2017 really was an incredible year. I had so many amazing experiences & opportunities that I wouldn’t trade for anything. Like most of you the beginning of 2017 started with a lot of expectation that it would be better than the previous year. So I wanted to share with you some of my favorite parts of this year & some of the lessons I learned along the way.
- Becoming a Bridesmaid:
This year one of my best friends got married & I was asked to become one of her bridesmaids. It was not only a fun experience but the whole season of preparing & getting to spoil your friend is just overall exciting. The one lesson I learned though through this experience is to be flexible & have self-control. As you can imagine planning a wedding can be stressful at times & things never go exactly how you planned it. My friend was literally a perfect example of staying cool under pressure & I really learned how important it is to be able to apply flexibility & self-control in your everyday life because let’s be honest rarely does life ever turn out just how you’ve planned it. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
2. Attending 3 Different Concerts:
I love going to shows I always get such a thrill from travelling to a different city & getting to enjoy music live. It’s something I always look forward to doing. You get to go with a friend & normally for me it’s a little bit of a trip & we always make a day out of it. Sometimes I take the train, go out for dinner, & then end the night off with a concert. I’m always reminded how important it is to do things you enjoy. After a show I always come away feeling thankful that I’ve been blessed to be able to do these kinds of things. This life is short & your life becomes full when you get to do the things you love. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17
3. Purchasing My First Film Camera:
If you know anything about me I really enjoy photography. I took a chance & purchased my first film camera at the recommendation from one of my friends. If you know anything about photography film is not for the faint of heart. It’s a process, everything is manual, you think a lot about what photos you want to take because you have a limited amount & then once you’ve taken your photos you have to go & get them developed. It’s not an instant thing & you have no idea what your photos are going to look like. I took away a few different lessons from shooting film, the first one being that good things take time & that if you want something you have to work for it. Things aren’t handed to us in this life we have to work for them & not only that some of the best things in our lives are things that have taken a lot of time & effort. “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.” Lamentations 3:25
4. Turning 23:
In September of 2017 I turned 23, people always ask me if I feel any different & to be honest with you I don’t, once I turned 18 that different feeling went away. I was able to celebrate with the people who mean the most to me & if anything when I have a birthday I’m always reminded at how blessed I am to live the life I live & how much God has given me. Even though I don’t feel different I’m always amazed at how quickly time goes by & how important it is to make our lives count for something. “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34
She Laughs Mission 