Happy New Year!

A little late, right? Hey, new year but same old Kens! Some things will just never change! Since my last post, so much really has changed. Besides the holidays and spending time with family, I have been spending a lot of my time up in Nashville, TN. Amid the craziness of life, the Lord sent me the most INCREDIBLE man. He has come into my life with grace, he anchors our relationship in the Lord and not to mention, he is SMOKIN’ hot. So, go ahead and book Hell on Wheels in Nashville, but just know- the hottie in the hat is taken!

Even before Nick came into my life, I was already seeing the Lord work in new ways. Friendships were building, work was settling back in, the hectic world around seemed to slow, and I was able to take an inventory of my year. Going into 2021, a word fell on my heart for what the season would be in the new year. Any guesses??

As I sought after what this theme would be, it became SO very clear that my 2020 was broken down into 4 seasons- I like the sound of quarters better, though.

Quarter 1: Brokenness- If you have read my other posts, there were lots of roots to the brokenness, but it was a season full of heartache.

Quarter 2: Healing- Following the brokenness, then came healing. A season of learning to stand again and understanding the struggles I had faced. This was a time of allowing the Lord to mend my heart.

Quarter 3: Growth- As my heart mended, I started to see growth. I noticed it in friendships, family, in my own confidence, in my faith, in my work life and so many more ways. As I put my head down and applied the knowledge I was seeking, it was as if pieces finally started to fit together again.

Quarter 4: Blessing- Putting in work is not always pleasant. Growth comes with pain, bumps and bruises. But, the Lord provided so many blessings from the efforts. Spending quality time with friends and family created stronger relationships. Appreciating my job made me want to work harder. Spending more time with the Lord created a more intimate relationship with Him and a deeper appreciation for His guidance. The Lord also blessed me with Nick; giving community of amazing people in Nashville to walk with in faith.

It is truly mind-blowing to think back on what my life just one year ago.

To look back on this time last year, thankfulness doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel. I had to put in the work, to be able to grow and to be able to understand the blessings of the Lord. Building foundations in each area of life can be difficult, but so worth it in the long run. Now more than ever, I want to build a foundation to flourish.

Word of 2021: Action

With action, I am choosing to walk in faith instead of sitting back in fear. Choosing to travel and see the world after being stuck at home. Choosing to take the risk without knowing if it will pay off. Most importantly, choosing to let God steer the wheel wherever it may take me. Giving up control has given me so much more strength than fighting for control ever could.

In some parts of 2020, I thought I would die without that person or without that thing in my life. But now I see, if the Lord would have let me have it my way, I would have died in that place. The things I wanted were just that- what I wanted. My yes seemed like what was best. The Lord was just trying to show me that if I was patient and understood His not yet, blessings beyond my comprehension were on their way.

If you haven’t yet, take a look back at 2020; now, think of what you want 2021 to look like. Spend time on it, think and pray about what really falls on your heart. More than just resolutions that we push to the side, but choose a word that can be a tone for your decisions.

I hope you are able to find a word that speaks to you- to set the tone for you this year. I would love if you shared it with me as well. I would so love cheering you on in this next season! I think my favorite part of these chapters of life, both good and not so amazing, with others is the community it creates.

But here’s to hoping there is much more good this year, right?? Next time you hear from me, I will be all smiles and hopefully a little bit tanner- fresh off the beaches from TULUM!