Reflection of past and to come...

I feel doing a post about the New Year should be a given. I should also probably reflect over the last year and what stands out for me most of 2010....

Well 2010 was a really exciting time for me, not saying it was all fun, at times it was hard. I was being challenged continually in numerous ways. Last year was a time of growth for me in who I am, and putting the things I had learnt on my DTS (Discipleship Training School) into practice....standing firm on the promises of God, knowing who I am in Him, learning to follow His will, learning to serve others, plus seeking out what I am meant to be doing with my life. My time in Australia was amazing and gave me a real steady foundation for me, for the rest of my life with God; serving Him. 2010 was also a time to help out my Church and my family for 9 months before I came to Brazil, which I loved. Then I spent the rest of the year in Brazil - what a dream, I wanted this since I was 14....and now at 23 I was finally in Brazil! I leant so much on the Children At Risk School, I learnt a lot about Brazil and also living in another culture, plus trying to learn a language....well 2010 has been a busy but good year of serving others, fun, learning, and living being the person God created me to be!

2011....what to say. To be honest the idea of 2011 scared me a lot, I would be in Brazil for nearly the whole year (do not get me wrong I love this country, the people and the work I am doing) but it is hard living away from home, when everything is still so foreign to you, and you do not understand when people speak to you! I felt very overwhelmed....so I am not looking at this new year as a whole year, but one day at a time. I am excited for the challenges that I will get through and will conquer, even if at the time I want to give up, I know I will succeed and that our trials make us stronger. I am looking forward to working with the children and their families in the community, to show them God's love through my actions (and maybe one day next year through my words!), I am looking forward to learning and growing more in my relationship with God.

 I am looking forward to the many adventures 2011 will bring...
So I can now say I am excited for this year, and where it will take me...

So to you - may you New Year be filled with challenges to make you stronger, new things for you to learn, exciting adventures, joy, good health and more.... :0)