We moved this week (same area, just a new apartment). I’m sitting in the middle of boxes and bags that need to be organized and unpacked, but I thought I’d take a quick break to reflect on the past year, thanks to some great questions from incourage.
1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?
Finding out we are having a baby!!! Today I am 15 weeks along with our first child! :)
2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?
Feeling like I ‘missed out’ on most of October, November, and December because of pregnancy sickness – morning sickness, tiredness, etc. It wasn’t anything terribly bad, but I feel like I am just now coming out of a fog where I can finally get back to being myself. It was tough having two months or so where I basically accomplished nothing at home – no projects or things crossed off my to-do list, no exercise, no cooking… in fact, I think I went about a month without even opening up the refrigerator! (because it smelled bad to me). I am so thankful for Jesse who took care of me for that time!
3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?
Work was great this year. I generally enjoy my job (youth ministry director at a church), but I had an especially good year with lots of fun. I love the girls I get together with on Wednesday nights for Impact. I had an idea for forming an “adult mentor team” of people who want to reach young people in their own lives (grandchildren, neighbors, friends, etc.), and had a surprisingly good response – so much so that we have two different teams. We meet once a month and I thoroughly enjoy those times. Finally, summer had several fun weeks – VBS at two locations, plus a week of leadership camp for young people, which was very enjoyable.
4. Pick three words/phrases to describe 2011.
enjoyable, too-quick, trying new things
5. With whom were your most valuable relationships?
Jesse, of course! Also, my immediate family and Jesse’s family (I am thankful we get to see them on a nearly-weekly basis!).
Our Tuesday night Bible study group – several people/couples/families who get together every other Tuesday for Bible study, but also at other times for just being “friends,” like going camping together this summer. This year several new people became a part of this group, which has been delightful.
People from church – this was a good year for branching out and deepening some friendships with people from church. We had people over to our house several times for dinners and activities, plus I joined our choir in September, which were both great ways to get to know people better.
I have done a pretty crummy job of keeping up with old friends this year, but the times I have gotten to connect have been great! Kelsey (my college roommate) and keep up via phone and got to see each other in May; plus had some quick visits with other college friends – Jesse, Bethany, and their new daughter; got together with some girlfriends in September for a too-quick dinner; Kim, who lives in the area, plus LeAnna, who moved down here this summer and is now our neighbor in the next building over! (we just moved this week). Also, got to see Danielle, a high school friend, and her new daughter, for the first time in two years… plus some nice connections with Jesse’s friends, including a trip to Mexico for the weekend with some of them in March.
Finally, I love spending time with Brayan, our friend from Hacienda orphanage in Mexico. What a sweet kid. A close second to being with him is being with the kids from Afternoon Blast, a weekly after-school program we do at an apartment complex near church.
6. In what way(s) did you grow physically?
This summer I probably was in the best physical shape of my life – I walked every day and ate very healthy most of the time – lots of water, fruits, veggies, good protein, and not much bad stuff. Unfortunately, when pregnancy kicked in, a lot of that went out the window (just when I needed it the most, right?), but I’m thankful I started out with a good foundation and am excited to resume these good habits as the new year begins!
7. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?
Google Reader, facebook, and Netflix.
8. What was the best way you used your time this past year?
Walking in the mornings, decluttering our house, spending time with Jesse, especially on our weekly “Sabbath” days, spending time with friends and family
9. What was biggest thing you learned this past year?
I’m content with my life, but I’m ready for something even more meaningful. Taking Perspectives this summer continued to prepare my heart for long-term service overseas and made me excited for a life of meaningful work for God’s kingdom (both overseas and here in the US!) Unfortunately, I don’t think I did a good job of actually living out that life this year… between the aforementioned pregnancy stuff, along with a (somewhat justified) feeling that I still need to get things “figured out” before I can do that (have a simpler schedule, have less possessions and be more organized, etc.), I didn’t do a good job of carrying that out. However, I caught glimpses of it as we went to Mexico, as I taught about global missions at Impact on Wednesday nights, as we got to do some really neat things with our “giving” money this year… but I’m excited to grow in this area in the year to come.
