Only Believe.

At the end of a difficult year for many (myself very much included)

I've been praying about what the Lord would have me take from it,

and how He wants me to proceed into 2012.

This morning as I read my little leather Bible,

this verse jumped out at me.

The Lord has laid belief on my heart lately.

Believing in Him.

Believing in the impossible.

Believing even when everything looks dark.

Believing that He is who He says He is.

And that my sin will not overtake me.

Believing He has a good plan. (Jer. 29:11)

 2012. It's a year of believing. Believe with me, loves?

Believing that we'll be okay in 2012. Believing He who calls the stars by name each night has our lives in His hands. Believing the economy will get better. Believing we can be fearless. Believing our biggest, wildest lifelong dreams may come true. Believing we can win.

"Love believes all things." - 1 Corinthians 13

Being patient while we believe:

"Whoever believes will not be in haste."

-Isaiah 28:16.

And believing when all else fails in Jesus:

"And this is His command: to believe in the name of His Son,

Jesus Christ,

and to love one another as He commanded us."

 -1 John 3:23.

***

As 2011 came to a close last night, I mused on all I have learned. The mistakes made, the goals accomplished. The dreams formed. The laughter, the tears cried. I am glad 2011 is over. Happy to move on. Excited for a new beginning, a fresh start. Like starting a brand new chapter.

So I say:

Bye 2011!

(Don't let the door hit you on the way out!

haha. Seriously...hard year.)

For me, 2011 was the year of lessons learned....

This year, I’ve learned:

i've learned... your real, true friends will be there for you even in times when they get nothing out of being there. (and if they're not there....they're not your friends.) i've learned how precious, valuable and rare a true friend is. i want to be one.

i've learned...that i am not a pushover. for all the years i have worked on being kind, gentle and sweet… i’ve recently learned that the Lord also wants His girls to be strong, brave and confident in Him as much as He calls us to have a gentle and quiet spirit.

i've learned...my favorite starbucks drink is a venti chai tea latte with soy & 7 pumps chai. (no more, no less)

i learned...i’d rather be single than with the wrong guy. (believe me, what a nightmare to be with the wrong one) that is for darn sure.

i've learned...contrary to my belief in college, a latte does not count as a meal!

i've learned...i absolutely adore football.

i've learned...chick-fil-a sauce is quite possibly one of the best inventions ever.

i've learned...it is possible to cry so long and so hard you throw up.

i've learned...family is everything.

i've learned...some of the best laughs i’ve ever had are with little 3 year old girls wearing pig-tails and pink ribbons.

i've learned...99.9% of the time, my dad is right.

i've learned...twinkle lights in the bathroom add the best lighting for makeup.

i've learned...it is not summer 'til i hear tim mcgraw's bbq stain song.

i've learned...even if i never get married and none of my dreams come true, i will be okay. because, JESUS is ENOUGH. {no matter what}

i've learned...Jesus' #1 commandments: to love Him & others, is broken all day long. very few people live out 1 corinthians 13. (myself mostly) and i want to improve in this in 2012.

i've learned...it’s okay to say no. it's good. it's healthy. it's freeing.

i've learned...my mom is the sweetest, most patient person i know & i want to be just like her.

i've learned...the best beauty product in the world is......drinking lots of water!!

i've learned...i love the beach, always have. but i love the mountains & country a little more.

i've learned...it’s better to give than receive. really. i’m not just sayin' it.

i've learned...you can turn heads just by poofing your hair.

i've learned...i'm the pickiest person i know when it comes to guys. which pushes me all the more to change my heart rather than just focusing on what i want in someone & to trust God for "my man".

i've learned...bronzer is this white girl's best friend.

i've learned...to not settle for 2nd best. a real man will open your door, surprise you with roses, take you on real dates, pay for dinner, protect your purity, & put you first. if he doesn't, he is not worth your time.

i've learned...being alone sometimes is okay.

i've learned...a spray tan is better than tanning beds (no more tanning for me!). my skin is precious. and cancer is real, and scary. {check out the link on my sidebar, "sun savvy bloggers"}

i've learned...to give the Lord my disappointments & my victories. he covers all with sweet grace.

i've learned...heaven is more amazing than anyone knows. and more real than the world would like to think.

 i've learned...taylor swift can’t sing. but she can sure as heck can write songs. lyrics i sang in the car through tears streaming down my face.

i've learned...i don't like little dogs. i love big ones, like golden retrievers & labs. (yes, i am a girl!)

i've learned...if you realize you can't trust people, they always hurt you - DON'T. just trust Jesus.

i've learned...i’d rather be wiser than richer. and happier than wealthier.

i've learned...i really want to be so close to the Lord, i can hear His softest whisper.

...oh how much there is to learn.

...what gems did you learn this last year?

...and i will, this year. 2012.

Believe....

Anything is possible with our GOD.

XO

Erin