10. This past year, I got to go on Spring Break to Southwind as an adult leader for Wyld Life. (When did I become old enough to chaperone things...much less be one of the most responsible?) I loved the middle schoolers that we had, but a highlight of the trip was getting close with Paige and Kelsey. I love these girls so so dearly and will always treasure memories from that trip!
9. When my life was in limbo from September through now, something that gave my days purpose was working with the Signal Mountain Guard. These girls were so fun and easy to teach. I really missed the sport and it amazed me how quickly it all came back to me. One of the biggest pulls for me to stay in Chattanooga for school was that I could teach this guard again. I hate that I won't be able to teach this group of girls again next year, but I am so grateful for the time I spent with them!
Part 2 of my time in limbo was working at Ribbon and Bows Oh My. Again. Although it wasn't my first choice of jobs and not something I really bragged about to people, I LOVED getting to know my co-workers. They made work fun to be at and I really valued their friendships more than they know. They made my time their feel worthwhile and I loved that we had friendships outside of work too. :)
8. This part of my yearly highlights has become a regular and I have a feeling it will be the case for the next few years: my friends weddings and babies and engagements!
The first wedding of this past year was extra special because I got to be apart of the wedding! I felt so blessed to be one of Hannah's bridesmaids!
The others were so fun too (and less stressful because I got to just show up!)
And I will remember 2011 as the year that my friends are starting to have babies too!
And I always love getting the phone call or text from close friends to share the excitement of their engagements! Mary, Kathleen, Shahrukh, Becca, Katie Lewis, and Samantha Stevenson are just a few that some to mind! I cannot wait to share each of y'alls special days with you in 2012!
7. Whenever I get the chance, I love to spend time in Athens. I get to reminisce over my days in the Classic City, go to football games or concerts, and catch up with friends! I definitely am trying to take advantage of the fact that I have very little tying me down so I like to make as many weekend trips as possible!
6. I love youth group in the summers and this being my 2nd summer was no exception. I felt like I had the hang of things a little bit better but man! this summer flew by! The two big trips we had planned were only a week apart so that threw off any kind of a normalcy for the month of July! But I will always remember my trips to RYM in Panama City and a second trip to New Orleans with the middle schoolers. Both of those trips came after I found out my contract wasn't going to be renewed so it was a wonderful, bittersweet time that I could really be intentional with the students knowing that would be one of the last big things I did as their youth leader.
5. Time with my family is another mark of a great year that will always make my Top Ten list. This year, the 2 things that come to mind when I think about family time was the Mardis family Destin Trip and the annual Rover Rally.
Staying in a huge house with lots and lots of Mardis' makes for a loud and fun week at the beach. I love that this is becoming an every other year tradition!
Another family memory from 2011 is our annual Rover Rally! I'm so glad that Kirby and Felicity could make it! It was so memorable and fun to have a "redneck" type weekend of offroading, eating lots of barbeque, and getting to stop by the apple orchards on the way home. Even more memorable because we were stuck on the side of the road-thank goodness the Rovers that came soon after we stalled were well equipped!
4. The 3/4 of this year that I was the middle school girls youth leader at First Pres will be memories that I cherish forever. That job was my ideal. My dream job. And I know that God has some crazy plan worked out to show me something even better and He's already showing that to me by opening the door for me to go to grad school in 2012, but that doesn't make how bittersweet it was to say goodbye any clearer right now. The conversations, time spent together and the beautiful friendships that I had and still have with the students, parents, and volunteers of that ministry impacted my heart and guided my walk with the Lord. I have too many memories to recount, but I love that ministry and what it means to me.
3. FB Goes to VEGAS. What else could be said?
2. Living in the mountain Home, Bob and Lisa, my small group, and my friendship with Kelly and Cary. I don't even think words can describe the magnitude of how deeply each of these things/people have affected my year. I've talked several time about how much I love and respect Bob and Lisa and cannot thank them enough for their generosity to let me live in their guest house for free. They are so generous, understanding, and honest without question. The girls in our Monday night small group have been a consistant part of my life and so supportive when my life has been in limbo. And Kelly and Cary. I'm so grateful for K's continued friendship and our newfound friendship with C. The Trio will be around for some time to come and I don't think I could have handled the ups and downs of this year without them.
My favorite memory that involves all of these people was my birthday weekend at the Franklin's lake house. I loved every minute of that weekend with them.
1. And finally, what I will love to look back and think about when I think about 2011 is being an aunt. My nieces have held the #1 spot on my countdown for the last 3 years and 2011 is no different! I am so grateful to be close to both of my sisters which allows me a chance to be close to both of my nieces. And it's so convenient that the Newmans are at my parents house and the Clelands are a quick drive to Atlanta! I LOVE being an aunt--being apart of the milestones, spending time with them, and seeing them grow. They are such a big part of my life and of my heart! 
Here's to a great 2011 and an even better 2012! I'm excited for what the Lord has in store for my life as a student, my friends' weddings and babies that will be arriving, and lots more quality time with my friends and family!
0 comments:
Post a Comment