Most years I write an annual letter to our family and friends. I typically write the letter the week between Christmas and New Year and send it out with our New Year’s cards.  {Sidenote: if you struggle with the hustle of the holidays from Thanksgiving to Christmas, send New Year’s cards. It was life-changing for me!} 

This past year was a transition year for two of us in my household. One of them was me. Abbey was the other. I shared how I was more reflective this past year, and had kept a running list in the note section on my phone of things I was learning, or being reminded of throughout the year. I shared that list in my letter. And then I shared it on air. And boy did it resonate. I’ve heard from so many of you! I promised I’d write it out for you, and here it is below. 

*BIG DISCLAIMER: I did not write all of this list. I read books. I sat in sermons. I attended leadership summits. I interviewed artists. Some I did write. But I certainly want to give credit where credit is due! 

Here’s what I learned {or was reminded of} in 2019: 

• God’s timing is definitely not my timing. 
• The right thing is often the hardest thing.
• God is working, even in the waiting. 
• Don’t trade now, for what you want most.
• Every “yes” is a simultaneous “no” to something else. And vice versa. Choose your yes’s & no’s wisely. 
• Any question that takes a year to answer, has answered itself. {Thank you, Ford Taylor. This one was hard to hear.}
• Not all storms come to disrupt your life, some come to clear the path. {Saw this meme somewhere}
• Man sees your actions. God sees your motives. {Shelley Giglio}
• Extend the same grace that you yourself need.
• Not hurting is not the same as healing. 
• We really don’t have problems, we have PERSPECTIVE problems. {Aaron Burke, Radiant Church. I’ve literally said for years that “perspective is the secret sauce to life!}
• Work FROM rest; not FOR rest. {Mike Donehey, 10^th Avenue North}
• Wisdom is choosing to do now what you’ll be happy with later on. {Nicky Gumbel, Bible-in-a-Year, quoting Joyce Meyer}. 
• Everyone wants to be a beast, but nobody wants to do what the beast does. {Nick Saban. I applied this to my fitness goals}
• Savor This! Wherever you are, whoever you’re with, and whatever you’re doing, SAVOR THIS. 

Alright, that’s my list. What did you learn in 2019? Please share with me. I love reading your notes!

Here’s our Christmas New Year’s picture from this past year. I don’t always send out a Christmas-y pic, but this year we did.