It's A New Year

It's New Years Eve and I am at homesnuggling on the couch with my 6-week-old nephew, and watching Impractical Jokers.

Man, what a year it has been.

This year has been one of the most challenging, yet most rewarding years of my life. 

I have learned what it means to lament, to cry out to God in anguish, yet know that He is still there right beside me no matter what I am feeling.

I have learned about what it means to have true friends; friends that love me and know how to show their support for me.

I have learned what it means to be vulnerable. My story may be broken, but there is so much beauty that has come from the ashes.

Although I had battled cancer for almost 3/4 of 2012, I cannot be more thankful for the tremendous amount of growth that has taken place during those long months of tears, pain, and crud.

I gained friendships that I may not have otherwise.

I helped a dear friend accept Jesus into her life before passing away.

I was able to travel overseas and experience the Romanian and Moldovan cultures that ruined my life in the best way possible.

And even after many sleepless nights and a huge amount of stress, I finished my school year and am still on track to graduate on time.

I am grateful for a God who provided me with everything I needed in order to make it through the year. 

He provided me with rest when I was weary.

He overwhelmed me with peace when I was anxious.

He held me up against His chest even when the only thing I could do was pound on it with anger.

I can only pray as I enter into the new year that I continue to be completely overwhelmed by His presence in my life.

I don't think I've ever been more excited about the start of a new year because I know it will be another year of growth and becoming.