Thoughts on Christmas and the New Year

Yes so I know that Christmas has been over for a while now.

But I'm behind...so...feel sorry for me and pretend Christmas just ended, ok?

Thanks, you're the best.

Well I'm just gonna show you a few picks of what I did over the holidays

because nothing exciting has happened since then.

So here goes. :)

I'm sure most of you know Beth, well, she gave me a hand-decorated

shirt with my most favorite quote on it.

She knows me too well.

Beth also gave Emi a colorful sock monkey, which Emi has fallen in love with.

She knows Emi too well too.

One of my favorite gifts that was given this year was the "Manly Mug" that Emi made and gave to Dad. It's pretty epic. We were given several of Leslie Ludy's books for Christmas as well. If you don't know who she is or read any of her books...you need to. They are terrific. You can check out the Set Apart Girl magazine that she publishes HERE. Well now it's time for the cousins. Yes! They were able to come this year! (if you don't recall, last year they couldn't come because of snow. stupid snow.)

We had a great time together being silly, eating too much......

playing tons of games, and catching up on life.

I also got to experiment with my cousin's photoshop and pentablet.

It was so cool and I officially want one.

oh my....gotta love my family.

So as you can see, I had a very nice Christmas.

And after catching up on all of your blogs, looks like you all did as well.

Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of my New Years celebration.

But believe me, they would have been good ones!

I spent the evening with some kids from the college and career group from my church.

We ate a ton and played Quelf.

(In case you aren't familiar with Quelf; it is the most random, humiliating, funnest game ever.

So, go out and play it, like now.

You will love it.)

The year 2011 was full of big events: Some exciting, some not. Some happy, some painfully sad. Some good, some bad. Along with those big events came big changes. Change is not my friend.

It scares me to death.

Whether it's painting my room a different color or flying on a plane to the unknown. Whether it's beginning a new job full of responsibilities and commitment or graduating from highschool and beginning a new phase in life.

Little or not, I tremble and the word change... and God knows that. It seems like He did nothing in 2011 but bring about change

and push me out of my comfort zone.

Because of that, I would not necessarily call 2011 a "happy" year.

Sure there were some wonderful things that occured, but even in those fun times,

He was working on me.

I could constantly feel Him pushing me out of where I felt comfortable,

urging me to do what I didn't want to do.

It was a tough year. But looking back, if I had somehow skipped 2011,

I wouldn't be who I am now without it.

I have grown so much and have learned so many new lessons.

I can honestly say that I took my first steps into adulthood in 2011,

not because I graduated from highschool, but because of what I have learned about responsibility, leadership, and life in general.

2011 was a tough year and I keep finding myself wishing that 2012 would be a bit easier. Deep down inside though,

I just know that 2012 will be just as tough, if not tougher, as 2011.

I can easily worry about what changes are going to take place and what big events (good or bad) are going to happen. But why?

What good does that do? God has gotten me through, not only 2011,

but my whole life; and He will continue to do so. In that case, instead of dreading what 2012 has to offer, I am excited.

Excited to see what changes are coming, what places I am going to go to,

and what people I am going to meet and form a relationship with.

I am ready for the adventure of 2012