Looking Back at 2017

Can you believe that it's already the end of 2017? Tomorrow is New Year's Eve. It seems to me that every year goes by a little quicker. The kids grow up faster and I seem to move and accomplish things a lot slower then I used to. How's that work anyways? But that doesn't mean that things haven't been accomplished this year. So let's reflect on what 2017 has brought.

Last December I was learning to embrace my new role as the youth director of my church. It hasn't been the easiest transition to go from being a leader to the person "in charge". In truth there wasn't a lot that changed in my actual responsibilities but I got hung up on the title. It took a lot of confidence and I was scared. A lot of prayer went into me learning to accept the role and now I've been reelected for another year.

Working with the youth group is one of my greatest joys and one of my greatest trials. High schoolers (whom I primarily have in my group) are at an amazing stage of moving from childhood to adulthood. They're making decisions that will have an affect on the direction of their lives for many years to come. And I love the opportunity to be a person reminding them that God needs to be part of those decisions, speaking His love and wisdom into their lives and having the chance to teach them that He will never leave them. It's a pretty amazing gift to earn their trust and be able to speak into their lives.

Another thing accomplished in 2017 is the post I shared a few weeks ago. Two of my stories put into a book! What an amazing thing to get to be a part of!

Which brings me to one of the best things that happened this last year- new friends! A new critique group in fact that I've been so blessed to be part of. The women in this group have become some of my closest confidants, friends, prayer partners and an amazing source of encouragement to me. I'm so thankful to have them in my life.

And speaking of people in my life, the kiddos in my life are growing all the time. Being Auntie Kitty/Miss Katt is one of my very favorite roles in life.

I could go on and on but I won't put you all through that. The point is that New Years presents us with an awesome chance. The chance to reflect on what has happened over the past year and what we want to do the next year. This year I haven't picked words as I have in years past. This year I'm setting a few goals of things I want to work on.

How will you celebrate the New Year? What has the last year held for you? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below. Share your traditions, prayer requests, reflections or goals. Wherever the last year has brought you and wherever the New Year takes you here's my prayer for you all.

May God watch over you and keep you and cause His face to shine upon you. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Happy New Year's friends!