Happy New Year! It's 2014! Holy crap, where has the time gone?!
2013 has been a great and eventful year and I've been changed in so many ways for the better.
I want to start this blog entry by simply reflecting on the events of 2013. Not saying I'm going to finish this entry all in one night, but I want to go through each month, highlighting everything I experienced for that month in 2013. I can honestly say, it was probably one of the best years of my life. Thanks to God for providing and surrounding me with amazing people and a great family! I have been MORE than blessed :)
January:
Unfortunately, I had a negative start to my year. I lost my Grandma on January 5, 2013. I'll never forget the call from my dad as I repeated the words over and over again, "Dad? Are you serious? What?" as Taylor tried to hold me and help me through the tears. Christmas had just ended and I was not at all prepared financially to get myself to her funeral, even though I felt like I really needed to be there. I was so blessed for Taylor and his family's support to give me Air miles to help me fly oversees to England for Grandma's funeral and be with my family. I was happy to stay with my Auntie Karen and Uncle Ashton in their beautiful home in Benfleet, Essex and spend some quality time with them. I even got to see a musical at the Victoria Theatre - "The Lion King" - in which I was nearly in tears of pure joy watching. I did a good bit of sightseeing, even though I had been to London a few times before (a lot can change in 6 years!) and met up with my old high school friend, Danielle who is living and attending school in London.
Watching my beautiful grandmother at rest being lowered into the ground may seem like a morbid image for most, but for me, I had nothing but a calming peace come over me. Grandma had lived 86 years of a good life and was going to be with God. The song which stayed in my head throughout the entire trip was "It is well with my soul". As sad as death can be, I take pride in the fact that I had 24 years to know and have a strong relationship with my grandma. She watched me grow up over the years to become the woman that I am and I know she is proud. Sure, it would have been lovely for her to see me get married, or to see my first baby, but she at 86 years had witnessed events in her children and grandchildren's lives that not many people have the opportunity to see. She had experienced what Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs describes as "Self-Actualization" - the point at which a person reaches their full potential in life and the realization of that potential. I am so happy for her and know she will have peace for eternity with the Lord.
After coming back from my oversees trip, I was delighted to spend an entire weekend with three beautiful friends of mine (Jackie, Lindsay and Jennifer) from Meadow Lake. It was lovely to be surrounded by such positive girls and we had more than our share of fun!
Also in January, I had a brand new roommate move in named Jennifer Carbert. As much as we both were dissatisfied with living in the town of Meadow Lake, she helped me find myself spiritually and connect with God again. I am so glad that we became such good friends. She was more than a blessing to live with during that time in my life.
Stay tuned for more.. :)
XOXO
-E
2013 has been a great and eventful year and I've been changed in so many ways for the better.
I want to start this blog entry by simply reflecting on the events of 2013. Not saying I'm going to finish this entry all in one night, but I want to go through each month, highlighting everything I experienced for that month in 2013. I can honestly say, it was probably one of the best years of my life. Thanks to God for providing and surrounding me with amazing people and a great family! I have been MORE than blessed :)
January:
Unfortunately, I had a negative start to my year. I lost my Grandma on January 5, 2013. I'll never forget the call from my dad as I repeated the words over and over again, "Dad? Are you serious? What?" as Taylor tried to hold me and help me through the tears. Christmas had just ended and I was not at all prepared financially to get myself to her funeral, even though I felt like I really needed to be there. I was so blessed for Taylor and his family's support to give me Air miles to help me fly oversees to England for Grandma's funeral and be with my family. I was happy to stay with my Auntie Karen and Uncle Ashton in their beautiful home in Benfleet, Essex and spend some quality time with them. I even got to see a musical at the Victoria Theatre - "The Lion King" - in which I was nearly in tears of pure joy watching. I did a good bit of sightseeing, even though I had been to London a few times before (a lot can change in 6 years!) and met up with my old high school friend, Danielle who is living and attending school in London.
Watching my beautiful grandmother at rest being lowered into the ground may seem like a morbid image for most, but for me, I had nothing but a calming peace come over me. Grandma had lived 86 years of a good life and was going to be with God. The song which stayed in my head throughout the entire trip was "It is well with my soul". As sad as death can be, I take pride in the fact that I had 24 years to know and have a strong relationship with my grandma. She watched me grow up over the years to become the woman that I am and I know she is proud. Sure, it would have been lovely for her to see me get married, or to see my first baby, but she at 86 years had witnessed events in her children and grandchildren's lives that not many people have the opportunity to see. She had experienced what Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs describes as "Self-Actualization" - the point at which a person reaches their full potential in life and the realization of that potential. I am so happy for her and know she will have peace for eternity with the Lord.
After coming back from my oversees trip, I was delighted to spend an entire weekend with three beautiful friends of mine (Jackie, Lindsay and Jennifer) from Meadow Lake. It was lovely to be surrounded by such positive girls and we had more than our share of fun!
Also in January, I had a brand new roommate move in named Jennifer Carbert. As much as we both were dissatisfied with living in the town of Meadow Lake, she helped me find myself spiritually and connect with God again. I am so glad that we became such good friends. She was more than a blessing to live with during that time in my life.
Stay tuned for more.. :)
XOXO
-E
