Resolving Upon a New Year

The year 2010 is almost over. On Friday, I will stay up until midnight (not exactly a difficult feat) to ring in the new year. 2011. The year I will graduate. The year I will begin college. THE year.

But what about 2010?

Uh... what about it?

Wasn't 2010 THE year?

Sort of.

It was THE year. But not in the way in which I was referring to 2011.

2011 will be THE year of transition. Change. Growing up. Starting to be on my own. Becoming an adult.


EEEEEEK.

But 2010 was also THE year.

THE best year of my life thus far.

Looking back on the year, I can see that God completely and utterly spoiled me. He gave me so so much this year. He let so much good happen.

So much.

TeenPact.

Getting the opportunity to visit BJU

Three amazing best friends.

More Teenpact.

Teaching me forgiveness.

Leading me into and even now walking with me through this season of healing.

Epic air travel adventures.

My brother getting saved.

I could probably go on forever. God gave me a beautiful year. I keep going back and adding things He's done for me.

And then there's next year.

Highschool graduation.

College.

Teaching photography classes.

More TeenPact.

Working on (and hopefully finishing) my book.

Whatever else God has in store.

With every New Year comes the idea of new beginnings. A new start. A time to begin breaking bad habits and forming good ones. In my mind, New Year's Resolutions are kind of a list of things you really really want to accomplish in the upcoming year. So, here's mine.

1) Read through the entire Bible by the end of the year.
2) Take my dog for a walk at least three times a week.
3) Read all the books I got for Christmas with understanding.
4) Prayerfully develop my leadership skills.
5) Be more consistent when I commit to something.
6) Curbing my temper.
7) Complete a year long "A Photo A Day" project.
8) Become a prayer warrior (this one kind of ties into #5)
9) Be a better steward of my money (aka work on enlarging my college savings account)
10) Be continually thankful for every day that goes by.
11) And the most important: Never stop praising God.

What are your resolutions?

Hold Up!

Hey everyone,

I know I've started a series, and I would love to continue it, but I've had a lot on my mind lately. I'm putting the series on hold indefinitely until I can get some other stuff written and blogged. It's just a couple things and I should be ready to continue the series at the beginning of the new year.

I've really felt like God has been leading me to writing about a couple topics. I won't post what they are right now--I'll let them stay a surprise until I'm ready to post. I'd really appreciate prayers especially with one of my topics as it's a very touchy subject and going to be hard to write about.

Thank you, God bless, and Merry Christmas!!!

The Kind of Friends We Are (part 1)

My mom kept saying God had a reason for that horrible day. But when it was happening, all I could think about was that I had missed my flight, my new was kept getting delayed, I was stressed out, tired, and couldn't stop crying. The day was progressively getting worse and worse. But every time I talked to my mom she would the same thing.

God has a reason in all this. He is in control.


When I finally got to the camp, my luggage had not. It was still in North Carolina. In another plane. Evening session was almost over. Dinner was long over. Not that I was hungry. I did the motions through the end of evening session and then through coffee house. Finally, I dragged myself to the girl's dorms, searching for my room. Finally, I found it. Instantly I was confronted by twelve other girls staring at me. I moved through the room, stuttering out my story.

My only possessions in the world at that moment were the clothes I was wearing and whatever was in my backpack.

I didn't even know if there was an extra bunk for me.

There were two left.

Blindly, I picked the bunk in the back corner. Above you.

You lent me a pair of sweatpants. Encouraged me. Let me follow you to breakfast the next morning. By the end of the week, you had become my best friend.

God had a reason for me missing my flight. For my next flight getting delayed. For me losing my luggage. God had you.

You have blessed me more than you will ever know. Even though you live so far away, we've only grown closer since that week. Thank you so much for your beautiful friendship.

Your godly example.

Your affirmation.

I thank God every day for you. I pray for you.

I love watching God work through you and your life and example. Keep living for Him.

Love you <3