Year of refinement

There aren't many prettier sights out your window than a whole sparkly world encased in white, with a brilliant blue sky overhead... And to think that I was worried Andrea from balmy Florida wouldn't see a drop of snow when she visited me for Christmas! It snowed 12.5 inches the day after Christmas and then another 3 inches yesterday.

Our Christmas turned out beautifully. On Christmas Eve we went to a candlelight service at church. We picked up my Indian friend, and the Chinese guy who wanted to come with us brought 3 of his friends, who had never been in a church before! It was so uplifting and rather fun. These are people I want to continue to invest in and love.

I went back to work Thursday, and Mom will be here for a few days. She's amazing! I've felt so overwhelmed by a lot of things, especially medical bills, and she's helping me organize them and figure out next steps. We also have just enjoyed chatting (Mom's not a huge chatter-box, although I probably am), and reading, etc. I've always been so independent, but it's still nice to have your mother visit as a dear friend and encourager.

And as the year draws to a close, it's time to reflect. There were good, bad, and hard things that happened throughout 2012:

-Graduated with a master's degree
-Turned 26
-Transitioned from my job with the city to working with a nonprofit
-Visited China for 3 weeks and was reunited with dear friends in far-flung places of the country
-Dated, but then mutually decided to part ways with a good guy and friend
-Experienced physical and mental pain due to the accident and associated craziness
-Developed some incredible friendships
-Learned and grew in more ways than I could imagine!

I'm not the same Laura of January 2012. This past year I've struggled more than I ever have in my life. Some of those struggles were as a result of my own sin and stubbornness, and others were for reasons I may never know until I get to heaven. No matter the reason, 2012 was a refining time, and I have truly been refined by the Refiner's fire. It was painful at times, lonely at times, and even devastating at times, as I came to the end of myself and He stripped away my pretenses, pride, defenses, dreams, desires, health...

Yet out of the fire has come redemption! He took the broken Laura and has shaped me more into who He created me to be. I have rediscovered that life is not worth living if it is not ENTIRELY and WHOLLY devoted to Him and His purposes. Of course we are never done being refined and changed, but this year seemed like refinement boot camp. And I am reminded:

"God causes your confidence in your own natural virtues and power to wither away. He will continue until you learn to draw your life from the reservoir of the resurrection life of Jesus." ~Oswald Chambers

Although it's hard to believe it's almost 2013 (isn't it still 2007 or something?), I'm looking forward to the brand new year and all that God has in store not only for me, but also friends and family!

Have a wonderfully blessed 2013!

Pretty downtown with pretty Mom and Andrea.

Our stockings were hung by the staircase with care...

After the blizzard.

Sledding with Andrea!