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My London study abroad class in January 2010. This is (one) of the first pictures of me from the 2010s decade.
The last time I saw a decade change I was at the very beginning of my 20s, a broke college student, and broken in many ways. I was finding freedom in Christ, possibly for the first time, and I was exploring freedom as “an adult” in the world, as I spent the first month of 2010 studying abroad.
Read moreHappy New Year! I love even-numbered years. Except for the fact that I wasn't born on one, most of the wonderful things in my life have happened on even-numbered years (met Jason in 2010, married in 2012, Swanson in 2014, Brighten born in 2016, etc.).
Read moreI love a fresh start. I also love even numbers. Even number have been significant for me:
2010: Meet/begin dating Jason
2012: Get Married
2014: Start working in nonprofit sector
2016: THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS!
What a year it has been. It has surely been a year of ups and downs, but I am certainly grateful for every bit of it. We had some expected celebrations and some unforeseen turns. Most of all we know that nothing happens without filtering through God's hands, and we rest in His timing, His goodness, and His saving grace.
Read moreIn some ways it's hard to believe that today is the last day of 2014. In other ways, I feel like we should be ringing in 2016 tonight! The days are slow. The waiting is hard. The transitions are daunting. But through every minute of every day, we know that God is faithful and we have peace that we are following in what He has for us.
Read moreChange is hard, but in my opinion, God shows us His mercy by allowing each year to come to an end, and start over with a beginning. In 2013, I made a lot of excuses for things in my life that I wasn't happy about. I can't do this because of that. I can go here because of this. I can't change that because of this.
Don't get me wrong, 2013 was an incredible year. It was the year that I took three big vacations with my husband. I moved to a new part of Birmingham. I bought a home. I learned A LOT about being married, which led to learning even more about grace. We made big decisions together, we made hard choices together, we laughed a lot, cried a lot (well, I cried a lot), and made many memories. 2013 was great, but it was year of learning and growing.
I hope that 2014 is different. I still want to learn and grow, but I want this to be a year about seeing possibilities, not making excuses. I want to see opportunities as a chance chase after what God has for me.
Over the last few days, I've been thinking about some tangible, short-term goals. I made a list of them on our chalkboard, and as a family we want to see the possibilities that 2014 has for us and seize the opportunities to grow and learn more. I would challenge any of you who are looking to make 2014 a year of possibilities to do something similar. Make a list of short-term goals that are really achievable. Figure out a plan of action. Chase after what God has in store for you.
From the Morales Family, we wish you a Happy New Year. May 2014 be a wonderful year for you!
