It's a new year.

Well, it's officially 2014 and I still can't decide if I'm excited or in denial. I think more the former.

***

At the start of each year, we tend to make resolutions and lists. January 1st marks the beginning, and for many, the chance to start over, hit the refresh button, and be the person we wish we had been during the last year. This time it's for real. I'm serious this time. All things I have said before and honestly, I have been finding myself saying it again this year. 

Why do we say these things? 

Something about those words just doesn't sit right with me.

***

In light of the New Year, I have chosen to not only make a list of goals, but I am choosing to also celebrate 2013. It certainly was a BIG and exciting year, and rather than thinking about all I wish I had done, I want to remember it as a time of fullness and blessing. 

My life in 2013:

+ I landed a grown-up job!

+ I spent time with 3 kiddos who are more family than just another baby-sitting job.

+ I enjoyed spring break with my closest friends.

+ I ran a half-marathon.

+ I graduated from college.

+ I bought a car.

+ I moved to a new city.

+ I made new friends.

+ I visited 3 new cities (Tulsa, St. Louis, Indianapolis).
+ I started graduate school.

+ I taught high schoolers for a whole semester. (Whew!)

More importantly:

+ I learned to really value friends & family.

+ I learned how to say goodbye. 

+ I learned to understand the importance of keeping in touch.

+ I started learning how to ask questions and how important it is to really understand/value grace.

+ I learned more and more about relying on God's purpose and plans: "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand." Proverbs 19:21

+ I realized (for the 100th time) that I am not perfect - but my God is perfect.

2013, you were too good to me.

Breaking Away

Never did I imagine that I would value a *break* (of any kind) more than I valued time off when I was in college.

I was so very wrong.

***

I have spent the last week in North Carolina at my parents' house (yes - not my house anymore) & praise the Lord I still have the rest of this week to go. I even allowed myself the coveted luxury of not doing any teaching-related work for ONE WHOLE WEEK. I don't think I even opened my laptop.

The week of Christmas was full of family, friends, food (way too much), and a lot of relaxing. I received lots of books as gifts, and have enjoyed being able to rest and read them.

***

I am giddy with excitement about New Years. I will be traveling to spend some time with my friends from college, most of whom I have not seen since we graduated in the spring. I just hope they're prepared for the ridiculous amount of hugs they are about to have thrown upon them. :)

Speaking of the new year, 2014 is practically here and I have yet to nail down my hopes and goals for the year. While this is something I often do, I usually fail at the follow through. This year WILL be different, and I am excited to put into writing what I hope and pray to by true of 2014. There will be more to come on this, but it will most likely involve healthy eating & fitness, travel, and spiritual growth (not necessarily in that order).

***

Next on the agenda: plan a spring break adventure, hopefully to a place I have never been!

While I get back to the ever-growing pile of lesson plans, enjoy these recent finds:

+ 20 Things People Over 20 Should Stop Doing
+ Teach For America in 2013: The Unofficial Year in Review
+ What did the world search for in 2013?
+ America's New Elite Ivies
+ Lucas: Our Way

back in the day

So, Em and I decided it would be fun to look through pictures from when we were little. Here are a few (okay, a lot) of our favorites:

the days of big hair bows

dress up parties were my fave. and I used to be ridiculously tan.

picture with my tooth. normal?

caption on the back: Emily and Kayla "reading" in bed

"sleeping"

ONEZIES

dressed up like a ballerina, of course. and Emily in a UNC outfit??

playing dentist - - sorry Emily.

matching outfits and more hair bows

tea party with dad. nbd. and I didn't have hair when I was little 

where we spent 3/4 of our childhood...behind the dollhouse

Merry merry Christmas! I'm sure more childhood photos will be making an appearance soon. I kind of love them.

Love, Kayla

blessed and oh so thankful | part three

The week is coming to a close, which means my concentration needs to increase and my procrastination needs to decrease. But one more post never hurt anyone, right?

My last two posts were very long and specific so I'm going to try and make this one a tad shorter and much more concise.

So here it goes. I'm thankful for...

North Carolina, this beautiful state I live in

my King's Domain family (just read any post I've written in the last 6 months) and the hour-long phone calls we often share. Who knew I would ever become a "phone-talker"?

UNC and all of it's tradition - what a privilege it is to study here

The Summit Church

The Gospel and the freedom it provides - "There is nothing I could ever do to make You love me more, and nothing I have done that can make You love me less."

movie nights with my family after finally deciding what to watch 

the ridiculous "questions of the week" that Amy always seems to come up with (some of our best/funniest conversations result from these!)

coffee and Port City Java (where I currently am...with my stack of library books next to me)

silly nights with my roommates

the ability to travel and to make a list of places to go and see that aren't completely out of the realm of possibility

my Route 56 kids and their smiles that greet me at the end of a long week

encouraging messages from my parents exactly when I need them

lunch dates with my Grandmother

being able to still act like I'm twelve and take crazy pictures with my sister and cousin

friends who will watch animated movies with me even when they know I'll probably cry (okay, that only happened one time)

living 2 minutes away from YoPo

my walk to work twice a week under a canopy of fall trees

Happy Thanksgiving, happy Fall, and happy studying! 

Love, Kayla

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!

Serve the LORD with gladness!

Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the LORD, he is God!

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

and his courts with praise!

Give thanks to him; bless his name!

For the LORD is good; 

his steadfast love endures forever,

and his faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 100

blessed and oh so thankful | part one

A few days ago I had the privilege of reading a dear friend's testimony about how God worked in her life through King's Domain this summer. It brought tears to my eyes as I caught such an awesome glimpse into her heart and was reminded of the sweetness and goodness of God that He allowed me to experience alongside her. It got me thinking about what I'm truly thankful for and why. I know it's a tad cliché around this time of the year to get all sappy and talk about what you're thankful for and couldn't live without, etc. But seriously, what's wrong with that? Maybe we all need this holiday to be brought back down to reality, to take a break from our stressful lives, and to be reminded of how blessed we really are. I definitely think my eternal perspective is revived around this time of the year - something I've been needing recently!

I can't talk about being thankful without immediately thinking of my family. Though we have our rough patches for sure, they are ones I can continually come back to when I'm in need of love and encouragement. and lots of hugs :)  My parents do incredible things for me, something I often take for granted. Now that I'm in college I am so thankful for those late nights in high school when my mom would stay up with me as I finished a paper or project or even just the ridiculous amounts of homework we were assigned. She would edit my papers, listen to me rehearse speeches, make my lunch everyday, drive my siblings and me to school and then to ballet class and then to basketball practice, and to everything in between. My dad, too, has just been supportive of anything and everything along the way. He sat through countless boring ballet and flute recitals, was the best basketball coach ever, and never stopped telling me how proud of me he was. My parents put up with me changing my major 4 times in 2 years, they helped me buy a plane ticket to visit my best friends in January, they supported me during my entire Summer Project journey, and so much more that this one post cannot contain. Phone calls with my silly brother and sister never fail to make my day, and the excitement on Thomas' face when I come home to visit makes me SO happy! Emily has always been and will always be my best friend. Having a sister is something I know I don't value enough, but I am slowly realizing the blessing that she really is. Growing up with her by my side will never be forgotten and I cherish her friendship so much.

 I could go on and on all day about these people, but fortunately for you, I won't do that :) Have a very happy Thanksgiving (Eve)!

Love, Kayla

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

 

a little of this, a little of that

Life is flying by. In just 2 short weeks I will be all moved into my second home at UNC.....I am beyond excited! I will be living with 2 of my best friends, Amy and Dana, in a dorm located in the prettiest area of campus (and arguably the most convenient). I have devoted a lot of time this week to planning things I need to buy and make, copying down fun recipes for us to try, and putting lots of pictures from the summer in frames for our room! I wish I could just move in tomorrow.

Last week, my family took a little trip to New Jersey where we stayed with my aunt and uncle (once removed I think?) and had a very fun, relaxing vacation. We did quite a few touristy things: toured part of historic Philadelphia, visited Lancaster, PA and the Herr's Potato Chip Factory there, rode bikes through Valley Forge, and cheered on the Phillies at a home game. My sis and I also stayed with our cousin Amy in Philly one night which was so fun, especially since we don't see her very often!

bike ride through Valley Forge

with Amy at the Phillies game

This past Tuesday, Dana and I took a trip to Harrisburg, NC (outside of Charlotte) to visit our wonderful friend Cassy. That night, we all went to see Gavin DeGraw, Train, and Maroon 5 in concert together in Charlotte! Seriously, the best concert I've ever been to. I don't think they could've picked a better group of artists to come together for a night. I loved them all and am so glad I was able to fit that concert into my summer. Tuesday night after the concert we watched Soul Surfer, and if you have never seen it you should go watch it now. On Wednesday morning, Cassy gave us the grand tour of Harrisburg, including the Charlotte Motor Speedway which she is very proud of :)

I'm still missing King's Domain terribly, but am looking forward to being back at the Hill very soon with my Carolina family! I can just feel it......this year's gonna be a good one :)

my Powerhaus Bstud at the Hoedown last year

XOXO,

Kayla