[ cliché "what i've learned/things i've done in 2011" post ]

   Soooo after debating about it in my head for a couple of days, I decided to do the cliché  "What I learned/things I've done in 2011" post.

   Why?

   Well. I think there's a lot learned from seeing the things you've done, both good and bad. Over the years, reflecting has taught me a lot about myself and why I do the things I do. And shoot, it's fun to see what you've actually done in the past year.

   I've also decided to split this into two different posts. So we'll start with what I learned this year.


   A few days from now will mark a year after I began my DTS in Kona, Hawaii with my wonderful group in All Nations All Generations.

   Wow.

   I still remember how I felt the months leading up to leaving for Hawaii. Expectant, yet unknowing. Excited, yet cautious. And at times, utterly uninterested.

   I had no idea what was ahead of me -- not only those 5 months, but even leading up to now, as I'm sitting here in Denmark.

   And I wouldn't change a thing. Even with all the mistakes I made, I wouldn't change it. I refuse to regret my past. Sure, I definitely would have said and done some things differently, but fact is, I've learned and grown from those slips.

   I walked into 2011 with bitterness, anger, and annoyance, with some guilt, shame, and self-resentment thrown in there. I wasn't as close with Him as my heart so longed to be, and had built up walls myself that had been put in the way. [Ohhhh the irony.] I had so many distractions and things clouded in my vision that had just been built up and not thrown out.

   Long story short, I had some things to be worked out.

   Little by little, God slowly and gently worked on my heart. Through the smallest things, He showed me ways to do things differently, say things differently, change my way of thinking.

   I learned that God doesn't always have to work through huge changes in your life. For me, He tends to work in little ways here and there, sometimes so small I don't even notice it at the time. But later on, I look back and see His fingerprints all over situations.

   I learned that I do in fact have issues with pride, along with the rest of the human race. I used to pride myself on not having pride. [Again, oh the irony.]

   God chose to deal with it in such a subtle way that it caught me off guard when I actually realized it.

   I learned I'm an intercessor and warrior who crushes demons beneath my feet when I dance, while Jesus stands by my side and rejoices and celebrates with me. Isn't that a beautiful picture.

   I learned what an almighty authority I carry within me wherever I go, and that the enemy and all who serve him will heed and obey the words I speak because of the Holy Spirit who is in and works through me.

   And I have witnessed this very thing happen. Many times.

   And also from this, I have seen the power and effect of the spoken word, His word, on situations and people.

   I realized how deep the love and forgiveness of God will go into my life. And how it is something that cannot ever be taken for granted, since it so easily can be. He set me free of bonds from a while ago that I didn't even know existed.

   Incredible.

   From this, I saw the power of forgiveness within several of my own relationships with those close to me.

   I learned what it meant to be in the wilderness, and how God and the enemy want you there for two very different reasons. The enemy brings you there to die -- God builds you up and makes you stronger by learning to rely on Him alone.

   I learned what it meant to submit to authority -- and ultimately submitting to Him -- even when you thought they were wrong.

   I learned what it means to have a taste of His presence, and I just can't get enough. I know there's so much more out there, and I want a part of it.

   I learned just how invincible I am with Him by my side. Fear of man has no hold on me if I surrender to His peace with faith. This is something I have to keep telling myself when situations arise and I am battling head-to-head with fear again.

   I learned I can rock the nations with my feet and the movement God has gifted me with. With every treble and every leap, I'm breaking down barriers and strongholds.

   I learned how God can give you His love for a nation when you never expected to. I couldn't stand the thought of going to China a year ago. Now, I love the people and would love to return.

   Over and over again, I learned more and more what grace is. Through other people in my life and Himself, grace has been such a prominant part of my year.

   I learned how incredibly important it is that we know and step into our full identity in Christ. And since then been aligning myself with what I know to be true and what He shows me.

   I learned how important it is that we discover and use each of the gifts and talents we have been given. Each one of these has a place in our life. Not that they need to be a prominant part of your life at the same time, but to be alive and used.

   I learned how important it is to trust Him fully with my future. And I also learned how He knows the desires of my heart and listens to them. Otherwise I definitely wouldn't be in Denmark this year.

   And on and on and on. Just seeing this list, I'm so taken aback by just how much God has blessed and overfilled my cup this year. There are so many more things that could be listed above, but these are the things that rocked my year the most.

   Yeah, I changed my mind about these posts. I'm going to do a little series of different posts relating to the things I've learned and gone through this year -- but with the stories and explanations of things behind them. I may not do all of them, since I'll be focusing on the ones that speak to me and are on my heart more.

   So. Stay tuned to hear my little stories and lessons learned through my 2011 life.

   And with that, I wish everyone a lovely New Year, and hope the upcoming year is a good one!