A new year has just started and I am certainly looking forward to everything to come in 2024. I love starting a fresh, new year knowing it’s all in God’s oh-so capable hands, with great anticipation of the way He will continue to work, deepen my trust in Him, through the good and hard times over the next 366 days (this year is a leap year, hence 366 days).

Before we dive headfirst into 2024, I do want to take a moment to reflect on 2023. It was a rich, dense year, filled with amazing highs, battling lows, and plenty of those in-between and mundane moments. There were moments I never wanted to end, and there were times I’m thankful are done and dusted and in the past. There was a verse I read in Ecclesiastes a while back and I believe it speaks into those varying moments.

Ecclesiastes 7:14 – When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, you cannot discover anything about your future.

God is in every single moment of our lives, and the good times I’m sure bring great joy to His face, and then the hard times don’t surprise Him or shake His Kingdom – He’s in control now and always.

Just some thoughts before I reflect on some of my favourite moments from 2023.

Our May and November holidays: Chris and I enjoyed a week off in May and then another week off in November, to some rather beautiful places around Australia. These trips were so special, the weather was beautiful, and we were able to rest, relax, eat great food, and enjoy the spectacular outdoors. In May we ventured to North Stradbroke Island, O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat and Cabarita Beach, and then in November we spent 7 days in Tasmania’s south-east. I’ll do another post about these trips, but I will just say they were amazing and I loved them.

Finishing up one job and starting another: This probably isn’t your typical highlight from a year, but finishing up at a job that you know isn’t right and leaves you coming home miserable is sweet relief. After a two month break, I then started up at a job that I have loved so very much and have learned more in the six months I’ve been there than I have in my six years of working as an occupational therapist.

The books I’ve read this year: Dr. Seuss once said “Reading can take you places you have never been before”. I read some great books this year, and quite an array of books I may add. I read some spectacular Roald Dahl books (James and the Giant Peach, The BFG), Corrie Ten Boom’s autobiographies (The Hiding Place, Tramp for the Lord), Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi (100% recommend, I learned SO much from this book), Real Christianity by William Wilberforce (someone I deeply admire), 50 Women Every Christian Should Know by Michelle deRusha (another one I highly recommend) and Texas Brides by Cathy Marie Hake. Each of these books I devoured and enjoyed. I find I can sometimes be a slower reader as I digest things and take it in, and don’t just want to rush through it, but I have loved reading each of these books. Some lines from James and the Giant Peach I still giggle at.

Other highlights: My husband passing some major exams was so exciting, welcoming in two adorable nephews into the family, voice noting my best friend as we shared giggles and supported each other from afar, being asked to be a bridesmaid in 2024 for one of my best friends, playing touch football and netball, being part of the leadership team at our church’s youth group, weekends visiting family and friends on the Sunshine Coast, Chris and I having a lovely long weekend away at the Gold Coast, improving my pace at Park Run and achieving my goal of 25-minutes, a weekend away to Byron Bay with my mum and sister, and lots of other lovely moments.

There’s also one more thing that will always be etched so beautifully and permanently upon my heart in the most special way…I will talk more about that in the next post.

Love, Gracie.