here's to 2018!
Wow, what a year it has been. The Lord has been so faithful to me and my family, and we couldn't be more grateful. From my first trip to visiting the Big Apple, to the beach, to the gorgeous country of Italy, to Costa Rica for my second time, to the beach again, and to the most magical place on Earth to wrap it all up, I had an awesomely adventurous year, and I can't thank The Lord enough for all of these wonderful opportunities. I am writing this post as a remembrance for me to look back on for the future but also for you and that I could encourage you as a new year approaches.
2017 may have been an amazing year for you, and you are so sad to enter a next chapter. If this is you, I am so excited for you. I am so excited you get to bring every touching memory and every fun moment with you into a new year. I am so happy you got to experience so much joy this year, and my prayer is that you can experience just as much of that joy - or more - in 2018. I want you to know though, that it is okay if this year may not be as amazing as last because of the numerous memorable moments. It may be a year that comes with unexpected hurt, but that doesn't mean it can't still be amazing. This year may be amazing because of how much you grow and learn from situations and how much trust you end up having in Jesus. I am praying that over you this year and that you would remember that great years with lots of trips and fun are awesome, but so are those that come with pain and growth.
2017 may have been a not so good year for you, and you are just counting down the minutes till the clock hits 12 on New Years Eve night. If this is you, I am so sorry. I am sorry you had to experience death, tragedy, pain, and more this year, and my hope and prayer for you is that you can enter 2018 with a fresh heart, letting The Lord take every tear and every burden off of your shoulders. I pray that you could see the light and that you would know that The Lord only uses hurt and tragedy to show us His goodness and mercy. I pray that you could realize this and that 2018 would bring you so many new happy and memorable moments, ones that you deserve.
New years can be both wonderful and terrible at the same time. For some, new years bring new goals, new resolutions and new ways to improve, but for others, new years just bring more stress and more sadness from the realization of how fast time flies. My hope for you this new year, 2018, is that no matter how you feel about restarting, that you would be open to what The Lord may show you through new journeys and new experiences. I pray that you wouldn't be afraid of new but that you would embrace newness like you would with something old. I pray that you could find ways to be a light to those around you all while spreading the Gospel and the love of Christ. I pray that you would enjoy this new year and embrace it as an opportunity to grow closer to The Lord by using all your situations as a way of deepening your trust in Him.
So here's to a new year with new memories, new lessons, new growth, and new pain. Here's to a new year full of fun, joy, laughter, sadness, and devastation. Here's to a new year that only Jesus can bring us into. Here's to a new year in Christ. Here's to 2018!!
Enjoy some pictures of some of my favorite moments of 2017! What a blessing every single person pictured is to me. I love you all so dearly, sweet friends!
