2023 has yet again been filled with many adventures. There have been many miles driven and even more flown. There have been photos taken, passport stamps added and tales of epic travels relayed. I was even blessed to have the opportunity to meet some pretty amazing people along the way as well! 

This year has been filled with seeing and feeling hope for the future. This year has been filled with finding my purpose, defining my vision and mission. Most importantly this year has been filled with leaning into what my Heavenly Father is saying to me and wants most for me. It has especially been filled with taking time to work on continuing to build my relationship with my Heavenly Father. What has this year brought you?

Looking ahead to 2024 I am reminded that it is yet again another calendar year where there will not be any new memories made with Jason, however, I am not as hesitant to walk into this fresh calendar as I have been in the past. 2023 brought some significant growth for me personally and I am actually looking forward to the new year with a confident expectation that my Heavenly Father has nothing but good things planned for me this year. I know of some planned travel, but I am most looking forward to the “interruptions” that happen. You know the moments I am referring to…they seem to be those unplanned surprises perfectly planned by God. When those happen, I want to be living life at such a pace that I am able to slow down, breathe and welcome whatever it is that God has planned at that moment. 

I want 2024 to be a year that I am intentional about eliminating the “hurry”. For so long I have been driven. I have, until recently, defined my “worth” (especially professionally) by how much I can get accomplished while often forgetting about what is really important. As I have been reflecting on this, I wonder what moments have I missed? Who have I not seen that needed someone to notice them? What words did someone need to hear from me that I was too rushed to share? What photos did I not take, or was I not a part of that I should have? So my word, phrase or maybe the best way to put it is that my goal for 2024 is to push pause on the hurried side of life. Life can be full even when my calendar is not. If you are reading this and you know me, you know this will be a stretch. It will challenge me daily. Will I always get it right? No. But, it is time to make space to sit and just be. It is time to make space for sitting with a friend, a loved one, a book or maybe even a puzzle. Or maybe, it is time to be still and listen to what my Heavenly Father wants to share with me.  

What have you learned throughout this year? What are your goals for 2024?