new year

well, happy new year.
welcome to the final year of our lives, haha.
really, I'm pretty excited for another year.
this may, not only do I turn 22, but I will be graduating college.
wow, I can't believe how time has flown by.
sometimes, I'm scared of life after college, and other times, I'm excited to be a real adult.
either way, I know that God has some awesome things in store for my life, especially in this new year.

now, I've never really been one to make "new years resolutions."
but I thought that today I would state a few things I would like to happen in 2012.
1. I'd like to grow closer and deeper in the knowledge of Christ.
2. I'd like to put forth a great effort in finishing my classes.
3. I'd like to make a trip to NYC to visit friends and family.
4. I'd like to take another trip to KC and spend more time in the IHOP prayer room.
5. I'd like to become more crafty, and spend time making things I enjoy.
6. I'd like to be successful in finding a post-graduation job, and start paying off student loans.
7. I'd like to continue putting my complete trust in Jesus.
8. Most importantly, I'd like to stay true to myself.

these things are not set in stone.
and if a few of them don't happen, the world will not end.
well maybe it will, it is 2012 you know.

a simplistic december day

today was my first official day of christmas break.
so I celebrated by sleeping in, watching christmas movies, and taking a walk outside.
the weather was absolutely beautiful today, so I threw on a sweater and took a walk down my country road.
I carried my camera and took some shots.
and of course, mr. brody kept me company.
here is a small sampling of what I captured, unedited.

"fix my eyes on You"

the end of the semester is nearly here, 

only one more exam stands in my way of being home for a solid 3 and a half weeks.

this past week or so has been crazy ridiculous.

there have been quite a few mishaps at the painting house.

quite a few tears shed.

quite a bit of sulking.

I've had my fair share of feeling bad for myself, but this past week has taken the cake.

luckily, I have some awesome friends who have been there for me.

to sit with me when I cried, to buy me Sonic slushes,

to encourage me through it all.

and even when it felt like God was super far away letting the whole world cave in on me, 

He was still there.

it just took a little while for me to see past the smoke.

this past Sunday at OneLife Church, 

we sang a song called "You are More" by Hillsong United.

there is a line in there that really struck me:  

"I will see this season through, 

I will fix my eyes on You, only You."

man, how often do we see actually see what God is doing in our lives?

how often do we take the time to reflect on what He has done?

I know that I am guilty of not "fixing my eyes" on Him, especially in the tough times.

Jesus didn't say it was going to be easy following Him, but He left us with the great Comforter.

the Holy Spirit is there to help you get through those tough times.

to help you see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I challenge you to fix your eyes on the one who gave you life.

no matter how rough the waters seem right now,

fix your eyes upon the one true God.

the one who will never leave you, nor forsake you.

it'll make a world of difference.