Two Thousand and Eighteen - Six Things I Learnt This Year

As the year of two thousand and eighteen draws to a close, I have been pondering the things I have learnt over the past twelve months...

Here are my top six...

This year I learnt how to say no and how to set boundaries in place to avoid being burnt out or hurt.

Initially I felt almost guilty having to tell someone I wouldn't be able to help them out or couldn't make a get together...  But over time, as I began to see the positive results of pacing myself and prioritizing, taking time to think carefully about something before giving an answer became quite natural.

I learnt that broadening my horizons quite literally - meeting new people, trying new things...seeing new places, is not as scary as I once thought it to be.  

I am actually quite a cautious person and struggle with fear of the unknown.  However, this year taught me to get out of my comfort zone and take a leap of faith.

And with each new experience, my confidence grew...

My trip to China back in June boosted my confidence levels enormously...  You can read more about my trip here.

I learnt that I am a people person and actually feel energised by being around others.

If I cast my mind back to the beginning of this year, I am surprised at the tremendous change that took place somewhere along the line...

I went from being shy and nervous around people I didn't know, to actually enjoying striking up a conversation with a someone I had only just met!

 I have met some amazing people this year and formed some special friendships along the way...

 

I also learnt that I need peace and quiet and time on my own to be refreshed.

It is good to come away from the noise and busyness of life every so often to be refreshed and have time for deep reflection.  

I realised that when I am constantly on the go and surrounded by people, my passion for the Lord diminishes.  

I need time with Him every day...time to quench my thirsty soul so I can better serve Him by serving others.

 

I learnt that I am a creative soul and find true satisfaction and delight in working with my hands. 

Creativity is in my blood.  It is who I am.

I need to work with my hands...be in the garden...busy in the home or in the kitchen...or at my sewing machine...  

And this is how I enjoy serving and blessing others...it is my love language.

I learnt that no matter what I walk through, the Lord is by my side.

This was another challenging year for our family with my dad still living and working overseas.

In August my mom and five younger siblings were able to join my dad in China, leaving my sister and I to establish a life for ourselves here in South Africa.

At times the pain of missing the people I love most and the difficulty of trying to navigate through life on our own threatened to overwhelm and swallow me whole.

And yet...even on those incredibly dark days when I was sure I was drowning...I saw light at the end of the tunnel.

I know that the Lord is on my side and by my side every step of the way and I cling to the promise that His grace is sufficient and that His strength is made perfect in weakness.

And there you have it...six things of the many things I learnt this year...

Now it is your turn...

What did you learn about yourself this year that will help you going into the new year?

Leave your thoughts in the comments section below...I would love to hear from you!

Blessings in Christ,

Kelly-Anne

Pictures taken in July while we were in Cape Town to apply for visas...  

We spent a day visiting our favourite places in Kalk Bay and Fish Hoek.