Yesterday and Tomorrow

2011... It seems like it was just yesterday... Oh, wait, it was.

Yesterday I was overwhelmed by how wonderful 2011 had been. Exactly a year ago, on December 31, 2010, I couldn't wait for a new year. 2010 had been a not-so-good year for me and I couldn't wait for it to end. 2011 was different. It was gorgeous and it was, by far, one of the very best years of my life.

It was my sweet sixteen.
I read through the Bible in 90 days.
My dad and friends helped me to make my scholarship video.
I started college.
The camera became by best friend.
Mom and I started hanging out together. A lot.
I went to go see Jane Eyre in the theaters with my mom and friends.
I became acquainted (online) with some of my now-closest-friends through CollegePlus! They are the most wonderful, Christ-centered, and mature friendships and they are all so precious to me!
My aunts took me and some friends to see a display of fabulous old movie costumes.
Our family went on the most amazing road trip ever (and visited Powell's City of Books.)
Kyla came to visit and it was awesome and epic and wonderful.
The fabulous new Owl City CD came out.
We went camping and had an incredible time.
I discovered The Hunger Games books.
I learned to really and truly love the little things and just spending time with family and friends.
Courageous came out in theaters and was one of the best movies I had ever seen.
Going to North Carolina was pretty much the best thing that happened all year.
I got the biggest surprise of my life.
Courtney and Rachel came to visit and we all went to Disneyland together.
I bought way too many new clothes.
Hannah, Emily, and I had breakfast together a few times.
I passed eleven CLEP tests!
My seventeenth birthday came and went.
I felt God calling me to a ministry of coaching and counseling.
I "attended" the CollegePlus! Christmas party/Skype video call where we talked and laughed. It. Was. Epic.
When we went to go see The Adventures of Tintin, I got to see the new Hobbit trailer on the big screen.
Connor and I watched a total 50+ new movies in the evenings with Mom and Dad.
I starting having calls with my far-away "sisters" more often.
Even though I didn't make it to 100 books; I read 83.
2011 was a defining year where I discovered God and my Faith in a new way.
I learned more about myself, who I am, and who I want to become.

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;

His mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,

“therefore I will hope in Him.”

-Lamentations 3:22-24 (ESV)

With 2011 now behind me, caught somewhere behind the sunrise of this beautiful morning, 2012 has dawned on the bright horizon. Somewhere in the brilliant hues of the day, a new year has arrived. And I'm glad to be here to see it. Since resolutions are so cliched, I'm not making any this year. Instead, I simply have a to-do list.

Read the Bible all the way through again and maintain my daily devotions.
Keep a prayer journal.
Learn how to use Photoshop Lightroom.
Have an official photo shoot.
Write more letters.
Travel to Arizona with Connor and spend a week there with friends.
Go the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival in February.
Have the chance to meet many of my CP! friends while I'm there.
Possibly go and see the Hunger Games movie in March.
Write in my journal faithfully.
Read 100 books.
Purchase a yellow blouse.
Make a point to write a review for (almost) every movie that I watch.
Listen to more soundtracks.
Lord willing, become a CollegePlus! coach.
Become a better photographer (in September, I'll be taking a college-level photography course.)
Strive to become a better sister, daughter, and friend.
Go to North Carolina again. Maybe?
Earn 66 more credits and graduate in December.
Obtain my own camera.
Plan my graduation party... for January?
Save money so I can take just Mama to Disneyland.
Have a Lord of the Rings movie marathon.
Watch the Hobbit in 3D on my eighteenth birthday.
Turn eighteen, become a legal adult, and register to vote.
Be ready and excited for 2013!


Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 

-1 Peter 1:3 (ESV)

Yesterday was incredible. 
Tomorrow will be amazing. 
Today is a precious gift.