2014... A New Year

Wow, already 2014?! Where did this past year go? Time is going by too quickly the older I get. Okay yikes, I sounds like I am 50...
but it's so true, right?! :D As much as I LOVED 2013 and am sad it is gone, I am SO beyond excited for this new year. So many things to look forward to. So many new beginnings going to take place. 2013 was such a fantastic year, but I cannot wait to see what 2014 holds.

This year, as cliche as this is going to sounds, might be the best one yet. Besides 2011, the year my soul-mate became mine forever, 2014 might be our year. I am not setting any strict or defined resolutions per se, but I of course have small goals and will try to better myself this year in many ways. 

First and foremost, I need to be in the Word more. I have been slacking far too much lately (hey, that happens to the best of us). So regardless of how busy or tired I am, I am trying to spend a lot more time with God this year.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

And my second thought for this 2014 year is "do more of what makes you happy". That does not mean to start being selfish and do anything and everything you want to do. I see it as... do something out of the ordinary that you have always wanted to try... Smile and laugh more!... Give and lend a helping hand more... Go on an adventure... Travel more!... Do not sit while life passes by waiting for the right time for something to make you happy... YOU make it happen! Do more of the things that make your heart happy, and I guarantee your year will be joyous.

This is very fitting for me too this year. Very soon, (this Thursday actually!) Matt and I are following one of our long time dreams of moving out to California from our native land of Texas. We are leaving all our friends and family to pursue a risky adventure that has been weighing on our minds and hearts for sometime now. It is going to be scary, hard, and nerve-racking... But if your dreams and hopes are not at least one of those things, they probably are not big enough. We cannot idly sit by and watch another year come and go and not test the waters of something we think is going to make us both very happy. Although, I also know if your dreams are not coming from or focused on God, they might not be the best dreams to follow.

Trust in the Lord with all our heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV

But Matt and I strongly believe this adventure is for a bigger purpose than what our physical eyes see right now. We are trusting the Lord completely. It is not just about us having wanderlust and wanting to travel, there is a bigger picture that God is painting for us, and I am SO excited to see it all play out. 

I am not going to go into all the California details right now as I will have another post on that very soon (be on the lookout tomorrow!), but it does go along with my thoughts for this new year. I say again, do more of what makes you happy! It does not have to be a huge excursion... it can be cooking dinner for the family more often, telling your spouse you love them more, having girl's night with your friends once a month... Whatever it may be, pray about it, and DO IT! :) 

That is all for now friends. Please oh please share with me your new years thoughts. I'd love to hear them. Happy New Year! Let's make 2014 GREAT!