A Quarter of a Century Young

I turn 25 today. It's an odd thing to realize you are 5 years away from being the big 3 0.  I was re-reading my previous birthday posts and for my 22nd birthday post I wrote about learning to trust Him, which is something I am still struggling to do, but in different ways than when I was 22. I am glad that I wrote about my struggles during that time because I so easily forget all that God has already brought me through. It's good to look back and remember that, yes, God IS faithful. So I thought that I would write a list of things that I have learned this year and things that have changed in my life since I last wrote that 22nd birthday post.

1. I got a handle on my anxiety and panic attacks, through the grace of God and counseling. Some times I still struggle with anxiety but it has gotten so much better as I've learned to trust God more and know that He holds me. 
2.  I attended Desperation Leadership Academy and had my life radically changed by Jesus. In fact going through DLA has probably been the most challenging and rewarding thing I have done so far. Jesus is so faithful and good.
3. I moved back to Texas after living in Colorado for three years. Y'all I love the Panhandle but nothing beats autumn in the mountains. Although Texas totally has better sweet tea and Mexican food. 
4. I have learned more about being a friend and what true friendship is through the help of some really wonderful people. I also learned that having long distance friendships stink, especially when you are too poor to buy plane tickets to Washington, Indiana, and Arlington on a regular basis. 
5. I am learning that I am capable of doing things if I put my mind to it, trust the Lord, and don't let fear convince me otherwise. For example, I am in my second semester of college and I currently have all A's. This is not something I thought was possible five years ago. 
6. I have also learned that even if I don't get all A's in school, it does not mean I am stupid or a failure. It just means I'm human, and hey, B's get degrees. But I'm pretty sure I'd cry if I ever got a C.
7. I've learned that rarely will anything in life happen the way I want. Choices do have consequences and you and the people around you pay for those choices, whether they are good or bad. But Jesus also redeems and restores situations in ways I never thought possible, so when things look bleak, just hold onto him. He won't let you go. 
8. Wanderlust is a real thing and I have it bad. I have always wanted to see as much of the world as possible, but getting to visit one of my friends this summer in Washington state and seeing the beautiful northwest only further convinced me that this is a feeling that is not going to go away any time soon. Anyone want to pay my way to Ireland? Anyone? 
9. What I have learned most of all in the short 25 years I have been alive is that God loves me more than I can imagine and that His way and His plans for me are so much better than my own. I know I still grumble and rage against them sometimes, but really I know that in the end He is God and He knows better. Even when He leads me somewhere I'm not comfortable. Even when I am heartbroken and others around me are heartbroken. Even when I wonder why He allows so much pain and heartache in the world I hold onto the hope that He will redeem every situation. 

So I guess my word for this next year of my life is hope. Hope that God will not leave me where I am now but will continue to grow and change me into the woman that He wants me to be. Hope that I will be brave enough to trust Him and where He is leading me. Here's to being 25, may I live it well and to the fullest.