A couple of months ago I realized this has by far been my best year, and that was decided before the year was even over. Undoubtedly the year has been extremely blessed.
Highlights include:
I had such a wonderful 23rd birthday! (I will be 24 in just 2 weeks) That is one of my favorite parts of having a January birthday, with the coming of a new year I become a new age as well.
Roasting Mallows :)
In February we found a little pug roaming the streets and temporarily adopted him, I named him Chester! Such a cutie- but also alot of work! Thankfully we found him a more suitable home.
Chester was my Valentine ;)
Speaking of Valentine's day, the girls from all three community houses got together for an amazing party! Not only did we make a delectable feast but we made little Valentine treats for those that perhaps didn't have anyone celebrating with them on that day. We passed them out around the neighborhood. It was a special night.
A Valentine that one of the girls made:
Last March I felt led to do a "31 day fashion challenge!" during which I didn't purchase any new clothing items but instead tried to wear everything in my wardrobe once with no repeats! For more of my heart on this you could read the note that I wrote on my Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/#!/note.php?note_id=10150106620908143
It was such a good experience, my appreciation for what I already have was grown and I had fun being extra creative! (Sometimes I get in a rut of just wanting to wear the same things all of the time haha) The best part was realizing I had way more than I even needed and I was able to give some things away. What a blessing to clear out some clutter and allow my heart to be purified by becoming less attached to things and wants. Here are a few of my favorite outfits that I wore:
I was going for a "J-Crew" theme :)
I just love this bunny t-shirt!
The moccasins and dress that I am wearing are a couple of my favorites, both gifts from Vanessa!
"Swedish Kindergarten Teacher!"
90's mod "ish"
I love this retro Levi's jacket that Crystal gave me :)
In April we, The Table Community, had our 1st Annual Honors Feast- What a blast it was! We voted for different members of the community for areas such as "Sermon on the Mount" Man and Woman (those who's lifestyles best reflect that message), "Mother of the Year" and "Father of the Year", "Berean Award" someone who studies the Word faithfully and diligently, and so on! I was so honored to receive the "Most Encouraging Person" award :) Each award was tailored to it's recipient and mine was a poster of Mother Theresa, a major inspiring figure in my life :)
Some pictures from the banquet:
Courtney's bday brunch last May :)
Last June one of my dear friends from high school got married! Kayla and Pat were so precious on their exciting day. I was delighted to be a bridesmaid. What a gorgeous venue, set up and of course couple. It was a beautiful time up in Grass Valley, Ca.
beautiful bride
FreeStyle's Staff last June at our "Parking Lot Party" we threw at the store.
Last July a lot began to change in my life, the Lord really redirected me in some profound ways. It was mostly difficult, a lot of giving up and letting go but I sensed His nearness in it all and I am forever changed because of it. I feel like God broke off my need to always be "productive" and the struggles with fear, anxiety, worry and people pleasing have become way less of an issue. The scripture a friend gave me was 1 John 4:18 "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out all fear.." and I have found this to be so true in my life. I was afraid of a lot of things (most of them I didn't realize) but 5 months after that intense time of encounter with God I am still reaping the peace and joy of being fully surrendered to Him.
A lot after that time has been documented on my blog as the end of August is when I started to write "Sewing with Tulle and Felt" which is another triumph of 2011, finally starting a blog! (Something I have always wanted to do) This year has been a time of blessing and feeling the Lord's love in my heart. It turned out nothing like I had anticipated (seriously it didn't haha) but I am grateful more than ever for God's unseen hand of guidance and providence leading me in the way I should go. I am filled with faith like never before that He will continue to lead me where I need to be, my heart feels so content in trusting Him!
On December 17th our house threw a Christmas Party for friends, family and neighbors :)
Brion singing "Auld Lang Syne"
Me and our tree :)
cuties!
One last cool highlight is my trip to Kansas City, Missouri! What a way to end such a major year. I just came back from the International House of Prayer's annual young adult conference called "onething". This year the conference theme was "Jesus, Our Magnificent Obsession" and true to their theme all of the times of worship, prayer and teaching were centered around glorifying and honoring Jesus Christ. It was an amazing time, I was profoundly blessed to be in the presence of God like that and the words that continually come to mind regarding this trip are "refreshing and encouraging". It was so fun to explore and be in a new city but most of all I feel re-energized in my Christian walk after that experience.
A few pictures from my trip:
My flight there
Downtown KC
Inside Bartle Hall during the conference
2am killing time at the airport, haha :)
There were a lot of great times this last year and again so much to be grateful for. I would say the time that I have been able to grow in God has been the most significant and made this the caliber of year that it has been. :)
John 8:36 "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed."
Things I am looking forward to in the new year:
Turning 24, woo hoo!
Working with Youth/Children (still praying about what that will look like)
Continuing to live in the Dandelion House (the community house that I am a leader in) and seeing it blossom and grow! I am praying for it to go to a whole new place of ministry and also just become all around more beautiful, we are in our 2nd year running and I am believing that it will be better than ever.
Becoming more proficient on the drums! I am currently enjoying my once a week lessons with Stixx at the Drum Lab and my goal is to become decent by next fall. We will see how that goes :)
Riding my bike, dancing and going for runs and walks more. (Isn't that on every one's list?) Also keeping in mind that things like jumping on the trampoline and doing house and yard work count as exercise too!
Continuing in creative expression. I want to start a project where I refurbish/mend/create or embellish a new t-shirt every week! I love to wear tees and hoodies and thought it would be so fun to try and revamp the ones I own or create/reconstruct some from the copious amounts of fabric and old clothes that are in my craft closet. This way I don't waste any more cash on new tees and become more creative with what I already own! During this time I want to use my silk screen as well :) Anyhow I will have another post describing that project soon, hopefully with my first creation.
Lastly and most importantly I want to continue to grow in my knowledge of the Word of God and my friendship and relationship with Jesus. I have been praying about the possibility of Bible college in the future (maybe!) but for the time being I want to be consistent and focused in my own times of prayer and study. I am excited about this, all my hopes and dreams lie in God's plans for my life and I only want to be where He has me. (Side note- I am also praying about going back to school at least part-time next fall as I am still interested in majoring in Child Development!)
Sharing the Gospel is really important to me because knowing Jesus isn't only abundant life this side of Heaven but knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior is eternal life as well. I pray that everything I say, think and do would be connected with this aim and that "I would count all things as loss compared to the exceeding greatness of knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior"
God bless you all my dear friends. What are you hoping for in the new year?
Happy 2012! <3
