Learning in the Wandering

End of the year, another blog post? That thought is probably crossing your mind if you happen to be reading this. Well, yes it is but I am sharing my heart after several months of drafting and writing different things but never posted. Trying to not be "the typical millennial" but at the same time, this has been heavily on the heart and needs to be shared.  As this year comes to an end my goal is to finally start sharing the journey, that has been asked about. To start living the joy of Jesus and freedom that we are called to have, with the lady down the block you see each day on the way to the metro, a friend you have hurt, friends that have reached out, meeting new people, adventures. So, here's to 2017 coming to an end and the new glorious, 2018. 

Oh, 2017 you were a year waiting to happen. The joy, sarcasm, challenges that you brought a long with you rocked the boat. I could write all of the things that happened in 2017, but they may come off in an odd way, but at the same time I am oh so grateful for them. This year has some of the highest of highs of life and lowest of lows. An ode to 2017...

1. The year heaven gained one of the kindest but stubborn Texans alive. (Meme, you are loved)
2. The year heaven gained a beautiful laughing interior designer and friend. (Annemarie)
3. The year I learned that heartbreak takes time.
4. The year I  graduated and moved to a new city.
5. The year I started my adult career.
6. The year I gained a new community.
7. The year I lost that community. (So, I thought... but man that community is being redefined)
8. The year of strengthening old friendships and beginning of new.
9. The year of learning to admit its okay to admit its not okay.
10. The year of learning to ask questions.
11. The year of learning you are not who you thought you were
12. The year of an ‘extrovert’ learning how to handle an unsubstantial amount of alone time.
13. The year of having things planned out and moving abroad (so, I thought).
14. The year of learning to say no. (getting there)
15. The year of learning to accept things that don’t want to be accepted
16. The year of trying and thinking too hard.
17. The year of travelling to another country alone.
18. The year of finding freedom and joy, in the ashes.
19. The year of hurricanes, fires, snow and the hometown World Series Champs. 
20. The year that many people lost their homes, but communities came together.
21. The year of losing family, but gaining family.
22. The year of living independently.
23. The year of many new experiences in the NOVA life.
24. The year of learning to remet Jesus.
25. The year my best friend from childhood moved to Samoa.
26. The year of many random walks, drives, trips to who knows where. The year of laughs by random people, who are now family. 
27. The year several dear friends went through hard and difficult medical challenges.
28. The year I lost my best friend, but gaining new one.
29. The year of change, in the constant transient city.
30. The year of learning to be comfortable in the uncomfortable.
31. The year of learning to abide in Jesus and the life that we have been given.

As I reflect back on 2017 and the year it has been, I find myself reading my first journal entries of the year "The word of the year is abide. Lord, teach me to abide in you in this ever changing life." Little did I know that abiding was not just sitting still and waiting it was repetitive seasons and challenges through this year alone, to be shaken and know that He is there. It took the Lord to put me in a place, that I thought I knew to bring out every single part of my soul, to find the beauty in the ashes. He was teaching me who I was, who I am and who's I am. So, thank you Jesus for taking me out of everything and learn in a new perspective. Thank you, for teaching Joy in the season.

Friends, family, reader near or far, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for listening to my chats, reading my words, encouraging the truth, going on random trips for no reason, answering calls at 3 am, stopping whatever you are doing to come listen and be. I'm the first admit that this year has not been all smiles and cheers, and I may say that I wish it was different but at the same time friends, family, reader I wouldn't have it any other way. Life is about the journey, no matter how grimey it gets. I would not be where I am now without each and every one of you. I haven't been there for each of you this year vocally, emotionally, physically but friends YOU MATTER, YOUR LIFE, YOUR HEART matters. Thank you for being a part of the tribe of life, and I am so excited for what is to come.Thank you for making this year have so many great memories, even in the learning.

Friends, each of us have different seasons in our lives that we journey through but the JOY in all of it is the simple promise that was written in Ecclesiastes:

"There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

 Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV)"

No matter what season you are currently in, finishing, or about to begin cling to the JOY that we have been provided. How wonderful is it to know that we have the ability to choose JOY of loving others, serving the neighbor next door, cleaning of your home. But, at the same time He has chosen to die on the cross for us and through us. As we enter the new year, lets join in celebration of the things we have learned this year through the seasons, family, and life endeavors. 

What are 30 things you have learned this year? How do you see yourself in the new year? Do you have people who are keeping you accountable?

My prayer is that you go with joy and celebrate this season with those who have made you this year. Happy New Year!

Trust the Sunrise.