2013: A Year I Will Never Forget

As I sat down to write about the year that is coming to an end and the ideals of the year to come, I was reminded that today is the day that I have. I cannot bring back yesterday and I cannot control tomorrow - no matter how hard I try and no matter how many times I have to learn that lesson.

2013 was hard, very hard, and if I am being honest that is a bit of an understatement. I welcomed 2013 in laying in a hospital bed and the year has been filled with health battle after health battle. Cancer, surgeries, and illness hit my family hard. I spent far too many days without my husband. This year also made us parents, and though it was only for a short while, I'll never forget and will never be the same. I appreciate life a little different and love a lot stronger. 

This year has also been filled with exciting changes and celebration. Dan completed C17 training and we moved from Oklahoma to Washington. We absolutely love the PNW and we love the C17 community (even if it does mean Dan has been in a hotel or on the road over 340 days since last September) and our squadron. We have found a church home, we have met friends that have become family, and we have been blessed with a wonderful home. With any luck the PNW will be "home" for at least 2 more years and we are looking forward to more exploring! 

Dan's career is taking off and he fulfilled his first goal of being selected for C17 Air Drop school. He completes that school and will be a Co-Pilot Air Dropper in a couple weeks. It is really neat watching him live out his childhood dream. As for me, I was recently hired as an Emergency Room Tech at a local hospital. I absolutely love working in the ER and know medicine is where I belong. I will start working towards school again soon but right now I need a lot of patient care hours for the programs I am looking at. 

Most of all, 2013 has taught me that I serve a faithful God. I serve a God that comforts and a God that sustains. I serve a God that is strongest when I am my weakest. I serve a God that loves me when I am most undeserving. I serve a God that lets me scream and simutaneously comforts me with the gentlest of hands. I serve a God that weeps when I weep. I serve a God that fills me with joy in the middle of sorrow. I serve a God that celebrates and rejoices with me. I serve a God that knows what is best for me. I serve a good God. 

So while I want to celebrate that today is the last day of this year, I do not want to forget this year. I have seen so much glory through the struggle. And for that, it is worth every hard day. 

Here's to 2014. A year of changes. A year of even bigger goals. A year to see my God work even more. A year to become a better me. 

What will you do in 2014? How will you make this year different? Remember, you are often your own biggest hurdle. So get out the way, get started, and make every day count. Make 2014 a year to remember!

Stay tuned for more. Tomorrow I will address running - the other piece to this blog.