2017! WOW! Each year when I sit down to write this I laugh and think to myself like "girl, if a year ago me even knew what was coming for her this year, wow."

Talk about a lot of plot twists. As Taylor Swift says, "I never saw you coming and I'll never be the same." That's exactly how I feel about each year. So many curveballs, but so many good things happened. I still get excited to reflect on a whole year and all the lessons I get to take with me! So, here we go 17 things I learned in 2017!

1. I can't control everything.

Every year I say this and every year I get nervous to see what won't go as planned the next year, but honestly, it's fine. I won't lie, I don't always like it, but you just have to know that..... (see next point).

2. God has a plan.

Literally, He knows exactly what He is doing. I think it's exciting to see how peoples paths cross, and what He has in store each year.

3. God is not on plan B.

My roommate will laugh at me because this is the first thing I wrote on our whiteboard in our room. Without this idea though, I would not have survived the first semester of college. There is not much to say about this, except understand he knows what he is doing.

4. Life can be complicated.

I used to firmly believe that the world was black & white. Now I know, sometimes bad things happen to good people. Things I use to think are horrible, really aren't that horrible. Words get lost in translation. It isn't a bad thing, I am just thankful I learned there is always much more to a story than what meets the eye.

5. There is always a story behind someone.

I met a lot of people who had a whole life before they met me. Some people are in an awkward transition, everyone is trying to figure themselves out. At this point, everyone has been through something. Soooo (see next point).

6. Do not assume.

I need to staple this idea to my forehead. It's something I am still working on.

7. Remember to hug people goodbye & tell them you love them.

Earlier in the year I never told people I loved them (EEK!). Then I stopped seeing them and I think it's important to remind them. You never know when you will see them again. The hugging isn't a problem though, I love hugs.

8. Sometimes endings can also be beginnings

Graduating high-school was hard for me. I had to leave so many people and things I loved. I'm happy to say that doesn't mean it's over. There are far far greater things ahead.

9. Count your blessings every night.

I started to keep a list of all the good things that happen to me. Once you see all the good things you have in your life, it is much harder to feel sorry for yourself. I hope to keep this up next year.

10. Find joy in the mundane.

Going to class and doing homework isn't always the most thrilling thing in the world, but I learned to remember that God put you where you are for a reason. So, find joy, be kind to others, and know you are right where you need to be.

11. A situation may seem hopeless, but it is never hopeless to God.

I would read the Old Testament and laugh at the people who would see God do such big things and still struggle with faith that He would provide. Yet, I do the exact same thing. He always answers and provides. It's easy to forget and get caught up in the worrying. He's got it though.

12. God is going to do things you NEVER saw coming and it is going to be SO great.

Ahh! It's so exciting! I wish I could talk to myself a year ago and be like girl! If you only knew! So get excited now! Trust what He's doing.

13. Nothing is truly out of reach.

Tim Tebow hugged me this year so if that doesn't say enough I don't know what does.

14. Be kinder than necessary.

I wish I would have caught onto this sooner. Sometimes, things just aren't worth getting grumpy over.

15. God will answer. He will answer SO many times, you just have to pay attention.

If you had told me all the prayers that would be answered in 365 days, I would have never believed you. These prayers came with waiting, for what seemed like forever, but you have to remember time is all relative to God. Waiting 4 months for us isn't a big deal to the guy who has all of eternity planned out. So keep praying and keep waiting on Him do big things.

16. Life won't slow down for you, so enjoy every moment.

My friend and I laugh because sometimes we catch ourselves just looking at the people we are around & smiling at them. Not saying anything, just smiling. You never really know if you'll get to do that again. I always bring up Luke 2:19, "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." I learned to treasure the moments.

17. Love People Well.

If you know me, you know I say this on the daily. It might just be me, but that's the goal. Love them while you can and love them well.

All and all, I am thankful. I would be amiss if I didn't mention the quality sign from Hobby Lobby that I will carry with me through 2018.

"Always pray to have eyes that see the best in people. A heart that forgives the worst. A mind that forgets the bad and a soul that never loses faith in God."

So cheers to you 2017, for the surprises, endless joy, the tears, the worry, the smiles, and each person I got to spend it with. 2018, I am excited to see what you have in store.