Twenty-Fourteen

FOUR WORDS, FOUR CALLINGS: 

Intention * Love * Altruism * Contentment

As I approach my second semester of college, I am a bit overwhelmed.  I have a full course load (17 credit hours, 10 classes), training for a new job, a spiritual life and a social life to maintain, and 13 hours per week in the practice room. It's just dawning on me now how hard this semester is going to be and I know it will be even harder if I don't stay determined and intentional every second.  I didn't make a list of resolutions like I did last year...mostly because I didn't complete half of them! But I feel like God has placed these four words on my heart as a calling to who He wants me to be. I have discovered quite a few things about myself throughout this transition to college, some good things, some bad.  And when I look back on last semester, I am convicted most strongly by the times I was unintentional, unloving, selfish, and discontent.  So, that's my goal, my resolution, my mission this upcoming year:

 

To be intentional in everything I do, say, and think. 

To love others even when it's hard.

To put other's needs above my own.

To be content even when life isn't going as planned. 

So there it is. I fully expect to fall on my face, but if along the way I grow closer to God and closer to who I am called to be, even just an inch, it will all be worth it and my goal will be met. I know I'm a little late, but Happy New Year, everyone! May God bless and keep you throughout twenty-fourteen and beyond. 

Love,
Emily

New Year's Resolutions

Twenty thirteen is nearing & I must say I'm rather terrified. This is going to be a big year. I graduate from high school in like five months. Then I will most likely proceed to go to college in August.

COLLEGE. 

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Needless to say, it's scary & I need to prepare myself physically, mentally, spiritually, & emotionally. Here are my resolutions!

Physical Resolutions

• I'm joining the rest of the world and getting back into the gym. I plan to run a 5k with my sisters in the summer & I want to do it well. 
• First semester of college: DON'T GAIN THE FRESHMAN 15. 

Mental Resolutions

• READ MORE. These are some books I would like to have read come 2014. 

• Try not to give in to senioritis and finish with a BANG! Don't just cover the material, allow the material to cover me ;)

Spiritual Resolutions

• We were discussing in Sunday School this morning about being a more intentional people and so I would like to make it a resolution to become more intentional; intentional about reading God's Word, studying it, praying, journaling and just taking time to spend with God everyday. It has been a goal of mine since freshman year to read the entire Bible. It's sad and frustrating that I have not completed it. My ultimate goal, though, has been to complete the Bible before I go away to college. In a way, that's been my excuse every year: "Well, I don't go to college for another year or two, so I have time to finish it." And now here I am, 8 months away from that big step!! No more procrastination, it's time to do it!

Emotional Resolutions

• Love, love, love, love, love & cherish each moment. 
• I am one of those fortunate enough to have a mama who does my laundry for me. So I figured I better start learning how to do laundry NOW to avoid future emotional breakdowns in college :) 
• This is not really an emotional resolution, but I'm terrible in the kitchen. (It's a known fact...) Therefore, I need to learn how to cook. It'd be a shame if I didn't take advantage of learning now while under my Mama's wing. <3

If I had to describe what I think 2013 is going to be like...

It would be something like this.

I'm excited & I hope you are too!

Have a Happy New Year!!!