2012

I can't believe that it's the last day of 2012!  The year really flew for me.  I remember when I was a kid, time seemed to go so slow.  And I remember my parents telling me that the older I would get the more time would seem to fly.  They were right.

2012 was an amazing and incredibly hard year!  I'm beyond thankful for all the lessons God taught me, but I don't think I'd want to go through this year again.   

A window into my world this year......
The beginning of the year started out well.  February came and I found myself in Florida doing support raising.  God moved and provided during that trip.  And a lot of people in my life don't know about this (with the exception my parents and some really close friends that were praying), but I met someone.  It was brief....and well, let's just say, it didn't work out.  Even though it was brief it was still heartbreaking.  The enemy used it to attack me and try to drive me away from the Lord.  However, the very opposite happened and I was driven into the arms of my sweet Savior.  I'm so thankful for His wonderful words of love during that time.  

I went to Ecuador for a one week trip and I was so thankful God worked it out.  I enjoyed my time with the church leaders, even in the midst of the language barrier.  I was able to hang out and color with some little kids at church and what a blessing that was!  It was my favorite thing about my trip.  

I was commissioned as a lay missionary of the Wesleyan Church in April.  And I finished up the last leg of my support raising and got the "go" at the end of June to apply for language school.  

My summer months were planned with many fun things to do with family and friends before I left for Costa Rica
*Pirates game with my brother and a friend of ours.  We ended up going on one of the hottest days of the summers (unplanned), and had incredible seats.  The Pirates almost won!
*Camping with some girlies at my favorite campground - so, so fun!!  We became firewood pirates. (don't worry, we didn't steal other people's firewood.  we just tried to get to vacated campsites before other campers did.)  Celebrated Kristen's birthday.  Went hiking.  Sang badly for fun.  Laughed a lot.  
*Went to 2 rodeos with my family.  Yes, I am a country girl.  :)  
*Saw my best friend from college.  It ended up happening almost at the last minute and I'm so glad that it did.  I love Jen!
*Went to two family reunions.  At the Deemer family reunion I became the official 'Go Fish Tournament Loser' for 2012.  I will proudly represent until 2013...when I will win.  Just sayin'.
*I helped out with 2 vacation Bibles schools.  This is my favorite thing about kids ministry!!!  One of the churches was a supporting church and the other was my home church. Loved every single moment!!!  I especially drank up every moment at my church's VBS.  It was my last full week at home and got to spend it with some of my favorite kids!!  They rock!

In August, I said many 'good-byes' to my family and friends and left for CR.  That was tough.  I can't dwell here, it makes me teary-eyed remembering it.   Whew. 

I started and finished my first trimester of language school.  Wow.  It was definitely good and hard.  My brain rebelled many times and left me often in tears due to frustration.  A lot of days I felt like I made absolutely no progress.  But other days, I felt boosted and encouraged because of what I learned.  

December brought a lot of moments where I've seen my progress.  My favorite person to talk to in Spanish is my Tica mom.  I've been able to talk with her on two different occasions up to  an hour or more.  Yesterday in church was the first Sunday I was able to sing a good portion of the music and understood sections in the sermon.  And just last night, I caught myself reading the Spanish directions on a microwave carmel popcorn bag and understood it.  Great day!

It's definitely good to reflect some of the events of the year, but I do not want to dwell there.  We are not meant to dwell in the past.  Yes, it is good to look back at what God has done and give Him praise for those things.  But God desires us to look forward to what's to come.  

One of my favorite verses is Isaiah 43:18-19. In the verses prior, God is reminding his beloved Israel of all the amazing things He has done for them.  Then comes in v. 18-19,

But forget all that - it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.  For I am about to do a brand-new thing.  See I have already begun!  Do you not see it?

God is constantly doing a brand new work in our lives.  And the most amazing thing is that He will always out-do Himself.  Only God.  He's incredibly beautifully.  

I want my eyes to constantly be open to see the new things God is doing in my life.  To see how He's changing me to make me more holy, just like His Son.  I want to embrace everything God has in store.....even the hard times.  Because I know through trials, God does incredible works.  In fact, I think that's when He does His best work.  

As I close out this year, my prayer is simple:  

                God, here am I.  I am Yours.  Move, Holy Spirit.  

Blessings to you, dear readers!  May you let God take the reins of your life and move in you in a way that He never has before.  May you be desperate for His presence.  And I pray that you see the brand-new thing God is about to do.  He's already begun it.