2011.

these are some words that come to mind when I think about the past year:

firsts

lasts

laughs

pain

heartbreak

thankfulness

joy

relief

anxiety

happiness

friends 

Furman

family

hurt

opportunity

excitement

preparation

smiles

...those are just a few that came to mind right away. I am sure that I could think of a thousand more, as I'm sure you could looking back over this year. 

2011 was a hard year, a good year, a very happy year, but also a very emotional year. To sum it up, 2011 was a changing year. It was a year that I grew from what feels like a little freshmen in college to a big girl who is capable of doing big things. It was a year that my heart was broken and was put back together not by another boy but by my Heavenly Father who is the only One who knew how to do so. It was a year that I learned so much about myself. It was a year that I shared with some of the most amazing people on the planet. Seriously y'all, my friends are amazing. It was a year that I became closer to my family and it was a year that we all were changing, together. And finally, it was a year, that more than anything, changed me in a way that I cannot wait to see happens in 2012. I truly believe that THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! :)

confidence is key.

Confidence is key. How many times have you heard that one? Being an athlete, I think I have heard my fair share of pre-season, pre-game talks about confidence and how it can make or break a season or game. And that is SO true. Confidence is a game-changer. You wanna know the very best part about confidence? It is a choice.

I mentioned reading So Long, Insecurity by Beth Moore in a previous post. Today, as I was reading, I was slapped right in the face by an entire chapter on having the power to choose. It is one of the most amazing parts about life (I think so, anyway). The whole point of the chapter was this: people will always be able to make us feel certain ways, however, it is up to me and you, our choice, as to how deep their words or actions effect us. Things people say may hurt our feelings, but their words don't have the power to touch our security, unless we allow it.

Psalm 29:11 says, "The Lord gives His people strength; the Lord grants His people security." How encouraging is it that God's desire is for His children to be secure and confident? It is so much His desire that He gives it to us. It is my choice to act on that gift and not suppress it. Beth Moore made a statement in this chapter that is so incredibly powerful. She said the secret to empowerment is this,

"We become empowered when we decide to be strong willed about what God strongly wills."

Take a minute and read that again. Ok, one more time. God strongly wills our confidence and security, it says so in the Bible. As soon as we CHOOSE to be strong willed about keeping our security and confidence, we are able to do so much more- more of what God desires for our life. 

Once you make the choice once, the second time becomes easier, the third time is easier, and each time after that is even easier. After that, it is an upward spiral to security and confidence. That doesn't mean that people aren't going to hurt you, intimidate you, or make you feel inadequate- because they will. It just means that they don't touch your security, because that part of you is rooted in the One that created you, in His own image. 

"Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised." -Hebrews 10:35-36

recap.

After one of the most stressful, hectic, and exhausting semesters I have ever had, it is finally Christmas Break. This semester has been a physical and emotional roller coaster, however, I can look back and say that I have learned more about myself and about God's direction for my life than I ever thought would be possible. 


Going into this semester I had a good many things about my life planned out- who am I kidding- I had it all planned out. I was going to be a high school biology teacher and softball coach, I was going to be married right out of college, and I would somehow be making enough money right out of college to do all this and support a very comfortable lifestyle. Uhhh, can you say reality check?!


You can imagine my distress when every single thing about my plan started to change. Over the course of 5 months I have decided that I no longer what to be a high school biology teacher, but I would rather teach elementary school. I no longer have my sights set on being married right out of college, but rather on pursuing Jesus with my whole heart and trusting in HIS timing when it comes to my relationships. And finally, I am understanding that graduating college and living comfortably aren't things that normally occur together. :) 


Change is so freaking scary, and along with many other adjectives, the past 5 months can most definitely be described as scary. I can now look back and say through all of that, though, I learned and am still learning who Hannah is, what makes Hannah happy, and who will make Hannah happy. 


I am so thankful for this break from school with family and friends. It is much needed and will be used to lots of rest, lots of eating, lots of fun, and lots of fellowship. I hope yours is filled with the same :)

Oh yeah, Happy Birthday today to the most amazing man in my life- My Daddy :) 

Also, Happy Birthday to the most perfect example of a Godly woman in my life- My Grandma :)

I love them both so incredibly much and am so incredibly blessed by their presence in my life.