Good Riddance 2012!

So much happened this past year. There have been some really good times and some really bad times...like every year I guess. After this year, I have never been more ready for the next. 

2012 in a nutshell

January -Engaged! It was so exciting and so creative on Andy's part.

Febuary -Andy's mom passed away...overall this was just a heartbreaking month. 

March -The Bosch move-out/move in lots of boxes and forcing Andy to pack. 

April -Done with school for the summer and started a new job at Hope Network.

May -Worked a ton! Climbing that newbie ladder....

June -One year to our wedding countdown started...lots of planning/implementation for a DIY wedding. 

July -Andy moved back to Lansing and I worked a ton between my two jobs. 

August -Work work work. 

September -Back to Kalamazoo for the hardest semester of my life.

October -Started at a new AFC in Kalamazoo...completely different scene than GR. 

November -Had some health issues and had a procedure that eventually proved I wouldn't need surgery for now...yay! 

December -Finished with that semester [Only God knows how]. 

I am looking forward to 2013...wedding, internships, and new adventures to come! 

Cheers! 

Christmas Honesty

In this post I am going to share one very honest truth about myself. I really don't like Christmas. The meaning behind it with the birth of our Savior, yes that's awesome; the tacky decorations, the cold, the busy mall, and the obnoxious music...not so awesome. It's actually really annoying what this world has made Christmas out to be. 

 There is one thing I love about Christmas. The way a church looks at Christmas time is beautiful. This morning while I was walking into church, I was wishing I was in bed and dreading my next couple of busy weeks in school. Stepping into the sanctuary literally took my breath away. The stage was filled with fresh, red poinsettias and all sorts of Christmas trees covered in white lights. 

I was so wrapped up in everything that the beginning weeks of December brings (finals and too many projects!) I forgot all about the season of Advent, the Christmas based sermons, and mostly the joy that comes to people around Christmastime.

So this year, yeah, I think I'm ready for Christmas...just so long as I don't have to listen to the music!