!

  17. AJ I wish you the very best in you new journey ! Thank you for the encouraging words they are food for thought for sure ! Happy Anniversary to you and your hubby and may you have a very Blessed New Year !

  18. First off, I want to wish you a Happy Anniversary and a blessed New Year! I have been to the MHS site for a couple years now, just checking out what’s new and want to wish you many blessings as you begin this new journey. Thank you for a year of inspiration and look forward to more

  19. Wow..I wish you luck in your new adventure..and feel blessed that you are with us at the the PC Crafter message boards…and oh yeah Hapy Anniversary…I look forard to see tons more of your things…

  20. A new year is the opportunity for a new beginning. I just realized -maybe I am more mature- that I have a great life. 2008 was a great year. My health was good, my relationships were great and I feel happy and strong. May all of us find that true happiness comes from inside of us and from Jesus who takes care of us.

  21. AJ, how uplifting you always are. I just love all your work no matter where I find it. Happy anniversary.

  22. Dear AJ,
    How refreshing to see your New Year’s Blog. Giving yourself each New Year to the Lord for transformation is exactly the right way to start the New Year…Putting God First insures that He will guide you every step of the year.
    I’m doing this as well. I think in any creative endeavor, where God is First..
    you open that door for God to use your creativity in ways bigger than we can see….It will be placed into the proper spot in His Creation…and there is No Higher Calling than that!

    I am wishing you the greatest of success in your New Year changes..both creatively and in marketting.

    Your work is truly beautiful and deserves to be on display for everybody to see and appreciate.

    Hope you have lots of time for your artwork, and that 2009 is healthy, happy, and prosperous…Hugs and blessings. Nan

  23. Best of luck to you sweetie, its hard but fun to branch out. I have a feeling it will be a great new year with lots ahead.

  25. Happy New Year, AJ! And Happy Anniversary!!! I wish you all the best in your new endeavors…I know you will succeed!! Blessings to you!!!

  26. AJ Happy New Year, & happy anniversary,
    thanks for sharing your wisdom from the word of God. we all need to hear or read His Word every day.and I absolutely love,love, love your new Coffee collection.. it is so beautiful, Can’t wait to get my hands on it.. thanks so much for sharing all of you with us.. such an inspiration!!

  27. Happy anniversary and Bless you ! you have a nack for getting just the right thing at the right time to say. thank you for your thoughts today and always.

  28. Wishing you many blessings in your new venture and Happy Anniversary! So all the fireworks are for you!! 🙂 You are an inspiration to all of us.

  29. AJ, so glad to hear that you have heard positive things about your new licensing agency. And, you will be able to continue to work with Mark and Andrea, that sounds good too. My, you have been busy~I see lots of new things on the new site:) Happy New Year!

  30. AJ – Happy New Year!! Best of luck in your new adsventures! Change is always hard but sometimes it is for the best. I wish you well.

  31. AJ, I loved looking at your portfolio. The “Aged Vinyard” is beautiful. I can’t wait to see it come to “digital”! Your message of New Year’s Transformations is very inspiring (as always). Thank you for speaking with such awesome words of faith. Thank you for all you have done for me this year. I will strive to make some transformations in 2009.

  32. AJ I’m so happy that you found someone you like. I see some of my favorite artist on there with you. Love all of your stuff and Can’t wait to see your items out in the market. Best of Luck to you from one of your favorite fans : )!

  33. AJ…love your blog and it looks like you are stepping onto a new stage. Blessings to you and your family.

  34. Aj and Steve , Happy Anniversary!!!!!!!! I hope you have lots and lots.. Thank you for a year of special messages for me.. Seems like with every one of your posts..you are talking to just me. Good luck in this New Year and with your new company.
    Hugs, Kath

  35. Great news! I luv the new coffee art 🙂
    This year I plan to lose weight, wish me luck! A few prayers wouldn’t hurt either.

  36. Happy anniversary and much luck to you in the coming year, I just know you’ll do terrific and that you made the right decision.

  38. Happy Anniversary to both of you. That is so exciting that everywhere you go they are celebrating with you. How fun! Good luck with the new Company! Now I do not know about the teasing. Thanks, Happy New Year and also Happy Birthday to the daughter, her Bday on Jan 3? Or was I dreaming that I read that. Thanks for your spiritual reminders, they are written when I needed a new motivation, or a different light. I love your prospective on things. Love your blog. Hugs, and thanks for your strength. Many days I really need it. Sometimes I feel sad, and you give me strength. Jo

  39. Happy Anniversary AJ! What a wonderful way to begin each year. Best of luck on your new adventure. I am sure you will be terrific!

  42. Wishing you the best in your new adventure. Your words of advice really hit home. You are one WISE woman…:0)

    Happy New Year back to you!!

  43. As one door closes, another door opens. Best of luck, and remember that every relationship has its ups and downs.

    Ron, the Country Guy

  45. Thanks for the beautiful post about the New Year Audrey! i love reading your blog & I hope you & your family prosper in the year 2009…hugs,
    Ann

  47. Happy Anniversary and Best Wishes for the New Year! May your new venture bring a prosperous and exciting 2009 for you and your family.

  49. wishing you the best of luck in your new
    advanture I am sure you will be a great sucsess in everything you do.
    Happy Anniversary just in case I don’t get back her

  50. I´m impressed by your heartfelt way to encourage and inspire, and I am fascinated by the beauty in your art – especially the colours and the way of mixing them. However I especially find it exiting that you give me and other people the possibility to use your art. I like especially to find beautiful texts and frame them with your art – for decoration and inspiration. Therefore I am glad you still give some of your time for digital scrapbooking – inspite of all your other projects. And from here far away in Denmark – I want to be no 50 to congratulate and to wish you all the best of luck with The New Year and Seasons of Change.

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