The New year and it just feels the same...

Such Cuties. Liz and my practically brother, Patrick.
We were twins for the day!

Some pictures of the end of 2010 :)

Usually with the new year, I have this intense burning to start fresh, make resolutions, and give the new year a fighting chance. Yet, this year it just doesn't feel the same. It might be because my resolutions NEVER stick whether they involve running copious amounts of miles, or waking up to see sun rises, or my personal favorite, and most ridiculous, keeping my room clean (if you know me in the slightest, you know I am organized in nearly everything except my room. It's really too bad, but I blame my creative spirit.) Yet, at the same time, it might just be because I have no idea what this year will bring, and for me to resolve to do only a few things would stunt the possible growth that will take place for me. Instead of plotting to exact and intricate goals to attempt and fail, I would rather look back on 2010 and be grateful for all that it brought, the painful and the painless, the good and the better, and the just plain suck.

>>2010 brought with it many things:
+Rejection and uncertainty when I did not make it into my top college.
+Amazing new people and a confidence in my own abilities I really never expected to gain.
+The ability to stand up for myself and state my point clearly without worrying what others would think/say/do.
+Accomplishing nearly none of my last resolutions.
+Gaining an appreciation for worship in a whole new light and leading worship for the very first time.

+Taking hundreds of pictures and getting more comfortable with my rebel. (Next year I will take thousands, but this year has been HECTIC.)

+So much music and laughing.

+Finding the strength to quit the sport I love the most and miss every day. It hurts to know that I won't be competing, but I am ecstatic to cheer on the GC girls in less than 3 weeks at their home meet!

+Falling so in love with my Savior, standing up for my faith, and learning to find comfort in this storm of uncertainty.

+Persevering through difficult academic struggles, and knowing that this too shall pass.

So much more has happened, but it would be impossible to recount it all. Right now I am living a life of crazy, stressful, hectic, uncertain, days and am learning to depend on my savior for the in-betweens and when I feel like the book will shut on me without me reaching the end.

Happy 2011, I want to love with all myheart, learn as much as possible, explore everyday, and remember the importance of friendship as I embark into the new year.

With that, I close with a beautiful challenge brought to you by the boys of The Classic Crime:

..+Love is a beautiful thing
Will you leave this broken mess behind?

love,love,love Rachel