Final Thoughts and Thank Yous.

My lengthy FB video finally uploaded, so I added it to this post, but here's the written recap with shout-outs to people who influenced and impacted my life this year!

• Judge Brockman - Thanks for being kind and supporting me as I pursue my passion for counseling, being very flexible with my internship schedule, and giving me your awesome parking spot during these winter months!
• Debra Conley and Amy Huesman - Thank you for investing in me and for being amazing supervisors who inspire me to learn and grow and potentially supervise aspiring counselors and counselor candidates in the future! 
• My Family - I love you, and I’m so grateful for your support and for our weekly family dinners and fun game nights. I promise to continue to prioritize you when I move back to Tulsa!
• Kristin Michelle - Thank you for being an exceptional close friend and walking buddy, and for sincerely offering to be a full-time caregiver for my child had the adoption or pregnancy plan worked out. I am infinitely grateful and promised to continue to prioritize you and our relationship!
• Sarah Elizabeth - Thankful for your friendship and your willingness to stick it out and have difficult conversations!  Hope you and your fam are enjoying the road trip and that Katherine Claire is feeling better!!
• Weatherfords and Wilsons - Thank you for consistently including me and making time for me, for allowing me to join your family trip to Disney World this year, and for making me feel like part of your family!  Thanks to Chet and Karli for all they did in planning my 40th birthday surprise party, and for the life-changing conversation on May 18th!
• Miss Parker Elizabeth - Thanks for being excited to sit with me, for being my mini BFF and the cutest person I know, as evidenced by my 565 photos of you from this year!
• Chet Lee - In so many ways, I'm a better person for knowing you.  Thank you for being a friend who challenges me, believes the best in me, and makes me want to be a better person! 
• Kristin Renée - Thanks for being a trustworthy friend I can count on for wise, Biblical counsel, solid priorities, and sincere encouragement!
• Rachael LaJo - I love that we’ve gotten closer over the past year - let's keep that going!  Thanks for sharing your closet with me and cheering me on and being a bright and fun part of my life!
• Jace Michael - Thank you for FaceTime calling to check in on me every day during the first few weeks when you heard I would be having surgery. I love your passion for life, and I'm excited that you’re loving the new fish tank! 
• Kyndal Faith - Thanks for being a fun road trip buddy and an entertaining and fun niece.  I love hanging out with you and hearing your thoughts on life! 
• Triston Michael - I’ve loved getting closer to you, and I’m excited about 2025 being a year of pressing into your God-given purpose!
• Mel Robbins, John Eldredge, Melanie Shankle, Sophie Hudson, Annie F. Downs, Eddie Kaufholz, Steven Furtick, Christine Caine, Craig Groeschel, Donald Miller, James Clear, Robin Arzon, Kirsten Ferguson, and Rebecca Kennedy - Thanks for speaking strong words of life and hope and encouragement into my life in 2024, drawing me closer to God and to the woman I want to be!
• JESUS - Thank you for directing me and guiding me in big and small ways, for being with me and for me, for working all things together for my good!  As I step toward a counseling career, I can see so clearly how every piece of my story matters and shapes my current ability to relate and empathize and counsel others. 
• Blog Readers - If you're not directly mentioned above, then I'm kinda surprised you're here. lol  But either way, thank you for reading and caring about my life!  I love you and believe in you, and I am praying you have a wonderful new year ahead!!

Happy New Year's Eve!  My 2024 theme was "Every Second Counts," and it has proven true in this eventful year of growth and change.  Soon, I'm off to watch the Forks episode of The Bear while baking some Pioneer Woman Apple Dumplings for Mom and I (and maybe Kristin) to enjoy whilst taking down Christmas stuff tomorrow.  This is the latest I've ever had my tree up, but I love that I'll get to enjoy the sparkling lights of the Christmas tree for one final night in this home on this New Year's Eve!! ❤

FINAL THOUGHTS:  The verse God put on my heart for the coming year is Luke 10:41-42, where Jesus is talking to Martha and tells her:  

"You are worried and upset over all these details, but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen what is best, and it will not be taken away from her."  

I want to choose what is best - to prioritize being present and engaged and attuned in my relationship with God and my counseling work and my core relationships with friends and family.  Not to let busywork or image-based details or the opinions/decisions of other people cloud my vision and stress me out.  To pursue peace and joy and love and hope and growth in my relationships!  I’m following John Eldredge's advice to pray in the new year and sincerely consecrate it to God - I have a lot of big things coming up where I need to slow down and seek His direction and favor, and the quiet prayer time with Jesus feels like a perfect way to center my heart in what matters most and "choose what is best" as I enter a new year and a new chapter of life!!

Pic from our final 2024 family dinner at Chili's tonight!

I'm deeply grateful for all God has done and sincerely excited about all He is doing and will do in 2025!  HAPPY NEW YEAR, friends and fam!! ❤