twenty-three

I think I like lists. And so, to honor the end of my 24th year, here’s a list of things that happened in my life over the past year. Feel free to remind me if I leave anything out.

• Celebrated my 2 year wedding anniversary with Stacy
• Started my own business
• Made unsuccessful offers on two houses in Bellingham
• Moved into a new house (to rent)
• Led my first mission trip to Vancouver, BC
• Joined Presbymergent
• Rejoined Facebook
• Ran (and got a medal in) my first competitive race.
• Started taking piano lessons
• Successfully landed two large web design projects for local Bellingham clients
• Changed jobs, again. Now I’m the "Program and Music Coordinator" for the INN.
• Attended my first Presbyterian session meeting
• Completed my first conditional use permit application to the City of Bellingham
• Traveled to Boston
• Traveled to Chicago
• Was in one wedding (Sean and Gina in Chicago)
• Co-led the summer INN for my second summer
• Listened to a lot of music
• Read a lot of books
• Worked too much
• Saw friends and family too little

Overall, a good year. Seems like there’s been a lot going on in life this year. It also seems like it’s been a year of further transition into adulthood for me. I feel like I’m continuing to move into this new body, this new way of life that is "real life." That might sound like a negative thing, as we idolize youth, but I’m actually enjoying the good parts of it. I’m enjoying that I have more responsibility in my life now than I’ve ever had. People expect much of me, at work, in relationships, in everything. And I like that. Hopefully I’m learning how to live up to the expectations of this life, this journey I’m on.

As I’m turning a year older tomorrow, 25 brings new prospects for me. I’ve been reflecting over the last couple weeks on what I’m going to do differently as I move ahead. Maybe it’s spending more time here or there, or just simply cutting out the superfluous things that clutter my day. I’m not sure how this next year will change me, shape me into who I will be, but I know God guides it all and I’m confident in the goodness of that. Maybe next year, after another year (good or bad or whatever it is), I’ll have another list. Another reflection, another reminder of where I’ve been and where I’m off to next.

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