AuburnChick's Adventures

It’s hard to believe that this is the last day of 2013, isn’t it?

When I think back to this past year, I am amazed at how many things happened…the gamut of emotions involved…the roller coaster ridden with every high and low.

Teaching monopolized most of my energy and time.

I completed my Reading Endorsement and began ESOL Endorsement coursework (which I will finish when I complete one more class in January).

I went through a very difficult professional experience and learned how low people will stoop to further themselves at the expense of others.  It wasn’t fun being someone else’s punching bag.

I grew professionally…in confidence and relationally…both with students and fellow co-workers as I earned their respect and gained new respect for them in return.

I read 45 books…most of them Young Adult.  It’s wonderful that I can recommend books to my students that I’ve actually read…something that is integral to helping students develop a love for reading.

Click to view a larger image

I moved one child out of my home permanently while the other moved back in, filling the void that had been left by his sibling.

I watched as Chicky began her final season of college soccer and cried when it was cut far too short due to injury.

I witnessed the loss of a beloved family pet and the matriarch of our family…both so sad in nature.  Tears still come quickly to my eyes when I think of the special personalities embodied in each precious soul.

I made a Booga Bag for Mama Dot, per her request. This was her reaction when she opened her gift that Christmas…my favorite photo of her…pure joy!

I joined the Harry Potter Knit/Crochet House Cup on Ravelry and began knitting more often…making new online friends in the process.  This was the catalyst I needed to partake of my beloved hobby…something I had denied myself because of “work.”

The Mr. and I joined a small group at church and began to stretch ourselves socially within a Christian context.

Ultimately, 2013 was a year of growth.

When I look back, I see how God stretched me.

He chose not to remove difficult circumstances from my life but, instead, made Himself a very real presence in those difficult days.

He showed me His plan for Chicky’s life when He granted her the dream job she’d longed for…mere days after hurting her knee.

He took a bit longer but still showed grace when I read the book Unglued and healed from the hurt from the end of the 2012-2013 school year.

God allowed my relationship with Chicky to mature; she and I are closer now and quicker to forgive one another.

I’m not one to make New Year’s resolutions because I don’t like to break promises…especially those made to myself.  However, what I would like to do during 2014 is to continue the growth made during 2013.

Every single thing…every person I meet…every experience I live through is a part of God’s plan.

There is NOTHING that He allows that isn’t for a reason.

I know that my ultimate purpose in life is to bring glory to God.

I pray that I do a better job of that in 2014 but am thankful that the Lord has forgiven my lapses in 2013.

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: New Year's |