It's been a roller coaster of a year and it's only been 23 days into 2012. To start the year off, I went to Park City and have never had so much fun with a group of strangers. I knew one person out of 12ish and came out feeling as if I'd known these people forever.
I bought my ticket to Australia for September and couldn't be more excited about it. I've been wanting to get back to Indonesia so I'll be able to make that happen while I'm out there too. The more I travel, the more amazing people show up in my life to get me around. I'm ready to ditch the high heels and slacks for a while and take on the broke, brown, and barefoot lifestyle.
I finally went to Joshua Tree which is something I've been dying to do since college. I'd like to go to a different part of the park next time but we had a lot of fun anyway. Obviously. I learned a couple things about my family... My dad hates the cold and needs a new sleeping bag, Stacey hates red vines (who hates red vines?), Del Taco in 29 Palms has the greatest staff, and I love hiking at night!
After coming home from J-Tree, Sis called and told me to pray for her and the baby. We later learned she had a mis-carriage just shy of 3 months which apparently only happens to 3% of women. It's a good thing she's got little miss Jayme who will make sure mom is always happy. My sister is a huge inspiration and her strength as a wife and mother give me hope to be the same to my husband and kids one day. 
Can I just say, this little girl is so full of life and love. It's so funny how she reminds my family how to love and be loved. She's got the lightest heart and is such a blessing in low times.
Just one day after hearing that news, I got home to my roommate telling me her boyfriend's brother had a stroke due to bleeding in his brain. He has a brain hemorrhage which is hereditary and he spent a few days in ICU and is now waiting to have brain surgery. It's crazy how life takes a turn when you least expect it. We're praying for his recovery and the strength to continue in his wife to support him.
While all this is going on, Alex is in Mexico on a mission trip. I'm so proud of him and can't believe he's my younger brother. We've gotten extremely close in the last year and he has mastered the art of picking me up when I've completely fallen.
He's been on this trip and keeping us all in the loop telling us about some of the work going on down there. He prayed over prisoners, children and men who didn't speak English. He started speaking the broken Spanish he knows and by the end of his prayer, he said words were coming out he had never used before. He's truly something and I can't put words to how much I love him.
I haven't been able to work out because of my hernia (3rd time's a charm). Instead of pouting about it, I spent the most amazing, relaxing weekend with great people, overdosing on yogurt land, watching football and taking a much needed nap. I woke up this morning feeling thankful. I had a smile on my face and in my heart. I felt especially grateful for those in my life, and the realization that in darkness there is always light.
"Surround yourself with people strong enough to change your mind."
-- John Wooden
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
-- 1 Thessalonians 5:18
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