2017 has been a good year so far. It's not been easy, but wow. I've learned so much lately. Something new I wanted to bring to the blog this year is a monthly current event post. So welcome to a new thing! My plan is to recap my month and share a little with you all. It's always good to take time and reflect on your life and whether you have a blog or not, I challenge you to do it in your own life as well.
If you follow me on Instagram you probably saw the eleven part series of “how to enjoy a saturday” last Saturday on my story. Basically it was me posting 10 pretty overlooked things that are so often a part of our daily lives. To wrap up that story, pt. 11 was me stating that there's soooooo much beauty in the ordinary. Because there is. Seriously people. Take a minute, look up from your phone, tablet, computer, whatever and see how many beautiful gifts are around you. #lifeisbeautyfull
Before I sound like a broken record, let me move on to the current events.
ACCOMPLISHED >> GOALS!! Hoorah! I'm feeling really good about how well I'm doing with getting goals done so far this year. I've already checked off a new years resolution or two.
TRIED >> Mini cheesecakes - which were pretty delish! Also Christy Jordan's Sweet butter rolls which are pretty much like grandmas buttermilk biscuits turned into a cinnamon roll <3 So mainly this month I've tried new recipes... and I'm totally ok with that, because I'd been slacking off on working in the kitchen and I didn't realize how much I missed it!
LEARNED >> “My grace is sufficient.” + “my strength is made perfect in your weakness.” I know I haven't COMPLETELY learned these, but I've definitely learned more about these and I have seen them in a whole new light this month. I had several weak moments of “I can't do this God, but You can” this month and I'm learning grace on a whole new level. It's been a really hard trial, but the brokenness has led me to some beautiful places. Wow. God is good.
READ >> I just finished up a Striving Together book called “In Love”. It was a great book. Short, but insightful. Talking about how to cultivate a meaningful relationship. It showed me things in my life that I need to work on in my relationships with so many different people around me!
LOVED >> This season. Whew. Three weeks to a month ago I don't think I would have said that. But it's been good and God has been so faithful and merciful and graceful and so- so God. The Lord has taught (and is teaching) me so much and my heart is so full. I've been learning to love this hard season He's called me to right now. Also I'm loving this quote- “God can turn any mess into a message and any test into a testimony.” **disclaimer- I'm not trying to sound like some super spiritual being. Believe me this month has had it's fair share of thoughts like “you know, you should have just ignored that prompting.” “You shouldn't have spoken up.” “You should have let things continue on the way they were.” And really it's a constant battle in my mind, but that's what Satan is after, because if he can get your mind, he's got your life. There are things that have happened that I wouldn't have personally picked to go through, but God had other plans. I can either go through this season or grow through it- and quite frankly since I am going to go through it no matter, I'd rather take all the risks and learn as much through it as possible.
LISTENED >> I started teaching my 4th violin student this month, which is so crazy because I never saw myself teaching 1, but the Lord has opened the door and given me 4 students! Needless to say, I've listened to a lot of violin playing this month and I love it!
GONE >> Actually I pretty much stayed at home for this month. That's really weird, but I've mainly just been doing the grind – working + teaching violin + etc. the grind is beautiful in it's own ways too though.
PLANNED >> Well no tickets have been bought yet, but I've set aside several weeks already and I am looking to hit several destinations in the coming months. Some New England state is first on the list of trips to plan and it's coming up soon! I've been itching to travel something fierce, so making plans and getting ready to go somewhere makes this adventurers heart real, REAL happy.
PHOTOGRAPHED >> One mini session with two beautiful sisters. Normally I photograph all 5 siblings, but this year I couldn't get them all together at once. That session is in the plans for this summer and I have several others booked for this year. And I'm always itching to do more... if you're in need of some photography work, I know someone who would LOVE to do it ;) contact me!
STARTED >> A YOUNG LADIES BIBLE STUDY. This was one of my goals for 2017. We've met twice so far and it has been such a blessing to my heart. I'm co-partnering with my good friend, Ani and it has been such a wonderful experience. I was a little discouraged about how small the outcome was at first (5-6 in total), but really I am SO SO glad it's a small group. We've been able to keep it on a very personal level and learn things about each other. It's so good to meet with people and share testimonies about what God is doing, to praise Him together, pray together, and study His Word together.
LOOKING AHEAD >> In February, I'm hoping to...
-complete a water challenge with my sister. 64 ounces a day, here I come!
-start a new prayer journal. My prayer life needs work and now is the perfect time to start.
-start organizing ALL my pictures... 10 billion pictures later and I'll be good......................
I want to hear from you all! Leave me a comment, text me, email me... what would you like to read on here. I actually created a month long Jr. church curriculum for when I taught- should I put it all together (notes, object lessons, take home papers, etc.) and share it on here? With it being semi-fresh to 2017 I've gone through my old goals for last year and made some new ones for this year. Should I share why there are some goals I would keep year after year and why there are some that I would ditch? Should I share my goals for 2017? Leave some feedback people! I'd love to know what you all think. What do you want to read?
Thanks for posting about God's grace. I needed that right now! Oh and I'd like to read about anything you post but especially your curriculum :)
ReplyDelete