2013 in Review

(2013 I know that you and God have a lot more in store for me then all of this. I know that this year is going to be absolutely amazing. I pray that I continue to find God's leading in everyday and strive to make my life part of the greatest story ever told.)

 I can hardly believe as I write this that are only 2 days left in 2013....time seems to fly these days.

The beginning of the year brought Dillon Bridges into our lives. I was able to go home for a week during super bowl and see my friends and family. Those are the memories I hold onto the most - surrounded by friends and loved ones. I loved meeting the newest addition to the OG family!

In March I finished my first triathlon and it was amazing. Swim, bike and run at Sugar Land Memorial Park. 

In April Amy called with some amazing news - her and Tyler were getting married! And then everyone followed suit not long after - Mel and Jess both called and said they were getting married. :) I knew 2013 would be filled with some amazing memories at that point.

June we took our high schoolers to Coleford, England and were able to speak to over 900 students at Laker's Academy. What an amazing experience- sharing the gospel and our faith. Our last weekend there we took the kids from the church we partnered with and our students to a weekend retreat- I took a bad tumble off my bike which resulted in a tear in my shoulder. 

The summer was filled with fun trips to the beach, Austin, and random road trips to Beaumont and Lousiana. My friends are pretty much awesome. 

The end of September kicked off with 3 weddings and my 10 year high school reunion in a 6 week span. All back in California I might add. Though I wouldn't have traded those memories for anything. Maid of honor in two and bridesmaid in one I was truly blessed to stand up next to my best friend's on their wedding days. 

Not long after the last wedding I had shoulder surgery to repair the SLAP tear. Currently we are almost two months post surgery and I'm making some great gains. I can't lift anything more then one or two pounds but my mobility is getting better day by day. 

Hands down the biggest change of 2013 came in the last 6 weeks- I was offered an amazing opportunity in a small town just north of Houston as their Assistant City Manager. So as 2014 starts I will as well start a new adventure- new job, new church, new home. It's crazy and amazing, but I know God is with me every step of the way. 

To 2014:

My motto for you shall be this: Love God, love people and trust the rest will fall into place. I know that no matter what this next year brings as long as I lean on the faithfulness of Jesus I can do anything. He has carried me this far and out of love and obiendence to everything He's done I will take every step forward- for the sake of His name and His glory. 

A new chapter

There's something about the month of December- not sure if it's the change of weather or the promise of what this time of year means for those of us that love Jesus, but I love this time of year. 

Three years ago this month I got a phone call that would change my life. Unemployed for almost 6 months, attempting to finish my grad school comprehensive exams, my current boss called and offered me a second interview in Texas. I remember standing outside the library at Fresno State calling my Grandma and asking if my Christmas present could be a flight to Texas the week of Christmas. She said yes if that's what I wanted. I also remember her asking if this was something I really wanted, was it worth the risk? And in that moment it was. I had nothing to stand on except this open door God had laid before me and my faith. 

Fast forward three years later and South Texas is now my home. I've been so very blessed to be part of an amazing team at work, and been given the chance to open up the city of Sugar Land's first and only rec center. 

God provided in amazing ways and brought me to The Bridge Fellowship. Sitting in the seats of the Palladium today singing about how we've never walked alone. Not once. Ever. And for that I'm thankful. I'm thankful for my amazing friends and everyone that I hold dear at The Bridge. My small group girls have changed my life and I can't wait to see what their future holds. 

With all that being said....there's something about December that seems to change things. 

2 weeks ago I got this email:

A crazy email that I thought was spam. For those that know me my long term career goal is to become a city manager one day. I told a friend and co-worker that I was applying and he said he knew the city manager, so he called him. And I applied. And prayed and thought no way that this was ever going to pan out. 

I got an interview and even though I loved the people I interviewed with I thought it was a long shot. I chalked it up to a good experience. And then I got a call for a second interview. So last Wednesday, two weeks after this crazy email I drove up to Willis. 

I think that day will live in my memory forever. Sitting in the City Manager's office at 2pm he offered me the job. And without a hesitation I took the offer. 28 years old and in a matter of moments I became the Assistant City Manager for a small town in Texas. 

I can explain this in one word: GOD. His hand was in this from the beginning and I can't begin to thank Him. For the love, the grace, the guidiance that He is every day. 

Some moments I can't believe this is happening and other moments I'm so excited. I'm nervous but ready for the road ahead. I know whatever this new journey brings that He will always be with me and He will always be fighting for me. And that for me is enough hope to face anything tomorrow may bring.