the Year of Nicole

last year, was not my year. The study I was doing I was not achieving in, I felt distant and lonely and I struggled to see myself as worthy and didn’t know who I was. I declared that 2012 would be the year of Nicole, a year where I achieved in study, a year where things worked for me and a year where I found myself deeply rooted in solid ministry, friendships and the love of Christ. So one of my questions of reflection has been how is the year of Nicole been working out for me? This year started off with a bang, i got my internship at my church working with youth and started studying at the Uniting College of Leadership and Theology doing a Bachelor of Ministry. I made some amazing friends at college and i actually am doing well in my study. I got my P Plate license which means i got more independence and freedom. So far the year of Nicole has been great, ive had so really tough times with study and some tough times in my internship and tough times as i question my developing faith and challenges ive faced in my life. But this year ive found that often the answers to my struggles and questions, the place i have found comfort this year has been in God, sometimes it has been through the love and support of christian community praying and journalling with me and holding me accountable but God has been where ive turned this year and that makes me happy. We are only half way through 2012 and although I currently find myself in struggletown a bit and overwhelmed I still feel like 2012 is my year, i feel like im achieving and reaching goals, i feel like im following the path God wants me to take and i feel like Im continuing to build a deep and authentic faith. My prayer is that God will continue to guide me and through the good and bad 2012 has for me.