What a year it’s been. A crazy whirlwind of excitement, fear, doubt, and God’s unfailing love and grace. As I write these words it’s a week away from the beginning of 2024 and God has opened doors I’ve only ever dreamed of before.

Last May I quit my office job to travel and write. I’ve been blessed with traveling to Greece, a place that’s been on my bucket list for 10+ years. This past summer I started this blog and visited a new church in Wyoming every Sunday for all of July and August. In September I traveled to seven National Parks with my best friend in Utah, Colorado, and Arizona. In October, I road tripped through Texas to stay at my cousin’s house in Alton near the border of Mexico where we stayed for almost a month. And now, in December, I’m getting ready to travel with my Sister and her family to Florida for a Christmas vacation. 

It’s crazy, it’s amazing, it’s a blessing, it’s everything and more. I seriously couldn’t have dreamed of a better year. I feel like it went by like a flash of lightning. Only God could have brought me here. And I’ve learned so many lessons along the way.

Quitting my job was a huge leap of faith. As I looked back in my journal and writings, doubt was a huge obstacle I struggled with. There were so many times I doubted myself and doubted whether I was following God’s will or my own. My faith was so small, but God always spoke to me through it and was faithful even when I was not. His word is as alive today as it was when it was written. I could not be where I am right now if I had not read the Bible consistently. It is seriously life changing and as the book of Hebrews says, we can’t stay infants in our faith, we must continue to grow and learn (Hebrews 5:11-14). I still doubt and second guess myself, but praying helps immensely. 

As I toured the Wyoming churches, I learned so much about fellowship and being readily available to help the church grow. There are so many ways to use your God given gifts to help in the church. Don’t think that any are too small or there are ones more important than the other.  Paul tells us in 1st Corinthians 12:12 “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ” ESV. There were many times in the past year I would get frustrated with myself because I thought my gifts weren’t being utilized, when in actuality God was teaching me humility, teamwork, and patience and that God must come first in any situation. Seeing the love for God and each other in each church I visited was beautiful. Visiting the Wyoming AG churches was by far my favorite trip of the entire year. 

And finally, I learned how important the love of family is. Before traveling to Texas with my cousins we had never really had a deep relationship because of distance, but getting to spend an entire month together taught me so much about their lives. And being away from my own family made me appreciate all the time we do get to spend together. God also taught me about loving without condition, putting others’ needs above your own, forgiving instantly, and loving people exactly how they are. God also taught me how important time spent together is. My love for family grows more and more and I try to appreciate the time we get to spend with one another now and truly relish and be in the moment. Life can change so fast. I don’t want to waste any time on animosity or grumpiness. I want to make more memories, have fun, and laugh as much as possible.

God is so good!!

Let me say it again, God is so good!

As I look ahead to a new year, I’m still fearful, I still have trouble with doubt, I still have moments of pride. But what a mighty God we serve. What a faithful God we serve. What a loving Father we have in God. 

I have so many dreams and goals for 2024, but above all I want to continue cultivating my relationship with God so that I am able to move mountains with my faith. I have a plan, I always have plans, I’m just that type A kind of person, but through this past year’s kingdom journey I know that God’s plan is truly the goal. I want to live for Him, I want to bring others to Him, I want to be a follower of Jesus. Will you follow him too?

Thank you, readers, for all your support this past year. I hope you’ll continue to follow along in the new year. I’ve got plenty more words to share.

 “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” Matthew 16:26