God's Plan For Me This Year

First of all I'd like to welcome all of my new readers to my blog! 

I'm Amanda Rose and I hope you enjoyed your first visit to Sew Much To Say and keep stoppin' by. I do have to stay that I officially started nursing school this week (eek!), which means that busy is now an understatement when describing my life. I'll still try to be posting often and have a few posts up my sleeve (or in my camera) for this week already. 

Secondly, I'd like to thank everyone who has been following along as I tried to complete my list of 40 things to do before I turn 20. Even if you only read the one post, I appreciate it. I have been asked what I have on my list of goals this year, so here are my goals for this year:

This past year was very hectic. Although the list provided many motivating opportunities for me, there were many times when I became stressed out over one more to-do list. 

This year, all I am going to try to do is simplify.

I want to successfully juggle nursing school, work, and living in my first apartment.

I also want to become closer to God.

God has always been in my heart, but I didn't spend the time getting to know him that I should. I pray every night before bed and when I'm particularly worried about something, but I wanted a closer relationship with Him.

I've been working on praying more often. I want to instantly pray when I appreciate something...be in some simple beauty around me or an act of kindness from another. Even things going as planned seems worthy of a "thank you" to Him. I want to spend more time praying in Thanks and for guidance than praying for my own selfish good.

In an attempt to truly alleviate some anxiety this year, I am trying to turn my worries over to Him immediately instead of spending so many hours stressing myself out. 

I don't go to church weekly, but I feel like He is okay with that. He is reaching out to me in more personal ways outside of Church and that is okay with me.

This photo above is of my "Bible Journaling Basket" that I keep on my nightstand. I decorated a plain journal that I keep in this basket along with a paperback Bible that I got for free, my reading guide book and some pretty pens.

I am going to try to work on "Bible Study" a few days a week every week this year. Through this one goal, I know I'll come closer to Him and to refining myself than I did last year through my goal list of 40.

If you are like me, the words "Bible Study" are scary.

 I think: where do I start? It sounds so formal! What do I do? Do I need people to do it with? Will it be graded?

Just through the past week and a half I have had all of these concerns set aside and I have been shown by Him where to start. I have learned the basics of what He wants me to know about him and what He wants me to see in others. This is where He wants me to start. He is already molding me into a better person and I love every minute of it.

I highly, I mean highly, recommend reading "A Modern Girl's Guide to Bible Study" by Jen Hatmaker. I read this book in two days, but there is a reading guide in the back of this book that gives you chapter of this short (and funny) book to read and verses to go along with it. Pick up any book that tickles your fancy, for that matter.

You might still think I'm crazy for being a 20 year old college student and wanting to get closer to God this year. I know this is what I am supposed to do with myself and feel great just talking (well, typing) about it. Two weeks ago I literally sat with my Bible and my empty journal and didn't know what to even write. I even tried googling it. I pinned some pins about it, too. Now, I have an idea of what direction to go and can talk to Him more openly about my concerns. 

Here is an example of one of my pages from my journal.

Here is a more recent page. I've already used 1/4 of my journal in a week in a half. 

You start with no idea what to write and end with a hand cramp. 

I'm serious!

This particular guide to Bible Study that I'm reading poses questions for you to pray on and consider as you read certain verses, and I finish each session feeling completely refreshed and safe. It only takes me about 20-30 minutes a day to do, too. Which, if you think about it, is how much time you spend scrolling your Facebook feed. You could be waiting for pasta to boil or even do it on your lunch break.

Anyway, this post is about what I am doing this year, not me lecturing on how easy it is. What can I say, I'm an advocate now. Sheesh. 

Thanks for listening to me blabber! Have a great day folks and God Bless!