Along for the Ride: January 2019

Last Friday, a dear friend, Fluff (as she has been dubbed by Mozzarella), and I were having a late-night dinner together and spending some time reflecting on this past year. Without hesitation, we both agreed that it had been one of the best years of our lives. For me, possibly the best year.

Not because only good things happened (although this year tops most years for that as well), but because God is so faithful and His power and love have been so evident throughout the year.

Highlights include:

-Graduating college

-Traveling to the east coast

-Becoming involved in the high school ministry at church

-Serving at the high school camp

-Attending the young adults' retreat with our church

-Going hunting with family

-Being promoted to legal assistant at work

-Becoming an aunty to a second niece (and learning another niece is on the way!)

-Spending time with grandparents

-Developing deeper relationships with friends and family

-Spending more time in God's Word

Posting on this blog (almost) every month was a helpful way to keep a trail of the year, so I have decided to (attempt) to do the same for 2019. Folks, keeping a journal, diary, blog, or some sort of record is a great way to document and see God's faithfulness over time! Sometimes change or growth happens so gradually we don't see it until we stop, reflect, and look how far we've come.

Last January, I posted some "non-resolution hopes" I had for the new year. The top 3 hopes, in brief, were to 1) consistently spend more time in God's Word, 2) love others more, and 3) serve at church. While I hope to increase ever more in these areas, God has certainly grown me in these areas.

Certainly, a new year is not the only time we should resolve to make change, but it is a good opportunity to reflect on your life and see where some changes may be necessary. This year, I'm going to list more than just the broad areas I hope to improve/grow in/change.

1. Be transformed by God's Word and filled with His Spirit -- this kind of summarizes the hopes of last year. I pray that I will be able to spend more time mediating and acting on the Scriptures, praying, serving others, and resultantly being continually transformed into a daughter of the King full of the peace and joy of salvation, able and eager to give an answer to any who ask about the hope within me. May Christ's love spur me to share the Gospel, in boldness, with those I meet.

2. Build deeper, more meaningful relationships with family and friends -- I hope to better love those individuals God has placed in my life, be more real with them, and learn how to better pour into their lives.

3. Work harder, and as unto the Lord -- Not just at work, but also at home and at church. As an introvert, it's so easy to come home from a long day at work and want to loaf around the house, be alone, or relax. While this is appropriate in it's time, I need to have more self-discipline in finding the motivation to serve the family as time allows.

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." Colossians 3:24-25 (English Standard).

4. Spend more time learning Russian -- Okay, so I have really enjoyed the beginnings of learning this language, but am struggling with finding motivation and time to do any homework or persevere. I'm not the fastest learner and do not have the best memory, so am feeling discouraged with my progress. However, I am hoping to be more dedicated to learning Russian and applying it in practical life (with church members, family, friends, and even those individuals with whom we come in contact randomly).

5. Learn more humility and to ask for help -- The last few months have caused me to see that I unconsciously try to maintain an image of having a nice, put-together life and mindset, even to myself. I am learning that I need to be more open with my failings and willing to allow others in to hold me accountable to change.

"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17 (English Standard). "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself." Galations 6:2-3 (English Standard).

In closing, her are some pictures from the Christmas season, aunty life, and our New Year's celebration.