Looking Back: 2012

2012 was a big year for me. Here are some (a few of many!) highlights.

In 2012 I...

-spent 4 months in Guatemala! I say it was a highlight of the year, and it definitely was, but it is something I will remember for the rest of my life. I learned so much during this time, and am so grateful for the time I spent there.

-made new friends

-watched the Beautiful game. Once live, and many times on tv with Don Carlos.

-taught English to a bunch of elementary school kids and stepped way outside of my comfort zone. But God is good, and I grew to love it...and them!

-got my 2nd Star Wars filming location shot by visiting Tikal, by far one of the coolest places I've seen in any of my travels.

-drank lots of coffee, here and abroad

-turned 21! Definitely won't be forgetting this birthday anytime soon. And definitely not celebrated in your typical 21st fashion.

-experienced Holy Week, Guatemala style

-learned how to barter

-came back to school and made so many new friends!

-finished out my competitive soccer career, and beat Prin!

-got a puppy (ok my parents did, but close enough...right?)

-spent time with family 

-became a barista

-staffed a week at camp

-cheered on my girls to a 1st time victory over Principia College

-watched many movies

-got a car

-studied too much ;)

-finished COR 401!

-became a 2nd semester senior

-conquered my toughest semester yet

-laughed, lived, and loved much

here's to 2013 and all it may bring!

In the midst of tragedy.

We can never hope to make sense of the tragedies that have occurred in this world and during this holiday time. This is not an issue of too much or too little legislation, of not enough security, or of unprepared teachers. We live in an evil, and fallen world. Outside of the gospel of Christ there is no hope, there is no good to be found in the senseless killings of precious little ones. But Christ has come, yes, the very reason we celebrate this time of year, to bring restoration. He is the light in this dark world. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul. When there is nothing left to hold on to, there is Him. And we do hold on to Him now. And we pray for His peace during this time.

tears are falling, hearts are breaking

how we need to hear from God.

you've been promised, we've been waiting

welcome Holy Child,

welcome Holy Child.

hope that you don't mind our manger,

how I wish we would have known.

But long awaited Holy Stranger,

make yourself at home.

Please make yourself at home.

Bring your peace into our violence.

Bid our hungry souls be filled.

Word now breaking heaven's silence,

welcome to our world.

Welcome to our world.

fragile finger sent to heal us,

tender brow prepared for thorn,

tiny heart whose blood will save us,

unto us is born,

unto us is born.

So wrap our injured flesh around you,

breathe our air and walk our sod.

Rob our sin and make us holy, 

perfect Son of God

perfect Son of God.

Welcome to our world.