As a new year approaches, I love to reflect on the changes that have taken place in the past 365 days--both internally and externally. I don't usually make New Year's resolutions, but sometimes I make goals or just write down my expectations for the new year, and then release them all to my Loving Father.
2017 was certainly a time of momentous changes for me. Here is a summary of the hills and valleys I've seen this year:
January:- Resigned from Genesis Healthcare
- Traveled to Kenya with group from Wheaton Bible Church (WBC)
- Traveled alone to Niger to work at Galmi Hospital
- Returned to USA
- Started job with Supplemental Healthcare/ Northwestern Medicine
- Began long-term assignment process as a missionary with SIMUSA
- Stormy was very sick; multiple trips to vet
- Roommate moved out
- Finished my first 5K!
- Started gluten free/ dairy free diet for my health
- Attended a family wedding and a friend's baptism
- Last day with Supplemental Healthcare
- Attended my brother Tyler's Master's Ceremony in Philly
- Attended my cousin's improv show in Chicago
- Celebrated my 31st birthday
- Attended one week orientation at SIMUSA headquarters in Charlotte
- Started job with Residential Home Health
- Visited winery in Iowa with a friend
- Started job with Brookdale Senior Living
- Saw the best musical ever, HAMILTON, in Chicago with all of my best friends
- Sold my condo in Warrenville
- Celebrated my friend's graduation from CNA school
- Took family vacation to Philly and the Jersey Shore
- Line dancing fundraiser for my trip
- Celebrated the one year anniversary of my church, Tri-Village Church (TVC), a sister campus of WBC
- Moved in with my parents and put my things in storage
- Visited NYC with Tyler (first time) to watch our cousin's play
- Attended one-week training at SIMUSA headquarters in Charlotte
- During weeklong Missionsfest celebration, was presented at church as the first missionary to be sent overseas from TVC
- Attended my cousin's baptism
- Chick-fil-A fundraiser in Wheaton for my trip
- Began Second Language Acquisition course through Wheaton College
- Attended annual Friends for Therapeutic Equine Activities benefit dinner with my dad
- Attended PAX Unplugged convention of board games with my brother in Philly
- Celebrated Friendsgiving with high school friends (class of 2004!)
- Saw Star Wars: The Last Jedi on opening weekend in Minnesota with my friends from college
- Last day with Residential Home Health
- Celebrated a white Christmas in Chicago with friends and family!
- Dislocated my right knee for the third time (today...breaking news...)
Please pray with me that these trials and triumphs will work together for God's glory!