Bucket List Frenzy

First of all, does anyone know how to title the blog post? Mine is not showing up anywhere and it is quite annoying. Any tips would be appreciated :)

School starts today. A semester that seems sort of a waste; however, I keep telling myself that nothing in this life is a waste. Not even an extra 5 months in school, and extra semester of tuition, or a graduation date postponed 7 months. Nothing is a waste. May 14 was going to be a glorious day of celebration; however, it has now been moved to December. That's okay. More celebration for the holidays! :) Psalm 65:11 says that "He crowns the year with His goodness; His paths drip with abundance." I'm reminded daily that the path that I am on is His. It's about living for Him. And no matter what season I'm in on the path, He promises abundance. Because HE is more than enough in all situations.

Bucket List. Do you have one? I've never made one. I honestly didn't know what one was until the movie came out (which I have yet to see, ha!). But, I think there are a few things that deserve to be on this list (other than the obvious finish school, be successful, etc). Here is one:

Run a half marathon

Not just any half marathon. I want to go to a big city and run for a big cause. I'm not so sure why I feel the need to run 13.1 miles for any particular reason other than I just want to. I'm not sure why it looks so fun. Who knows? I do love to run, and I am not so sure why I always take breaks from it because I always have to start over (which is so hard). However, I love the feeling of lacing up my Nike's and hitting the pavement and putting lots of distance behind me. I love the feeling of sweating ridiculously in the summer heat, but being able to finish the course ahead. It has been something that I never thought I could do, but once I tackled one mile, I was addicted to make it to the next, and the next. Obviously not too addicted because I always take breaks, hahahah :).

So, I'm not sure when I will cross this off of the good ole bucket list, but I have some sort of a goal in mind. ;) I'm pretty sure it starts with actually lacing up the faithful Nike's and pulling my huge pile of running clothes out of the top of my closet. :)

Fresh. New. Year.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Beginnings are always full of different emotions. They are fresh, but sometimes uncertain. Exciting, but sometimes reserved. Change is a constant in our lives and that will never change.

This past year has been an interesting one. I have felt just about every emotion possible (College will do that to an individual). I have fought. I have struggled. I have prayed. I have cried. I have wanted to give up. I have laughed. I have been overwhelmed. I have held on.  I have trusted. I have exercised faith. But one thing is for certain, the Lord never let me drown. He always kept me floating. He is so good like that.

I love to encourage people to dream big. I believe that God gives us dreams to achieve; yet, I believe that so many of us give up on our dreams and settle for the norm. Speaking of dreams, this year I am reaching one of my dreams. I am finally graduating college. I realize that a degree isn't that big of a deal in society today, but my degree means more than a piece of paper or a status label. Being a teacher has been one of my dreams in life, for more reasons than owning a teacher's edition textbook and a SmartBoard (although those are fancy!). I have a desire to make an impact on the lives of students by encouraging them to succeed and to believe in themselves. And seeing the finish line within reaching distance is a GREAT feeling.

There are lots of things to look forward to, and I have lots of goals that I am setting out for this year, spiritually, physically, and emotionally. I believe that God knows the desires of my heart, and as long as I put one foot in front of the other towards Him, He will get me where I need to be. 

Whatever your goals are for this year, set after them. Make a plan. Don't give up. Believe in yourself. And know this: The Almighty believes in Y-O-U. He wants to see you succeed more than you do. He loves you. 

Beth Moore suggested this verse for the beginning of the year:

"You crown the year with Your goodness, 

And Your paths drip with abundance." 

Psalm 65:11

I love it. I'm thankful for the Father above who cares for me. His path drips, drips, drips with abundance. Get on the path. He never forsakes us. He never, ever, leaves us lacking. Abundance. 

And that, dear, is sweet bliss. Soak it up in 2011.