Wildest Dreams

In the secular world, Christmas has ended and Valentines Day is just around the corner. But in the world I live in, Christmas has just begun. On the Christian calendar, the 12 days of Christmas actually begin with December 25th and end on January 6th on the feast of the Epiphany. So I get to continue celebrating!

Right smack in the middle of these festive days is New Year's, which is when many people set goals for themselves for the new year. For me, it's also the point when I look back at last year's resolutions to see if I accomplished them. I can't say I drank as much water as I wanted or developed a helpful app (Coding is hard!). But the goals I did reach are the ones that I am most proud of. I did get a new website up. It's simple, and I don't update it as much as I would like to, but I did it. Even more important than this new project, I feel like I have much healthier relationships, including a better relationship with myself. I've been blessed to have more time in prayer, and I have a strong network of friends who I know I can rely on. (More about that in a future post that I have been trying to write since September...perhaps a goal for the new year should be to finally push that out!)

Something that has really been on my mind is how much I love the Tri-Cities. I want to plant roots here, so buying a house is in my plans. I know I watch a lot of Fixer Upper, and while I can definitely map out my dream house with perfect Joanna Gaines style, I know I have to be realistic. I need to start educating myself on home ownership because I literally know nothing. It's overwhelming, but it's also very exciting -- and it could be the new adventure I've been looking for.

Of course, so much of this can't be envisioned without also addressing my work. A couple of days ago, I started thinking about when I would plan conventions, mixers, and conferences when I was active with Delta Phi Lambda and the fraternity/sorority community. I thought about how the Southeast Unity Mixer was one of my proudest accomplishments and how disappointed I was when the Midwest event never came to fruition. But as I reflect on that time in my life, I realize how much that chapter in my life helped me to develop some really important organizing and networking skills.

It all makes me think about the Building Bridges Rally and what the ladies in my prayer group have been getting for me. I feel like it's time to pick up my tinker toys and start building up this recipe book for a vision for middle school youth ministry. This is where I'm supposed to be.

I've seen people set pretty lofty goals as New Years resolutions, and I no doubt have those moments that make me wonder "Am I dreaming too big?" And then something happens. I wonder...if it's a dream, is there such a thing as being too big? The greatest things in the world started with a dream. There are times when I envision myself ready to step into this great big world. I see a great wilderness filled with adventure, possibilities and new beginnings, and while I am excited, I am also very overwhelmed. I have no doubt that there can be big things ahead for me. And at times, I am terrified by this big wide open, but what's the best thing to do when you are facing your wildest dreams? I have to say it's taking the first small step.