Jumping into the New Year!

Hi everyone! I'm Amy and I will be serving as the Director of Spiritual Life for 2022! I am so excited to begin posting on here and to share encouragement with y'all! If you're like me, I love starting new things, which is part of the reason I love the breath of fresh air that comes with a new year. Over the break, I've spent some time reflecting on the past year: how much I've grown, how much things have changed, things I love that have entered my life. It's exciting to see how much things can grow and change in a year, and it makes me eager to jump into this new semester and see all that is to come. 
Or maybe you're not like me. Last year may have been really hard, and it can be overwhelming to think of all that may happen in this upcoming semester. 
I've been reading in Genesis over the break and seasons of change always makes me think of Joseph. He experienced tremendous change and hardship over the course of his life. From being his father's favorite, to being exiled by his brothers and sold into slavery, to eventually gaining favor from Pharaoh, saving Egypt from famine, and reuniting with his family: his story shares great highs and extraordinary lows. But really, that's life. And through it all Joseph still chose to walk faithfully and to trust that God had a good plan for him.
Romans 8:26 says that "we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."  Whatever this new year may bring, you are called and you have a purpose in the will of the Father. Trust in Him and jump into the new year expectant that He has good things planned for you. Let 2022 be the fresh start that you've been craving. Let it be the time you forget what's been holding you back, forgive yourself for past mistakes, and begin again. This is the perfect time to start and I'm so proud of you.