{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/6660d35439a32000124905fc/69549076e30db7c5d8bb863b?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Preparing Your Soil: The Power of Beginning Again","description":"<p>Melissa and Leann discuss creating a plan for the upcoming year and how we can trust Christ to help us make changes in our lives and continually begin again.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Ponder Questions:</strong></p><p>What old patterns keep reoccurring that I am ready to change?</p><p>What went well for me this year?</p><p>What didn’t go well for me this year?</p><p>What do I need to stop doing and start doing?</p><p>What does the Lord want me to stop doing and start doing?</p><p>What plan am I creating?</p><p>What is my word of the year?</p><p>What is my hopeful word? (Examples include a“re” word such as restore, reset, release, rejoice, renew and repent.)</p><p>What is my hope for greater blessings in my life?</p><p>How do I want to pattern my next year?</p><p>Am I preparing my soil?</p><p>What weeds do I need to pull first?</p><p>Am I expanding my capacity?</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Invitation:</strong></p><p>Take time to plan for the new year.</p><p>Take the time to release so you have room for the new.</p><p>Offer yourself self-compassion.</p><p>Take the time with Christ to make a new plan.</p><p>Keep choosing “new” again and again.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>References:</strong></p><p><a href=\"https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2025/10/31kearon?lang=eng\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\"Jesus Christ and Your New Beginning,\"</a> Patrick Kearon, October 2025 General Conference</p><p><a href=\"https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2012/10/of-regrets-and-resolutions?lang=eng\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">“Of Regrets and Resolutions,”</a> Dieter F. Uchtdorf, October 2012 General Conference&nbsp;</p><p><a href=\"https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/lloyd-d-newell/walk-in-newness-of-life/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\"Walk in Newness of Life,”</a> Lloyd D. Newell, BYU Devotional, <em>BYU Speeches</em>, April 11, 2014&nbsp;</p><p><a href=\"https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2015/05/saturday-morning-session/the-parable-of-the-sower?lang=eng\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\"The Parable of the Sower,\"</a> Dallin H. Oaks, <em>Liahona</em>, May 2015, pg. 32</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Connect With Us: awakenings@googlegroups.com</strong></p><p>If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, we would love to hear from you. You can also find us on <strong>Instagram </strong>at<strong> @awakeningspodcast</strong> where we share quotes, affirmations, questions and clips from that week’s episode throughout the week. You can also find us on <strong>YouTube</strong>. <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh0r5hkYIMni7s1GcP-PZJK_AGTHMjZoE\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh0r5hkYIMni7s1GcP-PZJK_AGTHMjZoE</a></p><p><br></p><p>We are grateful for our production team: Ben, Sydney, Kinzie, Lyndee, Analese, David and Bruce.</p>","author_name":"Leann and Melissa"}