cheers to 2013!

hi everyone, happy new year! just wanted to write short update on what i've been up to. i spent christmas at my grandma's house in okemos/e.lansing and my family joined me there. i had to return to AA for work on the 26th, but then went to chicago for the weekend. i got a chance to catch up with some old friends and it was a refreshing time. one friend is someone that is a UM alum and has served at our church. as i was sharing w/ her about what this past year of 2012 was like for me, she responded almost in awe of how much of God's faithfulness was evident in my life. at that moment i think God was telling me to always remember what He's done in the past and to always be reminded of how good He is no matter what i may go through. i also realized how important it is to share our lives- both the good the bad- b/c other people can point things out that we sometimes become blind or numb to. it was also encouraging because this friend is continuing to grow in her relationship w/ God and she was sharing about how thankful she was for her time at our church b/c it laid a strong foundation for her as a Christ-follower. it was so encouraging to have heart-to-heart conversations like this and we both left there more convinced of how God is always actively working in our lives! i'm starting off the year with feeling very thankful for genuine friends that are truly a gift from God. i'm grateful that i have sisters in my life that have journeyed with me for many years and who are all still trying to live for the Lord. it's definitely a blessing to have people who accept you the way you are and who you can grow together with. below are some pics of my friends and i as well as a couple cool ones from the shedd aquarium that i wanted to share :) i'm always reminded of how amazing our Creator is when i see beautiful sights, scenery or things of nature that only our almighty God could have designed. i'm thankful that God created each of us uniquely and perfectly the way He intended and that we are a new creation in Him! reflecting on all that God has done in one year throughout 2012 gives me greater anticipation of what He has in store for 2013!

friends from undergrad and roommates throughout grad school :) one has moved away, so it was great to be together again!

my best friend from back home who i got to visit in chicago. even though we've known each other for almost 20 years, it's so funny how some things don't change and you pick up where you left off each time.

my fav picture from my visit to the shedd- it's nemo! haha

what unique and colorful fish! love it! -Erica