a year of change.

one year.

one year between January 1, 2013 and today.

one year of new adventures.

one year of big changes.

one year of hard good byes.

one year of difficult lessons.

one year of beautiful happenings.

one year of blooming friendships.

one year.

2013 has been the year of change for me.

Starting in January when I first started as a barista at Barnes and Noble Cafe.

Moving on to August when I bid my home farewell and began college.

So much change between January and August, and again from August to now.

Change is beautiful.

Change is frustrating as heck.

Change is necessary.

Change sucks.

Change stretches us.
       teaches us.
       grows us.
       pushes us.
       shows us.

Change is lovely.

2013 was a year of huge unknowns.
it was a year that scared the daylights out of me.
it was a year that broke my heart.
it was a year that slapped me with reality.
it was a year that blessed me greatly.

2013 was perfect.

I have grown in many areas.
I have learned many things.
I have been taught how to trust.
I have been shown God's grace.
I have figured out how to handle tough situations.
I have changed in ways that I needed to change.

and I am happy.
and I am grateful.
and I am ready for more.

So here's to 2014.
The Year of Adventure.
The year that I vow to be more courageous.
The year that I try new things.
The year that I just do it.

But first...
here is a list of a few things I learned throughout 2013...
some are serious...
some...
not so much...
enjoy.

1. coffee is your absolute best friend and most treasure compadre. do not take it for granted. love it like a son.

2. sometimes God seems like He's going to give us one thing, and He hands us something completely different. Take it with a thankful heart. You never know what He is saving you from or what He is leading you towards.

3. sharknado is the greatest movie ever made.

4. sharknado is not the greatest movie ever made. It is just so horrible that it is great.

5. girls are a frightening breed. Living with them is scary at   times. Don't try to figure them out. Just give them food and let them do their thing.

6. netflix was crafted by angels.

7. reading in coffee shops is a brilliant idea. 

8. God is good. All the time. ALL. THE. TIME.

9. dorms prepare you for living in apartments and teach you how to sleep through anything. Seriously, anything.

10. sometimes sitting alone in your room. cuddled up in a blanket. staring at the ground. is completely necessary. 

11. friends are treasured beings. be joyful. and have fun.

12. it is important to learn who you can really trust. and don't take those people for granted. and if you find that you can't trust a person, remember how important it is to GUARD YOUR HEART. seriously, that is so so so important.

13. boys make wonderful friends. the right boys of course. but when you find the right boys, friend them up.

14. sometimes finishing three seasons of walking dead in less than a week and a half is looked at as a huge accomplishment and impressive task. you go girl....or boy...

15. Target is a blessed land. Hold on to it as tight as you can and tell it you love it every day. Shop in its aisles and walk upon its floors. Compliment its selection of handbags, wallets, shoes, and jewelry. Treat it with love and kindness. And don't you forget about it.

16. Walmart sucks.

17. McDonalds suddenly turns into the hottest night club at 12 o'clock at night when everything else in a small college town closes down. Play some games, eat some fries, live it up.

18. college is 138783597368 times different than high school. for reals.

19. houses are beautiful places when you are used to live in dorms. even the smallest house looks like a palace to a dorm-living college student.

20. dorm life. so good. so hard to adjust to, but so good.

21. i am so thankful i have 3 brothers. so thankful. SO SO THANKFUL. i would not be who i am today if i had grown up with sisters. you can take that to the bank.

22. coworkers can become some of your greatest friends.

23. photography is a beautiful thing.

24. St. Augustine is the most magical place in the world.

25. it's ok to be obsessed with your dog.

26. quay coffee is perfection.

27. sometimes your brothers' best friends can become your friends too and it is great and you will love it.

28. Kansas City adventures are always a smart decision.

29. care packages and encouraging letters can make the most dreary day absolutely spectacular. 

30. be encouraging. not only to others, but to yourself as well.

31. look to Him. always. always. always.

32. lofted beds are kind of my favorite thing.

33. country drives alone probably aren't the best idea if you are in a town you are unfamiliar with. save those for when you know the town better or are at home where you know the roads better. seriously. listen to me on this one.

34. mellers cafeteria. i don't think there are words. so...

35. be thankful for the food you get at home and for restaurants.

36. snow is magical. seriously. it has magical powers.

37. walks (especially late night walks) are the best. grab a friend and walk. you will learn everything about them and be filled with positivity.

38. social media is a pawn satan uses sometimes. be cautious.

39. be thankful for all your parents do for you. and let them know how thankful you are. you won't know all that they go through until you yourself are a parent. don't wait until then to let them know how appreciated they are.

40. all-nighters. just don't. listen to me. please. just don't. you will hate yourself. your eyes will be set on fire. you will want to cry for an eternity. you will run into walls. this is all speaking from experience. i ran into a literal wall. just don't.

41. dance out your stress. i don't care if you can't dance. i don't care if you go to a Baptist college. DANCE.

42. i said it earlier, and i will say it again, GUARD YOUR HEART.

43. the Bible is the greatest and most important textbook you own.

44. pinterest will save you from insanity. 

45. finals week could possibly be the greatest week of your life.

46. when you are starting to feel sad, make yourself be around people. the worst thing you can do is be alone.

47. don't shut people out.

48. it's okay to have "your booth" at a coffee shop. don't let anyone tell you different. if that's the booth you want to sit in everyday for an entire semester. that's okay. you do you. 

49. music is so so so important. it has healing abilities.

50. college is nothing like i thought it would be. and i am so happy about that. because college is one of my favorite things.


Happy New Year.