One Remarkable Year

The year 2008 is fast approaching its conclusion. Christmas is just around the corner. Malls are putting up tinsel, Christmas promotions have started and very soon horrible dangly Christmas decorations will adorn the ears of festive middle-aged women wishing to look like Christmas trees. I want to get in quickly before the holiday spirit truly sets in and God pushes the fast-forward button on mankind so that December is over before it even began and he doesn't have to look at the human race running around like frantic ants, collecting all of their Christmas gifts in the massive sales.
As I reflect on this past year I struggle to think of something remarkable that has come out of it. Sure, there have been some awesome experiences and moments along the way, but nothing completely life-changing. I can tell that 2008 will just be another one of those years that passes me by, kind of like Year 3 and 4 at Primary school. I might remember it as the year I started university, but further than that it will be lost. We all have those years that we can't remember much about as we look back over our lives so far. We don't have to anymore.
I don't want to let another ordinary, forgettable year go by. I want to be living a remarkable life.
This is why I have created a project. Next year I will document in a blog one remarkable thing that happens each day. I am hoping that what next year will teach me is to appreciate the small things in life, to be grateful for the simple pleasures. Whether it is walking by a patch of freshly cut grass and breathing in the wonderful aroma or doing something unnecessarily special for someone else, I will document it.
I would love it if you would also do the same. I can't even begin to imagine the change that would happen in this world if each person decided to do or appreciate something remarkable each day. So start your own One Remarkable Year blog. You don't have to do exactly the same as me. You could decide to take a photo of something remarkable each day, or paint a picture, just be creative.
I am so excited about what next year will bring. Hopefully it will begin a trend which will continue for my whole life of being grateful for what I have and willing to help others however I can.
Start your own and spread the word!

Click on the title of this post to go to my One Remarkable Year blog.

My life

I wrote this late last night.

NEGATIVES
- My house just had a power cut
- I hate the dark
- My laptop is about to run out of battery
- Mum’s having a cow
- Boys are confusing
- People are dying
- I feel like I can’t do anything
- I want my friends to believe
- I need to be more courageous
- Procrastination is the worst of all evils

POSITIVES
- My God is a God who saves
- He is bigger than any circumstance
- He loves me
- I just need to trust Him
- If that really was all the positive in my life at the moment I’d know that everything would be ok.

Cancer

I just found out today that my friend's mum has just been diagnosed. I'm not sure how serious it is but she has flown back home to be with her family.
They are the most amazing family. They are all hardcore Christians and have given up so much to serve God. Her dad is really ill as well so this must be such a major blow to them.
My friend just said that God's got everything in control and they are trusting in him with everything. I think that is so incredible. In the midst of such devastation they are holding on to God and not blaming him.
I hope that one day when I face a situation like this that my response will be the same.

John 16:33

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Oh and...

My braces come off in APRIL!!!!
That is so much sooner than I expected.
I sure hope she isn't lying.

Thoughts

Today I have been thinking about the following:
- I need to really start getting motivated about uni or I will fail everything. I think I'm on my way to failing one paper. In actual fact I should be writing an essay for tomorrow. It's not happening.

- I have been offered a job at my church as a children's ministry coordinator for next year. I am so excited about it but also very nervous. It is a massive responsibilty but it has been such a God thing I know that it's what I'm meant to do. Eeep.

- Boys are driving me mental at the moment. It seems they go through patches. Well with me they do anyway. When you want someone to be interested in you they aren't and then all of a sudden there are a few of them who are and it just makes life so complicated. I hate it.

- I can't go to the gathering on Saturday because I'm working. It sucks. Hopefully it will still be cranking at about half-past four when I would make it into town. Fingers crossed.

Life is a bit hectic at the moment. Hopefully after exams everything will sort itself out and I will have a clear head again. Hopefully.

Ouch.

Naomi did this to me.

Blogging vs. Vlogging

I think I like blogging better. For the following reasons:
Less pressure.
Less viewers.
It's easier to express myself.
It can be shorter.
Takes less time.
I can say what I want to say.

I think part of the reason is that you can't see my face. It's easier to just say it how it is.
I still can't be as open as I would like to be on here. I look at bloggers like Mhazz and Jess and I admire their honesty. They even name people. I just can't. Maybe I could if I had a blog that was untraceable. That won't happen.
You and I can just settle for superficial posts that don't benefit the world in any way.