26 Kinds of Thankful.

I turned 26 this week. I have some mixed emotions about birthdays. I love celebrating a year of life, but I also mourn a little bit for another year that has passed. You only get so many! Anyone else feel this way? I know, 26 is still young, but I officially can no longer say I am in my early twenties! Commence quarter life crisis.

I kid.

Instead of a quarter life crisis, I have taken some time to look back on these past 26 years and remember all of the good things I have experienced so far. I made a list of all of the years I have been alive and wrote down what I am most thankful for that year. I already feel better about getting older. I am also feeling quite excited for the years to come. Bring them on!

1988 – Stable, loving parents who were thrilled to have me in their lives

1989 – Provision and safety through our house fire

1990 – My sister, Emily, entered our family

1991 – Parents that read to me and were excited about my education

1992 – My family began attending church regularly

1993 – My youngest sister, Alyssa, entered our family

1994 – Amazing neighbors and Christian community on our street

1995 – Enrolling in piano lessons, voice lesson, and soccer

1996 – Parents that encouraged me to pursue my passions from a young age

1997 – Always feeling safe and loved at home

1998 – Amazing elementary teachers that invested in me

1999 – My love for history that I nourished through books and museums

2000 – Being able to try just about every sport and art offered at this age

2001 – Entering youth group and having such a great group of friends

2002 – My first international missions trip to Cote d’Ivoire with my dad

2003 – Transferring high schools and discovering I loved their music program

2004 – Surviving a third high school transfer and a move to Pennsylvania

2005 – Meeting my future husband at a youth group event

2006 – Graduating high school (from the third high school I’d attended)

2007 – Beginning school at Taylor University

2008 – Adventures and new found independence while back-packing Europe

2009 – Learning so much with teaching English in both South Korea and Ethiopia

2010 – Marrying my best friend

2011 – Following God’s leading to move to Washington, DC

2012 – Developing sweet friendships and community at National Community Church

2013 – The opportunity to make a film with my husband in Thailand

2014 – To be determined!

 

Oh! And I should probably address the cover image – it was taken at my 7th birthday party. Circa 1995.  I chose a Disney theme. The Lion King hat? I have no words.