How does one sum up a year that began asleep at 8 pm in bed with Covid and ended watching fireworks through the silhouette of the tallest building in the world in Dubai?
This year brought some of the most significant life changes I've had since leaving the house for college and have made the second half of my “Golden Year” nothing less than life changing.
I extend my prayers and well wishes to everyone reading this that your 2023 is so full of love, hope, and peace that it can be freely given to those around you. I pray you find courage to step out of your comfort zone in faith and let God guide your way in 2023.
The biggest change was that I left my role as a Senior Project Engineer at Pape-Dawson Engineers in San Antonio to take a new civil engineering role with Engineering Ministries International in a village south of Kampala, Uganda. The past four months have been a whirlwind of culture shocks and adjustments but getting to be a part of the work that God is doing in the East Africa region has been extremely humbling and fulfilling.
Earlier this year before I left, I really leaned into the sport of Crossfit and started training competitively and teaching some lessons. I had some success in the Crossfit Open ranking in the top 3% in the world, but more importantly I found great community and friendships that supported and encouraged me through all of the highs and lows and changes this year brought.
I continued to judge gymnastics throughout the spring season with opportunities to be on the NCAA Championships, USA Gymnastics Regional Championships, and WOGA Classic meet (my first international meet!) as the highlights of the season.
I feel so grateful for the opportunities this year brought. I’ve traveled around the nation for gymnastics meets, spent a couple weeks in Kansas before the move (met my new dog-nephew!), and spent countless weekends exploring Texas with the girls from my small group bible study. I’ve gotten to safari, camped along the Nile River, gazed over the desert from the tallest building in the world, and did handstands on TWO new continents this year.
This year God showed me the abundance of life He desires to give us. While this year held just as many lows and sacrifices as the highlights above, stepping out on faith and trusting God that His plan is better than mine has been a resounding theme through the discomfort and heartbreak this year has also seen.
If you are still reading this, you are truly a real one because just like most of the stories I tell in person, this post has gone much longer than I initially set out for it to be (some things never change 😉.) But thank you for your continued support and friendship. One of my greatest fears what that I would be quickly forgotten (out of sight and out of mind) but I am so thankful for your thoughts and prayers and check-ins. I truly feel the love and care from the other side of the world.
All in all, it’s been a great year and can’t wait to see what 2023 has in store!
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