Growing Old and Feeling Young

     It is absolutely crazy to me when I think about the fact that I have been alive for 23 years. Well, I guess 22 full years and 1 day, but anyways, you get the point. 
     22 has been a whirlwind of a ride and as I reflect on it, I am incredibly grateful for the joy the Lord has brought me throughout it. I don't mean to sound "cliche'" or "trendy" when I say this, but if I were putting this on twitter, this past year would have the hashtag, #blessed. Last summer, I had the opportunity to work for CentriKid in South Carolina and I absolutely loved it. I was able to love on kids, share the gospel, be a part of a community of believers my age, and grow in my walk with Christ. I learned so much and grew a lot during the summer and really saw the Lord working in my life big time. While I was at camp, God already had plans for what I was going to do the moment I got home. I wrote about this in the fall, but donating bone marrow was probably one of the most challenging times in my entire life. I had to completely rely on God for my strength during that time, and I really saw how He can and will use us to help others. Five more months and hopefully (fingers crossed) I will get to hear from the girl I donated to and possibly even meet her. If so, there will be so much joy in my heart that I just may burst. 
     Let's see… oh yeah, I had an awesome student teaching experience in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade for 7 weeks and in 1st grade for 7 weeks. Then, I graduated college. That's a big deal and also makes me feel super old. The cool thing about my "graduation story" is that I was expecting it to be really difficult to find a job for January, and I was planning on substituting here and there until the next school year. Yet again, God showed me that he is MUCH bigger than any of our plans. Literally the same week I graduated, I began long-term substituting in 3rd grade and found out I would be there until the beginning of March. Can you say "woah?" And as if that wasn't already a big enough blessing, the week before my final week in 3rd grade, I got a call and was asked to be the new 1st grade teacher the following week. I think I  probably sounded silly on the phone because I was in shock that God had answered so many prayers. Not to mention, I have a Critical Needs scholarship requiring me to work in a critical needs area for two years. Guess what? The school I work for now falls into that category so not only did God bless me with a job, but he also gave me a job that I really really needed. 3rd thing? I had really been wanting 1st grade. You guessed it… I got 1st grade. He showed me how faithful He is to us when we are faithful to Him (and he especially showed me this in the span of about 3 months). 
    In a short 12 months, I went from being an undergraduate living in Hattiesburg, not really sure what the next few months would hold, to living at home with my family and being a 1st grade teacher. I have seen God's goodness and his grace over and over again. I have been comforted, I have been taught, I have been loved when I didn't feel like I was much to love, and I have been blessed beyond measure. I have grown so much in my own eyes and I look forward to what this year of life will bring. 
     Yeah, 22 does have a fun and upbeat song to go with it, and I haven't heard one for 23 yet, but if 23 is anything like 22 was, I know it will be great. Who knows? I might be the next TSwift and make 23 sound even cooler than 22. 
     I'm thankful for the people in my life who have continued to pour into me and encourage me along this journey. Thank you for teaching me, correcting me, encouraging me, and praying for me.