These are some questions I saw posted on (in)courage and thought I'd reflect on myself. Feel free to steal if you'd like.
1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?
I think this one in kind of hard to answer, it's either taking an amazing trip to Portland, Oregon or losing nearly 40lbs and still going
2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?
The school year as a fourth grade teacher for the first time in years in a new state was certainly more daunting and stretching than I could have expected and you through in being the most experienced one after 2 teachers left mid school year and we hire new teammates. It was stretching without the added element of a difficult class of students. But I completed it cause I'm not quitter. And then I started round 2! ;)
3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?
Seeing the grace of God lead my roommate to repentance and to a true relationship with Jesus and her getting baptized and seeing real change up-close and person. Love her and so excited about all God is doing in and through her.
4. What was an unexpected obstacle?
I didn't expect to have to start the school year and end the school year with different teammates than I started with. That was certainly an added obstacle to the year.
5. Pick three words to describe 2011.
Challenging, exhausting, hopeful
8. What were the best books you read this year?
9. With whom were your most valuable relationships?
Jessica, a fellow teacher and dear friend from church, who got married in July
Jenny, my (former) roommate and sister in Christ
Laura, my teammate at school who I know God sent to me for us to keep each other sane.
10. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?
Probably the nearly 40lbs I've lost and the empowerment it gives me to keep fighting the food battle when it gets rough.
11. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?
Watching yet another friend be so truly in love and become one with the man God intended for her and not becoming depressed. I was prepared and did many right things this time around to run to the One who can handle my laments and to surround myself with friends rather than burrowing, which honestly I have the tendency to do.
12. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?
It's kind of hard to pick this one apart because I feel so desperately sinful and still in great need of sanctification and transformation. Maybe that's it and it's that I realized more the power of the Gospel and that it's transformation and powerful to my daily life not just some prayer I prayed to get fire insurance.
13. In what way(s) did you grow physically?
At the risk of sounding redundant, the weightloss has been huge for my all-around well-being. I feel as if I'm gaining back life I didn't know had been lost.
14. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others?
Realizing more and more that many times I perceive things to be truth about others, based on how I think others should behave or treat me rather than accepting love and friendship in the form it's given. I've also come to see that I need to work on growing some relationships that are outside of my usual realm and be bolder about initiating conversation with those I think wouldn't be interested in being my friend.
15. What was the most enjoyable part of your work (both professionally or home)?
Actually working with students and seeing them grow and change in spite of my flaws as a teacher.
16. What was the most challenging part of your work (both professionally or at home)?
Managing 24 students and trying to prepare them for all the things "they" expect us to do with them with limited resources and time.
17. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?
Continues to be Facebook and the TV as well as the newest time waster Pinterest. Sigh
18. What was the best way you used your time this past year?
Invested a great deal of time in my roommate relationship.
19. What was biggest thing you learned this past year?
How much I am incapable of improving or changing things about myself independently and that my "sin" truly affects my community and my Church even when I don't "see" that happening.
20. Create a phrase or statement that describes 2011 for you.
A Realization of my deep need for DAILY grace of God.
Happy New Year!! Welcoming more change and growth in 2012!
