1. Biggest goal I decided is to be more generous. I want to remember people on their birthdays and send cards and such- let people know that I'm thinking of them and how much they mean to me. Also giving more back to God. It is hard since I don't have a steady income to know how much to give in church. Last week Brian gave a wonderful message on giving- that giving is supposed to be a sacrifice, and that God blesses us in order that we may bless others. Not the other way around (giving to others, in order to be blessed by God). I need a lot of prayer in this department, to not be greedy.
CHECKISH - Well I'm still pretty bad about sending birthday cards, but God has really taught me how to be generous with my money. He helped me realize that everything I own in His. I didn't earn anything, I don't deserve anything, but He is the one that Has provided for me. It's not always easy, and I constantly think about the student loans I have to pay off and all my other living expenses. But God will continue to provide no matter what. He is who I should rely on, not on money.
2. Decide what to do with my life....well this probably won't fully happen this year. Actually I know it won't because my life is constantly changing. But I do know I won't be at UNL next and maybe not even in Lincoln, which will be a HUGE change, considering I have lived here my whole life. I'm also praying that I take this change as an adventure and as a good thing, not as a terrifying thing that will suck. Because it will suck to leave all the amazing friends I have made in college and even my friends from high school. Especially the friends I have had for 8 years. But it is something that just happens as life moves on. And I will make new friends, while I continue to stay in close contact with the old.
HALF CHECK - I definitely haven't decided what to do with my life, only that God has made it crystal clear that He created me to sing. I'm still in Lincoln, and most of my friends are too- so not much really changed except not being in school... but THIS year things will definitely change as I know I will not be in Lincoln next year, or rather I just can't be in Lincoln because of the lack of opera singing opportunities. I would love to sing for Disney for a couple years, or I might move to New York to look for singing opportunities out there. But either way, I am excited for my next adventure. I'm ready.
3. Growing deeper in love with God- of course this is a constant goal for my life, but I want to be more involved in church and bible studies and not only grow in my personal faith but grow with others, which is something I think I have been lacking for a while. Also READ MY BIBLE DAILY!! Why is this so hard?
CHECK - God provided an AMAZING community this year! I joined RUF (Reformed University Fellowship) a Christian group on campus this year (even though I don't go to the University anymore...). It started with a bible study last spring semester and then a trip to Florida the first week of summer, where I got to know so many wonderful friends! This year I've been a part of the ministry team, make the PowerPoints, sing, go to bible studies, large group, and all 4 of my roommates are also apart of RUF. So God seriously answered this prayer! In addition to this I also started going to a bible study with 2 of my dear friends Doug and LaShawna. We are studying a book by Timothy Keller called Generous Justice and I am learning so much much!
4. Get married. just kidding. but seriously. Everyone, li-ter-a-ly everyone else is doing it!
Nope.
But here are my favorite pictures from my friends' weddings:
But here are my favorite pictures from my friends' weddings:
5. Discover different ways to use the gift of music God has given me. Especially within the church, but also in general. As this has been kind of a struggle with the opera I'm in currently. It is a bit hmmm how do I say this? sexual. And although I love to sing opera music, I don't love being apart of something so graphic. It is very conflicting in my mind - Am I deliberately sinning by singing such material and causing the audience's minds to wander to inappropriate things? Don't get me wrong, I feel incredibly blessed to have this opportunity to perform a lead role in a University opera. But, God, why this opera? My director even said himself, "if there is one opera I'm glad I didn't have to act in, it's this one" Referring to the copious amounts of sexual content.
MEH - Poppea turned out to be a huge blessing- it really wasn't that bad. Even though there was a headline in the news paper "OPERA DEEMED INAPPROPRIATE" with a picture of my face under it. Haha I just though it was hilarious. I haven't really discovered different ways to use music for myself, but new opportunities have risen.
6. Go to Australia and visit my sister, brother-in-law, and two amazing nieces. This doesn't really need an explanation.
CHECK! For a whole month!
7. Get paid to do MUSIC!
CHECK! I won 3 competitions, performed and recorded for a musical called "A Life in the City" by my friend Nick Jester, sang with a chamber group called Abendchor and I just got asked to sing as a soloist for a new Requiem piece- super pumped!
8. Complain less. This has come to my attention very recently that I complain quite often about really dumb things. And often about things that really aren't that horrible. For instance- this last week I was constantly busy, I mean really, was doing something at every possible moment of the day whether it be rehearsal, class, homework, work, auditions, practicing, trying to fits in meals :/ and I complained about it....but it really wasn't that bad. I got everything done, and actually got to spend a lot of time with fun people amidst the chaos. God also gave me tons of energy- I was never super exhausted - even from waking up at 5:30AM for work at 6 and going to sleep at midnight. Also, I find myself being a hypocrite. "Why doesn't anyone do the dishes?" "Why isn't anyone home?" "Why didn't this thing get taken care of?" When I'm not doing the dishes either, I was barely home at all except to sleep, and I didn't take care of things, even when I said I would. SO I'm going to pray that God helps me be more aware of when I'm about to complain.
CHECK (I think...) - I haven't really been paying attention to this- so it must be less? Hopefully? I definitely see how blessed I am and how little I have to complain about.
9. Along with a lot of these- just become a more selfless person in general. It's not about me, it's about serving God by serving others. What do I gain by serving myself? Nothing.
MEH - This is going to be a continuous battle for the rest of my life, I'm sure. But I can only pray that by remembering the sacrifice that God has made for me and how much grace He has bestowed upon me- I will show that same love, sacrifice and grace for others.
