Something of a Reflection

2008 was a sweet year:

New Years in Times Square.
Collide ski trip. Turning 20.
Young Life girls beach retreat.
Baird’s lakehouse throwdown.
Jersey.
Work week at Windy Gap.
Summer camp at SharpTop Cove.
Camping at Falls Lake.
Road trip to Charlotte and Carowinds.
Fall camp at Rockbridge.
The State Fair. ECU football games.
Christmas at home with family.
New Year’s with friends.

So many fun experiences have passed. Now we start the year 2009. Who knows what it will hold?! It’s exciting to start fresh once again. The way time flies and the all things that have happened in my life still blows my mind, but I really couldn’t ask for a better season of my life.

It was wonderful to be home for break. Besides working at Starbucks, I had a lot of time to relax and rest, which is exactly what I needed after a long, hard, and busy semester. My grandma came to live with us for a few months after freezing at my uncle’s house in Chicago for the previous month. It’s been a huge blessing to have her around. I’ve gotten the chance to sit down and talk her for hours on end. I have no right to complain after learning about the things her eyes have seen and the experiences she’s endured. No doubt, she’s a tough, strong, passionate woman of the Lord and such an incredible encouragement to my faith and my heart.

It’s funny to look back at my simple year in comparison to the full, extravagant life she’s led. Her eyes have seen so many hardships with being caught as a teen in the middle of Red Revolution, her father having been taken away and having to flee from the communists, and starting up her life again in London as a nurse, falling in love, and raising a family in the prosperous land of America. Sounds like such a great adventure! I wonder what kind of adventure I will share when I come to the end of my time...

Speaking of adventures, I just got back from an incredible trip to Colorado to ski at Winter Park, which quite honestly could end up being the highlight of my year. I’m still amazed at being surrounding by the breathtakingly beautiful snow-capped Rocky Mountains. Colorado continues to be one of my favorite places I have ventured yet. I can't wait to go back! If anything to remind me of how little I am and how great God is, it’s the gorgeous mountains of Colorado.

As this new year begins I’m trying to let go of my planning mentality where I continually map out where my life will lead. Those of you who know me have seen my schedule lists! I have no idea what is in store for my life! I didn’t make any resolutions this year partially because I didn’t make time to but also because I want to learn to let God lead my life where he may will it instead of trying to make-up some lame plan on my own.

Believe it or not, I just read the verse on my cup of tea and look what it says:

“You will show me the path of life;
In your presence is fullness of JOY…”
~Psalm 16:11

Could that be more perfect? :)

Happy 2009, dear friends.