Adios 2014

Whew. I can't believe another year has come and gone. Last year at this time I was reflecting back on a year that changed my whole life, 2013. I got engaged, married, graduated college. The world was at my finger tips when 2014 started and I was ready for anything!

Well the world came, and it hit hard. Can I just be honest? I'm actually really glad 2014 is over with.

It was a hard year. Don't get me wrong - I am blessed beyond measure. Amazing things happened this year.
Judson graduated from ACU

Multiple dear friends of ours got married, we got hired and started our first real life jobs, we accomplished goals, moved to a new town, stepped completely out of our comfort zone together

Went on amazing trips, our nephew Jett was born, we got our new puppy Scout, our marriage has grown to new levels, we both turned 24 years old, we celebrated our one year anniversary

But between those good moments has been some really hard stuff.

Hard things happening in our careers.
disappointment, discouragement, discontentment, learning things the hard way

Hard things happening in our families.
worry, health issues, broken hearts, distance

Hard things happening with our faith.
wandering, searching, needing

Hard things happening in our marriage.
adjustments, disagreements, miscommunications 

Hard things happening within me personally.
confusion, failures, lack of motivation, fear

Judson and I are worn down.

We're tired, stressed, and overwhelmed. We need to be refreshed.

Well, THAT WAS NEGATIVE, wasn't it!? But it's the truth, guys. And that's okay. Some years aren't years that you want to relive over and over again. Some years are years that merely needed to happen in order to make the next one even better. Hard things have to happen in order for us to truly appreciate the good stuff.

"Instead of yearning for a problem-free life, rejoice that trouble can highlight your awareness of My Presence. In the darkness of adversity, you are able to see more clearly the radiance of My Face. Accept the value of problems in this life, considering them pure joy." - Jesus Calling

I have faith that God will restore our hearts, minds, and enthusiasm as we start 2015. So let's list off some resolutions, shall we?

1. I want to be more consistent in my relationship with God. I also desperately want to find a Christian community that we can grow in. We were spoiled rotten at ACU and we need a community. Also, I want to be more verbal about glorifying God with the things He blesses me with.

2. As always, be healthier. I have said that every year I've ever made a resolution so I'll think of something more specific about it…. Hmmm.. Okay, I got it. Cook more dinners that have multiple food groups in them. Okay, okay, cook at least 3 dinners a week that have at least 3 different food groups in them. THERE.

3. Be more positive. Stop dwelling on things that go wrong, and just shake it off. shake it off.

4. Stop gossiping. I think I've blurred the line between gossiping and healthy venting. I need to STOP gossiping.

5. Believe in myself. I quit almost everything I start in fear that I will fail at it somehow. I have to start following through and believe that I CAN.

Alright, 2015. I'm READY FOR YOU.