So, I turned 23 in Viet Nam! What a birthday to remember! Here’s a look at my Vietnamese-American dinner with some pictures!
Also, I thought I would share a few of the MANY things I learned in my 22nd year of life.
Here goes, in no particular order:
22) Relationship with the Lord and deepening intimacy with Jesus is a FIGHT.
BUT it is already won and has been made available to us by the grace of God in Christ Jesus!
21) Maturity is taking responsibility for myself: my actions, feelings, thoughts, needs, and communicating those well.
20) I am not ‘a finisher’ as I once thought… Be it books or projects or plans, I need to work on my follow through…
19) Working night shift is HARD. (Shout out to my nurses out there living the vampire life! You’re amazing!)
18) How to navigate an airport
17) Addressing conflict with honest and open communication is VITAL
(say what you need to saaaay)
16) Failure is okay! Mistakes are an opportunity to grow and learn, not instances to be ashamed about. Failure does not define me.
15) the Word of God is literal bread to the spirit and life to the soul!
14) It is possible to eat 5 pieces of chapati in one sitting
(Shout out to Indiaaaa; I miss your chai…)
13) Love is more than a nice, abstract, mulled over idea. In the words of Bob Goff: love DOES. Love is active, an energy to be expressed.
12) Comparison TRULY is the thief of joy.
11) How to say no. Healthy boundaries help you take ownership of your own life and allow others to take responsibility and do the same.
10) the American Dream is an illusion. God created us for so much more in this life! I’m learning to dream with Him and walk into those things He’s already planned for me.
9) Transition is HARD and sad. There are seasons in life. We must live with open hands, a willingness to grieve beautiful things that have since gone, and trust the Lord’s timing and plans.
8) Community is the environment God created us to grow in.
7) How to play the guitar (somewhat)
6) Nursing really ISN’T the head knowledge you learn in nursing school…. It is a springboard to your nursing practice! In hindsight, I spent many late nights memorizing insanely detailed facts that have evaporated (okay, not totally…) in my mind to make room for practical experience working with living breathing human beings
5) Love is a choice. Love is steadfast and selfless, remaining rooted and committed in the face of difficulty and struggle. Because love that only loves when it is easy isn’t truly love at all.
4) I’m simply not a morning person, and that’s okay. Being a night owl isn’t a bad thing.
3) There is nothing I lack–nothing to be gained here on this earth other than deeper intimacy with Jesus until I’m with Him face to face.
2) Singleness is a GIFT
1) “Feelin’ 22” is a real phenomenon TSwift captures a well in her song! ‘Twas a year of confusing transition and spontaneous fun, crying and hysteric laughter, and so much in between.
Thank you, Lord, for this past year of life and that I survived it all. Ha!
Here’s to the next year of life lessons and growing up!
