Recap of 2011

I know its been a while...a long while. 2011 has been a rough year for me -- I have been challenged more, struggled more, felt more emotions than I ever thought possible and have had to work through lots of things both emotionally and physically.

But its been a GOOD year. 

I'm thankful for the path the Lord has led me on this year....He has shown me HOW much He loves me and that He has some AMAZING plans for me -- if I just wait and trust Him. I've had some amazing people in my life this this year -- some new friends and some old -- who have taught me about myself, God, my relationships with friends and families and have helped me work through so many things going on in my life. I am SO grateful for each and everyone who has listened to me, given me advice, cried with me, given me a shoulder to lean on and in the end, shown me how amazing my life truly is.

I know that I am truly BLESSED. 

I've had the opportunity to visit some amazing places this year....and had the opportunity to experience and see some amazing things. LM and I travelled to Ireland and got to see some amazing castles...

 and some of the most amazing scenery I have ever seen before in my life. Everything is as green as you see in the pictures.

 We travelled all over Ireland - and saw almost everything there was to see. The Cliffs of Moher were one of my favorites. They were just SO amazing. Although, I didn't walk along the edge like LM did...I'm too afraid of heights for that one!

 And then we stopped off in London on the way home. It was a great weekend to get to see the city and all the amazing things it has to offer.

 And of course, you have to take at least ONE picture in the phone booths! Its like a requirement for the trip!

And after I got back from Ireland, I had to work my tail off as I got to experience my first budget season. After that, I had to take another vacation. LM was headed to the Caymans for work....I know, rough. And I tagged along for a long weekend. Although I was sick for most of the trip...and it rained quite a bit, I still got to experience the amazing beach, the sun and even better time with one of my besties!

Then I came back and it was birthday time. I haven't had a big birthday party in QUITE a while, and my friend SM was gracious enough to throw me an awesome party at her house. The best part, we bought a bouncey house for the kids...yes, I said the kids. :) I loved getting to see all of my friends, catch up, and at the end of the night, get some quality time in the bouncey house too! Here are some pictures from the party...

 You can see it was a BEAUTIFUL day. The weather was gorgeous and it was a wonderful day to spend outside! Here are some KPMG friends....the O's above, and the J's and R's below!

 Here I am with M and S, the hostess with the mostest. I was so blessed to be surrounded by so many I love that weekend.

 And the bouncey house...the best purchase ever. Here is P with little E bouncing around in the bouncey house. EVERYONE enjoyed it. It was SO much fun!!!

 And the best picture of the night...it was at the end of the night and I think this just shows how much fun  we were having. Thanks S, for the most amazing b-day party!

And if that party wasn't enough, the best thing happened the very next day. I feel like God has been calling me for a long time to TRUST in Him. To let go...and follow Him. So I made the decision to get baptized. It was a long time coming -- God had been tugging at my heart for a while to be obedient to Him. And with everything that had been going on in the last year, I felt like it was the perfect time -- to truly tell God I was done trying to do it on my own and I was ready to let Him really take control of my life.

I was also blessed that Malcom, who had taught with one of my best friends a while back, was the Pastor that baptized me. I love his way with words and the way he was able to take my story and say it in a way that beautifully described my life and my decision.

I wish I had what Malcom said on video. He told my story so eloquently and perfectly. I had told Malcom how I have lived my life so busy...to keep me from thinking about things, from doing the things I should, and he said it perfectly when he said that busyness was my idol....something that was keeping me from God. Something that I put before God. And he was right....it was the one thing that was keeping me from trusting in God, from spending time with Him, and from truly dedicating my life to Him. I needed to slow down and let go of all those things that were keeping me from God.

And I felt like I had made some decisions throughout the year to slow down, and it was the perfect statement of the changes I wanted to make in my life. And I feel like this whole year God has been leading me down this path, showing me changes I need to make in my life, and truly growing me in unimaginable ways.  I'm still not where I want to be, or He wants me to be for that matter, but I feel like I am on the right path again. And better than anything else, I know that I am LOVED and TRULY BLESSED.

And I am ready for 2012. I know it is going to be an amazing year and I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for me!