Reflections

It has been a crazy last week between Christmas and New Year's then jumping right back into work.

Like so many others, I have been reflecting on the last year. 2011 and all that happened.

Lets see
*I went to work for the NAMB for the summer in California.
*I switched degree programs to graduate sooner.
*I thought was staying with the NAMB through the fall. That didn't happen.
*Instead I moved back home.
*I thought I would be moving to Thailand- first in November, then in June. That's most likely not happening.
*I registered for the last semester of Seminary.
*I got a job..... or rather a few.
*I witnessed God's faithfulness. In my friends, in my family, in my own life.

2011 may not have been the best or the worst year. I have hopes that 2012 will be better but I am not entirely sure what it will be better as? Better that serving in California, getting my but kicked in ministry, being humbled and God proving to be bigger than I imagined? Better than coming home feeling slightly or rather not so slightly irritated with various things only to find that God have provided over and over? Better than the humiliating times when I made some big mistakes and watching God fix them in his own time making me trust him more?

No 2011 was not great. But it wasn't bad. It was just like every other year. A year of changes. A year of trials. A year of blessing and seasons.

2012 will hold my graduation with a Master's degree. A cross cultural counseling paper that may or may not be the death of me as I crawl across the finish line (probably not without a little whining to my friends and the text messages that hold the same question every semester- why am I in seminary again?). A cross cultural move. Many unknown adventures in teaching and traveling. Many new opportunities for ministry and serving others. Difficult decisions. Trials. Triumphs. Laughter. Joy. Tears. Heart break. Love.

But 2012 is so much bigger than that. It is about a never changing, always good and great, faithful and just Friend. And I am really thankful because despite the changes of 2012....

He never does.