In 2013, I...

In 2013, I

• Started the New Year off with a trip to Honduras with Camp Cho-Yeh where we built houses and loved on children.
• Was offered and accepted a position on Cho-Yeh's 2013 Summer Leadership Team as the Activities Coordinator.
• Took three writing-intensive courses in one semester. A&M only recommends you take one at a time because of the work load required.
• Signed a lease to an apartment with Maddie & Rachel for the 2013-2014 school year.
• Went to my first (and probably my last) pilates class.
• Ran my 1st 5K which benefitted orphanages in Honduras.
• Attended leadership weekends where we planned out all of what Summer 2013 would look like at Cho-Yeh.
• Had PLENTY of movie nights with Myriam, Jen & Katie.
• Surprised both sets of my grandparents when Dad and I went up to Iowa for Spring Break.
• Read 13 novels in a 2-week span for one of my classes.
• Learned how to break into a car whenever you lock your keys inside. Disclaimer: I wasn't the one who locked keys inside my car, but Myriam did and we were caravanning down to Houston together.
• Was apart of the A&M Water Polo Team that won our conference and received a Nationals Bid!
• Was elected as the 2013-2014 President for the A&M Water Polo Team.
• Flew to Minneapolis where I was surprised by my entire family as we played in the National Tournament.
• Spent my 20th Birthday on Mother's Day at an Astros Game.
• Witnessed one of my beautiful friends get married -- congrats Mrs. Kasey Crawford!
• Spent 13 weeks at Cho-Yeh where I was blessed to be apart of a team of 6 incredible guys. I learned more life lessons that summer than I would have ever guessed.
• I was offered a full time job at Camp Cho-Yeh that is ultimately my dream job, and I had to turn it down in order to finish school. It was the hardest decision I have ever made, and was the start to a very tough semester.
• Received a scholarship through the education department at A&M.
• Moved into my new apartment!
• Began my year as President for water polo, and realized I got myself into WAY more than I bargained for.
• Went to 7 out of the 8 home football games and fell in love with Aggie Football (and college football in general).
• Broke my foot.
• Went to a Kelly Clarkson concert with Laura.
• Set off fire alarms in not only my own apartment but in Katie's as well. What we were making? Oh, we were just boiling water.
• Participated and hosted many craft nights.
• Went to an A&M Ice Hockey game!
• Fell in love with First Friday's in Bryan.
• Ate way too much raw cookie dough.
• Tailgated with Laura's family on game days, which turned out to be more fun than I was expecting!
• Hugged Dr. Loftin -- WHOOP!
• Bawled at A&M's last home football game when I realized it would be my last football game with Jen and Katie.
• Saw the beginnings of Kyle Field Renovations when I was cleaning up Kyle Field after the last football game.
• Was surprised and felt so loved when my best friends decided we were going to celebrate my 20 1/2 birthday on November 12th.
• Took 14 girls to Atlanta, Georgia where we competed in a water polo tournament. How did I measure our success?  By the sheer fact that we didn't miss any flights and brought 14 people back to College Station safely and soundly.
• Visited Centennial Park in Atlanta and learned that I love fall leaves that crunch when you step on them.
• Survived the fall semester of my junior year, and passed economics.
• Finished enough credits to be eligible to receive my Aggie Ring in the Spring!
• Spent Christmas in Iowa where I got to see both sides of my family.
• Met my newest cousin, Evan!

2013 was a roller coaster of a year, but our Father was faithful through it all. Here is to 2014!