2018: Change is REAL

Now, Christmas is upon us and I am ready to celebrate the birth of Christ. Though, as a leader, I have to prepare for the future and that is 2019. We have a couple of weeks before 2018 is coming to a close, and "MY OH MY!", this year has been a year of change for me. To think from the beginning of this year, I would not have thought my life would change so much around me. There is no greatest year in my life, but this year has been a year of change and this change is REAL! This change, I can only give the glory to God!

Let's set the tone towards the end of 2017, when I hear that my brother proposed to his then girlfriend. That set the tone for 2018, I had to prepare myself for a wedding. Little did I know that I actually had to prepare myself for TWO weddings, because both of my brothers would get married. They both are happily married, and I will be seventh wheeling in my family for a little while. But, the relationships that my brothers have, made me think about my future; and that God's plan is greater and I feel that He has put relationships on my mind lately. What I wanted is something totally different then what He wants. So yeah, both my older brothers getting married this year was definitely a HUGE change in my life and in the life of our family, as our family has expanded from 5 to 7. That change was REAL!

Attending Standing Stones 2018, I felt some of my walls that I've built over the years, were kicked down and I was able to be more of me. I was able to make relationship that were going to last a lifetime and these relationships were Christ-centered. I continuously think about my small group, I had the pleasure to lead this past year, and I think about how they are doing, how school is going and how church is going, etc. I pray for them constantly, and hope they are doing well. (We need to video call each other soon!) With this experience, I was able to think of two individuals as my "little brothers." I love them so deeply, and care for them and I will do anything for those two! Nothing is stopping me from loving them and to make sure they are on the right track! (For TommyHunts and NinjaPeep1: I love you both and I hope you both are doing well. I cannot wait until the next time we see each other, we will have a blast! I'll try to be more humble, caring and loving. Just tell me if I've gone too far! We pour into each other in many ways and let us continue to do so.) Those two have changed and impacted my heart! That change was REAL!

After camp, I was also to think of three girls, who will turn into strong faithful women, and I was able to think of them as "little sisters." I do not have all the answer for these girls, but I can guide them to someone who can answer them and help them the best I can, because that is all I can do. I will do anything for these girls, and make sure they know what is right from wrong. Plus, I love our "Tea Time." (For Hopielove18, A-Lexus and Lana Del Rey, I love you all, and I can not wait for more tea time! I'm not as harsh on you guys as I am with the gentlemen, but I believe in all three of you to become STRONG women of God. You have the potential and I can not wait to see that happen. I can talk about anything, but there are some boundaries where I can not cross. So hopefully, I can send you to the right person!) That change was REAL!

Well, I guess you can say that my 2018, has been filled with changes of relationships, and I can totally agree with you. I feel like such a different person at the end of 2018, then who I was in the beginning. Walls were knocked down, relationships were built and my walk with God became stronger. I knew God's power, but to see it in action was a sight to blow my mind. Seeing Him work was awe inspiring and I did not see it until I recognized it during Standing Stones 2018. Seven months, SEVEN MONTHS! God was at work, and His work was perfect. All I could do, was give Him the glory and the praise for everything that happened within those seven months while He was at work. That change was REAL!

With 2018 coming to a close soon, I can definitely say that my life change was and is REAL! From both my brothers getting married, to calling some people who've I've build relationship with "little brother and sister.", to see God's power at work. I am in awe of this year. I can only think of what is to come in 2019. I have some things in plan, but whatever is in God's will, is what I will do. Though, I do not know what His will is, I can only say what I have planned for 2019.

2019 Plans:

- Find someone to build a relationship with, hopefully to last a lifetime.

- Continue to pour into my church and my youth

- Continue to build on top of those relationships of my "little brothers and sisters"

- Continue to promote the "Next Generation" and shape it

- Guys Trip to Minnesota in July 2019

God's plan is always first, so whatever He has in-store will be done for Him and His glory. I cannot foresee 2019, but I can only look forward to it and see what God has in store for me. Until 2019, this is the final blog post of 2018. See you all in 2019!

-Kaleb Ly, The King of Aces-