So long, 2011!

It is still 2011 here in Kansas. After several gorgeous days of sunny, 60 degree weather a cold front has just blown through and winds are gusting around 40 mph. Tonight on the last night of 2011 I am just reflecting over the past year. I just came from my dad's house, where I ate a great dinner with my dad, Marilyn, and three of her grandchildren, who are all teenagers. I asked how old they are. Then they asked me my age, probably thinking I was 20 or something, because I talk like it and still dress like it. I said, "25" and felt like I was lying. But I'm not.

I just don't feel 25. Aren't a lot of 25 year olds different? Most of them seem to have a job, wear grown up clothes, maybe are married, and might have a kid or three. And they probably have nice highlights in their hair. I feel like a fraudulent 25 years old. I still have no clue what I want to do when I grow up, I'm quite content to be single, I've never tasted alcohol, and I still leap down all the stairs when coming downstairs. I pay my rent and buy gas for my car, but beyond that, I don't think I qualify as a proper 25 year old.

Anyway, this past year as a 24 and 25 year old has been probably one of the most challenging and colorful years of my life (to borrow words from my Chinese friends). When I think about 2011, I think about the desert, to be honest. This past year I have made so many mistakes and taken a lot of wrong turns. But the amazing thing is that I don't walk through the desert alone! Jesus has always waited for me with open arms.

And there were a lot of non-deserty experiences in 2011 that I can focus on:
-Thriving in grad school despite the desire to give up!
-Going to fancy parties with Congressmen and ambassadors in D.C.
-Beginning to like running.
-Growing in so many relationships with friends and family.
-Learning to be more authentic.
-Reading through the New Testament.
-Trusting in God more and more each day.
-Realizing that anxiety has been replaced by peace in my heart.

Thanks for the memories, 2011! And hello, 2012!

In closing here are just a few pictures from the past several days at home. I was blessed to have two little sisters under my tutelage. :)

Andrea and Christina, who stayed with us for 10 days.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

International game night at Kathy's!