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2019 Reflection & Looking Forward to 2020

2019 Reflection and Looking Forward to 2020 / A Hosting Home Blog

Life Lately | No. 15 – 2019 Reflection & Looking Forward to 2020

Happy New Year, friends! Where did the year go? Better yet, where did the DECADE go? Let’s not even get into how much I’ve grown up this past decade. 10 years ago I was sitting in high school convinced that I was going to either go to Harvard Law School or be a chemist for a research hospital like St. Jude. Instead, in the past 10 years, I moved out on my own, graduated from Texas A&M University (WHOOP!) with a degree in Marketing and Advertising, met and married my other half, acquired some super cute pups, moved across the country away from our families in a step of faith, started and grown my dream business, and became a momma. Talk about a lot in just 10 years! Can you believe it? (I can’t!)

I don’t know what it is about this time of year. But, I always get super reminiscent, start reflecting on the year that’s passed, and dream about the year to come. So what better way to ring in the new year than take this time to share with y’all my 2019 reflection and what I’m looking forward to in 2020.

2019 Reflection and Looking Forward to 2020 / A Hosting Home Blog

2019 Reflection

2019 was a doozy of a year. I remember sitting down in December 2018 thinking of things that I wanted to work on that next year. One of my biggest focuses and prayers was that God would help me grow in my faith. I now realize that praying for God to increase your faith is a lot like praying for God to increase your patience. He’s going to put you in situations where your faith will be stretched. Like throwing a kid in the deep end of a pool, you’ll be placed in situations to learn how to swim and fight. Except our fight is spiritual and not flesh and blood. (Ephesians 6:12)

I prayed for God to increase my faith in 2019, and boy did He deliver. He knows I’m quite the over-achiever. If I’m wanting to do something, I’m all-in — and God sure did give it to me straight.

The Best Yet Worst Year

When I look back on 2019, I’m overcome with two polar opposite emotions. While I sit here replaying the year in my mind, I have come to one conclusion: I can confidently say that this past year has been both the worst and best year of my life. It was the worst year with these last 9 months marked with so much heartbreak – the weight of grief that accompanied saying goodbye to our son Layne as he went on to heaven 38 minutes after he was born.

READ ALSO: Life Lately | No. 07 – Layne Thomas’s Birth Story

But yet, at the same time, I can also confidently say that it’s been the best year of my life. 2019 was the year that I became a mom – a thing I had prayed for and longed to be for so long. And while I was unable to bring our sweet baby home and he’s now in heaven, I am still a mom. That fact is still true. (I’ve got enough stretch marks and scars to prove it!) The joy of knowing that I’ll get to see my baby again one day in heaven has given me a hope and peace like Paul writes about in Romans 5.

“Not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” – Romans 5:3

READ ALSO: Life Lately | No. 12 – Life After Losing Layne (6 Months)

Meanwhile, it’s been the best year because I’m not at all the same person I was just 9 months ago. God has stretched me past my limit (and then some), and I’ve grown and learned to lean on Jesus in a way that I never have before – and in a way that I never want to stop. While some days still trigger me and remind me just how broken this world is (and I am), I am reminded just how faithful God is, even in my darkest moments.

In the end, I feel like (after a lot of prayer this past month) 2019 was a year of pruning and rain. Which as Jesus speaks about in John 15, it is expected. Pruning is a part of the process.

Jesus said in the gospel of John, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:1-5)

Just like in a garden, you can’t grow and bear more fruit without pruning. Pruning is a part of the process – for everyone, even Christians. God is shaping us and ‘pruning’ us – and I guess that would also mean taking away things we deem ‘good’ and ‘healthy’ so that we are able to grow and flourish more than we were before. Everyone gets pruned, but as a Christian your fruit will get used for the kingdom and for His glory. God sees the bigger picture as He tends His garden. We are to trust His heart when we are unable to understand or trace His hand in situations and seasons of our life.

READ ALSO: Life Lately | No. 10 – What God is Teaching Me Through My Garden

Our lives have seasons just like gardens, and we will face tribulation as Christians. (John 16:33) At that point the choice is yours. Will you run from God or to God? Will you allow God to grow you again? Or will you continue to wilt until you’re dried up and let this broken world consume you?

In the end, God has completely changed me.

There were more times I can count these past 9 months when I sat with Him in prayer and he spoke to me through His word. On days I wrestled with questions, doubts, and overwhelming emotions. On days I just wanted to understand. I picture it as if He’s sitting across my dining room table from me sipping on a cup of coffee. He slides some papers across the table, lays it all out in front of me, and says, “Honey, we need to talk about this.”

In 2019, God completely changed me. Broke me. But like a potter, He’s molded me and shaped me into what He has been wanting me to be. He has made me new. Holding His hand these past 9 months, He has given me strength and comfort when my flesh didn’t know how it would continue on. He has stretched me, but He has been so good and faithful to me. He has shown me what it’s truly like to trust His heart when I am unable to see His hand, and He continues to reveal Himself to me daily.

I’m not the same person I was before March 28th, 2019. And while I wish it didn’t have to happen the way it did, I am so incredibly thankful for the beautiful story He’s writing through us.

2019 Reflection and Looking Forward to 2020 / A Hosting Home Blog

Looking Forward to 2020

While 2019 was a roller coaster of a year for us, I have so much hope looking forward to 2020. While I was praying this month about the upcoming new year, I feel like God spoke to me. I feel like He told me that 2019 was a year of pruning and rain. But when I was searching for my ‘word’ for 2020, I feel like He gave me the word “Restoration” – as in 2020 would be a year of growth, hope, and healing.

Restoration – (n.) the action of returning something to a former owner, place, or condition. However, Restoration in the bible is often seen as God blessing people for their faith and hardships by making up for their losses and giving them back more than they previously had. 

I don’t exactly know what that means this year will hold. I am not God. My ways are not His ways, and my thoughts are not His thoughts. But I do pray over Psalm 40 daily – I’m waiting patiently for the Lord. Regardless of what it is, Rob and I really can’t wait to see what God has in store for us this next year.

“I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth – praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the Lord.” – Psalm 40:1-3

2020 Goals & Focus

Along with continuing to prioritize my health this next year, I plan to continue diving deeper and deeper into God’s word. I have grown my faith in Jesus more than ever this past year, and that was my 2019 goal focus. (Note: When you pray for God to help grow you in your faith, He’s going to put you through situations that grow your faith.) However, there is so much more in my walk with God that I want to cultivate this year.

Meanwhile, among the personal things I am looking to focus on this year, I am so excited to take my business and brand to the next level. I can’t contain my excitement for some of the dreams that I have for A Hosting Home and for some of the things I am hoping to launch in 2020. I’m hoping to launch all new services AND possibly something even more exciting. I don’t want to spill the beans just yet, but I hope you’re as excited as I am for all the new things coming.  You’ll be seeing even more of me (and from me) in 2020!

 

 

The year 2019 was one in which I learned so much about myself – and my savior. God has stretched me past my limit (and then some), and I’ve grown and learned to lean on Jesus in a way that I never want to stop. While some days still trigger me and remind me just how broken this world is (and I am), I am reminded just how faithful God is, even in my darkest moments. I have so much hope for this next year, and I hope you do too. Here’s to 2020, friends! I can’t wait to see what God has in store for all of us this next year.

January 1, 2020

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Atlanta based Award Winning Interior and Event Designer and Home Blogger Cathy Nugent

Hi, friends! I'm Cathy, a nationally published award winning designer of spaces to gather and southern belle writer based out of a small(ish) town outside of Atlanta, Georgia. However, most people know me as the Monica Geller of my friend group – a coffee connoisseur and dog mom with a huge heart for hosting and an eye for design. The heart behind what I do is simple. I want to help you be intentional on creating spaces to gather and celebrating life's precious moments - whether that be weddings, parties, or something as simple as having loved ones in your home. Living Simply, Loving Generously, and Hosting with Heart.

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I’m not going to mind doing dishes with a pretty I’m not going to mind doing dishes with a pretty view like this. ✨💛 I hung these DARLING cafe curtains in my kitchen today, and I can’t get enough of the gold details with the rod, rings, and medallions. I still need to install cabinet hardware, but I’m really loving how everything is coming together in our new house. I’m feeling so inspired with embracing new styles and I hope you are too following along!  #ahostinghome 

Shared a closer look on stories today! Shop via @shop.ltk ➡️ https://liketk.it/3Futt #liketkit #shopltk #ltkhome

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#interiordesign #homedecor #homedesign #kitchendesign #kitchen #whitekitchen #whitekitchencabinets #traditionalhome #traditionalhomedecor #modernfarmhouse #modernfarmhousestyle #modernfarmhousekitchen #modernfarmhousedecor #modernfarmhousedesign #transitionaldesign #transitionaldecor #transitionalstyle #interiordesignstyles #bhg #bhghome #bhgstyle #bhgstylemaker #bhglivebetter
Building raised garden beds and planting with a to Building raised garden beds and planting with a toddler who just wanted to  dig and bury tools and throw dirt everywhere was as about as chaotic as you could imagine. (Forget wood for a second, have you seen how expensive DIRT is this year?! 🤦🏼‍♀️) Rob built me raised beds at our old house after Layne passed away and learning to garden became such a labor of love for me. We really missed having a garden last summer after we sold our old house and moved into the rental, so we were so excited to get started and plan another set of raised beds for this year for the new house. It’s a start — and we can’t wait to expand this little garden area even more as we go. 💛🪴 Are you excited for your garden this year? What are you growing?! #ahostinghome 

#raisedbeds #raisedgardenbeds #raisedbedgarden #raisedgarden #raisedbedgardening #gardening #backyardgarden #bhghome #mybhg #bhglivebetter
Can I just say that if you’ve been on the fence Can I just say that if you’ve been on the fence about a bold design decision… to just do it! After I shared the black living room wall, I had a few friends tell me they wanted to do the same in other spaces in their home and they chickened out. Especially when it comes to paint, I say just go for it! Paint is one of the easiest ways to completely transform the look and feel of your home. It’s only paint — and that’s the beauty of it! If you hate it you can always paint it back. So instead of asking what if you hate it, ask yourself what if you LOVE it?! 🖤👏🏼 #ahostinghome 

// shop via @shop.ltk ➡️ https://liketk.it/3EXef

// Color Details: Tricorn Black by @sherwinwilliams mixed in eggshell/satin in the Duration line // Walls are Extra White by #sherwinwilliamspaint 

#tricornblack #sherwinwilliams #sherwinwilliamstricornblack #sherwinwilliamsextrawhite #blackaccentwall #blackwall #accentwall #interiordesign #interiordesigner #interiordesignideas #homedecor #homedesign #homedesignideas #traditionalhome #traditionalhomedecor #transitionaldesign #homestyling #transitionaldecor #transitionalstyle #bhg #bhghome #bhgstyle #bhgstylemaker #bhglivebetter #mybhg #bhgcolor #swcolorlove
About the only thing I managed to get done this we About the only thing I managed to get done this weekend with a sick toddler was the little gallery wall in our dining room. I found these wireless battery operated gold gallery lights on Amazon and they are AMAZING. Comes in 3 colors, under $35, and super easy to install. I love how it just added a little something and made it look more high end. 😍👏🏼 #ahostinghome 

// shop via @shop.ltk here ➡️ https://liketk.it/3Ep2B

tags // #homedecor #homedesign #interiordesign #gallerywall #traditionalhome #traditionalhomedecor #transitionaldesign #transitionalstyle #transitionaldecor #diningroom #diningroomdecor #diningroomdesign #ltkhome #bhg #bhghome #bhgstyle #bhgstylemaker #bhglivebetter
My living room took a complete transformation this My living room took a complete transformation this evening — and I’m so in love! (You really didn’t think I’d part with these floral curtains did you?! 🤪) I always talk about the power of paint… but there’s also so much power in drapery, friends! I love how cozy they make our new home feel and how it just feels like “us” now with them up. ❤️ #ahostinghome
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#interiordesign #interiordesignideas #interiorstyling #livingroomdecor #livingroom #traditionaldecor #transitionaldesign #transitionaldecor #transitionalstyle #traditionalhome #homedecor #homedesign #floralcurtains #livingroominspiration #livingroomideas #modernfarmhouse #modernfarmhousestyle #modernfarmhousedecor #bhghome #bhgstyle #bhgstylemaker #bhg
✨ Progress ✨ I’m so excited to finally be at ✨ Progress ✨ I’m so excited to finally be at the point of unpacking that I can start decorating a little bit! What do you think of the vibe in here so far? Hoping to get the kitchen cabinet hardware on this weekend! #ahostinghome 

p.s. I’ve also got big plans to refinish these table and chairs soon! 😍

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#interiordesign #homedecor #homedesign #kitchendesign #kitchen #whitekitchen #whitekitchencabinets #traditionalhome #traditionalhomedecor #modernfarmhouse #modernfarmhousestyle #modernfarmhousekitchen #modernfarmhousedecor #modernfarmhousedesign #transitionaldesign #transitionaldecor #transitionalstyle #interiordesignstyles
After all the rain, we finally got the wire backin After all the rain, we finally got the wire backing, our gates done, and the fence finished this week! 😍 We had a fencing company local to us do it, and they did an amazing job. We had a fence like this at our old house, and we loved how open it made our back yard feel while still keeping the dogs in. With the dogs, the fence was project priority No. 1 after we moved in — and I must say, I’m so glad I won’t have to embarrass myself chasing a puppy around the house with a toddler on my hip in my slippers anymore! 🤪 Are you team privacy fence or team 5 row fence? 🏡 #ahostinghome
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#farmhousefence #blackfence #fiverowfence #5rowfence #blackfarmhousefence #farmfence #modernfarmhouseexterior #modernfarmhousebuild #farmhouseexterior #farmhousebuild #houseexterior #homeexterior #whiteandblackhouse #blackandwhitehouse #blackandwhitehome #homedecor #homedesign #georgiahomes #exteriordesign #exteriorpainting #exteriorpaint
It’s been a long time coming, y’all… We clo It’s been a long time coming, y’all… 
We closed on our new house last week! It has been a crazy past few days getting moved in and the essentials set up/ unpacked, but we are so excited for the new adventure! We’ve already got so many plans and ideas, and I can’t wait to completely transform this home! 😍 I hope you’re just as excited to follow along! #ahostinghome
The power of paint (and shutters!) Adding black sh The power of paint (and shutters!) Adding black shutters and a black door completely transformed the look of our house and made the exterior POP! 😍 We’re getting SO close, y’all. We’ve got just a little finish work left inside for them to wrap up, and we have our final walk through next week! #ahostinghome 

Exterior Paint Colors—
- Siding: Extra White by @sherwinwilliams 
- Shutters & Door: Iron Ore by #sherwinwilliams 
- Cedar wood columns

#newbuild #newbuildhome #newbuildjourney #newbuildprogress #newhomeconstruction #newhome #houseprogress #homeprogress #extrawhitesherwinwilliams #ironoresherwinwilliams

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