So, 2015.
We've grown together, haven't we? I didn't think I'd like you at first, prayed hard about you and then got exactly what I didn't ask for... but we've formed a tentative friendship, and I'm so glad. I'd like to shake your hand and say "thank you," followed closely by "see you later!" We won't hug; I wouldn't call us friends, after all, but I think a cordial handshake is quite manageable. You've taught me quite a bit about myself, about God, and about the relationship that was, and is, and should be between us, and even though sometimes I'd rather have skipped the hard work it took to learn those lessons, I'm glad now that I stuck it out.
And now, 2016!
Climbing the mountain that was last year has meant that now is time to pause for a few minutes and admire the view! Because heck, it took a lot to get here, but I'm starting to believe it was kinda worth it. This coming year I'm looking forward to new opportunities of all kinds:
At the end of last year I became a leader at our church's Sr. High, and in 2016 I'll be joining the speaking team and helping to lead youth services on Sunday mornings!
A friend of mine is starting a youth group in another church in town and asked me and Hannah to help set things in motion - I am so looking forward to meeting new people and leading worship with my sister.
Last week, I got an acceptance letter to an English program at the university of my choice - I'll be starting school again in the coming fall!
I'm hoping for a promotion to assistant pool manager at work - so we'll see what happens this summer!
what do you see when you look back? what are you waiting for expectantly in the new year?
xx
Olivia
We've grown together, haven't we? I didn't think I'd like you at first, prayed hard about you and then got exactly what I didn't ask for... but we've formed a tentative friendship, and I'm so glad. I'd like to shake your hand and say "thank you," followed closely by "see you later!" We won't hug; I wouldn't call us friends, after all, but I think a cordial handshake is quite manageable. You've taught me quite a bit about myself, about God, and about the relationship that was, and is, and should be between us, and even though sometimes I'd rather have skipped the hard work it took to learn those lessons, I'm glad now that I stuck it out.
And now, 2016!
Climbing the mountain that was last year has meant that now is time to pause for a few minutes and admire the view! Because heck, it took a lot to get here, but I'm starting to believe it was kinda worth it. This coming year I'm looking forward to new opportunities of all kinds:
At the end of last year I became a leader at our church's Sr. High, and in 2016 I'll be joining the speaking team and helping to lead youth services on Sunday mornings!
A friend of mine is starting a youth group in another church in town and asked me and Hannah to help set things in motion - I am so looking forward to meeting new people and leading worship with my sister.
Last week, I got an acceptance letter to an English program at the university of my choice - I'll be starting school again in the coming fall!
I'm hoping for a promotion to assistant pool manager at work - so we'll see what happens this summer!
what do you see when you look back? what are you waiting for expectantly in the new year?
xx
Olivia
"I prayed hard about you and then got exactly what I didn't ask for." Um, yes. My 2015 in a nutshell. At least these last few months. But I've found that getting what I didn't ask for and didn't want was actually better. And that was really hard to learn but worth it.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have a lot of joys to look forward to in the New Year! Very exciting :) Especially leading worship with your sister -- me and my sister got to do that at my church for a few years and it was epic. Happy New Year! ^_^
I feel like this was 2015 for a lot of people... but then, I said kinda the same thing last year and a lot of people felt the same way then, too. So who knows? :p Here's hoping for new adventures and time for growth in 2016... happy New Year to you, too, Erin! Thanks for commenting!
DeleteSounds like you have a good year ahead of you, Olivia. Happy New Year. :)
ReplyDeleteI hope so, Danielle!! Happy New Year to you too!
DeleteHappy New Year, Olivia! I'm so happy we've been able to connect over the last year. ♥ Much love,
ReplyDeleteAbbey Noelle
Abbey, me too! I have loved getting to know you a little better over the past 12 months. :) Happy New Year!
DeleteHappy New Year, Olivia!
ReplyDeleteYou too, Emma!!
DeleteHappy New Year! It's great that you got accpeted to your choice of school, and I can absolutely relate to your feelings about 2015--grateful for it, but gald to move on. I hope you have a fantastic 2016!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you too, Alex! I hope this year is a time of family and fun for you! :)
DeleteEEEE. Okay so, I love how that first paragraph is written. You never cease to amaze me with your creativity, girl. ;) "I'm glad now that I stuck it out." ugh, how true. I feel the same way. 2015 as really pulled on me from all angles and it was full of tough choices and amazing new opportunities and it has taught me how to say "no" to one thing so that I can say "yes" to something better.
ReplyDeleteGirl, all of your new opportunities sound fabulous and amazing! I'm literally so stoked for you, Olivia. You're going to rock the world. I hope you know that. You're a talented supernova star and you're going to do amazing things. ♥ Blessings with it all, and don't forget to enjoy every second of it. :)
As for me, I'm excited to see where music takes me this year. Today might be the calm before the storm, but I'm ready for the storm. I'm expecting awesome things to explode in my face. Gah. That was very poetic and ambiguous, hehe. Basically I wanna be the hands and feet of Jesus and splash the truth all over every person I come in contact with.
Marvelous post, dear. ^.^
love,
abbiee
I THOUGHT I REPLIED TO THIS BUT I APPARENTLY DIDN'T oh my dear goodness me.
Delete"2015 pulled on me from all angles" I love this. This comment made me smile and my heart light and stuck with me, so THANK YOU. And I love that you're ready for the storm! That is awesome. :) And you splash that truth. Do it. I'm so excited for you, too. :)
Woah! 2016 seems to hold so many wonderful things for you! Congratulations on being accepted to the program + university of your choice; I know the feeling! #Cloud9!
ReplyDeleteAs for me, I can't wait to see God work in my life! Do you ever have the feeling that you're on the brink of something big? You can't quite describe it, nor do you know exactly what it will entail, but you're excited nonetheless? In 2015, life changed so quickly! I went from being a homeschooled graduate to a college student in the blink of an eye! I've made wonderful new friends; I have been blessed by sharing our stories and have grown by sharing our struggles. And then when I feel God's constant and unwavering guidance regarding my future, I get pretty excited and completely passionate about it all :)
It was so nice to stop by you blog, Olivia! I love the encouraging community on here and that speaks volumes about the kind of person you!
All the best,
Kiana Rose
I'm so happy you commented, Kianna Rose! And yes, I totally know that feeling of being right on the edge of something wonderful that you can't quite name. I love it, but I also can't stand it because I JUST WANNA KNOW, you know? :p
DeleteThank you so much for your sweet comment! It made me smile today. :)