New Year, New Beginnings

As I take a look back on the year of 2009, I can honestly say that I don't regret anything from the past year. It's amazing to look back on the past year of your life and realize how much you've grown. I don't feel like a grown-up, but I am. It's a funny thing, really. As children we spend so much of our childhood wanting to be "grown-up" that we grow up too fast. We forget to experience and savor all the joys of childhood, yet when we are finally "grown-up" we spend our lives wishing for more simple things rather than the complexities that adulthood brings. But yes, I am a grown-up. I do grown up things like live in an a apartment and pay bills. But how do we really define "grown-up". For me being a grown-up isn't about paying bills or living in an apartment. Being grown-up means having a sense of self and knowing what you stand for. It's about taking risks and chances throughout life, but also knowing when to settle.
This past year, I took chances that I never, in a million years, thought I would ever take. I'll confess this one- I actually let someone know how I felt about him. Let me tell you, that was probably one of the scariest things I have ever done in my life. I had debated back and forth about whether I should do it. But then I thought, "What's the worst that can happen?" So I did it. The outcome wasn't what I intentionally wanted, but because of it, we have become better friends. Was it scary? Sure. Do I regret it? No. Apart from the above mentioned, this year held a lot of "firsts". I got my very own apartment with just enough space for me. It's small, but it's cozy. I went out of the country for the first time, and that was such an amazing experience. My photography business is going well, and though right now I can't put a lot of time into it with being a full-time student, God is unveiling many opportunities where I can use my love of photography.
My wonderfully amazing family expanded even more this year with the arrival of my new twin cousins! It's really amazing what God can do with your life in a year. I have met some really amazing people through being a youth counselor and being an active member of the Wesley foundation on campus. He has blessed me with some pretty amazing friends and I am constantly thanking Him for it. Overall, I have to say that this past year was good to me. I have so much to be thankful for, as we all do. We are alive and we get another year to serve an amazing God who loves us the way we should be loved and the way we should love other people: unconditionally.

Peace and Love,

Laura Kate