January 1, 2012

2011 was quite an eventful year for me. It brought a lot of growth, rejuvenation, healing, and light to my life. To say that I will miss it though, is probably false because the work it took to get to this new place was hard and painful. But fully appreciate and love it for what it was I certainly plan to do!

In 2011…

I said goodbye to stress. (Can we just note that every beginning is new so it’s silly to say that something is a new beginning…it’s just a beginning, anyways…) …and faced fear.

I learned a lot of really great lessons. Again. And again.

I learned a lot about love…and grace…and God…and more grace…and more God.

I found optimism to last the whole year through. 

I found beauty in the small things. Over. And over. And over again.

I spent an entire month contemplating being present as a busy twenty-something-year-old. It shed truth. It challenged. Made things clearer. And fuzzier.

And overall, was immensely fun.

I learned how to slow down, how to appreciate being still and relaxation.

I drove six hours shmooshed in a convertible to see Priscilla.

I discovered lots of beautiful things…with really great friends.

Speaking of really great friends.

We had a lot of fun this year.

What with dinner parties.

Random road trips.

 Lots of laughs.

 Lunch dates.

And enjoying any good (or not so good) reason to celebrate.

I swung from trees like a monkey.

I went and poured my heart out in Africa.

Found my God was bigger than I could comprehend…

…and He loves harder, better, stronger, and more fully than I can grasp.

And found myself one more year older…with a few more laugh lines…a few more experiences to say I’d like to forget…a couple more scars to show how strong I can be…lots of incredible memories…and a heart that has been overwhelmed with love and blessings this year.

Thanks for joining me on this journey. Sharing life in words and photos with you is one of my most favorite gifts.

Happy 2012!