As I sit here and think of what I'd like to accomplish in 2012, I reflect on everything that happened last year. It's enough for some people to accomplish in 5-10 years. Not bragging, just observing. There was just SO MUCH that happened, it was a little overwhelming when you think it all happened in 365 days!
The first few months of 2011 were spent close to home, home being New York. After we got back from Army's bowl win in Texas, life in the office settled down a bit. After running the Young Life program at West Point for seven months, the higher ups decided to hand it off to a mom. This transition shook up my faith a bit and honestly still it's been a bit of a struggle to really grasp back into things. I'll explain that another time. There was a lot of feeling lost and was a little discouraging. We went through quite a horrible winter with snow and ice storms, but got through it. I did get to ice skate outside for the first time! While de-icing my car in the driveway....
In March my alma mater, Wazzu, came to New York to play in the semi-finals of the NIT basketball tournament. That was such a cool experience to see them in Madison Square Garden with other fans and alumni. My big sis Jonalynn flew in and we spent the week touring NYC and went up to Boston! We even got to tour Fenway Park....now just need to see a game! I flew back to Washington to surprise my best friend for my niece's 1st birthday party, boy did that work well! In April I flew to Nashville and ran a half marathon with my friend Allison, my Aunt Gretch flew in from Portland to cheer us on! Shortly after the race I moved into my own apartment in NY finally. Located right outside the gates of post, it was a great place to be!
Allison and I had another adventure a month later when we traveled for 10 days to Greece. This was the first time out of country for me and what an experience it was! Totally got the bug to do more overseas traveling, to see how other cultures are and experience other areas of this world is something more people need to take the time to do.
The summer was mild with a trip out to Montana for my grandfather's 80th birthday bash with the entire family. But fun has to end as the football season started in September. I did finally get promoted to Assistant Ticket Manager in the athletic department, which was a great stepping stone for my career path.
I decided to step down as a Young Life leader to focus more on my career and my master's program, as well as it just didn't feel right anymore with the leadership. If your heart isn't fully into every aspect of leading youth, it's good to take time off. Kids need full devotion, they deserve that much from a leader. This is another big change as I'd been leading for 4 1/2 years! Army football season brought on long days and weeks, a lot of overtime to work. I did get to run another half marathon, this time in Philadelphia with my friend Bekah.
I finally got a new car early September, another milestone in my life. 2011 Ford Escape so felt better about driving, especially long distances! This would work out well in the near future as my alma mater pursuded me for a great job opportunity in their ticket office! So after about two months of back and forth, I accepted a position to move back home to Washington!!! So, I finished out the football season at Army, packed up my apartment and car and that was it. I did get to witness a Duke basketball game at Cameron Indoor Stadium before I left, which was another dream of mine. Bucket list item...check!
Speaking of bucket list item, at the end of October I ran and completed my first marathon! I ran the race in Washington D.C. and finished in 5:23, not the time I wanted but I finished. It was an amazing accomplishment, and I can't wait to run more!
Mid-December my big sis flew back out to New York, we hopped in my new truck and drove 3,000 miles across country to deliver me to my new (old) home, of Pullman Washington!
I can't believe all this happened in the course of a year. There are many more life experiences I went through that I can't even begin to express, but I feel so blessed to have had the opportunities I've had. As I think about 2012, I just want it to be happy, blessed, loved, accomplished, traveled and more. I don't think I can wish for specifics anymore because almost everything that happened last year I had no idea it was coming, both good and bad!
So....here's to 2012, may it be a year full of new experiences and life-changing events!
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