Looking to the Future
With the year 2025 lying before us, I am sure that many people have made New Year’s resolutions. Some might be dreading or fearful of the days ahead, while others are filled with a sense of hope for the future. I can’t speak for anyone except myself, but my hope is in Jesus. Therefore, I look forward to serving the Lord in the New Year and keeping Him at the center of my life. This fact alone offers me hope as I look forward to the future.
There are many verses found in the Bible that refer to looking toward the future with hope. Here is one of my favorite scriptures on the topic of hope: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV). When a person faces uncertainties or difficulties this verse serves as a reminder that God’s in control and He has a special purpose for my life.
How are you feeling about the year 2025? Are there any favorite Bible verses that bring you hope about the future?
We look forward to picking apples with our neighbors each year in the Autumn. Since I am an agricultural gal, I like to plant as often as possible. I belong to many groups who make a positive contribution to the world. I do enjoy reading so was glad I found your books. I am glad you are still writing and publishing.
I look forward to reading more of your books in 2025. My year is for hope for my family to bring us closer together. May God be with you always. I look forward to meeting you again someday.
I think 2025 will be a great year with our Lord’s help. I enjoy reading your books and how you bring the characters to life.
I pray 2025 I’ll be found faithful to Jesus who saved me and promises me a home in Heaven eternally. I pray my family near and far will know Jesus as their Savior. It’s the most important decision in their lives and mine. As a pastor’s wife (but most of all, as a Christian) I hope my life, talk and thoughts will point to the ONE who deserves all my praise. It’s the one thing I can give my friends and family play and that’s to magnify Jesus. Hopefully this will be the year of our Lord’s return. God bless you Wanda, and thanks for your dear books that bless us all.
The Lord has blessed me in 2024 with a lot of things and even when my brother died it was a blessing.
Happy New Year Wandai am really looking forward to reading this book
Happy New Year!
Want you to know how much you mean to me. You are always am encouragement. I don’t know what the new year holds. I continue treatments for multiple myeloma….cancer in my bone marrow. The Lord has been so good to me. Family, good doctors, friends, and your books! Thank you.
I look forward to being healthy in 2025 and believe in god will that this year will be better than last year, in October of 2024 I lost my mom who I was not very close to but she is still my mom and I miss her I am not good with the Bible and I guess that is something else I should be better at this year
I pray 2025 will be a safe and healthy year for us. 2025 is also my year for growth and opportunity. I’ll embrace challenges, celebrate wins, and stay focused on what truly matters. This year, I choose positivity, progress, and purpose. Let’s make it unforgettable!
Looking forward to the new year also. Hopefully spending more time with family. Hope you and your family have great health. Thanks for your books enjoy reading them through out the year.
Happy New Year! I pray 2025 will bring healing to all, and faith in knowing God is with us at all times, even during difficult times. May you and yours have a blessed year. Thank you for all of your beautiful books. They are treasured. God bless
Happy New Year, hope all is well with you and your family. Can’t wait every time you have a new book come out. Love all of your books. Take care and stay healthy in the new year.
Happy New Year!!
One of my favorite Bible verses is Proverbs 3:5-6…Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. That verse has gotten me through some tough times.
2024 ended with both my father and father-in-law being in the hospital. At some point in 2025, they will most likely be joining their Savior in Heaven. They are both great Christian men and I know I will see them again.
Thank you for your books, I love reading your books.
Happy New Year 2025. Looking forward to reading your new book.
Hello Wanda,
I have so many “favorite” verses but perhaps Psalm 46:10a “Be still and know that I am God!”
Regardless of the situation I can rest assured that God is there, He is in control, He is my hope.
I am looking forward to getting more of your books. I seem to devour them as soon as I get them. I have books about the Amish by other authors but I prefer your books. No doubt it’s the style of writing that draws me to your books, (along with the recipes!!)
My prayer for 2025 is that we will unite rather than divide, love rather than hate, build rather than destroy, and tell the world about our Heavenly Father who loves each one of us so very much.
May God continue to bless you and your family in 2025.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Schoonover
Happy New Year Wanda to you and your family
Blessings to you all.
I love reading all your books and have read several a second time over.
My family and I also visit Big Valley at least once a year as I graduated from school in that area. Belleville auction is a favorite location to my husband. I most enjoy visiting the different families that have businesses from their home and visiting Peights and smart shopper store. It is a good thing that we can put our luggage on the top of our vehicle so that there is room for my shopping. The 500 mile trip back home can be justified easily by my great finds. lol
We are going to Shipshewana this summer to see your play at Blue Gate. Shipshewana is always a predecessor trip to going back home. The kids – 7, 12 and 14 all enjoy these quick jaunts too. We usually do long weekend trips here as it is only about 3 hours north
Wishing you a healthy and happy new year
Happy New Year!!
Hello Wanda, I love reading your books and am always interested in the Amish people and their way of life. I live in a small town in Wisconsin and there are many small towns around the area and many Amish families live around the area as well. One day I was in a small town looking for an Amish made doll for my grown daughter. I stopped a lady in a buggy with her children and asked where there might be a store to find one. She said there was no store but sher would be happy to make on for me. I was so happy! I gave her my phone number so she could call me when it was done, and I did live 2hours away.(I traveled back and forth every weekend because of work and home) She called me one day to tell me the doll was done, in fact she had made two. I bought both. She was so kind and did such beautiful job! Made my day and my daughters birthday awesome.
The verse I choose to share is Joshua 1:9. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
This verse gives me the hope needed to face whatever the future holds. The Lord is with me.
Happy New Year & God Bless!
Happy New Year!
Looking forward to getting closer to the Lord this year and keeping my focus on the hope that we have in Him!!
I have great expectations for 2025. Getting closer to Jesus with my Bible reading and prayer. Looking forward to the Rapture whenever God calls Jesus to lift us up. One of my favorite scriptures is Proverbs 16:9, “Man plans his way but the Lord orders his steps.”
Come quickly Lord Jesus, this world is not my home!
I love Psalm 91, it comforts me in knowing that God is with me no matter what. I keep my hope and trust in The Lord and not in the fact that’s it’s a new year and a new start. With God every day is a new chance to live in Him and for Him.
Jeremiah 29:11 is my favorite verse in the Bible. I’m looking forward to what God has in store for me this year. I pray I’m a better witness for Him. And praying for healing of cancer in our family.
Health-wise, I am waiting for a day of tests to determine if I need my aortic valve replaced. It isn’t devestating news, all medical procedures I view as ”get it done”.
Policitically, I am not looking forward to the upcoming chaos.
Life? We take it as it comes, and we will survive.
Happy New Year. Excited for the new year and good reads. It’s a wonderful to have my family, and good friends for the new year. Can’t wait to see what Wanda releases this year. Had been reading her books for a few years now. Never been disappointed. Have a great new year everyone
I like the following verses: Proverbs 24:13-14:
My son, eat honey, for it is good,
and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.
14 Know that wisdom is such to your soul;
if you find it, there will be a future,
and your hope will not be cut off.
This tells me that I must work to have wisdom by studying God’s word and applying it to my life and obeying His commands.
I’m looking forward to what 2025 brings along with it new year. I’m going to put god first in my life.
The verse I always start with each January 1st is Proverbs 16:3 “Commit your works to the Lord and your plans (thoughts) will be established.”
It encourages me to commit each day to God and let Him guide me in it. I don’t worry for the future because His hand is upon me & my life!
Happy New Year Wanda to You and Your Family As I don’t do New Year’s Resolution I find that the Bible Verse Jeremiah 29.11 (NKJV) Is so Amazing!
I simply love reading your books. You write so well that I fell as if I am living the story as you tell it. I would like to be entered into the drawing for the Mifflin County Mystery series book #1 that you are giving away. That is one of your books that I do not have.
I also would like to tell you that my daughter has bought her & me tickets to “The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannies Biscuits” for my birthday. Can’t wait to see it.
May God continue to bless you, your writing, & for complete healing of your arm.
So glad you are feeling so much better!🥰
I simply love reading your books. I love the way you write, as I read I feel as if I am right there in the story. The Mifflin County Mystery series, “The Protector” is one book I do not have.
I am happy to say that my daughter has bought us tickets to see “The Rise & Fall of Miss Fannies Biscuits” in Bird-in-Hand for my birthday. Can’t wait.
May God continue to bless you, your writing, and to heal your arm completely.
A good reminder but hard to accept in difficult times. I do believe he is in control but don’t understand why the gift of bad keeps on giving. Lost 2 close family members 4 days apart. Then in the fall was accused of a horrible act by a student which I was cleared of but was a long process. Just need time to heal. Hopefully this happens in 2025.
I can not believe it is 2025! As a teenager I was looking for the coming of Christ or the rapture I should say. I never dreamed 2025 would ever exist, but here we are. Yes, there are many different things we could fear in the days to come, because of all the things that are going on in the world and in our personal lives and family, but we need to seek to stay close to the Lord no matter what. Satan would love to get us to turn our back on the Lord. Jesus is our closest friend. Jeremiah 29:11 is a great verse. Some of the verses that comfort me when I get fearful or unsure about a direction my life seems to be taking is 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, Titus 2:13, Psalm 32:7&8, Psalm 37:4-7, and recently, many verses in Psalm 62 has blessed and comforted me. Thank you for your ministry Wanda!
I feel 2025 will just continue my downhill fall because of health problems. But God will walk with me.
Taking Psalm 91 into 2025, as I strive to grow closer to Christ.
I love every book of yours that I have read. I love to find out more about the amish way of life.
I have read every one of your books and love them all. Can’t wait for your next book.
Mailing address:
P. O. Box 233
Belle Valley, OH 43717
When I’m needing to be reminded of wholesome faithfulness you are one of the authors I turn to! My goal is to read more. More scripture. More books. Less social media. Less negativity. Daily devotions and quiet time with our Lord is such a blessing.
So glad i am able to serve a God who is faithful yesterday today and forever also im reminded in exodus 14:14 God will fight for you you only have to be still and wait My word for this year is wait hopefully may God bless you Wanda with more creativity to write is my prayer 🙏 thanks for the signed book blessings in the new year 2025 Carol Fahnestock
I’ve read your books for years & always look forward to the new ones!
It’s always exciting!
Have a great New Year!!
Happy New Year Wanda! I’m hoping that 2025 is a healthier year for all of us. I hope your arm is healing well and that your daughter is doing well too. I spent 33 days in the hospital in August-September of last year. My recovery is going better than I expected, even though I push my limits sometimes. I had a pulmonary aneurysm and a leaky valve that got repaired. It was a rough month. I enjoy your books and can’t wait to start your new Mifflin County Mystery series. I love mysteries!
I pray 2025 is a very healthy and prosperous year for us all.
God Bless,
Laurie
I look forward to reading more of your books in 2025 it will be a great year
We look forward to continuing to live a “simple life”. My husband and I have decided not to get caught in the materialistic and “keeping up with the Jones” mentality. We look towards God’s guidance and live accordingly. Treat others as you would want to be treated and life’s decisions tend to be easier. Looking forward to a wonderful 2025!! May everyone have a healthy, happy, and God filled life.
This verse brings me comfort:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:11-13).
Jeremiah 29:11 has been one of my favorite Bible verses since I decided to quit college 45 1/2 years ago and wasn’t sure what was next. It has been a verse that has carried me through a lot of things that have happened in my and also in my family’s life since i have been married and had children. It is so comforting to know that God is with us and has plans for us.
I am feeling hopeful that 2025 will be better than 2024 was. A Bible verse that encourages me is Jeremiah 29:11.
We are feeling very apprehensive and fearful of what lies ahead for all of us in 2025. I worry that all the chaos, divisiveness and hate will spark more violence.
Thank you for the reminder to put our hope in the Lord.
Wanna congratulations on your new book. I would love to have a copy of it thanks.
Dear Wanda,
I so enjoy your journal posts.This one was extra special to me. Jerimiah 29:11 is my favorite verse as well.My mother in law passed Nov 5, at 92.She is with the Lord now.Going through her books I found many of yours among her collections. I was gifted her Bible and inside the cover stated her favorite verse was none other than Jerimiah 29:11.
I feel the Lord speaking to me telling me when things are uncertain He has me.
Thank you for your posts & I am praying for your arm to heal soon.
In Christ Love,
Sue
In 2025, I hope to have a clearer perception of my health situation so I can get my body better in the years to come. I am looking forward to decluttering my home and reading some new books this year as well.
I am very hopeful and excited about the new year 2025. With Christ as our savior we know He will work out all for our best.
Hi Wanda.
I’m excited for a few things happening in 2025. I will be starting a new job. So far it looks like my health is on the mend. So I can get back into an exercise routine and back on track with my diet.
2024 had good & bad. I had knee replacement, was laid up for 3 months. Lost my job. Had gallbladder removal surgery. My husband lost his job.
I always manage to put on a happy face, and face the world as life needs to go on.
I did try to make a good Christmas for my boys.
Good things come to those who prat. I’ve done alot of praying this last year.
God Bless you all,
Happy 2025
I want to walk with the Lord more. I read Phillipians 4:13 and Exodus 14:14 alot.
My favorite part about Jeremiah 29:11 is that he’s writing it to people who are going into 70 years of captivity. They were being encouraged to build houses, plant gardens and have families in Babylon, because God’s plan was to increase them and not diminish them there so that they could eventually go home again one day. The exile was looked hopeless, but it was all part of the plan to bring them back to God and to once again have his favor… a hope, and a future!
I like the verse in Heb. 13 that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever which gives hope!
I feel very optimistic about 2025 because my hope is in Jesus. My favorite is Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” No matter how bad things seem or how weary we feel, we can count on the Lord.
A Bible verse I lean on always is my best friends favorite Bible verse. She passed away almost 10 years ago. It’s is Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths Proverbs 3:5-6
Only God knows what this year will hold for us, but I know that I am trying to have more gratitude this year for what God has done for us and what He has provided for us. My husband and I are downsizing because we know that we have too much “stuff” and we are sharing it with those who need it. We have taken an arm load of like new coats to the local mission here because they said they needed coats. We have given a lot of canned food to the local mission food drive for Christmas, and we have given money to some folks we know who were having it hard to buy gifts for their family. We are so grateful for what God has provided for us, and we want to share it with others. God is so good. We have been through some really hard times and have had people help us and now we are in the shape to help others. I am not bragging, just letting people know how good God is and how good He has been to us and how we need to be so grateful to what He provides for us and to share with us when we can. Life is too short to be greedy and besides this world is not our home and we can’t take it with us. God tells us to serve and love others and that is what we are trying to do. We are trying to show our gratitude to God for what He has done for us. He died for us, He gave His very life for us. Showing gratitude to God is not much when you look at what He did for us.
I am hoping that healthwise that 2025 is better than 2024 was. God has gotten me through another year. After getting me through the 6th surgery on my left knee, I can walk with a cane but not able to move it completely. I also got MRSA from the operating room on the 3rd surgery and had pic lines.
“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” Psalm 31:24
I am looking forward to having my adult children visit and my oldest son graduate from high school. Spending family time is always a joy. I am also looking forward to doing some home improvements and traveling. Jeremiah 29:11 is a wonderful verse and leads my focus to the Lord and trusting in his plans for me.
Happy, Belated, New Year Wanda, Richard, & Family! I’m hoping 2025 is going to be a great year, but it hasn’t started out that way so far! That’s okay! God is in control!!! I’m looking to get into God’s Word, in more depth, than I ever have before! I’ve read the entire Bible a couple times, but should’ve done it more😪. I want to really study The Book of Revelation, because I believe we are living in those days.
We won’t know the day, nor the hour, BUT God IS coming back!!
John 3:15(KJV) “That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
John 3:16(KJV) “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
I am worried about the year 2025. Very scary world. But in good news I bought your Miss Fannie’s Biscuits book. Very relaxing to read your books always. Thanks Wanda for all your writngs.