2010 Reflections + A Photo Shoot!

Well, my semester is complete and the new year is just around the corner. I've been tempted lately to look back on 2010 in frustration and a complaining spirit thinking thoughts such as "Goodbye 2010, please never ever come back!" It is true that this was a particularly difficult and trying year, but I want to cultivate a spirit of thanksgiving and joy and hope in my soul, and not one filled with negativity. So looking back, I choose to focus on these consolidated 5 reflections...

1. Although I was suddenly and surprisingly let go from my corporate job half way through the year, it forced me to take a period of personal reflection time, heart and soul searching, and allowed me to make conscious decisions to move forward in a new and even more desired direction.

2. Last January/February, a spark was ignited in me to pursue graphic design. I downloaded the free 30 day trial of Illustrator and played around with it even though I had absolutely no idea how to use it to create. I was a little disheartened when I began to recognize how much there was to learn about designing on the computer, but I pressed on and began making stationery and invitations for friends using a free vector illustrations program called Inkscape. I continued to enjoy this as a hobby until late August...

3. As a direct result of number 1 and 2, I enrolled in a 32 hour graphic design certificate program at my local community college! Looking back, I cannot believe how drastically my life has changed in the last 11 months since my initial interest in design. I have learned SO SO SO much in just the 5 courses I was able to take this semester and I am absolutely loving the new career path I am on.

4. Many of you know that Paul (and I) went through the fire this year as we watched his mom suffer from terrible health issues. It was the most difficult thing I have ever had to watch anyone go through or go through myself. And it can be easy to look back and have feelings of confusion and anger and anxiety about the pain of the year. But from the ashes of this trial, the Lord allowed it to refine and increase my personal growth and faith as well as the growth of Paul's and my relationship. Of course we wish it could have been by a different means.

5. This year I got to live at home with my family. Now I know this isn't the dream of most 25 year old single girls, and I can't say it was always a dream, but looking back it was surely a blessing. Not only in the obvious financial and convenience benefits, but also because, well I have a great family. I love my parents and even my brother was home after he graduated. Now we are all starting to move our separate ways (some near some far) and so I think I will always look back on 2010 and be thankful for one last year living under the safety and love of my parent's roof.

So although I am learning to look back on hardships in thanksgiving and praise, I am very much looking forward to 2011: a new year and new experiences and a new day :)  Later this week I am going to write some goals for the coming year so stay tuned for my resolutions, goals and intentions for 2011!

In other news.

I had the wonderful opportunity to photography my dear friend Molly (the adorable curly haired red head) and her siblings this afternoon for a special Christmas gift for their parents. Isn't that sweet?  Here are a few of my favorite shots of this darling family: