Tonight Andrew and I went to dinner at what I like to call our favorite restaurant but really it is just mine and he is sweet enough to take me there whenever I want to go. It was just the two of us, which is a rare thing, so we were enjoying deeper conversations than usual. We were discussing the future, in particular the near future. He is graduating from college in May and has a pretty big decision to make of where to go to seminary. He has many options in mind but is planning to start visiting soon to determine which places he likes best and where he feels God is leading him. So, this coming year is a big one for him, one with a lot of important decisions, changes, and the ending of one chapter with the beginning of a new.

As we talked about such things, I started thinking that this year is not only life changing for Andrew but for many people in my life, as well as myself. One of my roommates, Meredith, will be graduating in May. She has already interviewed with a prestigious company and will be finding out the outcome here in the next couple of weeks. I am praying the internship works out for her. She will also be living with me for another year, which is an adventure in itself. My other two roommates, Erin and Janie, are engaged, which is absolutely so fun and exciting. They are both busy picking out invitations, bridesmaid dresses, their gown, venue, etc. to prepare for their big day. Obviously, both of their lives will be changing drastically. They will be graduating from college this year, getting married, and beginning their careers. Wow.

As for myself, I will be finishing school in December, which seems really far away but in reality it isn't. I will be looking for a job. What kind of job? I don't know. Where? Unfortunately, I don't know the answer to that question either. The job market is competitive and I have to be willing to go wherever I can find a well-paying job. The thought of leaving a place I have become so comfortable with, yet again, is frightening.

So, this year is full of a lot of uncertainties and unknowns for all of us. I think we are all a bit sentimental, sad to leave all this behind, yet looking forward to what lies ahead. These past few years have flown by for us all. We have shared so many fun times together and it will be sad to part but exciting to share all the fun ahead, the weddings, career dreams being fulfilled, babies (God willing, in the WAY far off future) and all of lives precious offerings. I am so nervous for the future but excited to begin a new chapter in life.

For now I plan to enjoy the next year. It is my last year in school, which seems like such a blessing now but one day I'm sure I will wish I was back. It is my last couple of months to live in a house with some of the very best friends anyone could have. It is my last year without my very own job. This year brings upon a lot of lasts, which means the first of many things are sure to follow.

These past few weeks I would define as weeks of reflection in my life. Some would call me quite a nostalgic person, and I guess I would have to agree. On occasion there are times I love to think back on the past, certain events in my life that were full of laughter and joy. On the other hand, more often I am reminded of times in the past that brought about immense amounts of pain and devastation. Those thoughts are not welcomed, however they seem to persist.

This time of reflection began toward the end of the much needed and appreciated time I had at home over Christmas break. Saying goodbye to family and friends is always tough, even though I know I have a new "home" now, with other friends and people I consider family. Saying goodbye always leaves me mulling over the fun times I had with dear friends growing up, wishing for a mere second I could be back in that time and place, where worries and fear were non existent. I think back to living at home with my parents and sister and seeing my grandmother everyday, and all the fun, monumental moments we all shared together. These things bring a smile to my face until I snap back to reality and realize those moments are simply memories, and sadness sets in.

One of the worst images, which appears in my mind on a daily basis is the day my dad was diagnosed with cancer. My world stopped. I couldn't understand why it was happening, especially to my dad, a whole-hearted follower of Christ, a man that has the biggest heart and would do absolutely anything for anyone. It was a very difficult season in life. Fortunately, I learned a lot during that time and it only brought our family closer, however, it is still something I cry out to God about, something that I know much good and glory came out of the situation but I just can't understand it. For now I am grateful he is in remission but the unknown of whether or not the cancer will return is haunting.

A major time of reflection came last week on my sweet boyfriend's birthday, during our celebration. Last Monday, January 18th marked a year exactly since Andrew flew to the Bahamas to sail away at sea for close to four months. Let's just say at that time in life, I was filled with much sorrow and heartache. Sorrow for saying goodbye to Andrew, knowing it would be months before I could look him in the eye, and unsure of if and when I would get to hear his voice. The heartache was present from the trials we had been facing for months, the feeling of not being loved, and the uncertainty of what the future held for us. These reflections are so hard, yet necessary.

The word necessary seems harsh to use in such circumstances that bring about suffering. Even so, I guess what I am trying to say is that I feel it is important to reflect, no matter how painful it may be. I believe it helps you to appreciate and be thankful for where you are in your life now, to look forward to the future and know that no matter what life throws your way, God has a plan! Now I can look forward to more times full of joy with those that I love and make new memories along the way.

Today I had the privilege to spend some quality time with my daddy. Oh how I absolutely adore that man. I have been daddy's little girl for as long as I can remember. When I was younger and much lighter, he would let me sit on his shoulders while we were walking, just so I could see everything that was going on. You know those really cool hair wraps you can get at Disney world? Yep, my dad taught himself how to wrap hair just so he could do it for my sister and I. He used to kneel by my bed and pray with me every night before I went to sleep, and still to this day while I'm away at school he reminds me to say my prayers every night. All my life he has been my biggest cheerleader, supporter, best friend, and hero. Basically, my dad is precious, the best dad in the entire world. Together, we have been through some of the best of times and some of the worst. He always has a way of making the bad situations good though, and putting a smile on my face when it seems nearly impossible. I could list all the memories my dad and I have, everything he has done for me, and all the reasons why I love him but it wouldn't do it justice, and I would probably run out of space to type. My dad is amazing, words cannot even describe how special this man is to me, and always will be. I love my dad!

So, while spending time with my dad this afternoon, we were riding in the car on our way to dinner and listening to music. A song started playing from his ipod, a sweet Christian song. I have never been one to listen to the lyrics of songs, I am more attracted to the rhythm and the voice of the artist. As I looked over at my dad toward the end of the song, he had tears in his eyes. He told me this was one of his favorites songs and it always makes him cry. Might I just add that my dad never cries. He is the strongest person I know and I can only count of two times I have ever seen him cry: the day my grandmother (his mom) passed away and the day he dropped me off at college. Now I'm sure there have been other times, though, not many, but those other times must have been in private. He started the song over and told me to listen to the lyrics. This song touched my heart tonight during my time with my dad. They brought tears to my eyes and I felt as if it was worthy of sharing.

My dad seemed ten feet tall

When I was just a kid

And if you asked me who my hero was

I'd quickly tell you it was him

He must have had a thousand stories

I must have heard a million times

But I'll never forget as long as I live

Us kneeling down that day

Him teaching me to pray

Chorus:

(He said) It's not far from here to Jesus

His loving arms are open wide

Close your eyes and he will lead you

Safely to his side

There's no need for you to fear him

You can trust him with your heart

And it's not far

It's not far

I couldn't help but wonder how

The years have gone so fast

With every breath dad fought to take

I knew could be his last

And as we gathered round his bedside

And fumbled through what we would say

I bowed my head and began to cry

And whispered in his ear

My last goodbye (and said)

Bridge:

There is no distance

From the love of God

He's always there to hear our prayer

And answer when we call

From here to Jesus

It's not far

It's not far from here to Jesus

It's not far from here

It's not far from here to Jesus

It's not far

It's not far

It's not far from here

It's not far from here to Jesus

It's not far from here

For those of you who know me, you know I love watching television. I could sit and watch shows all day long and become addicted to just about anything. My family has recently discovered the luxury and convenience of a DVR, a digital video recorder. When I am unable to watch a show at its scheduled time, I just hit the little red button and all is well. A few months ago, on a quiet Sunday night while watching my usual Sunday night television line-up, I discovered the series, Brothers and Sisters. If you don't watch it, I encourage you to do so.

This afternoon I sat down to watch last night's episode, a real tear jerker, but it also aroused many thoughts and ideas in my head. I don't want to ruin the show for anyone who is going to take my surprisingly good advice and begin watching the show so I will try my best not to give anything important away. In this particular part of the episode, one of the family members has been ill for quite a while and her husband wants to talk with her to let her know how much he loves and cares for her, in case something happens to her in the near future. They had a rocky marriage at one point but now their love is stronger than ever before. He asks her if she has any regrets, since he wasn't always the best husband and she responds saying she has no regrets. She then proceeds to ask him the same question, thinking her illness probably led to many regrets. But he also responded by saying he had absolutely no regrets.

I say all of this because it made me think hard about my life, the past and the future. I have many regrets from my past, some I think about often, while others are rare. But a regret can be defined as "a feeling of sadness, repentance, or disappointment over something that has happened or been done." Unfortunately, I experience those such feelings on a regular basis, whether it is regretting saying something to someone, or the lack thereof, not doing this or not doing that, and the list goes on. Basically I'm saying we have just now begun a new year, a year where I don't want to live with regrets. It is going to be a priority of mine to live life to the fullest, for we are not guaranteed tomorrow. I want to look back on this year, 2010, and know I wouldn't have done it any different. I want to be the best daughter, granddaughter, sister, friend, girlfriend, babysitter, mentor, etc. that I can be. Most importantly, I want to live my life for Christ, the life He has called each and every one of us to. I want to be an example to others and follow God's will for my life. Luke 9:23 states, Then He said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." I want to follow this verse and live my life for Him.

Well, where do I even begin? Last May, in the midst of finals and the closing of a long semester, also brought a bittersweet ending to a school year surrounded by wonderful friends, my sorority sisters. Summer was rapidly approaching and we were all going to be going our separate ways. So, to keep in touch with one another, a group of my closest friends all decided to start our own personal blogs. We spent countless late nights listening to music while making sure we picked the perfect blog title, background, colors, etc. I was, without question, on the blogging bandwagon. As you can see it is now the last day of the year and I am finally getting around to blogging for the very first time. As people are pondering their New Year's resolutions, I have decided mine is going to be to become a frequent blogger. Whether this blog touches a life, brings a smile to a face, or just fills spare time for someone, then this blog has fulfilled its purpose. So here's to 2010, a year full of blogging and blessings.