Year in Review

So much for my aspirations of blogging regularly whilst in school! It turns out that when you have a paper due every week (plus a final paper, plus a final exam) and would still like to see your husband occasionally and have other commitments and aren’t as young as you used to be, there’s often not enough left in the tank for the “extras” you were hoping to accomplish! (To wit: never did use that Bento Box of Preparedness this term… oops!)

I know for many people 2016 was a rough year, but for me it turned out to be amazing! Last October, I was feeling a little sensitive about my age and life stage, in the sunset of my 20s and feeling a bit like a failure. But I decided I would do my very best to make 29 a year well-lived, and by God’s grace I can look back and see how He enabled me to grow so much and provided above and beyond what I could ask or imagine! So, this short recap is my tribute to His faithfulness in my life in 2016. Soli deo Gloria – all glory to God!

Highlights of 2016

• Monthly dinners with friends who are really family
• RCCF Winter Retreat
• Discovering a local florist with amazing deals on spring bulbs, and buying an embarrassing number of mini daffodils
• Enjoying Afternoon Tea dates with people I love
• Participating in an international book exchange with strangers from around the world
• Purchasing a green wing chair for our living room, in memory of my late grandparents whose beautiful home was filled with the comfiest armchairs
  

  

  

  

  
• Cramming 16 people into our apartment for a last-minute fellowship program
• Hosting RCCF committee meetings & the footwashing ceremony when the old committee passed the baton to the new committee
• Finishing the study of Revelation with my BSF class
• Celebrating our anniversary with a delicious trip to Nadege & mini photo shoot in the park
• Reminiscing about undergrad, growing in my faith, & meeting tons of new students at AFC’s Campus Challenge conference (held at my alma mater)
• Making excellent use of our outdoor pool & logging more swim hours than in any other year
• Hosting & feeding students… whether they were invited or just showed up at the door & brought the whole squad along to mooch dinner leftovers
  

  

  

  

  

  
• Organizing a bridal shower for a dear friend, and then playing the piano at her wedding
• Marking an entire decade of life together (10 years since our first date!)
• Participating in an inter-generational women’s small group over the summer
• Hosting an Afternoon Tea Party for the ladies of my former church
• Enjoying a FANTASTIC month off in July
• Taking a ridiculous number of sky/sunset photos because God’s artistry just never gets old
• Grilling on the patio with summertime guests
• Making a homemade Korean Feast with foodie friends
• Recharging with solo couch time & Netflix
  

  

  

  

  

  
• Starting my first bullet journal and falling in love with the process
• Going back to school (online courses from CCEF)
• Marveling at the gracious way God pursues us in love
• Deciding to pursue a Master’s degree
• Getting wall shelves installed to complete our new home layout/design
• Celebrating my 30th birthday with a giant party!
• Writing a new worship song as a reflection on my counseling studies thus far
• Making a Julia Child-inspired meal (including her classic boeuf bourguignon) with friends, while wearing pearls & watching “Julie & Julia”
• Getting accepted to the online MAC program at Westminster Theological Seminary
• Spending quality time with family & friends over the holidays
  

  

  

  

  

  
  
  “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)

  Wishing you a new year filled with true and lasting joy, peace that passes understanding, and just the right amount of adventure!

  xo,
  Kate