Je t'aime 2012

Photo from Cherry Time

For the past couple of years, I've made it a priority to do something new and/or extra-fun every month. It can be something small like learning to correctly say "I love you" in French (which I did just learn at Christmas from my cousin who's a French tutor) to something big like buying a house (which I did this past November). I have found by making this a priority I am much more open to new experiences that God may have for me that I may not have done before simply out of fear or thinking I'm going to look stupid or a host of other reasons I could come up with.

Trying new things hasn't always come easy for me. Honestly, it still doesn't. I'm a perfectionist; I only really like to do things I know I'm good at. I don't like to fail; I don't like to look like I don't know what I'm doing. But, by trying new things and doing them even if I feel kind of stupid, God has taught me some amazing things and given me some wonderful moments I wouldn't have had if I hadn't been willing to try something new.

As I look down my list of new and memorable things in 2011, I am amazed at what God has done in my life this past year. I went back to school, was honored to write a guest post for (in)courage, had the wonderful opportunity to interview Annie Downs, saw stamps I designed for Unity at the summer CHA show, had a book of my designs published, was a bridesmaid at my little brother's wedding, bought a house, volunteered at and attended some amazing concerts, saw relationships begin to heal, made some new friends and was involved in two awesome Bible studies.

There were emotional ups and emotional downs, but what it ultimately comes down to is trust. Following God can be a scary thing because most of the time, it seems that our plans are not His. While God helped me so much in 2011 (I know I couldn't have gotten through the year without Him) and answered many of my prayers, there are still struggles and unanswered prayers that will continue into 2012, relationships that still need to be mended, unfulfilled dreams that may never be met and questions I may never know the answers to.

I want to continue trying to stay on His path, not mine. I want to trust Him and obey where He leads because when I let Him take the steering wheel, He shows me just how beautiful life can be.

And just maybe I'll try taking dance lessons this year, which is the new thing I've been tossing around in my head. :)

Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. ~Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)