-Getting to spend time hanging out with and reconnecting with my sister. I am convinced more than ever how blessed I am to have her and SO grateful for her friendship. I've loved getting to see her as a mommy and wife-she is amazing at both. I have loved the times that her and I have gotten to go out for dinner, done crafts together, sat in church together, gone shopping, seen a movie, did errands together, gone swimming or to the park with the kids, roadtripped to Galveston x2, roadtripped to San Antonio, spending my 30th birthday with her and the AMAZING book that she put together from friends and family, game nights, watched TV together, played Wi/Nintendo together or just enjoyed each other's company at her house. I loved getting to help grade papers and to babysit the kids so her and Matt could spend time together.
-Getting to see my SWEET niece Briley from pre-birth (is that a word?) to her 1st birthday which is TODAY (Happy Birthday sweet girl!). I've been so blessed to see her develop from a precious tiny baby to an adorable and hilarious little toddler who is walking/running all over the place, gives AMAZING running hugs and kisses, blows kisses, waves goodbye, loves reading books, loves climbing slides, loves Sonic ice, loves pretty much any food that someone else is eating, has the brightest and most beautiful blue eyes, has beautiful light brown curls, has the cutest little belly, and whose eyes light up when she sees her Aunt Carrie. I have especially loved our Thursday afternoons with Briley and Noah. I've loved Briley falling asleep in my arms. I love her reaching her little arms up because she wants me to hold her. What a blessing and incredible gift it has been to get to be here to see her grow this last year. I know she won't remember any of this, but I forever will and honestly leaving her is going to be one of the hardest parts of moving. BUT, I'm going to choose to remember the amazing times that the Lord has given me with her and to celebrate the relationship that he's given us. I hope that as she grows, she will always know how much I love her and that we'll have a close relationship as she gets older.
-Getting to see my awesome nephew Noah grow from a toddler to a "I can do that, you know why? Cause I'm 5." It really has been amazing to see how he has grown in this last year. I've always been crazy about him but more than ever, love his personality and who he is becoming. We have had so much fun together this year. Going to his first Rockets game, Chucky Cheese, Sonic runs after MDO, Thursday afternoons with me and Briley, TONS of craft projects, lots of game playing, trips to the park, swimming, playing Wi & Nintendo, watching lots of movies, playing at the beach, sleepovers, walks, the Children's Museum, seeing Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory play, "Heart" hunt, Scavenger hunts, Post-It Note Love, making cookies, hiding Easter eggs x2, two birthday parties, Easter Egg coloring, celebrating my 30th birthday with him, playing tennis, and all of the hilarious/smart things that he would say. It has also been so neat to hear Noah talk about God. I pray that he will keep asking the good questions and that he will choose to live for God. I hope that he will always know how much I love him and that as he grows we will still be close and have a special bond.
-Getting to know my brother in law Matt in a new way. He is such an amazing husband, father, friend, and youth pastor. I have always thought this, but I more than ever am so thankful for God bringing him into my sister's life. It has been so good to get to hang out with him more. He really feels like family more than ever. I've also loved helping support him in youth group by being involved with the teen group. He does an amazing job with those teens. Loved getting to go on the RTA trip to Colorado with him. I loved getting to play games as a family and to play tennis a few times with him.
Ok I'm getting a little long-winded so going to just list some other things generally now that I've loved about Texas:
-My life group and all the friendships I made through this
-My flexible job that allowed me to spend a lot of time with my family and work from home
-The warm winter nights
-HFC: great church-great pastor-great worship-wonderful people
-Women's Bible Study
-Craft Nights
-Getting to see Courtney several times both here and in Dallas
-My cozy apartment
-Volunteering with the youth group
-RTA and all the kids and friendships with DK & Doug
-Mentoring some girls from the youth group
-Living close to water
-Delicious BBQ & Mexican food
-Mary McGuiness' friendship
-Family/Friend game nights
-Matt & Mel's dog Peyton-she's such a great dog
I am so sure that I forgot something. I could go on and on though about what a blessing this year has been-especially when it comes to living close to my family. I am SO sad to leave them but will always cherish this time that we've had together.
So real quick-the move. I'm moving to Colorado to work as the Guest Relations Director at Golden Bell. Now, I have had a special place in my heart since, oh, literally when I was about 9 or 10 years old. I went there as a camper, for family camp, and then worked there for four summers during high school/college. My times there were undoubtedly some of the strongest contributers to me really experiencing God and knowing that He is real. My summers during college really did this for me especially. I also gained so much confidence in myself and who I am during my time there. So I've always dreamed of and thought about wanting to go back and work there someday but had not pursued that ever. A few months ago, they approached me about this position and almost immediately I knew that the Lord wanted me to be open to it. Through praying and advice from trusted friends and family, it's become pretty abundantly clear that this is what God has for me and my life right now.
So, here I go again! On a new adventure. Excited, sad, anxious, and at peace all at once. Most of all, I'm anticipating that God is going to work through this next season of my life in incredible ways. My prayer is that I will be a light for Him and will be able to clearly show His love to the guests that I get to interact with. I want to be willing and ready to give an answer for the hope that I have and want to be able to create opportunities for people to experience God through Golden Bell.
And FINALLY, a few favorite pics from the year-I had WAY too many to choose from!
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