2017: Milestones, Blessings & Thanksgiving

Wow. Am I the only one who can't believe that 2017 is done? I don't think a year has ever gone by so quickly. It was also so full. That's why I had to put this post together: 2017 was a year full of milestones, blessings, and reasons for thanksgiving (because yes, God is always good!!!). And yes, after finishing it I'll probably have missed so many (and I won't be including completely obvious ones) because the blessings and grace of God never end. So please...enjoy and think over all that God has done for you this year.



Milestones

  1. My college degree finally came in the mail
  2. I finally got Facebook 
  3. I voted in my first presidential election
  4. Trump became president
  5. I became a supervisor at my job
  6. Gwyneth (my niece) turned 1 
  7. I had my 5-year anniversary at my job
  8. I turned 21 (what??!!!)
  9. I got up to journal #30!

Blessings & Thanksgiving (and some lessons learned)

  1. I got to connect (via Facebook) with many old friends/friends in other countries
  2. Lesson: sometimes God leaves all the doors open for you to choose
  3. Even though my last grandparent passed away, it brought that side of my family closer
  4. I learned so much more of my family history and had much of it passed down to me
  5. The impact of having known some great co-workers/employees before they left and for the blessing of new employees and co-workers
  6. Even through heavy doubt and uncertainty, God never lets go
  7. I became friends with even more "regulars" at my job and continued old friendships
  8. Birthday blessings from four different countries!
  9. The "temporarily permanent" return of a good friend
  10. Getting together with classmates (friends!) from HMS
  11. Going on a mission trip to Thailand: 
    1. Going to Thailand in general
    2. Getting introduced to and involved with an amazing organization called ZOE
    3. Meeting lots of amazing, wonderful and godly people - more friends!
    4. Seeing lives being changed by God's grace, Jesus' blood, and the movement of the Holy Spirit
  12. My sweet niece: her laugh, her smile, her hugs, learning to walk and run, first day at the beach, her first birthday party, her love for animals, and more.
  13. The birth of Penny (a family of all boys finally has a girl!)
  14. Blessings at work:
    1. Getting the opportunity to switch departments and learn so much more 
    2. Patience of co-workers and my employees
    3. Employees who forgive my mistakes and never lose trust in me 
    4. Fantastic employees in general, and for good managers, esp. the ones who sacrifice
    5. God's blessings over us all there and protection and that He never gives us more than we can handle 
    6. God's grace and provision to handle and learn new things in major chaos and change that have happened this year
    7. Employees who encourage me often and employees and coworkers who pray for me
    8. The incredible trust of my employees
  15. God's protection during travel in snow, esp. the night that I could've hit a mailbox, a truck, or even a house but I missed all three and stayed safe
  16. God's closeness 
  17. The incredible complexity and yet simplicity of God
  18. There is nothing that God cannot redeem or use for good or bless us through
  19. The blessing of Psalm 116:1-2, 7-8
  20. A fun time with family by Pine Creek in the fall
  21. Being overwhelmed by the sufficiency of God's grace (2 Corinthians 12:9)
  22. Lessons of faith, obedience, promises, and more
  23. Getting together with two good friends (who have also been to Thailand) for Thai food
  24. A great time closing out the year with my brother at the cabin and time together nearby with my aunt, uncle, and favorite cousin
I could go on and on, or go into more detail, but I think that's enough for now! 2017 was a very full year, full of new and crazy and different and exciting and fun things. I am so excited to see what 2018 will bring!

One thing I know for sure: God is already in 2018 and He will be with me all the way. Praise Jesus!

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