what i did / learned in 2017

looking back at my 2017 goals, well, I basically flopped most of them. but you know..I think that's okay -- so many more things happened that I could never have planned or foreseen 

a lot of things happened -- things I didn't even expect. it was a different year with a ton of new experiences for me. I had to juggle a lot of stuff and deal with stress and my perfectionism. I read the Bible and prayed tons. I had to adjust Julia working at the library after we had worked together all summer long. I learned that prayer is really important and something we all need to take more time + focus on. I learned that my to-do list wasn't everything, and it was okay if things didn't get done. I learned that life isn't, and can't be planned out and that its okay

so what's going to be happening next year? I honestly have no idea. craziness, probably. Next year will be my last year of school (after I finish this grade in the spring). my sisters will likely be trying to drag me on a plane to visit our grandparents on the East Coast heh. maybe I'll write, or finish my novel. idk. I'll be driving and logging hours. joining summer reading and doing more volunteering. reading the bible more + growing my relationship with Jesus. taking photos and doodling. likely working at the CSA next summer again. and who knows what else. all I know is, some of the stuff I just listed may not happen, but I'm pretty sure other stuff will 

it was an awesome year. I think my main goal for this year was to live in the moment, pray more, and enjoy the little things. I feel like I've accomplished that, and want to keep going with it all as I learn and experience new things with the days God has given me. idk what 2018 is going to bring, but I guess we'll find out :))

don't let your to do list consume you

don't let the busy consume you

get your things done, but don't let your to-do list run your life. leave time for listening -- don't always be a go go go human -- and don't miss the little moments because you are so busy. the stress of it all will get to you, and wear you down [even if you don't realize it]. don't expect perfection from yourself, but do the best you can.

the stuff on your to-do list won't always get done. it's okay. just hand your stress over to God and don't worry. stuff will happen. life will be lived.

be a voice

idk about you, but when I was little I just sort of thought that when I was older, I'd know what I'd be doing with my life -- that i'd have everything all set and figured out (lol wowoww wasn't I so smart). but yeah, growing up, I think i've always been trying to figure out what I should be doing -- what my "gift" is, and how I could impact others for Jesus.

In first Corinthians is says ..."each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that." << basically, God doesn't make people with carbon copied gifts. they are all unique, and all for different purposes [some that will impact in ways that we may not know for a long time, or may even never know]

'Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.' << 1st timothy 4:12

don't assume that you are too young to make a difference, or that what you say or do doesn't really matter or change anything. because, more and more I've been realizing how the voice of one can effect another, and another, and another -- and multiply until it's not just a voice, but a mass of voices. and these voices are so much stronger than that voice that previously stood alone

but what if that voice hadn't spoken up

what if that one person hadn't been brave enough

what if that one person had neglected that gift God had given them

don't just assume that some other person can do that job of speaking up -- of being the first voice. or that you are too young, or not good at it -- what if that person assumes the same of someone else? and the next?

this doesn't mean we were all created to stand on the soapbox. what I mean is, being the first voice doesn't always mean speaking out. it can also be an act. to change something, or to stand your ground for Christ. and speaking out isn't the whole thing -- there are /so/ many other ways we can impact others for Jesus

In second Corinthians it says we are ambassadors for Christ. We can't let the fear of being the first to raise our voices for Jesus win. we all have gifts, in one thing or another -- are we using them?

wait, listen, and focus on what God has given you right now. don't worry if you aren't doing something "big" right now. God has given you something to master for this moment, and He'll bring you something else later. don't worry about the future, don't waste a moment. 

'Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.' 1 corinthians 16:13

[just something I've been working on and some thoughts that have been happening so idek if it makes any sense, lol]