New Year. What Does it Hold?

 

Yep, it's 2012! For some reason two-thousand twelve looks so futuristic when written. A new year is the time for many emotions. It can be the most depressing time of the year for some, and for others it is a new opportunity for exciting beginnings. I earnestly hope that the beginning of 2012 will be a joyful time for you and that this "new year" will motivate you to live life abundantly no matter what resolutions you make.

In years past, I have made "new year resolutions" and some I've kept, and others I haven't. But this year, I've resolved to not make any. :) Actually I just made one, and that is to live life abundantly and to its fullest in 2012!

Looking back over 2011, I've realized that God has blessed me SO MUCH. I've been places and done things that I was certainly not expecting but were amazing adventures! Below are several pictures highlighting the best times in my year. Enjoy~

JANUARY :: My wonderful friend Kayla and I (we've been through a lot together this year!:)

FEBRUARY :: My parents came to visit Chicago. :)

FEBRUARY :: Chicago blizzard!

MARCH :: St. Patrick's Day insanity!

APRIL :: The best birthday so far with my grandmother visiting!

MAY :: Fun times making sushi for delegations

MAY :: Peru delegation!

MAY :: Hosting delegations by seeing sights and going shopping!

JUNE :: My dear Suzanne came to visit!

JUNE :: The Filipino kids make their way into all of our hearts.

JULY :: Week long mission trip to Peru.

JULY :: Sharing Christ's love with Peruvian girls.

AUGUST :: An amazing week in Guadalajara!

SEPTEMBER :: My favorite place...the beach!

SEPTEMBER :: At the beach with my wonderful family.

OCTOBER :: 10-10 Celebration with co-workers and friends!

OCTOBER :: A lovely visit to my dear friend Shae.

OCTOBER :: A team of 15, myself included, had a powerful week in Romania!

NOVEMBER :: A month of GREAT times with friends/amigos!

DECEMBER :: WONDERFUL time spent with my wonderful family. :)

The Rest of the Story...

Gifts are exchanged. Hot chocolate and candy canes are staple food items. Families gather. People around the world eat, drink, and are merry. Jesus' birth is remembered, Santa Clause is exploited, and shopping is insane during December. What am I talking about? Yes, I'm sure you guessed it: Christmas!

Christmas is a strange thing. It is the biggest holiday in the world, but everyone celebrates in uniquely different ways. Some people celebrate Jesus' birth, other's celebrate the abundance of things, family, or goodwill on earth, and yet some don't celebrate at all. In my family Christmas is a big deal. We celebrate for over a week sometimes! And although we have various activities ranging from eating BIG meals, shopping, opening presents, hanging out with family, our celebrations revolve around Jesus Christ, Who is the Reason for the season.

I'm very sure that during the Christmas season you have heard at least once a phrase similar to: "Let's not forget the most important part of Jesus' life–His sacrifice on the cross." And I couldn't agree with that statement more, however, EVERY step of Jesus' life was important because all of it was prophesied by Scripture which led to the climax of His life–dying in place of us on the cross of Calvary.

Can I tell you a secret? I love Christmas. Not because I can feel like a little girl again, or because of the great time I have with my family (although those ARE secondary reasons), but because we as Christians can publicly rejoice in the remembrance of our Savior's miraculous and humble birth.

Even though the holiday of Christmas is over, let's not stop celebrating the life of Jesus Christ. The story of His life keeps being written in the Book of Life.

[giving. thanks.] Provision

Happy Thanksgiving! The day for giving thanks is finally here, and I must say that I am going to really enjoy everything else that goes along with Thanksgiving. :-) 

The Pilgrims were thankful for God's simple provision. Count your many blessings!

Today, I'm thankful for so much, but especially for God's provision. I know it sounds cliché, but I am grateful that He has always provided for me and my family's needs. I've never known huger or thirst like millions have around the world. We've always had enough or more than enough food, water, and clothes. And we have a nice house which stays warm in the winter, and cool in the summer (for the most part :). Many people do not have even the "basics," and God, in His goodness and mercy, has provided for us so abundantly.

Thank you Jesus Christ for being the Provider in our lives and for the basic things you've given that we take for granted everyday.

[giving. thanks] Comforter

Today I am thankful for the Holy Spirit. I was just thinking this morning . . . we have a great privilege to have to Holy Spirit within us at all times and forever. The disciples did not even have the gift of the Holy Spirit (until Jesus left), but Jesus Himself could not even be with them at all times.

Francis Chan's Holy Spirit DVD is amazing.

I often wondered why Peter could be so "on fire" for Jesus one moment, and then deny Him the next. I doubt he would have if Jesus had been in his presence. As Christians, we have a power within us–a voice in you and me that comforts, guides, reveals, corrects. Even though Jesus is not walking the earth with humans anymore, we can still feel His love, teaching and power through the Comforter which He sent as a gift to us.

"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." ~John 14:16-17

Thank you Jesus Christ for not leaving us as orphans, but for providing a Comforter who is within us forever and always.