Reflections on 2016

Hello all! This is a day late, because I wanted to post it on the last day of the year.

Overall, this year has been a good one. 2016 has seen me change and grow, succeed and fail. I have visited many new places, read more books than I thought I could, served God in ways I never thought possible, and received more blessings than I ever could have imagined.

This year was my first full year as a kids' Sunday school teacher - I began last August. I have had so much fun teaching this class, and I learn so much when I'm teaching. I feel so blessed that God called me to this, even though at first I wasn't sure I really wanted it.

This year was also my first full year at my job, which I started last December. I work in a library, and I love my job. I love all my coworkers, and it's just a blast to work there. One thing I really like about my job is that though not all of them attend church or are as involved in their churches as I am, I still feel free to talk about my church when it comes up in conversation - I don't feel like I need to hide any part of me.

This year I read over 400 books, and many were educational, or Christian books. In 2017, I hope to read even more books than this year, and I want to read even more books that help feed my spirit, rather than just my mind or my imagination.

This year, I have also read many books of the Bible. I only have about 10 left, and then I plan to do more in-depth studies of specific books and topics. I'm excited!

This year, I continued learning Japanese, and I feel much more confident speaking the words and phrases I know. I look forward to learning even more next year, and I hope that this knowledge can be used for God's glory.

This year, I also visited a lot of new places, and some old ones. From simply going to a new movie theater, to visiting a whole new town I'd never been to and getting to see beautiful fall colors, and everything in-between, I had a blast on each trip.

I stepped up more at my church, even though some of the things I had to do were things I didn't want to do or feel qualified to do. Though it was sometimes a struggle, I persevered, and came out the other side stronger, more patient, and kinder than before. While I still pray that we'll get someone new at our church who is more qualified with the technological side of things (particularly in troubleshooting and fixing them), I feel like I learned a lot through my unexpected role as Tech-Girl.

I ate healthier than I ever have before and I started exercising. Though I've put on a few "holiday pounds" I still feel better than I ever have before.

For 2017, I want to continue to learn, grow, discover who I am, and who God has called me to be. I look forward to more adventures, more challenges, more books, more movies, more blessings, more trips, more opportunities to serve, and more time to spend with family and friends. I look forward to cooking new recipes, making new friends, creating new memories, and having more fun.

Happy New Year! See you all in 2017!
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Numbers 6:24-26 : "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."

The Christmas Spirit

It seems lately that there is less Christmas spirit than there used to be.

More and more, it seems that Christmas becomes about things rather than people. There seems to be less joy and less laughter.

Even I am guilty of not always being in the right frame of mind for this joyous season. I don't focus on the right things. I stress about all these little things that don't matter, and I forget the real reason to celebrate Christmas.

Jesus.

The whole reason we celebrate Christmas is because of Jesus' birth. But that's not all we celebrate. Christmas is a time to celebrate Jesus, and not only His birth, but also His life, His death, and the fact that He didn't stay dead.

And why do we celebrate Jesus? Because He is the Son of God.

So, if Jesus is the reason for the season, how do we celebrate it?

I think, as Christians, we are meant to live the whole year like it's Christmas: with love, joy, kindness, generosity, hope, and faith. 

Galations 5:22-23 says "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

You don't have to wait for Christmas to share the Christmas spirit. Because the real Christmas spirit isn't about Christmas trees, wreaths, stockings, food, fireplaces, hot cocoa, presents, or even family. The real Christmas spirit is the Holy Spirit. Thus, we can spread the Christmas spirit anywhere we go. If we live like we know Jesus personally, if we follow Him, and keep God's commandments, if we allow the Holy Spirit into our lives, then we can live like we have the Christmas Spirit all year round, because we will.

Let's all remember what's really important this season. Don't let the Christmas spirit become a spirit of greed or materialism. Try talking to someone about Jesus this Christmas. That would truly be a wonderful gift.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Just Keep Circlin'

I read The Prayer Circle by Mark Batterson a while ago, and I finally feel ready to do a review.

The Prayer Circle is all about....you guessed it...prayer! But not just any prayer. Specific, continuous, miraculous prayer. In The Prayer Circle, Mark Batterson talks about continuously circling your issues, hopes, dreams, and family in prayer. Continuously. Whether you're driving down the road, at home in the bath, or sitting at your desk at work, he talks about praying continuously.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 : Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Notice Paul doesn't just tell us to pray in this scripture, but to also rejoice and give thanks. So, while we should pray hard over every circumstance, we also have to praise and thank God even in the midst of the hard times...especially during the hard times.

So, what is a prayer circle?

It can be a physical circle. The Israelites literally circled Jericho and brought it down. Pastor Batterson literally circled the block that would become the home of his new church and coffee shop.

Sometimes you literally have to circle your dreams in prayer.

And sometimes it's not physical. Sometimes it's spiritual. You can spiritually circle your dreams in prayer. Just remember: do so continually.

If you're hoping for a new job, but it doesn't look like anything is happening, pray continuously, and rejoice, even when you can't yet see the results.

If you're hoping a child will turn back to God, pray continuously and rejoice. God is always working.

If you're single and want to marry and start a family, pray continuously and rejoice. Thank God for all you have already learned, and the great plans He has for each season of your life.

Romans 8:28 : And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

Whatever you're praying for, do so continually, praise God, and keep serving Him. He is always with us, and will answer our prayers.


A song for any season:

May you pray continually through your season of waiting.
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Isaiah 55:9 - "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

'Tis the Season

'Tis the season for...

• Christmas songs
• Cheesy holiday movies
• Spending time with family
• The smell of cookies baking
• Putting up decorations
• Holiday cheer
• Thanking God for sending His son to us

I love the Christmas season. I don't know what is is about this holiday that sucks me in so much. Maybe it's the feeling of goodwill that often spreads through mankind. Maybe it's the winter weather that hits so many places. I love the cold weather, and the place I grew up would actually get snow! 

Then again, the true spirit of the Christmas season is remembering how Jesus came to earth to save us, so that's probably what really sets the tone for this season.

I'm not going to go on and on about Christmas...yet. But I wanted to share a little today.

I finally got my tree put up. It's a small one that has the lights built in,  and my aunt gave me some bows to put on it. Now that I've had it a few years, it's easy to put up and to put away, which I really like. It also looks so pretty with the little red bows with bells, and the lights flickering in red, blue, and green. Have you put up your tree yet?

I've been drinking a lot of hot chocolate lately too. I used to buy the instant hot chocolate packets and make them with water - as instructed. But that always gave me a stomachache, so I stopped and after a while of not having hot chocolate, I finally tried something new. It was my mom's great idea, actually. I just heat some milk up and then add some chocolate syrup. It's great hot chocolate! Do you have any hot chocolate recipes that you like?

At praise and worship practice tonight, we started practicing Christmas songs. I love Christmas songs. If I had to pick a favorite part of the season, the songs would be it.

My favorite secular Christmas song is Silver Bells.

My favorite Christian Christmas song is Silent Night. But I like most Christmas songs. I just can't put them all in this blog post to share.

As I'm writing this post, I'm watching 12 Dates of Christmas. It's a really good movie about changing the way you think, and about finding love, of course. It's definitely a secular movie, but it's family friendly.

Well, I could go on and on and on about the Christmas season, but I'll end the post here. It's getting late and I need to get some sleep. It's been a busy day.

I hope you all have a good night, and that you have a wonderful start to your holiday season!

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Matthew 12:1 - She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save people from their sins.