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A year.

As of Wednesday I’ve been home an entire year.

A year ago Wednesday I was being picked up at the airport by my sister, stepping foot on Canadian soil for the first time in 11 months after travelling on the World Race. We spent the evening together eating some of the foods I missed the most (pickles!), and laughing. Not really laughing about anything in particular, just laughing together like we hadn’t been able to for a year.

And now, a year later, I’ve come full circle. Last WednesdayI was back over at Sarah’s place, eating food and laughing. I think it may become a tradition.

A year ago yesterday marks the day when I surprised everyone else that I was home. Celebrating November 22 is a long-standing tradition in my family. It now marks the beginning of the Christmas season, but for years it’s been our own family holiday. I think every family should have their own holiday. But last year it was also celebrated as the family reunion we had all been waiting for. My sister was a great secret keeper and was the only one who knew. We surprised each of my parents at work, before surprising my grandma, and then some family friends. Such a great day of reunions. And it’s already been a year since then.

And what a year it has been.

It’s been an incredibly hard year, I’ll be completely honest. And most of it I still cannot put into words. But I’ll just say that it’s a challenge of finding myself and my place. It’s a journey of learning to find God at home in a setting so far removed from the community, the ministries, the feedback, the team times, the prophesies, and the opportunities of the World Race.

I’m not where I thought I would be by now. It’s been a completely different journey than what I thought it would be. But this week I’m learning to accept where I am, and appreciate this year for what it was. An amazing blessing. A year of opportunities, of growth and learning, of friendships, and of discovery.

It’s been a completely different year than 2011. Maybe not as glamourous, but definitely one to be celebrated.

So with no more ado….2012 in review (hey, that rhymed!)

In 2012 I…

·Re-connected with many V-Squad teammates in Georgia for Project Searchlight

 

·Was given a big dream and vision for a potential future ministry, but was also given clarity that the vision is several years away, and that the next couple of years will be training and preparation

 

·Worked 2 months in a pie and sandwich shop, and got free pie every day (delicious, but not particularly healthy). 

 ·Celebrated Family Day weekend with some of my amazing cousins, my grandma and an uncle


·Worked my dream job as an environmental interpreter as a provincial park. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, and it was super fun. I got to lead environmental education field trips, kids programs, and drive a wildlife bus tour. Learned that it’s not what I want to do for a career forever, but it was an amazing summer
     
 

·Spotted a cougar a little too close for comfort while hiking alone

 

·Saw a moose up close and personal while hiking with my dad and Sarah (we could have touched it!)

 

·Had an amazing week of camping with my parents, Sarah, and my cousins Brandie and Avery

   

·Got a new car! of course that’s only because a deer decided he wanted a ride in the passenger seat and jumped into the side of my car while I was travelling at highway speed, but the end result was a new (for me) vehicle that I love. Her name is Annie. (the pic is of the old car, Hannah, which was a write-off)
 

·Was able to attend Hope’s wedding, and connect with Rachel and Don as well

 

·Visited Emily a couple of weeks after her foot surgery

From emilytuttle.theworldrace.org
 

·Met Monica, a widow Emily has connected with and took me to go visit
 

·Became the new community engagement coordinator at church, and am starting to explore ways for our church to be connected in meaningful ways to the community and help us become a more missional church

 

·Organized our church’s third annual re-use fair, and it was an amazing success!

 

·Got a new puppy! Well, he’s a family dog. An adorable schnoodle named Riley. He and my three year old schoodle, Jackson, are now best friends.

  
 

·Connected with a new and exciting anti-human trafficking ministry right here in Edmonton

 

·Several games nights with family and friends (particularly with Catan, Carcasonne, Letters from Whitechapel, and Saboteur)

 

·Filled in temporarily at my local scuba diving shop, and helped out in the pool for several high school”Learn to Dive” classes

 

·Have been asked to be a bridesmaid for one of my best friends, and got to go wedding dress shopping. So thankful for such precious time with her!

 
 

·Helped fulfill one of my mom’s bucket list items of driving an airport baggage cart

 
 

·Through Kijiji and Garage Sales I helped my sister collect books for the second hand bookstore she will soon be opening. 9400 books collected, 600 to go!

 

·Was reminded what it means to be Canadian by shovelling snow and clearing cars, but also building snowmen, having snowball fights, ice fishing, and making snow angels.

·Continued to learn the lessons that I began to learn on the Race, and have began to find more peace about being in a state of dependency on the Lord

Looking back I realize more and more how amazing this year was. The more I think about it, the more I realize happened this year. Yes, this was a difficult year. Taking the lessons learned on the Race and applying them to life at home challenges me way more than I could have prepared myself for. But it was a good year. The Lord blessed me, protected me, taught me, and loved me, all year long. And that makes it a fantastic year.