As I traveled home from Alberta today I listened to a bunch of programs on the radio that were basically a review of this past year's events. I thought I'd maybe share a few of the "highlights" of my year.
In April I finished my first year of post-secondary education and headed out East to sing with my choir. With a head full of knowledge about God it took a pretty intense 2 weeks of singing and celebrating Easter to teach me how to worship this God whom I thought i 'knew'.
After that I headed home to work on my parent's farm for the summer. I learned a lot about contentment and finding pleasure in the small things, such as an honest day's work. I learned to appreciate the beauty of the land that I live in and am amazed at how the whole of creation seems to sing out the glories of God.
In July I became reacquainted with some old friends which lead me on an adventure down to Kansas City, Missouri where I had a really neat experience with God and received a sort of prophetic vision for my upcoming time as Mission's Rep on my school's Student Council. I saw how God is acting in a powerful way and wants to do more if we are willing to let him.
I returned to Providence in the fall and experienced a wonderful Joy in the Lord that nothing that the enemy through at me seemed to be able to shake. I was tired, sick for 2 months, prone to anxiety attacks and even found bedbugs in my dorm room, but nothing could shake the zealous joy that was constantly within me and practically shone from the faces of my closest friends.
I began attending morning prayer at 8:00 every morning, which, even though it cut into my sleeping time majorly (my first class started at 11) I was given just enough energy every day to accomplish everything. It was a beautiful way to refocus myself at the start of everyday and it was an amazing opportunity to get to know some of my professors.
It wasn't all roses though, I had many a struggle, especially within the last couple of months (or perhaps those are just the ones that are freshest on my mind). I learned the cost of discipleship yet again; when Christ says he wants every part of me, I guess that's exactly what he means. I struggled to write many of my papers and was actually reduced to tears a couple of times over them - not very manly I know- but I learned so much from them and I wouldn't trade those experiences for anything.
God has definitely been shaping me a lot this past year, when I get too resistant he has to shake me up and stretch me out a little to continue forming me into his mold but I know that it is all for his Glory. I sincerely look forward to 2012 and all the twists and turns that this year is sure to hold. God bless you all and Happy New Year!
