DEAR 2018

Dear 2018,

I used to write these letters without abandon, listing out things I wanted to do and accomplish, never making room for that which I could not control. I’m more Type A than ever; however, I’m forcing myself not to do that, mostly because I've learned that where I begin at the beginning of each year is always very, very different from where I end. My journey is not dictated by me. So I won’t--shouldn’t--pin all my hopes and dreams into this letter.

I know nothing for certain. I don’t even know if I’ll live through 2018; as morbid as that sounds, it’s true. But, given that I will live through 2018, here are the things that definitely will happen:

• I’ll turn nineteen, and thus begin my last year of teenagedom (teenagerhood? teenage-ness? what’s the word for that?)
• I’ll most likely begin my second year of college. Unless something either drastically terrible or stupendously wonderful happens and I don't have to/can't go back.

That’s all I know.

Something that I’ve learned is that even though I might not know where I’ll end up or even what I want to do, as long as I trust in God, the right doors will open up at the right times. Obviously I can’t just sit around and wait for things to fall in my lap--I’ll have to work hard--but ultimately, my trust is not in my abilities; it is in Him.

So, my very broad goals--targets--aims--for 2018 are to

• get better at writing
• get better at making videos
• get better at loving people
• get better at taking care of myself & my body [i.e., exercising, eating right, sleeping enough]
• get better at giving glory to God

I will accomplish this through both the big and the little decisions I make every day. This is my dive into the deep end, head first, hands forward, eyes closed, heart ready.

Soli deo gloria.

-Rachel