Okay, okay here it is the typical New-Year-resolution-post, proceeded, of course, by the explanation of why I really am going to resolve to do those things. I may be into cliches, but at least I am honest about it. I want to focus on a few things in this upcoming year and while, no I don't need to tell everyone about it, it is helpful to share with others and be kept accountable. Also, this list might present you with something you also aspire to achieve before the year is out. So here we go, 10 things I hope to accomplish before the end of 2017:

1. Read Through The Entire Bible

This one I have already started on and had really, really, REALLY hoped that I would finish my first ever complete read through of the Bible by New Year's Eve. However, as I write this it is December 30 and I am currently reading the content-heavy chapters of Isaiah. Yet in this year to come it is my hope to complete this read through of the Bible and maybe finish a second, more in-depth read of it.

2. Develop Myself Professionally

Technically I will be a senior when it comes to my spring semester. Basically, my overzealous credit-taking let me just slide in the requirements. Regardless, I also start my first set of observations/experiential learning. I am terrified. I, shy girl that I am, am going to put myself into an agency and actually function as a real adult. I dunno about you, but that stresses me out. However, I'm setting out to develop my skills and become a competent adult.

3. Establish A Deeper Relationship With God

If you read any of my content here, you've probably noticed that I care about God. I'd like to think that I care about him a lot and love him more than anything. But, it's really just not true. Time and time again I put my own desires before him. It's also a lot harder than it should be for me to listen to his instructions. So, I'm hoping and praying that in this next year I will continue to be sanctified and brought closer to him. Sin can never be absent from myself, but hopefully people will see much more of him and much less of me.

4. Love Better

I can be a selfish potato. As much as I like to think that I am self-sacrificing and loving, I can be awful. I can think of myself first and others less. I'm less giving than I should be, and sometimes too harsh in my corrections. I want to love better and reach more people. I want to show Christ in me and be someone people wanna be around and trust.

5. Develop A Sense Of Rhythm

I love music and I love dancing. I got a keyboard for Christmas and I am quite excited to learn how to play. However, I just don't have rhythm. It's sad but true. I start to clap the off beat in church. I do okay when it's just rhythm, but if I gotta sing in there too, we're done for. Luke tries to help me with mixed results. But this year will be the year that I get some semblance of rhythm flowing through these socially awkward veins.

6. I'm Going to Write At Least Three Times A Week

I love writing. I write fiction all the time. I have since I was little. Poetry, stories, even attempts at songs. But I don't make the time for it. I especially don't make the time during the school year. I let myself get freaked out and stressed out and I just don't make the time for the things that I love. I'm gonna try not to do that this year. I'm not going crazy and saying every day, but definitely more than once a week.

7. Love Myself More

I feel like I've mentioned at least once before that I have a self-esteem level worth half a cheese sandwich. Like, not even sliced in half, but a half-eaten cheese sandwich. It's not good. It's not okay. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am valued because God called me to be his. This year, hopefully sooner rather than later, I am going to truly believe that in the depths of my soul.

8. Get Healthy

This is partially a part 2 to number seven. I want to work out and eat much better. I do have a thyroid condition that makes weight loss/maintenance a challenge, but that can't be an excuse for me. Also, this one means designing a HEALTHY idea of healthy. Skinny and weight loss do not equal healthy. I must separate the two. I would appreciate some serious prayers for that one.

9. Continue My All A Streak

OK, so this past semester I got all A's by the skin of my teeth. There were many A-, probably only a percentage point from a B+. Now B's are okay. Lower than B's are okay. But I have this standard for myself that I really want to maintain.

10. Trust God More

This one is probably my biggest one. I am a perfectionist that tries to control everything going on in my life. Unfortunately, the older I get and the closer to God I become, the less control I am realizing that I have. This year I want to be okay with that. I want to believe that things will work out even if I'm not the prettiest girl in the room, even if I don't keep those straight A's. I want to become someone who knows that even if she doesn't accomplish everything on her list of resolutions, that it's okay because God has something bigger and infinitely better planned.