As we say good-bye to 2011 and say hello to 2012 I can't help but reflect on the last year and all that it brought. It was a year of ups and downs as most years probably are. It was a year filled with moving apts and all the change that brings, a year of a new relationship and also an end to that relationship, a year of many changes in my church and my job, a year of becoming an aunt and the excitement that comes with, a year of growing closer to the Lord as I learn more and more what it means to surrender my daily life to Him.
As I was thinking through the last 12 months and all that life brought I decided to do a blog post with my 11 highlights from 2011
1) For the last couple years I have chosen a word to really pray for and be a theme word for my year. The word for 2011 was HOPE. It was a fitting word as the Lord really did teach me so much about what it means to hope in the Lord and the supernatural peace that comes with hope. Flowing from hope I learned much about surrender. "Not my ways but your ways oh Lord" was a prayer that I prayed often thisy year. I struggled daily with this, but the Lord really has been patient with me and his presence was near this year even when I often felt that it was not. I am thankful I have a loving Father who is near to me through the ups and downs up life. He was a constant in a year of many changes, sadness, and joy.
2) Moving Apartments. After almost 3 year years in my old apt, I think I really needed a change. Although it was hard to leave a great roommate (thankfully she is still one of my greatest friends in the city!) and a familiar space, I am thankful the Lord gave me my new apt. The space my apt offors is a rare find on the island of Manhattan. I feel really blessed that the Lord gave it to me and that it feels like a home to me, a treasure for this single girl who lives in NYC.
3) South Africa. I really debated whether to go to SA or not this year, but the Lord knew I needed this trip. I am so thankful I had the opportunity and that it was such an amazing trip. I feel like I learned so much and was challenged in specific areas that I needed to be challenged in. Prayerfully I hope I was also a blessing to others while I was there.
4) My fellowship group. This group of girls continue to be a blessing to me. After being in this group for 3 years, I feel like I saw the most growth in the last 6 months. I love the consistency of Tuesday nights with these girls and living life in NYC with them.
5) Along with the fellowship group, I have felt so much thankfulness and joy in friendships this year. I really struggle to let people get close to me and know me, but the Lord has blessed me with some really great friends in NYC. For so long everything in life felt so new in NYC, but after 3.5 years I feel like I am starting to have some history with people which is so great. Deep friendships are such an essential part of life, so I am thankful for the sweet friends I have!
6) Becoming an Aunt. I really love being an aunt. I still look at Mary Blake and can't believe she is here! She is an answer to a long time of prayers and I love that the Lord chose to answer our prayers in 2011
7) My job! Redeemer is going through a lot of changes right now. Some hard and some exciting. With the many changes my job also has changed some. The changes in my job and Redeemer as a whole continues to teach me that change is hard even when it is good change. One specifc that was a highlight was having a majority of my job split between 2 people. I love focusing on the west side congregation of Redeemer and having fewer people to oversee. It definitely makes my job feel more manageable. I also continue to be thankful for my staff team and that we work so well together. I cannot imagine doing my job without the staff team I have!
8) Photography. I really love taking pictures and capturing moments. I took 2 nine week photography classes this year which I loved. I did a few photography sessions for people and hope to do more in 2012. I really enjoy photography as a hobby and hope that I will continue to improve in my skills and that it will remain a part of my life.
9) Faces of Grace. I was asked to be a part of the "face of grace" session at the national PCA womens conference this year. It was a great weekend and I felt really humbled to be asked to be a part of this session. I feel like I walked away probably gaining more than I gave. As my story was being told to 2000 women while pictures of my life flashed across the screen, I was reminded how incredibly faithful the Lord has been to me.
10) Sweet time with old friends. Sometimes I feel like I miss out on so much by living far from all of my family and many of my friends. I know this is part of life and part of the decision I made when I moved to NYC, but it does not make it easier. I am always thankful for the time I do have and have learned to make the most of snippets of time here and there. I am thankful for the trips my family has made to see me in the apple this year ( my sis once, my dad once, and my mom 3 times), Heather came to see me, I was able to spend the weekend at the beach with Katherine and Erin. I was able to see Samm at the beach, I was able to see Kelli, PD, Katherine, Colette,Jonathan, and Frances while at home over the holidays, I was able to go to Philidelphia to see Kim. My mom, sis and I were able to have two girl weekends this year (one in NYC and one in Atlanta at the womens conference). I was able to fly home to meet Mary Blake and then see her again over the holidays. I know i am leaving out other people, but really I am just thankful for all the time I had with friends and family this year!
11) NYC feeling a little bit more like home. As I watched a movie tonight that took place in NYC I was again struck that the massive city on the screen is my home. When I see the city on tv I don't just see a bunch of skyscrapers and people, I see the sidewalks that I walk down, the buildings that I pass daily, the park that I take jogs in, place that I call home. NYC is so different than anywhere else in America and I learn that more and more each day. I love the crazy melting pot that it is even though life there can be hard and demanding. The city makes laugh and makes me cry, but it has taught me so much. I am not the same person I was when I moved there 3.5 years ago. It has changed me and grown more than I think I could have imagined. I can't remember the naem but there is a movie where the actress talks about the city becoming a part of you, a part of you that will never leave. I totally get that. No matter where life takes me next, NYC will always be a part of me. The city has worked it's way in to my heart and I think it is there to stay.
So those are just a few highlights from 2011. I think I am ready for 2012 and what the Lord has in store!
Happy New Years!
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