With this post I will join a host of others who are penning their experiences over the past year. A look back is healthy and also a good way of seeing where you were and how far you've come. 2013, for me was a year of ups and downs.
My family started off the year on the heels of extreme loss, every day seemed to be a painful reminder that my sweet nephew was not with us. Also, the end of the 2012 I took a huge step and quit my job, changed schools and moved back to Asheville. Not really sure what 2013 had in store for me, I was optimistic and pretty much open to any opportunity that came my way, although some opportunities required more encouragement than others. My roommate was rather good at finding odd jobs for me!
February 2013 I had to say goodbye to my sweet little dog Jasmine, the end had come for her but she was a fighter and forced me to make one of the toughest decisions I've ever had to make. I had to choose to put her to sleep because of her congestive heart failure, I knew it was best thing for her albeit the hardest thing for me. You can read more about my sweet girl here.
May 29, 2013 I left for Arica, Chile to spend the summer there with my brother. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me, and I went with no expectations, open handed and open to new experiences. God showed me so much of himself this past summer. He showed me how He loves me, how He hasn't forgotten me and how I should love others. Loving others isn't easy but 1 John 4 teaches us that we love because we were first loved. Love transpires in different ways. This summer I loved my brother, held is hand and hugged him through tough moments. I find it hard to love in silence but there are times when silent presence is the best. I also was given the tremendous privilege of loving on children at the children's home in Arica. My love for them was not expressed in silence but rather in laughter, hugs and playing. Even though it was for a short time, I pray that the moments I shared with the kids showed God's love to them. Let them know that they aren't forgotten and that they do have a God that loves them.
I returned back to the US on August 29 and walked right into chaos. My two best friends were getting married within a week of each other and I was thrown right in the middle of wedding planning and fretting. I loved being a part of each of their days and i'm thankful that God got my attention a few months earlier while sitting on the coast of Chile, so that I could truly be happy for them and not bitter about being the one that's still single ;-)
One of the most amazing things to happen for me in 2013 was an answered prayer that God would open a door for me to work at NewSpring Church. NewSpring is a church that I care deeply about and one that has helped to truly awaken the way that I view my relationship with Christ and what that means in my everyday walk with Him. For years I had dreamed about working in a ministry like NewSpring. I knew that I was called to work in ministry and I knew that I wanted to work in IT but I just wasn't sure what that looked like. When I moved back from Raleigh in 2012 I started serving at NewSpring with the production team and eventually with the IT department. I loved the atmosphere there and I knew that I wanted to be there. In October 2013 I was hired on a part-time temporary contract with the intention of it going full-time permanent. It did just that earlier than expected and I started my full-time permanent position with the church on December 1 as the IT Purchasing Coordinator. I love what I get to do, I love going to work and I love the people I work with. Sometimes I have to pinch myself because I can't believe that I get to serve here, use my talents here and be a part of the incredible movement happening at NewSpring. I am undeserving and incredibly blessed.
Looking back at 2013 tells a story like this...I cleaned toilets, sold crappy dolls, traveled all summer, said goodbye to single friends, welcomed my newest little nephew, Benjamin, and began working in my dream job. I started 2013 confused, shook up and little worried that I made the wrong decision in moving, but each step of faith that I took, God provided. I'm ending 2013 with a thankful heart. Thankful that he has shown and proved His love for me with every step I took. I'm happy that 2014 seems to be starting on a quieter note, but that doesn't mean that it will come without troubles and I know it will have troubles of its own. With a better understanding of the God that I serve I walk into 2014 eager to overcome, passionate to represent and expectant of what God wants to show me in the next 365 days.
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