{22}

As my 23rd birthday is fast approaching and I've been reflecting on my year being 22, I've decided to come up with a list of 22 things I've been thankful for over the past year. My list is in no particular order, just the way they came to mind, as each of them of them are significant parts of what made my 22nd year of life an amazing one.

My list of 22:

1. Health- this year has been overall a healthy, active year for me. I am thankful for being young and healthy.

2. Finishing up my last year of classes- after 5 years of hard work, studying, exams and enormous amounts of stress I am thankful to be done and embracing the next year of rotations.

3. Franny- even though being a homeowner is difficult at times, my house has brought many blessings this past year. I would be lost without my roommates- they are the best friends/support system I could ask for. I am so thankful for Franny and the life we are able to share there.

4. Emily- I am so thankful for my best friend. This past year we have become inseparable. I am thankful for all the times we were able to share together. I love that we are the same person while completely different at the same time. The bond we share is like no other. I'm excited and sad to see what the next year will hold for us both together and apart.

5. Family- I'm thankful for my family. For the love & support they have given me over the last year. Even in hard times and times of loss we have only grown closer.

6. Shelley (mom) & home- I have been blessed to be mothered by so many amazing women in my life but my connection with Shelley goes much deeper than others. I truly believe that God gave me her when I needed someone the most. I cannot begin to express my thankfulness for such a loving, nurturing, encouraging "mother" and for providing me with a home- where I am free to be me.

7. Yellow house girls/study tables- I am so thankful for the wonderful friendships I have made with Meron, Emily See, and Andrea. These girls are amazing. They make me laugh like no one else can. I am thankful for the outrageous amounts of food we consumed together. Studying wouldn't be the same or any fun without these ladies. I am so thankful for our closeness and will miss them abundantly as life takes us separate and exciting ways.

8. Amy & Matthew- first, I am so thankful I was able to share in their beautiful wedding day, rejoicing in the love they share and the blessings of God. I am so thankful to claim these two as my family. I know that I will always have amazing spiritual parents praying for me and supporting me. I couldn't be where I am today without their love.

9. Urbana- right after Christmas this year I went to a missions conference called Urbana. At urbana I was reminded of my love for the world and my desire to serve God's people in other countries. It was refreshing and frightening to begin to ponder the future and what I want and what it may look like with God's call on my life.

10. Spring break- this year my roommate Megan, Emily and I, along with Carina (Em's little sis) plus 5 of Carina's friends road-tripped it to Redington Shores, FL. It was such a great break, even with the long hours in the car & not so great weather. I am so thankful for the fun and relaxation. I'm still missing the beach and the ocean!

11. Start of rotations- so far rotations have been awesome. Going into them I was really worried and anxious about the whole experience- feeling completely unprepared. But I've been more than pleasantly surprised. I've loves every minute of rotations and have felt encouraged and praised for my abilities. I feel excited for the future and even more rotations to come to be able to learn more and to find where I fit into the world of pharmacy.

12. India- even if India has been hard thus far I am still so thankful for the opportunity to be here. At the end of the day I know that I've been able to see so many interesting things and experienced things I would not be able to in the US. Plus I've met some great people and am learning a lot about myself. Even if I do not end up loving it here, it has helped me to see and be thankful for what I have at home.

13. Community- I am beyond thankful for all the people in my life, from those I see and talk to on a daily or regular basis, to those that are at a distance. I have been blessed with so many amazing people who love, support and encourage me and I do not know what I would do without every single one of them. This past year has been a year that has shown and reminded me of how much these people mean to me and how they have helped me become who I am today.

14. The cabin- I am thankful for my parent's cabin. Even when I get mad that my parents put their time and energy into their cabin instead of helping me with my house, I still love the cabin. I love sitting on the dock reading or on the deck or in my raft floating. I love laying in the hammock, and bonfires with s'mores. I love swimming in the lake and hunting/fishing for rocks. And most of all I love spending simple quality time with family and friends.

15. Running- I love to run, and am grateful I am able to do so- even if it is a shorter distance after my compartment syndrome diagnosis. I am thankful for the ways running has changed my life. I am healthier all around. I am less stressed, able to focus, and a happier person all because I run. I love the exercise as well as the time to myself. I used to think people that love to run were crazy but I totally understand the addiction now.

16. Love- though I wish I was writing this year to say that I found love, I am not, but I have found a different kind of love. This past year I had a conversation with someone very special to me who has spoken truth into my life over the last couple of years. We were talking about loving people and how at times it can be difficult, especially when we love so much and hard and expect the same level of love in return. She said something to me that day that has shifted the way I see myself and love. She explained to me how love is one of my gifts. I have an extraordinary way of giving love in abundance while at the same time easily receiving it. I used to think it was a weakness in many situations. I had never thought of my love for people as a gift but ever since she spoke this truth about my ability to love I am more aware of how blessed I am to have such an amazing gift!

17. Cupcakes- I love cupcakes, but cupcakes are not truly the only thing I am thankful for, even though everything about them are amazing, especially the frosting. Cupcakes are one of my 22 since they make me think of work, at Mercy West Pharmacy. I love the ladies I work with and am so thankful for all the times I've been able to share with them. I am thankful for their support and even thankful for the ways they pick on me because I am an easy target. Cupcakes became our thing this year at work. We literally would find any and every reason for cupcakes. So this year I am thankful for delicious cupcakes and for the ladies I got to share them with. I hope they are having cupcakes in celebration of my birthday even without me.

18. Crafts- I love crafts. I get completely lost in crafting- I could spend hours doing it. For this reason I don't do it very often especially since with school I did not have a whole lot of free time. But I am thankful for the few times I did spend crafting, getting lost in my creativity, letting myself become completely unaware of all the millions of things on my "to-do" list or the things that were stressing me out. I am thankful for being a left and right brained individual.

19. Baking/pinterest. I learned this past year that I really like to bake, thanks to pinterest. I loved trying new recipes and sharing them. I did not do it very often due to time constraints but it was a good break every now and then from the constant busy stressful life of a pharmacy major. So thanks, pinterest!

20. Cello tea (JuJu juice)- Jethro's cello tea & nachos's has become a tradition for Emily and I whenever our close friend Erin comes back to town. I love our Jethro's dates. I love catching up on life over our favorite beverage. It is friendships like these with such great friends that I love. I am thankful that we still laugh to the point of tears and share the good and bad parts of life as if the distance hasn't changed anything at all.

21. Growth- this year has been a year of growth for me. I grew into who God created me to be. Finding peace in who I am called to be and joy in the life I have been given to live. For once in my life I am content being exactly who I am today- completely and truly me.

22. Life- I am thankful of course for my life. For the amazing year that I have had. I am thankful for life both physically and spiritually. I am thankful for the life I live, for a roof over my head, for food to eat and for a heart that is full. I am thankful for the hard times and the amazing ones that are apart of life, molding us into who we are, apart of our identity. I am thankful for all that life entails.

So, here is to turning 23... may the next year be even better than the last. I cannot wait to find out... but for just a little while longer, I'm feeling 22... and thankful!