Life Update: Season of Change!

I'm baaaaaaackkkk!!!!

I've been meaning to write a post for some time now and even though I've had virtually nothing going on the past month (since I'm a teacher and it's SUMMER hallelujah), I was apparently more burned out from my first year teaching than I realized and I've barely been able to pull myself off the couch this summer. But, alas, the blog must be tended to...so here I am!

And boy, do I have a lot to say!

A LOT has happened since I last posted. It's been a crazy 6 months.

First things first, I know you're all wondering if I survived my first year teaching!

Own Your Faith.

Imagine something for me for a minute.

Imagine you just got home from a long day of work. It wasn't a great day. It wasn't a particularly bad day, either. It was just another day. Maybe it was a little frustrating. A little discouraging. Maybe it was just mundane. Whatever it was, it wasn't what you wanted it to be.

You lay down on the couch to recover from the day. You start thinking about your life and where it's headed. Suddenly, you hear a knock on your door. You answer. It's your best friend.

You welcome your friend in. What perfect timing, you think. You have a million and one things on your mind and who better to talk to than the one person who knows your life inside and out?

You sit down and talk. Only you don't have to say much before your friend takes over the conversation. They already know what you're going through. They know your struggles, they know your triumphs, and they know exactly what you need to hear in that moment. And so they say it.

It's amazing to you how well they know your heart. You talk for awhile and then your friend leaves, but the words they said resonate with you for hours. You've never felt so at peace with your life as you do in that moment. Suddenly everything makes sense, and you know everything will be okay.

Have you ever had something like that happen?

I did last week.

Love Never Gives Up.

A few weeks ago as I laid in bed after an extremely long, discouraging week of school, I opened the Facebook app on my phone to write a short, two-sentence status that quickly turned into a novel:

Every word of this is true. Every word. Especially the part at the end about Christmas break, but that's over now. (RIP Christmas break...see you next year).

Welcome 2015.

One year ago, just after the clock struck 12 and we welcomed the new year, I made the bold prediction that 2014 was going to be a great year. I just knew it.

Ringing in 2014.

I was right.

2014 was wonderful for many reasons. This year was full of new opportunities, new relationships, chances to trust in God, and answered prayers. It was also full of challenges, hardships, disappointments, and even some tears. It wasn't a perfect year, but in my opinion, it was the best.

Every year has trials. But if you can come out stronger on the other end of them, it's a win. I had some very low points this year, but I'm a much better person because of them. I learned not to take anything for granted. I learned that God has my back no matter what. And I'm starting to learn (though I'm not quite there yet) that I shouldn't let what other people think of me dictate what I think of myself. 

Hey, Look! I'm Blogging!

So it's been waaayyyy more than 7 weeks. Oops.

Since it has been practically an eternity since my last post, I'm going to attempt to do a giant catch-up post recapping the last...what, 50 weeks or something? (12. It's been 12.)

A lot has happened since my last post, and before I dive back into posting regularly, I really want to fill in all the gaps. You know, for context. And because some awesome things have been happening lately and I want y'all to think I'm cool.

Yes, you heard right! I am going to [attempt] to start posting regularly again starting...now! And by regularly I mean once a week. And I also mean that there may be a week (or two, or six) where I don't get around to it. But I'm reallllyyyy going to try because I miss it.

Speaking of missing things, here's all the fabulous (just go with it) details of my life that you may have missed in the last 12 weeks: