I AM SO BLESSED

It is April 2013 and I am turning 23 this month. CRAZY!

I was thinking about all of the things I have done, places I have been, and people I have met. It has been an amazing journey from high school until now. I went through all of my old pictures yesterday, and it made me realize how much God has blessed me throughout my life. 

This is my friend, Chelsea. We have been friends since 2nd grade, and 

I just spent a day with her in the Springs this past week. Friends for life!

New Years Eve my Senior Year of high school

 My mission trip to New York

Gangsta Sierra!

I still wear those pajama pants.

 Dance party at my house senior year

My role as Jasmine in Aladdin Jr. (Senior year)

Mission trip to Honduras Summer 2008

I miss these people so much! 

Some of the best ladies I will ever know

For our talent show in Honduras, I dressed up like one of

the Soggy-Bottom Boys and sang "I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow"

Hanging out with college friends at our cabin in New Meadows

Hannah and I our freshman year, dressed up like old ladies :-)

First time ever in Colorado, my freshman year of college

Roadtrip with high school friends to the Oregon Coast after freshman year of college

Chelsea and I

Hannah teaching me how to de-feather a goose

My cover band, Gone Rogue, (with Sam Yang and Jordan Turner)

Choir Tour 2010 (Seattle, WA) 

This is when I first met crazy husband-to-be!!!

Easter 2011 with Josh's Family

Playing in the mud in their soybean field!

My first visit to our nation's capital, visiting Josh's sister, Joy, and brother-in-law, Philip

We are looking forward to another trip out there next spring to see Joy graduate with her Doctorate

Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan

What a great experience! Difficult sometimes, but worth it!

We got engaged on September 3, 2011!

Janssen and Rachel's Wedding: October 2011

Riggins, Idaho

Thanksgiving at the Pearsons: Chopping wood with our college buddies

Hanging out at the Sculpture Gardens in Minneapolis

My Senior Voice Recital

Choir Tour 2012: To Cali and back

Graduation!!!

Leighton's High School Graduation

80's Bachelorette Party! 

The night before the wedding, we had our last HURRAH with some of our best friends! What a great weekend!

Joy and I laughing in the Bridal suite at Ste. Chapelle Winery. I have really loved getting to know this girl. She has helped me in more ways than she knows. 

July, 28, 2012...the day I married the best man I will ever know

Our first home: Colorado Springs!

AND LOVING IT!!!

Our first Christmas: At the Pearsons

Christmas in Idaho with my family from South Africa

We're are a pretty crazy family, but always "linked together."

Josh and I skiing at Breckenridge, CO in late February.

We feel like we are on top of the world right now!

Everyone has those days where they think that life sucks, and nothing could get any better. I have had a few of those days in the last year or so.

BUT WHAT AM I THINKING???? My life is fantastic!
Even the worst days are better than what they could be. A lot of the time when I look back, I feel regret or sorrow because I miss those fun days, but this time I felt blessed to have done, seen, and experienced all of the things in my life. And I know God has even better things in store for Josh and I! 

My high school class had a class verse for our senior year.
It was Jeremiah 29:11...

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,

plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

I still believe that today.