The Year of Patience

It's difficult to explain how my heart is torn in two. It's not broken, but it longs to be in two places at once all the time. The joy that fills it when I'm home in Phoenix is equal to when I'm home in Anchorage. But wherever I am, I'm always missing someone. I've accepted that this is how it will be until, Lord willing, my two worlds wind up in the same place and my heart is whole.

This being said, I need to emphasize how extremely grateful I am for my current situation. I've been given this invaluable opportunity to live outside of my comfort zone in an entirely new place with new people and a new career. I'm more independent than I've ever been in my life, and I'm constantly learning. Not to mention how much I'm enjoying this closeness with Cory and how God is leading and protecting our relationship. I've never been big on New Year resolutions, but I can feel the word "patience" that God has been speaking into my heart. It's easy for me to get caught up in the foreseeable future and I get overeager to see what's coming next. I'm reminding myself now to just enjoy where I am and what I have now because I'll never be in this unique season of life again. I have no complaints for 2014!

And now...my lovely Phoenix getaway that capped my incredible 2013! I'm certainly grateful that Anchorage isn't the coldest place in America right now, but the warmth, sunshine, and icelessness of home felt like Heaven! I'll never again take for granted the freedom of getting right into a car and driving down an iceless road. Phoenix drivers are insane though! I hope I wasn't that bad...oh well. Here are some highlights!

I arrived just in time to see the Anderson family (cousins from Texas who we rarely get the pleasure of seeing) before they went on their way to Mexico for the holidays : )

Brynley turned 2! I'm so proud of Ben and Laura and how they're raising this precious little family : )

The sisters and I all dressed up to see A White Christmas at the Phoenix Theater : )

It's a rare and beautiful thing to have such faithful high school friends!

Christmas morning with the clan

My newly engaged sister Julie and her fiancé Matthew! SO EXCITED FOR THEM! She was sweet enough to schedule a last minute appointment to try on gowns the last day I was home so I could be part of the experience : )

I couldn't resist one last shot of the warm Arizona sun

My New Year was uneventful since I was at work, but there's plenty more time to celebrate everything that will be happening this year! One thing I am determined to do this year is see the northern lights! Cory and I attempted this a few nights ago and stayed out till 2:30am (Can you tell?) but it was too cloudy. We sure got a spectacular view of the city though!

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"How did you end up here?"

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