Happy Blessed New Year!!
Another year has flown by and we are ready to take on 2014. This is my first post for the brand new year, 2014…Crazy!!
I hope it was a great year for all of you, and I pray 2014 is a blessed year for all of you!!
As we get ready to begin a new year and start 2014, I can’t help but reflect on all my blessings in 2013. There were many events, friendships, tears, challenges, new opportunities, and changes piled into the year 2013. I honestly don’t know where to begin. You can check out my year in review of running, somehow I managed to keep it short 😉 and if you missed my post for a healthier 2014 read it here.
I grew in so many areas of my life and accomplished more than I thought imaginable. I can honestly say that 2013 was one of the best years in my life for a variety of reasons, even amongst the pain and challenges.
I didn’t know where to even begin as I sat down to write this post. I haven’t been blogging for long, but ever since I started in March 2013, I have been awarded with many new friendships and opportunities.
Here are the blessings of 2013:
1. Marriage (My Husband) –
I was engaged March 24th, and married September 21st. One of the best days of my life!! I was blessed with an amazing husband, my best friend. Even though we have been married for only 3 months I have still been blessed and challenged with our marriage. Our wedding made the year 2013 that much more special and blessed. Marc and I vowed to live as one for the rest of our lives, and everyday I am blessed by his love and commitment.
2. New and Old (current) Family –
With marriage I gained a whole new family to add to my current family. Both Marc’s and my family are amazing!! Everyday I am blessed by their love, encouragement, generosity and support. My family has helped me through so much this past year, from a wedding to losses, they have stood by me. With every race I ran they supported me and praised me. Without my family and husband I wouldn’t be the person I am today.
3. New and Old Friendships –
My Friends from running CO: Holly, Meghan, Vieve, Rebekah missing Lisa
I gained genuine friendships this past year, while deepening old ones. I would have never thought that by being apart of an ultra relay, I would’ve fostered friendships that will last forever. Really blogging is what brought 5 amazing new friendships into my life. I have also strengthened my friendships with so many of my college friends, who supported me through my engagement and wedding. I am truly blessed with great friends, who I know will always be there to lift me up.
My wonderful wedding party (truly treasure all these ladies)!!
4. New Job –
I was blessed to begin a new job for Gonzaga University. With this new job I have met even more great people who have been such a breath of fresh air. It’s an entirely new environment for me, but has provided me with wonderful opportunities and friendships.
5. New Ambassadorship –
Becoming a Nuun Ambassador is an amazing feeling. This is a fairly new blessing. I had the privilege of running two ultra Ragnar Relay’s for Nuun, so being officially apart of the Nuun team is awesome. This opportunity will only create more friendships. I am excited to represent a product I love.
6. Running –
You knew running would make the list. My love of running has built new friendships and challenged me to do things I never thought I would ever do, even those non-running related. I joined a running team, Spokane Swifts, and love sharing my love for running with others. My running has taken me to places I have never been, mentally and physically, and geographically. I have had the opportunity to run in different states, while meeting many women who share my same passion. I am blessed with the ability to run, and even more blessed by what has resulted due to my passion for running.
7. Church – Really this should be at the top of the list. Without a place to fellowship with others, my relationship with Christ wouldn’t be where it is today. My church family is important to me. Even with attending a new church, I am still blessed with my old church family and the mentors I have. Church encompasses so much more than just my place of worship and fellowship, it involves prayer, relationship, and my personal faith journey. I am blessed to be provided with a safe place to worship my Heavenly Father.
8.Kids –
(with my nephew on Halloween)
I love children. Working with children the majority of my life has brought so many blessings. From those I have nannied, watched or played with in kids church, to those that are now my nieces and nephews, kids have always been a joy for me. Even in the challenges, kids have blessed my life in more ways then one. Their laughs, personalities, and smiles bring such happiness to Marc and I’s life. I am so blessed by all the children in my life.
Nieces and nephews on Marc’s side
My sister’s son
9. My Health- Great health is something be to grateful for. It’s easy to forget how fortunate one is to be healthy. I am blessed with a healthy body that is able to perform all I love to do, from the cooking/baking to the running.
10. The Freedom to be me –
Living in America allows for more freedoms than I think we take the time to notice. I am free to worship whomever I want, wear whatever I want, own a car and house, write freely, read freely, speak freely, and just BE ME freely. We forget how much we have in America. So many other individuals living elsewhere are not allowed the freedoms we take for granted. It truly is a blessing!!
I am excited to start this New Year!! And more excited to see where the Lord takes Marc and I, and what He has in store for us!!
Until Next Time, Be Whole, Be Fit, & Be Blessed!!
Holly says
Seriously LOVE this! Excited for the blessing in store for you in 2014!