As I’m sitting here reflecting on this past year, I find it hard to wrap my head around the fact that all of the stuff that happened in 2015 all occurred within a time frame of 365 days. I traveled to Mexico last spring, where I strengthened relationships with the people there, and with some of my favorite Nebraska people. I committed to spending three months of my life in Mexico with a person who is pretty awesome. I journeyed halfway across the world to the beautiful country of Uganda, where I spent the better part of my summer. I made some new friendships with people that I can’t imagine not having in my life: the people that I can consider my little Africa-travelin’ family. I was called to The World Race, and I got accepted! I’m already talking to my squad mates, and I seriously love them all already.
This year, I learned how to live my life fully for The Lord. I learned what it’s like to not let fear get in the way of your Kingdom calling. I learned to be open and willing and flexible and ready for whatever gets thrown onto my path. I learned that sometimes obstacles and hard times aren’t always bad things, and that they can be used to shape a heart and strengthen faith. I learned to boldly step into the unknown without trepidation. I learned to walk on the waves. This year, I finally awoke from my slumber, and opened my eyes to the needs of the world.
So, 2015, you’ve been good to me. So, so, so good to me. I think it’s safe to say that it’s been a year worth remembering, and a year worthy of reflection. But, as I look towards this next year, I find that I can hardly contain my excitement. This year is going to be one for the record books. The best one yet. A year that will not only bring great joy and laughter, but will also bring hard times and growth. I can feel that God is going to do some pretty awesome things in these next 365 days, and I couldn’t be more ready to take on the challenge, to put on the Armor of God and fight the Good Fight.
In just two short days, I am leaving for a journey that will take me to Mexico for three months. At this time next year, I will probably be on my way to Malawi, Africa after three months spent in Thailand. God has so much in store for me in this next year. So many adventures that are to be wholly experienced and fully felt. He has laughter that hurts your stomach and tears that hurt your heart and trials and tribulations that seem impossible to get around, and triumphs of epic proportions in store for me. He has so much planned for me, and so as this first day of 2016 begins, I pray that I will be willing to receive every single part of this year.
And so, in keeping with the tradition, I have a statement (or resolution, if you will,) for 2016. A statement of faith. A promise. A promise to The Lord and to myself that I will prayerfully commit to and seek to fulfill:
I promise to prayerfully seek Your guidance in my life, to seek Your will, and to let myself slow down and listen to You for once. I promise to serve You and Your people without thinking of personal gain. I promise to stop worrying so much, and to trust You with my whole life. I promise to learn and to be teachable. I promise to be willing to take criticism, and to not be ashamed to ask for Your help. I promise to follow without question. I promise to be loving and patient. I promise to be gentle and kind. And most of all, I promise to be bold. I promise to never let my own fears stop me. I promise to seek You, seek Your word, and seek Your people first, and seek myself last.
Father, this year, let my heart be after you.
Love,
Katie
