my 2013

This past year instead of trying to stick to a new year’s resolution, I saw someone post on facebook about choosing a word and seeing how that one word can change your life. I chose the word Strength for the year 2013. It is so incredible to see how this word has worked in my life for the past year. It has been one of the best years but also one of the most difficult years I have ever experienced.  In 2013, I experienced a roller coaster of emotions that only Strength from God could help me through.

I completed 2 semesters of nursing school (ONLY ONE MORE TO GO!). This has been one of the most wonderful, yet draining things I have ever done. I have worked with patients that have made me want to pull my hair out, some who changed my life, and some whom I will never forget. I pray each day when I go into clinical that I learn something new and can help better a person during my time with them whether it be physically or emotionally.

 

 

I also saw Devin graduate from ECU. Since I have been at ECU, Devin has also been there. He has been my comforter and a constant friend to me. Since he graduated and moved back home, I had to learn to live without him being there every day. We have already done the long distance relationship thing when he first went off to college after high school so having to do it again has been challenging. I know God is strengthening us and bettering ourselves during our time apart.

 

One of the things that knocked me and a lot of our friends to our knees… I lost one of the most important men in my life on May 15^th, 2013. Mr. Donald. This is a curve ball that we were thrown this year. Losing him was not in our year plan at all. This just goes to show it’s not our plan. It’s God’s plan. His plan is so much more than what we can envision. Though we do not know why he was taken from us so suddenly, we just know to have constant faith in God and know that He is our healer and will provide us all strength to get through this difficult time.

As you all may know….I got engaged to my best friend on June 8^th, 2013! It was the most wonderful and perfect day thus far in my life! He truly made me feel like a princess. We have done a lot of wedding planning over the past couple of months, but I honestly can’t wait until October 4, 2014 so I can call that handsome man my husband!

 

I pulled my first summer working at Sunset Slush of Holden Beach! This is the store Devin, Drew, Mrs. Susie, and Mr. Donald had opened a couple of years back! The atmosphere of the store is so welcoming and happy. Tourist turn into family friends after they return year after year. I had worked in a local restaurant for the past couple of years, but with the stress and grieving our family was going through, I could not emotionally handle the restaurant industry. It was so hard to leave a work family I had been with since I was 16 years old, but I felt my time there was up. Being surrounded by the Sellers family while working was very comforting. Sunday nights were family nights. Devin, Drew, Meghan, Mrs. Susie, and I all worked together. We did a lot of laughing, dancing, crying, fussing…but that’s what families do. We stuck together this summer through the good days and the bad days.  

 

Now this is something I am so excited about…My sister is engaged and I had the priviledge of seeing Drew propose to her! What a special moment that was! She found her soul mate and they are going to tie the knot!

On December 28^th, 2013…I saw my two dearest friends get married! Maggie and Sam Hickman are now MARRIED! Devin and I got to be the witness on the marriage licenses hahah! What a blessing it has been to watch the two of them fall in love and become one. They have such a pure marriage and I cant wait to see what God has in store for them.

These are just some of the events of my year 2013. God provided me with the strength to face each challenge. I have learned to trust in him and use him as my strength rather than relying on myself to do it all. I pray that you all will read this and be encouraged to choose a word that will help push and challenge you through this next year!