Hip Hip, Hooray! I turn 25 TODAY!!

Today, I turn 25. That's a quarter of a century old. I know a lot of people freak out at this, but I want to embrace it. I want to look 25 head on and take it for all it is, because I can say it's the one year that I will live it's entirety in Buenos Aires. How cool is that!?!

When I think back to where I was a year ago, I just feel good about life. Because the last year kind of went as I expected. I mean, yea... a LOT of change happened, but honestly, if I told you that in March of 2013 I had Buenos Aires on my mind, would you believe me? And here I am, over a year later... But I believe that when we are right in the center of God's will, that's how life is supposed to be. How we're supposed to feel. Good.

So, for a bit, I thought about making a list of things I want to do in my next 25 years, like... run a half marathon, read X books, fall in love, but then I realized... all those things are just ideals. What I really want is to stay right in the center of God's will because that is where everything feels so right. And Lord willing those things will all happen because they're not bad, I believe them to be good, but if they don't happen, at least I can say I was still where God had me.

So, today I want to focus ALL my attention to the people who have brought me to where I am and shaped me into who I am. I wouldn't be me without them, so let's celebrate that!

My granny is the wisest person I have ever met. Probably the funniest too. Her Christian influence in my dad's life made an everlasting affect, and she is leaving one in mine, too. I am so thankful for her and this is one of my favorite pictures taken at Niagara Falls. I think I get my traveling streak from her!

My parents, obviously. I don't know how much I need to say here... They raised me, I owe everything I am to them. They never asked much of me and they gave me everything I could ever have needed. I thank God for them daily. He knew just what I needed in parents; it was them.

My prayer warrior, my mentor, my best friend. I think I unofficially called us the Melting Pot Club at one point but it never caught on. These two families are like my own and I am thankful for them both letting me in at any point, for always giving me advice, and just being the best group of girl friends I could ask for.

You can't talk about people that shape you into who you are today without mentioning your college sister, best friend, and mentor. Though we don't talk so much anymore, this girl took a green freshman under her wing and taught me everything I needed to know about my walk on a secular campus. Life on life discipleship. And now she is influencing thousands of others working at Catalyst for the Kingdom.

My family, again. I'm a baby...as in the youngest of 3. I have 3 sobrinos that I love with all my heart and the minute Chandler was born I didn't know it was possible to love that deeply. He made into an aunt, thus changing my capacity to love. I think growing up all over the country my parents gave me a deeper appreciation for my family and I hope to do the same one day.

Family.

On Thanksgiving, my family had the privilege of working with Jessica Lauren Photography to do some family pictures. And they turned out. So. Good. I mean, I knew they would, but we were also just so blessed with the weather. We had to plan this out a month in advance, and living in Missouri, you never know what you're going to get late November. As I write this, it is almost 60* out and they are calling for 2-4" of snow tomorrow. Welcome to Missouri.

Anyway, back to the post.  Knowing that I'm going to be gone for 2 years and our last family picture was from 2010 and without little miss Reagan, we were well overdue for a picture! These people are my everything and I'm so thankful for the parents God gave me and family I was raised in. I'm so excited to introduce you to all of them!

Here is my mom and dad with my nephew Chandler and two nieces: Delaney and Reagan!

Absolutely love this picture of myself with Chandler & Delaney. It captures their personalities completely.

A sweet picture of my brother's family.

I love this shot of David and his wife Darla.

Here is my sister Leah, Justin & Reagan smiling for the camera!

The whole gang!

So there is it, the summary of my Thanksgiving: family. I was also very fortunate to have a special work friend join us. All in all, this was the best 'last' Thanksgiving as I keep calling it :) I hope everyone else had a great Thanksgiving out there!