25

When I hit a milestone or a transition, I love to take time to reflect on all that I have learned. So, in honor of turning twenty-five in two short hours, here are some of my reflections on the past year of my life.

What was the single best thing that happened this past year? 

Watching my husband settle into his new job as a campus pastor. As his wife, it is so exciting to see him finding a career that he absolutely loves and that is challenging in the best way.

What was the single most challenging thing that happened? 

Moving. All my moves up to this point have been to a different state or country. This 40 mile move has been surprisingly difficult. It's hard to fully let go of the previous life. It's hard to fully sink in here. And it's lonely.

What was an unexpected joy this past year? 

Marriage. I am always surprised by how much joy & laughter my husband brings to my life. You'd think I'd be used to it by now. :)

What was an unexpected obstacle? 

• ...Moving... 
• Feeling so uncertain about how my future career will pan out. 
• Getting enough time with my husband during the first few months of the past when he was working 32 hours/week and interning.

What were the best books you read this year?

• Basic Christianity by John Stott
• The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
• The Hole in Our Gospel by Rich Stearns

With whom were your most valuable relationships?

• Family. From my husband to my in-laws to my immediate family to my extended family -- they are all so dear to me.
• During the first half of the year, my small group from church. We really hit a sweet spot of intimacy.

What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year? 

Facebook.

What was the best way you used your time this past year? 

Any time that I spent with friends and family.

What was the biggest thing you learned this past year? 

The post-college are full of transitions, both exciting and painful, and uncertainties, both exciting and painful and that's ok.

Did anyone close to you get married, give birth, or pass away? 

One of my cousins got married in August, another cousin got married in September, and another cousin gave birth to a baby girl. No one died.

Where did you travel? 

I went to Colorado in March to visit family and to celebrate our first anniversary. I went to Utah in May to vacation with family. I went to Madison in September for my cousin's wedding. And I went to Colorado to visit family for Christmas.

What would you like to have this year that you lacked last year? 

Joy despite the transitions and uncertainties, a close female friend or two in the area, and lots and lots of rest. :)

What days will remain etched upon your memory, and why? 

• The wedding in Madison. It was such a beautiful, fun, significant, and family-filled occasion.
• The day I was driving down the freeway and a motorcyclist behind me got side swiped by a car and slammed into the back of my car. I will never forget looking into the rear-view mirror, seeing a body flying through the air, and then feeling the impact as it his my car. Thankfully, the poor guys was ok.

What was your biggest achievement of the year? 

Simultaneously working hard (and doing well) in school while not letting my identity hinge on those achievements. I've grown a lot in this area over the last ten years.

What was your biggest failure? 

Losing all my excitement and joy in the transitions.

Did you suffer illness or injury? 

No.

What did you get really, really, really excited about? 

Finding our spacious apartment, finally owning a piano, and my first anniversary.

What kept you sane? My husband, my journal, my piano, and my books. :)

What are you looking forward to the most this year? Settling into our new home, new church, new everything else, and not transitioning to anything!