2019 Reflections

[kittysbecute]

Looking back over memories from the year what are you most thankful for this year? What was your best memory?

 

[public hermit]

It's been a good year, so I am grateful for much. One of my best memories is that I got to see an Edward Hopper exhibit! It was fantastic!

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Whenever people asked if I was going to celebrate the holiday "Thanksgiving Day" ....
I told them YES! In union, echad, with Jesus every day THANKSGIVING OVERFLOWING ! Praise Yahuweh Always !


Hebrews 13:15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually ...

https://biblehub.com › hebrews
Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, .... since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and ...

 

[Multifavs]

2019 was an unusual year for me; a lot of different things happened. Since experiencing a major attack of depression in May and realizing I had depression, I've been really struggling at times, but some good things happened too:

I learned not to be so defensive, made my own website, continued "The Silver and Web Series" after a 9-year hiatus (and completed the main episodes), made my first puppets, and started doing needlepoint.

After Samus was my favorite character for almost 3 years, Silver became my favorite in late March. The best parts of the year were probably late March to mid-April and early to mid-May, when I had lots of inspiration and exciting ideas and felt quite happy. I'm thankful for the lessons I learned, the inspiration I found, and the friendships I had this year.

As for my best memory, I remember seeing multiple honeybees and butterflies this summer, both of which I rarely see. One monarch butterfly hung around our yard for a while! The coolest thing that happened was one time in the summer when I got to go to a place where there were monarch butterflies everywhere! I had never seen so many at once, and it was so amazing!

For some reason, 2019 seems like it was a long year. Everything that happened before Silver became my favorite feels like it was forever ago.

 

[SarahsKnight]

Looking back over memories from the year what are you most thankful for this year? What was your best memory?

Offhand, my best memory may very well be what just happened earlier tonight, where I received a gift in the mail from a friend (she knows who she is ^-^ ), and a hand-written thank-you letter from someone I don't even know just for donating to a charity she was helped by in her sickness. This has definitely made my month.

 

[alsughasoughaiuyfygh]

.

 

[Multifavs]

I just remembered, you know what another memorable thing that happened this year was? The time I sent a piece of pie flying. (Not on purpose! )

I also made it to 300 names this year.

 

[alsughasoughaiuyfygh]

.

 

[bèlla]

Out of the blue, someone I was very close to crossed my mind and I felt something was awry and began praying earnestly for her. We hadn’t spoken in a year and I sent a message to see if she was alright. She wasn’t.

God brought us together a few days before she lost her grandmother. I assumed I was heading in the same direction. Our losses have moved in tandem. But it wasn’t my grandmother. It was my uncle instead.

Our time apart was important. When He reconciled us we knew something changed. We realized our bond was divinely forged. It’s the third time He’s intervened. We’re stubborn at times.

We shared what God had done in our lives over the year and how we’ve grown. His presence was evident. As the days passed our bond deepened and we discussed the mutual blessings that would come forth from our connection. We committed to helping one another fulfill our purpose.

I realized how much I love her and how she makes me a better person through her love and friendship. Our togetherness is His doing. And that’s humbling. He was there all along. It’s been 17 years and counting.

I know our hiccups were meant to thwart His plan. Giving Satan the victory was wrong. We have to stand together and for the other. Even when its difficult.

There is nothing too hard for God. Nothing we can’t overcome if we trust Him.

~Bella

 

[HisGraceAbounds]

2019 had me trying to work through the grief of my Father's passing some months before, while trying to work through being the executor of his estate. I got exactly ZERO help from anyone. I sold the house in Iowa and moved to Illinois to begin a new career.

I would not have made it through if not for the continual blessings I receive.

 

[Rigatoni]

I just remembered, you know what another memorable thing that happened this year was? The time I sent a piece of pie flying. (Not on purpose! )

Uh huh, suuuuuuure.

 

[MehGuy]

Hmm.. guess the second half was more eventful. Got a much better job.

The year sure went by fast.

 

[blackribbon]

It has been a very hard year on me. I am grateful to God for walking with me through all the things that got dumped on me. The best part of the year was probably getting a new hip and being out of constant pain for the first time in over 2 years. I didn't even realize what it was like to be almost painless until I felt it again. I still have issues as it continues to heal but the concept of having times when I can walk without pain is still mindblowing.

 

[CoffeeClaw_1986]

I ended up getting a full time position at work a couple of months ago after having worked there part time for almost two years. It's still taking a little getting used to after not working full time for the better part of a decade. I'm thankful for having my family still with me. I want to grow closer to the Lord in the coming year, and trust Him to guide my path in the coming year.

 

[Niels]

2019 was a good year for me.

- I got back into mountain-biking, and rode some fantastic trails.
- Our research was published.
- Also, my cat turned 15. That's a milestone. He's still happy and healthy. Each day is a blessing.

 

[bèlla]

A recurring lesson throughout the year was place and its connection to the body. Understanding my role and how it fits within the kingdom has freed me from activities that fell outside those lines.

If I’m a hand, I’ll never have the same impact or competency as a foot or another position. I discovered that joy and contentment were frequently the result of being where I’m meant. I didn’t feel overwhelmed or burned out. His rest and peace are constants.

Letting go of what didn’t fit enabled me to add more of the things that did. And the impact was felt on both ends. As the year wore on, I felt an internal push to bolt and move beyond the confines of others who shared my beliefs.

The more I stepped away the stronger it became. Until I grasped the difference of engaging with someone who knew the Lord and one who didn’t. The latter fed something within me that rekindled with every instance.

Purpose is not about fitting in or following the crowd. Or saying yes when no is best. Or holding on to things that must be forsaken for the greater goal. It’s crazy love, as Francis Chan would say. The authentic pursuit of something bigger than yourself that makes you bold and courageous. No matter what.

There’s nothing better than being in your element when the being and place were forged by Him. We’ve limited God to bible studies and small groups. Or our comfortable cloisters. Waiting for the world to come to us and it never happens.

Satan goes to them. He dips a toe in everything. Leaving none untouched. We should do the same. A body has many parts. If everyone huddles in the same place the limbs weaken from disuse.

~Bella

 

[Rigatoni]

2019 wasn't necessarily a bad year for me, but it was certainly eventful.

• Explored new interests / fields, and revived some old hobbies. I learned how to create custom textures and material PBR effects through 3D modeling, got into creating custom shaders, helped a friend develop her own website, got back in map / game level design, revived a game project (which the community following the project was very excited about), released some new development videos, made new friends, got back into wood-working and also started learning a new musical instrument.
• Got hit with a minor tornado back in July. Ironically, just finished having the shower remodeled the same day the tornado hit. Right as I was enjoying it, I heard the iconic "freight train" sound outside that many describe, but didn't think much of it at the time. It wasn't until I got out that I realized what was going on; I guess you could say that was the most epic shower experience of my life. There's still some tree damage from when it went through the area.
• Lost 3 pets this year, including an outdoor cat I was able to tame over time, and an indoor cat I've had since high school. Also dealt with constant issues like out of control scam calls / debt collectors, and obnoxious neighbors.
  
• Experienced a few awesome manifestations of God's grace and power.

What really stood out to me this year was the trip we took to the coast a few months ago. Met some great people at the hotel we stayed at, including the hotel staff. We ended up enjoying our trip overall so much, that we decided to stay an extra two nights, and the manager went to great lengths to make that a reality. After learning my birthday had recently passed, she was even nice enough to give me a card signed by all the staff in recognition; they were all exceptionally friendly and welcoming, as were many of the other guests. Also checked out some new places and binged on all sorts of unique seafood.