That’s a wrap, 2011.
Another year gone by…I swear they get faster and faster as I get older…and considering I’m still relatively ‘young’, life is going to come at me fast from now on. I read through my blog posts from the past year and reading them caused me to laugh, cry and be overwhelmed with thankfulness to my good God. I have learned so much…but not on my own ability. Some of those lessons came with a hard price, but in His sovereignty, God has used them all for good. As I think upon what this next year will bring two emotions come rushing in: extreme fear and lots of excitement. I was reading my sweet friend Jenny’s blog tonight and she echoed my emotions so well. At the coming of each new year, I have always been able to somewhat predict what that year would bring: where I’d be living, what year I would be in school, what kind of job I would possibly have, etc. 2012 is completely different in the sense that I have NO clue as to what these next few months will hold. Once the end of May hits, my life is going to change dramatically. I could get a teaching job…I could not. I could stay in Ohio (my current heart’s desire)…I could not. So many decisions and responsibilities are suddenly flying at me at rapid speed. Things that I have anticipated for years and years of my life are now finally here…and are much more terrifying than my younger self could have imagined. I would be completely lying to say that I’m not at all afraid of what this year will bring. Honestly in this moment, I’m completely and utterly overwhelmed and a big knot tends to form in my stomach when I think about the months ahead. There is so much I don’t know at this point…and that can tend to lead me to fear. But this I do know, friends. God is faithful. He is sovereign. He is working all things for my good and His glory and no matter what happens in these next months, no matter what decisions have to be made, no matter what trials seem to arise: HE IS GREATER. It is deliberate sin for me to live in fear of the days to come and each day I have to be so conscious of the temptation to succumb to it. Every day is a fresh battle to say ‘no’ to my flesh and say ‘yes’ to the will of the Lord. I serve a God who spoke the earth into motion and knows the stars by name. How much more so does He know my every need! He knows my worries and your worries and as ‘big’ as they seem to us, they are not even close to being too big for my Savior. I have seen time and time and time again, that ultimately His plans are higher than mine. He will work the details of my life out…maybe not in the way that I think they would be or should be…but who am I to doubt the sovereignty and plans of my good God? It is my responsibility to lay my fears daily before the cross and surrender to the beautiful journey that He has me on. That’s where the excitement comes in. When I can believe, not just with my head but also with my heart, that God will provide for my needs, lead me and use me for His glory in however He sees fit, my heart is full. On Christ the solid Rock I stand…all other ground is sinking sand.
With all of that said, how about some 2011 highlights?
-three AMAZING field experiences: one in Kindergarten, one in 1st grade and one in second grade. These were such wonderful learning times and reminded me why I want to be a teacher. I LOVE seeing students learn!
-methods 1 and methods 2. What a little family we’ve made. I love those 27 people so much.
- visits from friends to school, especially now that I live off campus! living off campus was definitely another highlight. I love my apartment.
-growing in so many relationships. I have prayed for years and years for God to put people in my life that I can do life with…and that will hold me accountable. I have THE sweetest women in my life right now and I get tears in my eyes just thinking about the friendships I have with them. I am so thankful. guy friends, you are included in my thankfulness! As a girl with no brothers, God has given me an abundance of awesome men around me that I can’t imagine doing life without. I have learned so much from them and they bring so much joy!
-house church and Apex. Where would I be without my house church? We have grown so much as a family this year and there is nothing like seeing the body of Christ in action. I’m not sure I could love a group of people more. Apex expanded this fall which led to the arrival of Apex Xenia. I get such joy out of serving and attending there…I’m anxious to get back to my KidLife kiddos after being on break!
-times spent with family. I have the best family, hands down.
-weddings of friends and engagements of friends! What a joy to be able to share in these special moments…and there have been many! I’m so excited for the dear people I was able to see get married in 2011 and look forward to the weddings to come in 2012! marriage is such a beautiful gift and I feel like I have learned so very much about it just in the past year.
-my jobs. Yes, although they were difficult most of the time, they did bring a lot of laughter and joy to my heart.
-baseball games….Especially the BRG game in which we made friends with the batboy and got ourselves some autographed merchandise. Hopefully my Cubs can get their lives in order and put out a winning season this year!
-any sort of event with friends. Methods 2 Halloween party, homecoming parade, pumpkin carving, Youngs trips, concerts, festivals, christmas lights…you name it. What a gift people are. I have learned to cherish my relationships so much this year.
I could go on all night about how wonderful 2011 was. My heart is thankful and I am full of anticipation of what 2012 will bring. To God be the glory.
