With a NEW YEAR comes change!

Christmas Break: December 14, 2010- January 10, 2011.

Alot of changes have happened over this Christmas break...changes I know will impact my life forever!

Firstly, I have begun to realize the meaning of true friendship. As lame and cliche as that sounds...its something I have never really realized to be very important until now. Sure, I have always had friends! Good Friends! But, I have always had REAL friends as well...BUT, I have just begun to realize who those real friends are. As well as who I have been a real friend to.

I have had many friends who have been in and out of my life. Some stay a while and some are just momentary friends, and I know that everyone comes in and out of our lives for a reason. But, what I have realized is, that there have ALWAYS been those certain people that have stuck with me no matter what! It has taken me this long to realize this, but now that I have...it has changed everything!

More importantly, I have realized that I have been taking these real friendships and I have been abusing them. I have taken so many real friendships for grated, JUST so I can have a good time with other people that I cant even call my real friends. I have been putting alot thought into this lately, and the only reasons I have come up with are: a. I have been so selfish, and I have let the devil take control over my life, and I have been doing the things I have wanted to do and not the things God has wanted me to do. And, b. I have abused these relationships because I have known deep down that my true friends will always be there for me in the end, no matter what!

I have finally realized that all this time I have been wrong! And I have been selfish! And I have been a horrible friend! In the end, I have realized that I have had good times with friends. BUT, I have also had GREAT times with GREAT friends! And those are the memories I will cherish forever. And those are the friends I will have for the rest of my life! I have learned from my mistakes and I am starting over. I am done taking my true friends who care about me, and who have always been there for me for grated. I am asking God to give me the strength and the courage to succeed in this.

A Bible verse that has helped me and will continue to be a great influence is:
"She is clothed with strength and dignity; She can laugh at the days to come." -Proverbs 31:25

Secondly, I have really been praying about what I am suppose to do with my life. Because, honestly I have no idea. I am a Sophomore in college at UT Chattanooga, I am a Communications major, but what do I really want to do...That is the question! And frankly I have not been able to come up with an answer. So, I have decided to leave that up to God. Although, it can be frustrating at times not knowing what I want to do with my life, while most of my friends have their lives planned out. It is also kind of fun having no idea what I am even going to do a week from now.

But during Christmas break God have placed something on my heart and that is; YWAM- Youth With A Mission. Sure, I have thought about doing YWAM before. My Best friend went to YWAM right after she graduated and I loved hearing all of her stories, but at the same time I just wanted to go straight to college after graduating high school. Can you blame me? HA, well...the more I think about it...the more I realize, I am still young, and I don't know what I want to do with my life. Soooo....Why not take a break and travel, and serve the Lord in different Countries. Its like a dream come true right!? Absolutely! I have been praying about it. As well as talking to my friends and family about the whole idea and EVERYONE has been so encouraging and supportive. Now, I just have to continue to pray, choose a base--That's the fun part!!! Hawaii? Australia? Switzerland? London? Oh My Goodness there are so many options! Anyways, If this is what I am supposed to do, then God will provide a way and He will choose where I am suppose to go! As for now I am leaving it all in Gods hands and just waiting for all the right answers!

I am so excited for all of these great new changes in my life! And I am so thankful for having such a wonderful family and such amazing friends! I have been so encouraged over this break and I am beyond blessed and excited!!!! I hope everyone is already having as good of a New Year as I am.

xoxo,
Han