Bye 2014

December 13, 2014

It's the end of 2014! It's time for new resolutions, new goals, new mindsets, and a whole new beginning! But for me, I gotta keep working on the resolutions from last year which I made the year before that...

The year flew by before I could say supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (I Googled it to make sure I was right [I was wrong]). I hope everybody gets to take their time and look back on what has happened for the past 365 days, because there sure were a lot of things that had happened.

     So in the start of 2014, I was in Texas for our stateside assignment. I was well settled in and I had people I was happy with. With a different mindset, I got to know my friends a bit more and I was able to make tons of memories with them. 

     I also got to see snow after being in Costa Rica for four years, I got to go visit some of my baby cousins, and I even got to see some friends whom I hadn't seen in five years! This was all in the month of January. 

     Then February came and I turned 16. We tried to work on getting me a permit before we left to Uruguay but things didn't work out. But hey, for MKs, even if we don't have a permit or a driver's license, we still have our passports!!

     March brought a wonderful gift to me, which was Spring Break. Woohoo!! My parents and I were able to make our way to California and they got to meet their old college friends who were also settled in and had kids of their own. Although the kids and I had only known each other for about five days, we got close right away. It was sad to say goodbye to them but thank the LORD for technology!

     April was filled with grief when I found out about the Sewol ferry incident in Korea. My heart broke as I watched parents of hundreds and hundreds of high school students mourn the loss of their children and I shook my head in utter agony. The first question I asked was, "Why the lives of those innocent high schoolers who are my age? Why?" As I thought about the question over and over and talked to my dad about it, I learned that this incident was because of the acts of humans. Selfishness and greed can cost peoples' lives.

     My brother brought the happy in the month of May and we were able to finish the school year with a bang. Finals finished and I was able to get through my sophomore year. Along with finishing the school year, I was able to let my hard work pay off and got the highest score of 1 in the all state voice solo & ensemble. I almost cried when I got the score :')

     June came along and I was able to go to my first (and last) youth group retreat. I had an absolute amazing time and God truly spoke to me. Creating stronger bonds with my friends helped me know that I wasn't alone in the world. Thanks guys ❤

     July came like a bullet and I was able to go to the Dominican Republic to see many of my friends who were from all over South and Central America. Seeing other MKs helped me refresh my mind on why I was living in a different country and how I could cope with being different from other high schoolers.

     The most dreaded month of August finally came. The first three weeks were filled with laughter and last-minute hangouts but the time for goodbye's finally came. I thought it would be easy since I've done it many other times before, but, in my opinion, I don't think anybody can master saying goodbye without breaking down into tears. Although the tears came after I got in the plane, I was struck with sadness thinking about not being able to see my friends again face to face until after I graduated high school.

     Even though one door closes, God opens a new one. You just need to open your eyes and look for it. Even though I lost old friends, I was able to make new ones in the country of Uruguay that God had led me and my family to.
     This month was the month where I started my blog and I'm grateful for those who have made it this far by reading my posts :)

     June, July, August, and even September flew by as I desperately tried to bring about a new 'normal' into my life. It eventually worked after many days of pining for my friends and brother, along with getting used to my new school, which was online-schooling.

     October came with new friends and I was able to get back on track with my social life. I got to meet so many different kinds of amazing people and create fresh relationships with them. I hope that these relationships grow to the point where we can be able to share the Gospel with them.

     November and December rolled by with lots of studying and beating up tests. My brother came to visit Uruguay and until now, we had an amazing time. I got to finish my first semester of junior year (not excited for what the second semester has to bring) and take a break until 2015 comes. Spending Christmas in weather that goes up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit was a big change but I enjoyed most of this month.

     God had put me through so many experiences in the year of 2014 and I am grateful for each and every one of them. I wouldn't give up a single one because if I did, I wouldn't be the person I am as of today. God truly works in mysterious ways and I thank Him for helping me grow in His plan.

     I absolutely cannot wait to see what God has for me in the year of 2015 and I pray that we all stay strong to get through it.

     Our family is going to take the time tonight to make new year's resolutions and write down prayer requests. I hope you guys get to do the same whether it's with your family or by yourself. Look back on what God has done in your life for 2014 and reflect on how you became a different person from it. I hope everybody stays safe as you celebrate New Year's and hopefully you'll get to see fireworks!!

     Thank you God for an amazing year and I also thank you guys for accompanying me on this incredible journey of 2014 :)

     I look forward to seeing you next year!!

Happy New Year!