Wow, what a crazy year it has been. A year ups and downs- thats for sure! Amidst that, I am trying to steer myself away from reflecting on how 'bad' this year was to a mindset of gratitude and praise. 

Something that I have learned this year was how to get through the these trials of life that are not what we usually expected. That  I found myself often asking "why?" We need to change our expectations into expectancy. That way, when thing do not seems to be going our way, we do not need to be asking why, because what I realized over time is that sometimes there does not need to be a why. It is a hard pill to swallow. These storms we face in life often come to shape, and teach us. They come to take us out of a season and put us in an even better one. The 'hard' things we all seem to face actually produce so much good.

The cool thing is- God knew these trials were coming. He walked through them before we even hit them, and He walks right alongside us while we are going through it. He guides, speaks, comforts, listens, and teaches us when we lean on him. When we are able to shift our focus from the storms we are going through and focus on God and what His plan is for us we get to gain and enjoy a new perspective on whatever season we happen to be in. Ultimately, God is in control - we can do ALL things with Him. Wherever we are in life- He gives us the exact amount of strength we need to get through when we trust in Him. 

So yeah, 2020 was a wild ride and completely unexpected, but it was also a year where we learned patience, perseverance, to not take things for granted. A year of change-good change, we got to declare change, and then be the change. We learned who and what to keep close. It was a year of growth and so much more. 

With that!!! Here is a recap of just a few the blessings, and amazing opportunities that came out of such a different year. 

• Went on a missions trip with my bestest friends to Costa Rica. 
• Quarantined, and got to spend so much time with my family before I left for Georgia & Costa Rica.
• I was able to work all through the pandemic with so many of my friends.
• Enjoyed the little/simple things.
• Graduated high school in my school parking lot!!
• Tried/Learned new skills and activities.
• Celebrated my 18th birthday.
• Went on so many adventures and met so many new people this summer.
• Took a vacation to South Carolina.
• Visited Becca for the first time in Rhode Island.
• Finished my last travel soccer season with my favorite team eva.
• Lived in Georgia and met so many amazing friends.
• Did ministry in Louisiana for two weeks; we met so many cool homeowners and one re-dedicated her life to Christ.
• Was baptized and re-dedicated my life to Christ.
• Camped in a tent for two months with my roomie Becca.
• Watched many sunrises and sunsets.
• Led a church service- it was pretty cool.
• Got Covid :-) 
• Got to show 4 of my out of state friends around Buffalo.
• Found out we are launching overseas!!
• Wisdom teeth are out! No more pain and lots of laughs.

It's time we change our mindset to living in the moment instead of being stuck on things that happened in the past or that are going on now. It's time we change our mindset from bitterness to gratefulness and praise. Let's change our mindset to "That stinks but isn't it so cool that this happened!" When we do this we get to live in SO MUCH joy and freedom. It changes your life and it is totally worth it! What are you grateful for? What's something cool that happened this past week, month or year?

Heres to 2020!! <333

-morgan

716-261-0902

morganapplegate00@gmail.com