year in review -- 2013

2013 flew by...literally.

So much happened...so much changed...so much stayed the same.

January brought another semester of school - teaching me an incredible amount about Mental health and general med-surg information.  It wasn't one of my most favorite semesters...

February came and I said goodbye to a dear man I helped care for for many months, ending my part time income which came in handy.  I also traveled to OH for a wedding...spending time with some wonderful friends.

 March came with a trip to KS to surprise a dear friend and a trip to OH again for invite-a-friend...which began with a unexpected text bringing a whole new dimension into my life with a proposal. The end of the month my whole family spent a long weekend at a house in Cincinnati with a day at the Creation Museum.

April held lots of time in prayer, seeking God's word, doubting, learning to trust, freaking out, stepping out in faith...etc. And an amazing long weekend spent in OR for invite-a-friend.  It was extremely good to get away, spend time with new & old friends, and take a little break.  I returned home with more very clear signs that God was leading me on this new journey and after a couple more weeks, numerous more signs from the Lord, and a certainty of God's leading, I gave my answer back.

The first weekend of May a group of girls and I traveled to Taylor, MO for a little get-away.  It was interesting keeping my engagement quiet with a few of the girls knowing about it and a few not.  The next weekend brought our Engagement. And thus began my journey of getting to know a man I hardly new but with confidence that he was exactly the man who God had chosen for me.  

June was a frenzy of wedding preparations, showers, shopping trips...I think you get the point. I enjoyed a Mystery Weekend with a wonderful group of ladies in St. Louis...thankful for the memories. We also found a house to rent, which we were and still are very thankful for and took engagement pictures.

July we began moving stuff into our house after some painting and cleaning.  Showers continued with many more wedding preparations.  The end of the month I was able to go on one last vacation with my parents and lil bro to Washington state.  While it was different than many of our other vacations due to a certain man who I left back at home, I was still able to enjoy our time together very much and am very thankful for the memories we made.  I flew home a few days early to spend a birthday with my fiance and start tying up all the loose ends in preparation for our wedding the next weekend.

August, of course, brought a very beautiful wedding weekend for us.  We spent a few days in a cabin in Gatlinbury, TN.  And came home to a week full of "settling in" before I started my third semester of nursing school.  

September we spent a night with some married friends in WI Dells...school continued with lots of studying.  It was interesting trying to learn how to balance all of my new tasks and school together, but we managed!

October we traveled to OH for a friends wedding.  School continued.  Spent some times with friends. Took some family photos.

November brought more school.  The end of the month was filled with lots of family time and thankfulness. We welcomed a new, absolutely adorable niece, Ellie Anne. And took some more family photos.

December brought FINALS! which I couldn't have been more happy to see.  Took some more pictures. And Winter break which was full of Christmases, catch-up, organizing, relaxing, shopping, and so much more.

Looking back 2013 was filled with so many blessings.  A year ago today I could have told you of what I had planned for the year.  But today I can look back with the realization that my plans and God's plans can be very different.  And while this past year didn't hold what I thought it would, one thing is for certain; God has been faithful and for that I am so very thankful.

While today has been a day of reflection, it has also been a day of wondering.  Wondering what this new year has in store for us.  I could create a list of many things that I think 2014 will hold...like graduating from Nursing school...taking my boards...getting a job...and so forth...but I know that the list would be incomplete.  Instead of beginning the New Year with expectations or a list of what-I-think-I-will-accomplish-in-2014, if I just leave it in God's hands, I know that this year will hold so many blessings, learning experiences, growths, and most importantly - exactly what God has planned for my life.  I wouldn't want it any different!  So here's to another year - 2014!

Seasons

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven...

This verse seems to be the story of my life right now.
God gives us each different seasons in our lives.
Some good.  Some not so good.  Some expected.  Some very unexpected.
But I've begun to realize that no matter what the seasons are, or how long they last,
God deserves all the Glory and praise.
And even if God orchestrates a new season in our life at a time we didn't have planned,
I know and trust that His will is perfect and I praise Him for that.

So I'm praising God for the past seasons God has given me in my life.
Seasons of singleness, filled with so many wonderful memories that I can't even begin to describe.
And for the new season He has begun to so clearly show me over the past couple months.
Marriage.
A season that involves a lot of change and adjustments,
but I know will be filled with many blessings as past seasons have been.

So with that being said, I'd like to introduce a new member of my life to this blog.
His name is Kirk.

And one of these days...as soon as finals are over with (which I should be studying for right now) and things settle down a little (haha!), I'll do a more in depth post.  But until then, I'd just ask for prayers as we begin this new journey together in life; that no matter what comes our way, we will always put God first, because He is #1.

change

Sometimes life takes unexpected turns. 
It can be for the good or for the bad.
Often it's painful. stressful. scary.
Sometimes it leads to rejoicing. happiness. contentment.
It all depends on how we look at it.
But in almost every circumstance, it teaches us to trust.
You see, as humans, we like to plan, prepare, and organize our lives according to our own desires and dreams.
And yes, I agree.  Life can go according to our plans.
But at some point we will be hit with an unexpected turn.
And then is when we really realize that no matter how much we plan.
Or how much we prepare.
Or how organized we are.
WE ARE NOT IN CONTROL.
And that is where trust comes in.
Because no matter what happens, we know that GOD's plan is the real plan that we want to be a part of.

My life took somewhat of an unexpected turn this week. 
You see.  I had this plan.  And it was going according to how I had it all planned. 
But then, it changed. 
And now I'm painfully learning to trust in the God who I know has a plan that exceeds any that I could ever dream up.

His name was Franklin.  He was a sweet, old man who I had the pleasure of being a caregiver for over the last 9 or so months of his life.  He passed away this past Sunday, and will be missed by many.  I am thankful for the time I had to get to know him and his family.  They were a blessing in my life. 

It was a job I loved very much, mostly because of the people, but also because of the Convenience. It kind of spoiled me, you could say.  It was the "perfect" job for me as a college student. 

You see, this is where trust comes in now.  I don't really have a steady job anymore, which means no steady income.  But I've come to be thankful for the time I had, and trust that God has something more for me in the future. 

God bless Franklin and his family.