A new year, yet a constant celebration...

So this year I was concerned how my birthday would end up because I was going to be alone when all of my greatest friends and my family were not with me. I was not looking forward to it to say the least. Then, as if it could get any harder, my Uncle Sloan passed away July 1st, and the funeral was the third. I spent a lot of time with extended family, but it was better than anything I could have imagined or pictured. I was overwhelmed by the love from family and friends through Facebook posts, text messages and phone calls, only to find letters, cards and gifts waiting for me at Ted's the next day.  The whole day was filled with joy and love! To finish off the night, I laughed with Sloan's family and with less than 10 minutes to spare until my first day of being 21 was over, I bought a six pack. I fell asleep that night completely amazed at my creator and His faithfulness. Even if I were in a foreign country, by myself with a hostile, violent tribe, I would still be loved and wanted. The Lord has overwhelmed me this summer with understanding of what it truly means to trust in him and to put my faith in Him. With all of this solitude in new places on my own doing grown up things, I am fiercely putting my trust in Him because that is all I know how to do. Although my circumstances change, my God does not. What joy! What hope! As I struggled to put Bailee in reverse and "mash" the gas pedal out of that sweet little blue house on June 25th, I was so amazed at my creator. He has taught me so much in this past year and my only gratitude is my lifestyle.  This year I made 18 resolutions that I hope and pray the Lord will give me grace to keep. They are my way of holding true to the convictions the Holy Spirit has blessed me with this past year and I hope there will be many blessed people that come from keeping them. There is so much to say, so much on my mind and so much to be thankful for, but the Lord knows those things, and this post is simply to remind my carnal mind about the faithfulness of my God. For that only I am thankful and I pray I would "live to know nothing among this world except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." He is glorious, infinitely worthy and my only way to God and I hope my life lives for that glory and that gospel.