Reflecting on the past and looking ahead

Last night, like most Americans, some friends and I watched bits of the pre-show to the ball drop in New York. Around 10pm Jane Lynch came on TV and started rapping about 2013 and all the things that last year will now be known for- from the government shutdown to Miley Cyrus shaking her booty. I thought the rap was pretty funny, the 3 others I was with thought it was annoying. They just don't know humor! Am I right?! But what really struck me about the video was the fact that all these things being highlighted are now the things that 2013 is and always will be marked by. There's no adding or taking away- these are the things and when 2013 is mentioned, they will be the defining moments.

I'm reluctant to say that I wasn't familiar with half of the most important moments in 2013 as it relates to pop-culture... I'm not very good at that stuff. But then what about my life? What were the things for my husband and I that define 2013 for us? There are a few big ones and really good ones.

I helped start a ministry for teen moms in Fort Wayne, we almost bought our first house but changed our minds and moved to Charleston, we both started new jobs, I started a blog :) and we became a part of a "core team" of church planters for Gospel Community Church. Apart from the glaring physical milestones, I'd say that I've also learned to love my husband in a greater way, he and I have started being friends to our neighbors like we never have before, and we've had to learn to be dependent on each other and our God as opposed to the many friends we used to have surrounding us back in Indiana.

It feels good to look back on what 2013 was and to feel like we've gotten somewhere and grown in some ways. And now we get to look forward. We get to decide what 2014 will be! All of us do. So what are the things that we want 2014 to be marked by in our books? What are the goals you're shooting for and the accomplishments you hope to make that will define this coming year? It doesn't have to be scary, but exciting. Let's aim high! And if the height we aim to isn't reached, that's more than ok because we all will have grown in our pursuits and there will surely be many blessings that will follow us along the way.