This time of year always makes me sit back and reflect over my past year and think of what I’ve done, what I’ve learned, things that have happened and what I may have done differently.

2011 was a crazy year and when I look at it in hindsight, it seems like it was a long, long journey that took more than nearly 12 months to complete. I guess what I’m saying is that I went though a lot, both good and bad and all of it was for a reason, a lesson and to bring me out to where I am today. God has been with me every step of the way and sometimes I didn’t know that he was but looking back I see 2 sets of footprints and in some places, I only see one because I was too weak to walk that journey myself so he carried me though it and brought me here where I am today!

I’m so thankful to God for bringing me through that tough times and being with me through the great times! It was all for His plan and has a greater meaning that will someday be revealed to me.  That being said, here’s the part ofmy entry that sorta reflects on things that I went though in 2011.

What I didn’t know at the beginning of 2011 that I would do, learn or go through:

Volunteer: I didn’t know in 2011 that I would become a CASA volunteer and work with a teengirl who I might be able to make a difference in her life and she might be able to do the same for me. Lessons come from the most unlikley of places! 

Forgiveness: I never knew that God would teach me how to truly forgive those who hurt me the most. Hold grudges only hurts you. God taught (helped) me to let go of those things and showed me that  if I wanted to be in His true presence with love, I needed to truely forgive as He forgave me!

5K: I didn’t know I’d run a 5K! I never thought I had it in me to do such a self-fulfilling task! I remember being so proud of myself when I finished the race. 

Weightloss: I lost 30 pounds in 2011 and for the years before I had only done fad diets, lost a few pounds here and there but always gained it back but in 2011 I joined Weight Watchers and lost 30 pounds and have kept it off (give or take 5 pounds). I was so unhappy with my weight but learned that with the right tools, I could do what I wanted and be happy with my weight!

Patience: God taught me that I’m very impatient and have always been ready to do it myself if it didn’t happen right away. He knows what He is doing and he showed me many times this year that I needed to let it be, stop trying to do what I wanted and get it when I wanted but to depend in Him and trust that what He is doing isbest for me. He knew me before I was born.

I’m sure there are other lessons that Ihave learned this year but for me, these are some that stood out the most whenlooking back over my life this past year.