I never finished last year’s “A Year In Pictures” blog post, so I have no idea what makes me think that I can actually finish a year-end review this year. Since I’m writing for three different audiences (family, friends, church), this will either be very simple or essentially impossible. (NOTE: Yes, I do have friends at church, and there are friends who are like family. It’s just the way it is.)
This will not be in chronological order, nor in order of “importance”. It’s simply alphabetical.
· I (or rather my friend Sara) rearranged my living room; I like it.
· I accepted (again) that just because a thing is advertised as such doesn’t mean that it is so.
· I acquired a roommate: “the teen”, a 16-yr-old student from our school; a South Korean whose parents live in another city about 10 hours away.
· I affirmed anew that I really, really hate to fly.
· I became a Packers fan, thanks to Aaron Rodgers.
· I bought a breadmaker, and learned to make cinnamon-raisin bread.
· I celebrated when a student in my class who knew no English four months ago scored an A on a math test.
· I cheered while our school’s basketball and volleyball teams won games, and lost games.
· I chose to root for a former Gator, thanks to Tim Tebow.
· I cried when others realized that God’s plan was for them to go elsewhere.
· I discovered, via email or Facebook, life-changing events occurring stateside; most were pleasant, but surprising.
· I had vacation time with friends who are family.
· I helped my boss, the school’s director, to choose an updated set of curriculum standards for our school.
· I learned to shoot a handgun. I’m not an expert at all, but it was fun to try. (Also, guns are LOUD.)
· I made kitty-litter cake for Halloween .
· I played in the snow for an hour and walked through the slushy mess for weeks.
· I realized that training is important for people of all ages.
· I rejoiced when some folks decided to return here next year.
· I rode in a hot-air balloon.
· I saw kids (and adults) racked with tears because friends move away at the end of the year, or mid-year, or mid-week.
· I shopped at IKEA on opening day (in fact, we were there when the doors opened) and learned just how easy it is to spend money there when you don’t have to rush through the entire store in an hour or less.
· I visited with my mom (and aunt) who actually came here, stayed in my apartment, visited my school, ate at my favorite local restaurant, and met the family that I have here.
· I walked on paths in two different countries where the Apostle Paul once walked, and stood in places where he might have stood to preach.
· I watched a teacher’s face glow with joy as she explained how conversations in her classroom lead to students praying, believing, and accepting the love of Christ.
· I witnessed a kid’s life change by staying the same when the “no” became a “yes”.
