The Year That Was.

Well 2014, you are one week old today. I am still having a hard time getting use to writing 2014. Maybe that's because I wrote it for the first time yesterday. Regardless, I can't seem to wrap my mind around 2013 being over. This is probably because I have little concept of time. Seriously. I'm that person who uses the term "a few years ago" and then later realize a "few" is more like 8. However, the women in my life love this. My Nana was like 64 for 5 or 6 years and my mom stayed 45 until she turned 49. Time just passes so quickly that I literally can not grasp how much time has really gone by. Anyways. That had absolutely nothing to do with the point of this post. Sorry. I tend to chase rabbits. Or wind, depending on how you look at it. 

The point of this post was to reflect somewhat. I so enjoyed reading everyone's reflections/goals last week in honor of the new year. I never could quite get that post on paper a week ago, but I would like to share some now. 

2013 was a year of change. A year of teaching. A year of eating my own words. 

In 2013...

*We went gluten free. For a couple months. JD however has been gluten free for an entire year now. 

*JD was diagnosed ADHD after spending 8 hours with a physiologist. He (the psychologist) was wrong. 

*Mac both fell in and out of love with cheer and after over a year of practice, competitions, and tryouts - we stopped. 

*Jimmy and I went on our first sex-trafficking awareness tour. I was introduced to the extreme darkness of our city. BCF has been so faithful in getting involved and bringing awareness to the darkness in Houston.  

*I finished my first year of discipleship. It. Was. Unreal. To date, the most profound experience of faith, courage, and diligence. My walk and God's faithfulness in my life (regardless of how faithless I was at times) is so beautifully woven into the last 5 years leading up to this group of women. It brings me to my knees.   

*A seed was planted in my heart for the nations. I fell in love with an Iraqi refugee family. God is so good.  

*I had the privledge of ministering to Muslim women and taught (my first teaching experience) ESL to a group of Turkish women. Incredible people.    

*I experienced God's Faithfulness unlike ever before. Not because He was faithful for the first time, but because I quit trying to do it on my own and instead faithfully trusted Him to carry me through. 

*I led my first bible study (my second teaching experience). For 8/9 weeks I was incredibly blessed to spend a couple hours each Monday night with a group of women that humbled and challenged me in such a way that I almost daily remember something from that time together. He equips the unqualified.  

*I began discipling 2 amazing women and met another 20 or so sisters that I just can't get enough of. He has shown me time and time again how important fellowship is. I'm constantly blown away at how deeply He loves and cares for His people.  

*JD started 3rd grade and MacKenzie started kindergarten. 

*I went on my first retreat with BCF. AMAZING.  

*JD began swimming year around. Getting to watch your child excel in something is such a blessing. For years we've watched JD play sport after sport where he struggled to keep up and grasp the game. He's a natural swimmer (and works in conjunction with, not against his dyslexic brain-wiring) and watching him improve and work hard has been such a great thing for him, for Jimmy and for their father-son relationship. 

*JD was diagnosed with dyslexia and dysgraphia. For the first time I felt the deep-seeded need to fight for my son.  

*I learned (and still learning) how much different JD's brain is wired than mine.  It's an amazing thing to study.  I'm so so so grateful to the many psychologist and scientist that have dedicated countless hours to uncovering the truths about dyslexia and the advantages (and struggles) that come along with it.    

*I began homeschooling JD. God's faithfulness overwhelmed me during the entire process leading up to the moment the decision was made to homeschool. It will forever be etched in my heart and mind as one of the best (and hardest), prayerfully made choices and one of the sweetest times with God. I've never heard His voice more clearer than the times I was down on my knees begging for wisdom and guidance.  

*Our church launched it's second campus. It was AMAZING.

*We did not put up a Christmas tree. I think 2013 will be forever remembered as the year with no real Christmas tree. 2014 might be the year that Christmas lasted 12 months. I'm just saying, my decor is still up and I'm okay with that. Kinda. 

In 2014...

*I'm praying to spend a significant amount of time studying His Word. I want to know Him more. I want 2014 to end with an immeasurable amount of biblical knowledge. 

*I want more of His Presence. I don't want to chase wind, but to just rest in who He is. 

*I am praying God's favor over our church, over our home and over my life. I want to go boldly into this world under His authority and seek out the lost. I want to be a Kingdom Shaker. I want to do it even if it means doing it scared. 

*I want to spend more time praying and less time planning. More time praying and less time worrying. I want to pray effectively. I want a relationship based in prayer and communion, not study guides (though these are a great tool) and bible teachers. I want to look back at the end of 2014 and be blown away by His Faithfulness.

Peace.