On January 2nd, 2020, I published the most ironic blog post of my life. Titled “Why 2020 Will Be the Best Year of My Life“, the post outlined my plans for the year and detailed how I thought the year would go.
Boy, was I wrong.
Continue reading “Why 2020 Has Been the Best and Worst Year of My Life”
Last year was the biggest of my life. I experienced large amounts of growth in certain areas and witnessed several massive changes. I began the hardest school year of my life, was elected as captain of my basketball team, and began this blog. Three massive responsibilities on a sixteen-year-old back. And I wonder why I have back problems.
I’ll admit, it was hard. In fact, 2019 was the hardest year of my life. I struggled with feelings of depression, doubt, anger, and anxiety. And yet, through it all, God was (and is) good. With that, I owe a few thanks to the people that stood by me in 2019.
Continue reading “3 Fantastic Books That Changed My Life in 2019”
Change. It’s what defines us, is it not? At some points in our daily lives, we resist change in its various forms. Changes in relationship, physical location, and mood are all common things that we, as humans, deal with on a daily basis. However, some forms of change can be beneficial to us, some more obvious than others. While a job change that increases your salary by 40% is an obviously good change, a death in the family would likely be considered the opposite. Despite this quick classification, you may not realize at the time that the death of that loved one will actually shape you and your relationship with God in the future.
This is where Romans 8:28 comes into play. It says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” The verse is very clear- God works all things for good, including change. Should change be resisted? Maybe, maybe not. It depends on the situation. However, one thing is for certain- God works all change for his good, and in some way, change will be good for you or someone around you.
Continue reading “Why 2020 Will Be the Best Year of My Life”
In Uganda, the year 2020 has started off with a bang. Literally. For the first time ever, fireworks were seen all across the country to bring in the New Year. If I had somehow been awake at 11:59 PM on December 31st, 2019, I would have heard the familiar bang of fireworks. Unfortunately, I had something better to do-sleep.
For the first time in my life, I was not at my house during New Year’s Eve. I wasn’t even at a family member’s house. I was at a hotel in Entebbe. My family had been taking a much-needed vacation, owing to the absence from my house during this time. I was disappointed to not be here, but then I realized: I could still ring in the New Year in a hotel.
However, much to my dismay, the night of December 30th turned out to be abysmal, and I was unable to take a long nap the following day. By the time New Year’s Eve rolled around, I was exhausted and probably looked like something out of The Walking Dead. I barely made it to 11:00, keeping myself awake by watching Marvel’s Agents of Shield. I somehow managed to stay awake until 11:50, ten minutes until the New Year, before falling asleep in my hotel room. What a disappointment.
Oh well. Anyway, Happy New Year! It is now 2020 and, for the first time in 101 years, the first two numbers of the year mirror the second two numbers. The last time this happened was in 1919, when women’s rights were being explored, Babe Ruth transferred to the New York Yankees for a record sum, Teddy Roosevelt died in his sleep, World War I ended, and Louie Zamperini, Olympic athlete and famously converted Christian, was born. Truly, a remarkable year. And now, with 2020 just beginning, here are four things to be ready for the new year, mirroring what happened in 1919.
Continue reading “4 Things to Look For in 2020”
Elisha McFarland 