How many times have we been saved from making mistakes because we listened to what someone else learned by making the mistake? This is why I enjoy hearing what people learn through the various experiences we all go through in life. I thought I would add my 2 cents this year, not only for my own reminder but maybe for my children one day too!
This year I lived in Paris for a month, graduated college, closed my business (sorta), worked a lot, took a girl’s beach trip, visited Israel, moved to London for grad school, met people from all over the world, finished a semester of grad school (hopefully passed finals), and began my best friend’s wedding celebrations!
- Being present with friends and family when time is set aside to be together will be more productive than trying to multi-task during these times.
- Speaking of multitasking, it doesn’t work. Seriously. You can save time by not multi-tasking!
- People are actually really similar all over the world. We all long for purpose and deep relationships.
- God will show up and provide. Worrying won’t speed his timing up to your timing. (Prayer is the better option)
- As incredible as living in my dream city is, still nothing fully satisfies like the presence of God.
- When you stop caring about being liked by everyone, you can have a lot more fun, even if it’s by yourself sometimes 🙂
- Hearing God’s voice sometimes looks more like having an internal thought or knowing inside of you rather than a clear conversation with him.
- Dream big and plan accordingly. As cheesy as it may sound, God can do more than you can even think or imagine! Why limit him?
- Prayer really is a habit to prioritize as early as you can. It’s one of my current favorite ways to sense my oneness with God.
- Israel is incredible to visit and I am so incredibly grateful the Lord put it in my heart and allowed me to go before the war.
- You’ll never fully understand the Bible unless you understand God’s relationship with Israel! & that you are the Bride of Christ now as a believer!
- I can’t tell you how many times I have heard people say they wish they traveled when they were young. – If you can do it – don’t wait!
- Almost everyone I have met from India to Italy is still not sure what they want to do – even headed into grad school. Moral of the story: Don’t feel like your first career job has to be exactly what you’re “made to do.”
- When you leave the country, you quickly realize how many incredible people really love you. Maybe take a moment today to think of all the people in your life who love you. Give them a big hug next time you can!
- London is a really big city that is strangely really small and connected. I have met people who are friends of friends within just 3 months!
- Writing down your thoughts and memories is a great way to reflect and learn from your experiences. It can be easy to forget all you have done and learned as life gets busy. I personally love to journal daily – both prayers and major moments that happen along the way.
- If you want to be humbled, move from a small town to an international world-ranked university. You will likely be humbled pretty quickly.
- Time will get away from you so fast. Take intentional time to plan the things you want to get done before the time is gone! Plan that trip!
- You will probably question yourself and your future a lot. When your mind is running a million miles per minute, pause, pray – and listen for Holy Spirit. Often one word from him can instantly quiet your mind. (This process is repeated daily…hourly?)
- Schedules are good. You should make them! If they begin to control your thoughts and leave you inflexible and stressed, try scheduling in a backup plan of sorts in case the first plan gets changed. This might help relieve stress and allow more spontaneous dinner dates that are really amazing!
- Unpopular opinion: London has some delicious food options.
- Call your grandma – it will LITERALLY make her week! Every time 🙂
- When you have awesome God moments, like when the Holy Spirit reveals the reason you keep hearing that one word or verse for the last few months, write it down and date it! You will want to see how God answers your prayers and blows your mind!
There is no particular order and I didn’t follow my own suggestions many times. However, these are just some of the things I have learned and want to remember going into my next semester abroad.
Happy New Year! My word for the year is prayer. I am excited to see what God has in store!
Love, Abigail
Thank You for this “Food for Thought and Thanksgiving”! You have become a wonderful child of GOD and I am Greatful that you are a part of ours and Gods Family. Very insightful and thought provoking list that anyone should consider. Let me know when you have time to write your first book or many volumes! Love you very much GRAND Child!