On being intentional

In 2011, my theme for the year was grace--extending grace to others, and giving grace to myself. I'm an admitted perfectionist, but perfection is a prison that can only be unlocked by grace. And God continues to convict and transform my life in that area.

The new year and new focus is intentionality. Instead of blindly walking through life, I want to grow in wisdom. I want to examine how I live and test it.

It may be broad, but every aspect of life should be intentional: time management, money, health, relationships, etc.

So for now, I want to focus on wasting less time and energy on unimportant things. (Here's looking at you, Facebook.)

I want to invest my time in things that actually develop fruit in my life.

I want to have resolve rather than than resolutions.

My only goal is to follow God's lead and finish what I start. I know that each tear and heartache in 2012 is just a seed that will produce an immeasurable harvest of joy in the future. I'm ready to see what this year holds.

Your move, 2012

So yesterday I typed out an entire post looking back on all the crazy things that happened in 2011, and the app I was using crashed. So that is why this cliche look back is a day late.

In 2011, I...
...started a new life in a new town.
...lived with Laura.
...attended Journey Church and loved it.
...survived the Snowpocalypse by playing A LOT of Scrabble.
...spent a lot of time with the Mitchell family.
...watched several OU basketball games.
...volunteered with Loveworks.
...got promoted at work.
...traveled all of the state of Oklahoma for my job.
...huddled in a jewel safe during a tornado.
...waded through a freak microburst downpour that flooded Norman.
...celebrated marriages of several wonderful friends.
...cruised to Mexico.
...lived completely by myself for the first time.
...made friends in Norman.
...worked at the fireworks stand during the Fourth of July.
...saw my coworkers move on to other job/life opportunities.
...experienced the hottest and driest summer of my life.
...joined a small group.
...applied for and got a fantastic new job.
...attended OC Homecoming for the first time as an alumna.
...organized (along with Karissa) the 4th Annual Friendsgiving.
...MADE A ROASTED TURKEY ALL BY MYSELF.
...had my parents in Norman for Thanksgiving.
...found out my best friend got a job in Broken Arrow.
...watched her graduate from college.
...celebrated Christmas with my family.
...hung out with my Giddens sisters.
...moved Karissa to BA.
...rang in the new year in OKC with Karissa, Aaron and Bekah.

2011, I couldn't have predicted any of the crazy twists and turns you placed in my path. Here's to another ridiculously challenging and fabulously rewarding year.