heres to a new year.

as my 23rd year of life comes to an end, i am left to ponder the past 12 months.

a lot has happened this year- i had set expectations for what i wanted this year to look like however, most of them turned out differently than i would have expected.

this past year i have been challenged more than i have ever been.

i have been taken from a deep state of loneliness to a restoring state of joy.

i've gone from battling a seasonal depression to finding that my cup only overflows when i am filling myself with the truth that i claim.

ive learned what it is to live within a community of grace and love and am still challenged every day to put that into practice.

ive seen a place that was so foreign, lonely, and desolate turn into a place i now call home.

i have looked an 8 year old in the eyes and told him that "i'm going to miss my family during the holiday season" with him responding, "Laura, we are your family."

i have a new family.

ive learned that god provides no matter how much rejection slaps you in the face.

ive seen friendships strengthen as the distances go further and further.

i had the honor and privilege of watching my older sister fall in love and marry the man of her dreams.

though this year has turned out differently than I had originially expected, it has been the greatest year of growth, strength and character building, and even more so- figuring out who I am.

so for that, it has been the best year of my life in that sense.

this coming year i commit to bettering my mind, body, and spirit.

im challenging myself to be present in every moment.

im challenging myself to fight to be aware of what Love looks like.

im challenging myself to love deeper.

but who knows what this year will bring.

smash my expectations, Jesus.