In the beginning of this year, I wanted to have a word, just like how most people would. The one I kept hearing, ‘faith’.

January was a strong month for my faith, my church had a revival. I would be there almost all-night praying, worshipping, and talking to my community of friends. I also got into country music but that doesn’t affect my faith in this month. I had a fire that ignite my faith more than ever. Some verses that I carried were 2 Corinthians 5:7, Galatians 2:20, and James 2:17.

February was a little rough. I met a guy who I thought was someone who I’d date, but it turned sour quick. But there was so much love from my friends, they were the ones that looked out for me when I couldn’t see what was going on in my own life. My faith was stretched when I was tested with the guy I was talking to, and where my focus was in my relationship with Christ. I also got baptized for the second time! So refreshing for my soul! In this month, I have re-centered my life back to Christ and covered every wall of my bedroom with verses and started going to church consistently.

March was all about reaching out and seeking him. I was learning how my faith was used to set me apart from the world and today’s pop culture. There was so much celebration, as spring was finally returning, and so were the ways to capture the heart of God. I started another semester of college, and I had to find a routine that would best suit me with work, church, and now school. I also learned that faith and obedience go hand in hand, and that you can’t live life without one.

April was when my young adult group collectively read through Psalms. This was made me read my bible on a daily basis! I loved Psalms 23 the most, as if you’ve read this blog from it’s first few posts, you would know how these verses really impacted my life. Easter was a joy, I worked at another church that Sunday but I fall in love with Jesus all over again because of the ultimate sacrifice for me.

May was when I decided to dye my hair back to blonde. I knew that I was made in the image of God, not of the world. Abbie Gamboda’s album dropped this month, and I really was in God’s presence more deeply. I centered worship in this month in every task I took on, whether it was weekly planning, quiet time, or working at church. I started this blog in May! It was such a big move of faith because it was the first topic I wrote about.

June is the beginning of summer and my Chruch spent more time into Psalms! I also prioritized my secret place at the time. I was able to create my own menu at the coffee shop! I loved serving at the coffee bar at my young adults group and our sermons were focused on David’s relationship with God throughout his life. I wrote this in my notes app,

Sometimes God puts specific things in our life to see how we are tested by them. A teaching moment is a moment that is meant to teach us good. God never meant to do evil to us.

July started good, but towards the end, everything came crashing down (literally). The day before beach retreat, I crashed my car. The retreat itself was what I needed more than I thought. This time created opportunities to spend any free time I had with God. I journaled more there and was learning how to hear the voice of God. Practicing his presence was what I needed in times of stress. When I got back home, one of my family members was sent to the hospital for a health scare. I didn’t have much hope when they were away from home, and when they came back, I saw how much faith I needed to see them fight for their life.

August comes around and my faith was tested when I stepped in to be a care giver for my grandma. At one point, I thought that she wouldn’t make it, but I think because of my sister and I’s constant time with one another and praying for her, and having others do the same, she was getting better! Ephesians 2 is all about ‘by grace, through faith’ and I can see how that scripture took over my mind in this month. I was also blessed with a new car! This showed me how his word never fails and his word will always come to pass. My sister prophesied a few weeks before it happened so it wrecked my heart with so much joy!!

September was when I got real. I was so upset with girls on the internet trying to live in delusions and I wanted to face it through a conversation I had with my friends. Living in delusion is where the enemy wants us because once we believe the lie, it will become the truth. We will never have total control over our lives and we need to be content in the purpose we are called in and the plans that God has for us. Philippians 4:6 TPT was what grounded me during the month. I also heightened embracing my singleness this month.

October I learned how the Lord is my keeper. & I learned about the importance of having your own identity and the conflictions of comparison. Look up the Handlebar Podcast, they did an episode of comparison and I actually shared in on my Instagram story that month! I wrote a entry on this page about singleness this month, as it was I focused on as I was working at a few weddings that month! I wanted to be married to God before being married to my future spouse, and to this day I’m still working on it!

November was about rest. I knew I needed it before the holiday season was coming up and I loved reading in Hebrews! I needed to know the transformation of character, and how living and effective the word is. I had so much encouragement and I started to get back into a routine of being surrounded with community. I missed it so much now that I have the chance to!

December was sweet! I loved celebrating the spirit of Christmas and still getting back to the friendships I’ve made this year. I was also getting back into reading my bible consistently. I never knew how valued I was as I celebrated my 21st birthday. Even if it didn’t go the way I wanted, I was able to see and hear the love others had for me and how I have impacted their life. It was so special to know that I’m seen and loved! Christmas was special too, I got to serve at the church I started attending a year prior and my transformation there with the people I have there to surround me.

I hope you have learned a few things about me through what God has done through me this year, I can’t remember EVERYTHING, but this year was one of the hardest times and some of the best as well. There is so much goodness from God this year and your proximity to Him matters! I’m still praying for what my word will be for 2024, and I won’t be making any resolutions. Instead, I more determined for what God has for me in this upcoming year.

Happy new year!

KEEP POURING,

KHALIE, X