2015

Spring Break in Portland and Seattle

 Joyful adventures

 Where my dreams come true

 TL hangs- the joys of SBP

Six McDonald grandchildren

Our first CO meeting of Fall 2015

 On year six of doing life together

The whole tribe at Kate's wedding

D-group

Life shared here; the most wonderful dinners under the stars

One joyous year of dating this godly man

Reflection

When I look back at this year, I can't get the word "joy" out of my head. Psalm 16:11 says, "you make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore," and I have known a tiny sliver of the full reality of that truth in this past year. God has been kind to teach me joy in him in my work at Georgetown, in my prayers for my family, in my relationships with others, and in sweetness in knowing him.

The spring semester seemed to fly by- dates with Kyle, Winter Blast, and then it was Spring Break and an incredibly special time in the PNW with Em, Ross, and Elliot and a few days down in Portland with the Bartz! I led Divine, Vicki, Sophia, and Teresa in a dgroup every Monday night and that time in prayer and God's word quickly became one of my greatest joys each week. As the semester concluded, Kyle left for deployment and I prepared to be Woman's Coordinator at beach project. Another summer in Myrtle. I think I dreaded it a little, but it turned out to be one of the most enriching and fun summers of my life; partnering with a wonderful crew of friends, writing talks, cringe-worthy staff meetings, staff training through a book on discipleship, and countless laughs in our mostly-clean little motel room. They were full but joyous days. And I can never forget being drug to a "room" dinner, walking in the pizza place...and there stood my man. The best surprise of my life.

After beach project, some refreshing time at the camp before a heading to Birmingham to celebrate the life of baby Mac and mourn his passing as a family. There was a moment at the graveside when all eight of us stood bound together with sobs and the tightest of full-body hugs that carried the weight of this sorrow as a whole. I felt so thankful in that moment for this family; though we are flawed, we know how to show up, and we know how to cry together.

A new semester kicked off with a new team- now, just Alex, Sara and I. Soon after school started, we headed to Florida for Kate and Daniel's wedding and some family time in the largest beach house ever. I turned 24 surrounded by sweet friends who sat me down in a circle and encouraged me with loving words. Monday night dgroups continued, and we studied 1 Peter and prayed and shared the gospel with each other and joy of seeing the budding faith in these young women is beyond words to express. Counting down the weeks to reunion was torturous but finally, 24 weeks later, we made it to Vienna, together. It was perfect in every way and I came home completely sure, with all my questions answered and a heart buoyed by hope. Thanksgiving at the camp was almost normal again, except plus 5 children and missing Em and Ross. It was sad too, though, as I missed Kyle and we adjust to all the changes in our family. And now it's December already, and I'm back in Alabama, though it feels less and less like home. I am waiting for March with eagerness, frustration, and the occasional patience.

What a year. The joys of coming to deeply know and deeply love and trust and respect a man who was mostly on another continent. The joys of strengthened and deepened relationships with so many women; mentors, friends, students, sisters. The joys of the serious study of the word and a greater love for my Lord. The joy of seeing Joe commit his life to Nat, and the joy of their life together, though there is sadness in how our relationship is changing. The joys of Wednesday mornings with Kristin at Jimmy T's and Fridays with Kelly at Bourbon. Every second spent with Kyle. Every dinner in the backyard and inside around my darn picnic table. The joys and struggles for contentment in my job, right where God has placed me. The joys of silly things, like spontaneously getting my nose pierced with Luke and Kelly at a seedy beach novelty-store, and finding two matching kayaks floating lost on the river, weeks apart. The joys of swinging at all the parks I can find and long bike rides and beach walks for miles and reading on the dock in the sun and methodically chopping vegetables for a meal and preparing curry and leading bible studies and nights in dorms and arguing and laughing with Alex and life with my sweet roommate Kelly and the never ending facetime conversations with my man and watching other younger women grow so much it makes your heart burst with pride and the hope of life forever with this one incredible person and on and on I could go.