Now that I’m 30

Saturday, August 24, 2013

It’s official.  I have spent 1 month in my 30’s!  I have been excited to turn 30 for a while, and now it’s here.  Not that I thought I would feel older, and in case you were wondering, I don’t!  I was recently reflecting on the last year, and remembering all the goals I had made for myself, on my “30 before 30 list” blog!  I accomplished a lot of them, but not all of them.  I guess I will have to add one more thing to my list and make it 31 things to do before I turn 31!  Haha.

Picture on bottom: My 80’s surprise party!

Picture on top: The actual day of my birthday!  Tacos, chips, salsa and guacamole!  YUM!

Although I didn’t accomplish everything on my list, I still feel like I accomplished a lot.  Even things I didn’t have on the list.  Blake and I made 2 new international moves, I now do all of my cooking by charcoal, although, I still haven’t killed my own chicken, but I have grown, and changed and learned and reflected and know the Lord is still changing me in many other ways.  I did cross many other things off my list and wanted to use this blog to post pictures of my accomplishments!

I think its safe to say I have finally learned to actually swim.  I still may not be a really strong swimmer, but I am no longer afraid to swim with people, and have a race with Blake (he beats me every time), but still, I have technique, and consider myself a “swimmer”.

I had a goal to Fluently Speak French.  I would say I could add French as my second language.  I can listen to and understand most everything in a conversation.  I still have a lot to learn, but overall I am doing a pretty good job.  I recently went to the market with 2 friends that only speak French, and successfully communicated all of my needs, requests, and had a very successful language day!  After that trip, I ended my day knowing I can start to have deep friendships with non-English speakers, because we have reached that level of communication.

Me with my French teacher Domie, in Kinshasa.

I wanted to take up running, and run a marathon (let’s be honest the marathon will likely never happen for me), but I have taken up running.  I ran my first and second 5k’s last summer, and I continue to improve my running habits, and abilities here.  I feel healthy, I have something that clears my head, and I have learned to really enjoy running.  Which was the point to making that goal for myself.  I’d say, I am now officially a runner!  Thanks Heather!

My first EVER 5K!

I have not finished reading my Bible all the way through, but I am still working on it.  It has been a blessing in disguise in so many ways reading my Bible so diligently.  And the Lord has been working on my heart, mind and changing my faith.  I look forward to finishing that goal this year.

One final goal I’d like to make note of, is making a quilt.  I haven’t actually made one, but I have really leaned to sew.  I have made a pillow, placemats, curtains, reversible purses, and stockings.  I have also learned how to make a quilt, and am working my way through accomplishing this task completely!  Plus, I am learning to sew on a hand and foot powered machine instead of an electric machine, which I would say is a HUGE accomplishment.

My first set of curtains!    

In addition to the things I have written about I have improved my cooking abilities, and I continue to try and be creative with the few items we have here.  And I look forward to adding more new recipes to my repertoire.

The reason I made this list was for myself.  I never set goals, and when I do I never stick with them.  This past year, has taught me a lot about my habits, my discipline, and myself.  I still plan to work my way through the rest of the list, but more importantly, I continue to improve myself in a lot of ways.  I know how strong I am, I know my weakness and limitations, and have learned how to use my strengths to improve my weaknesses.