A Year Has Past

It has been a year since I have written. For so little to have happened so much has seemed to pass. Within the last year I have moved back to Spokane. I finally finished my undergraduate degree and am now preparing to begin the next phase of my education. I keep finding out more and more classes I need to take in order to become a Washington state Social Studies teacher. However the end is in sight and hopefully I will get into the Master's of Teaching program I want and receive my diploma and teaching certificate by the end of the summer of 2012 (if the world is still in order by then :) ). I had such high expectations for this past year but they have not come to fruition. Another lesson in how I am not in control. Which is okay, I just always hope I am not hindering the plans He has made for me.

This past year has been much about my dog Copper. He died in the beginning of June, but was not well for many months prior. And those months I was constantly with him trying to make his last days good. Watching a loved one (even just a dog) go through a more or less painful end is never an easy thing. I saw how death is rarely graceful. It also made me reflect on how our sin as humans, the fall, not only affected us the doers, but all creation. With Adam and Eve the whole world fell from God into disarray and pain. Even the animals suffer on behalf of our consequences. Well, with all that said, I am thankful that God allowed me to enjoy 16 years with Copper. I am grateful for all His blessings, even though the world is fallen, He has made made many things to be joyful blessings and Copper's life was one of them for me.

Another huge event was the birth of my niece Remember. She came out of the womb in April. I am excited to be apart of her life and see her mature over the years. She is precious now, but I can't wait until she gets a little older and be able to walk and communicate by using words. Life is always changing. I don't usually do well with life's continuing transformations, but with Remember being added to my family dynamic, I see that not all changes are bad.

So, as you can see I have not actually done much this year. This year has been a tumultuous one that has caused me to be a bit reclusive from the outside. I have needed to spend a lot of time by myself and also with my family. And now we will see what this upcoming year will bring. Hopefully I will post more often than just once every August.