13 Things I learned during 2013

I am sure many of you saw this coming but for my final post for 2013  I thought I'd reminisce on the 13 BIG things I learned this year.

But before we get to that, my last thankful post.

I am thankful for Megan Fenney who drove up to spend the day with me! LOVE HER so much and could not ask for a more perfect person to ring in the new year with. I still cannot believe we met as potluck roommates at Texas A&M! God is so darn good!

1. Family matters.
As a 25 year old, it is so easy to push family away in a search to find independence, freedom and self-value but what I learned more than anything else this year is that family is of the utmost importance. With my Dad's diagnosis of lung cancer, Uncle's diagnosis of bladder cancer and the passing away of my Grandad I probably spent more time with my family in 2013 than most years which is quite sad. Circumstances brought us together frequently this year but it was our love for each other that kept us all going during an extremely stressful and hard year that none of us foresaw.

2. Friends are the family God gives you for when you can't be with your own.
I would not have made it this year without the love, support, encouragement and comfort given to me by my friends. From Katie P, Lindsey and Alley, who spent many hours in my apartment in Irving consoling me when I learned of my Dad's diagnosis and then dealt with the process of his surgeries and recovery. To Bekah and Megan, who despite the distance poured out love to me through care packages, cards, phone calls and text messages. To Phillip who always knew exactly which verse I needed to hear and consistently poured truth into all areas of my life. To my PT classmates, who sent me texts and offered me help with notes when I missed multiple days of class. My friends have been a solid foundation to an otherwise unstable and unpredictable year. We laughed together, cried together and grew together as we all inch closer to the real world!

3.25 is more awkward of a year than anyone ever warned you.
I've had this conversation with many of my friends...no one warned us about this really awkward stage in our life that consists of the years 22-27. I was not prepared. When I was a little girl, I always imagined that by 25 my life would be "all together." I'd know exactly who I was, what I was doing and it would be awesome. I probably also imagined I'd be married and working on starting a family by now, but that's not my reality. Despite this being some of the most tumultuous years of my life, they've also been so of the most random, fun and exciting years too. So if you don't have your act today, don't stress it. Live it out!

4. Graduating is always stressful, exciting and intimidating.
I don't care if you're graduating from 5th grade, high school, undergraduate, or graduate school graduating is stressful! You are worried that you look stupid in the hat (which you do), and that you are going to trip up the stairs. You are even more intimidated by the idea that this is closing a chapter and you are being forced to turn the page. But if you are honest with yourself, you are also really freakin' excited (GO ME! I DID THIS! HATAS GONNA HATE!!). My graduation was an absolute mess due to SNOW-PACOLYPSE 2013. But it was also amazing because I was able to celebrate the completion of a journey I had been working towards for a long time!

5. Moving still sucks.
I moved a total of 4 times this year and every one of them sucked. I feel like a moving pro now but if you know you have to move in 2014 just prepare yourself now, it will be terrible.

6. Boys are still stupid.
It doesn't matter their age, occupation or initial level of interest in you, boys are still dumb. They still don't know what they want. They rarely initiate. They leave you clueless and at the end of the day being single really ain't that bad.

7. I yearly need to travel outside of this country.
I did not make it out of the country in 2013 and man am I itching to get out! I love learning about new cultures but I crave being immersed completely in them. I am making a promise to myself to go somewhere I have never been every year. It may not always be out of the country but it will be at least out of the state.

8. You are always 17 in your hometown.
Everytime I go back home, I leave a strong independent woman and arrive in Rockport as insecure and lost as I was the day I left. Curse you hometown! Your hometown has some kind of voodoo hold over you that is hard to break.

9. Peace can be found in the most random places.
This year require a lot of quiet time for me and I realized that this doesn't have to take place on the top of a mountain just before sunrise (although that would be stinkin' awesome). It's okay for your quiet place to be a random city park, your apartment patio or the local coffee shop. Find somewhere where you can really just sit and be still. God loves to talk, you just need to listen.

10. God challenges you using multiple mediums.
This year was my year to learn about trust and patience. I can imagine God throwing His hands up multiple times this year and saying "Did I not already teach you this exact thing already?" I am kind of (cough cough) stubborn. Boy did He teach me though. Through books, sermons, songs, conversations, blogs and His Word, He poured into to me, affirmed me and reminded me that I am the daughter of the King of Kings and I will NOT be shaken because He is my rock and my salvation.

11. It's okay to still be learning who you are.
If 2013 highlighted anything in my life, it's the idea that I am still growing. I mess up, daily. I fall, daily. And I constantly needed to have my eyes turned back to Christ and the cross. I learned a lot about myself this year but I am not done learning who I am and most importantly who I am in Christ.

12. It's even more okay to not have a 5 year plan.
I have no idea where I will be 5 years from now. None at all. I have a couple dreams but I am not fastened to any of them. I am learning to embrace the freedom I have to go where I am called and I hope that I continue to pursue Christ completely and that I answer His call with urgency.

13. Looking back helps you to heal but don't let it hold you back.
It's always important to remind yourself of where you've been but I refuse to allow my past to leave me feeling downtrodden and shameful. Christ is always turning my head forward and reminding me that I seek Him and Him alone.

I hope you take the time today to thank God for His goodness to you over the past 12 months. I pray it's a time of learning and growth for you and not a time of shame. And then, I ask God to turn your head forward as He beckons you to walk even closer with Him during the year 2014. I pray for blessings over all of you! Thank you for your support during this 365 project. Although I will not be posting daily I will still be updating my blog regularly!

Day ?!?

Apartently I made an input error somewhere along the way but regardless there are only 2 more posts before I successfully can cross off "Complete a 365 project" task off my to-do list!

Today I am thankful for spending the morning with my wonderful family, putting the finishing touches on the apartment, successful study sessions, learning to navigate around my new neighborhood, dinner and football with Lindsey and cuddles with this dog!

Day 359

Thankful for delicious pho lunch, successful day spent picking up/dropping off/buying furniture and apartment necessities, further progress on the apartment and dogs who always want to cuddle.

Day 358

Thankful for morning coffee after a restless night, safe drives back to Fort Worth, 90's jam sessions with the younger brother, gradually piecing together the new apartment and amazing parents. 

Because I am feeling sassy....

Been receiving a lot of grief lately because I am single so I've decided to compile of list of characteristics, hobbies, and general attributes required for any man seeking to date me. 

1. He loves Jesus and shows it in many ways including traveling on the weekends to care for the poor, orphaned and widowed. 

2. He only has three shirts in his closet because he literally gives people the clothes off his back.

3. He is busy on Sundays caring for infants in the church nursery and is also booked Wednesday nights because he teaches free guitar lessons to senior citizens.

4. He uses his engineering talents and brilliant mind to build clean water pumps in countries throughout the world.

5. He has been fired from a job for "caring too much."

6. He tips at least 25%.

7. He is notorious for taking in stray dogs and cats. He even pays their vet bills and has had to add additions on to his home to make room for them all until they find their next home.

8. When he's not busy caring for orphans and building wells, he can be found on his family ranch with his Dad where he goes hunting and fishing and basically learns how to be a man.

9. Not only is he extremely intelligent and well-mannered, but believe it or not he is also artistically gifted in song and guitar playing (hence the free senior citizen guitar lessons).

10. His perfect date consists of a truck bed packed full of blankets, a picnic basket loaded with fresh homemade delights, a good country song and a clear starry sky.

11. He knows his role as a man and clearly initiates all dates. He is open about how he is feeling and calls just to say "Hi!"

12. He's still a guys guy though and enjoys the simple things in life like a good cold Texas brew and fine crafted whiskey, how to handle a firearm and sports including baseball and collegiate football.

13. He is quite the handy-man and can fix most anything including a poorly running vehicle, leaky faucet, and non-heating dryer. Even better than that he enjoys car maintenance, building new furniture and installing all necessary systems.

14. He lounges around his house in baseball pants and a long sleeve grey tshirt but always dresses nicely for dates in a button down, blue jeans and boots. He is most often see wearing an old well-worn baseball cap but on some days he feels it necessary to wear his cowboy hat. 

15. He loves to read and enjoys browsing at the local library or half price.

16. Last but not least, he is perfectly fine spending the day cuddling on my couch while watching a Locked Up marathon.

Day 357

Thankful for waking up to breakfast, lunch with Mrs. Mae Burke and her incredible girls, afternoon study sessions, and enjoying the last day at home with the family. 

Day 356

Thankful for breakfast time with dad, productive afternoons spent studying for the boards and crafting my own headboard ( with Dad's assistance) and family dinners.

Day 355

Thankful for wonderful Christmas mornings, presents and laughter, prayers that remind us of the true celebration behind Christmas, and evening rain showers. 

Day 354

Thankful for morning walks with mom and pups, baking Christmas cookies, worship jams, Christmas eve surfaces, dinner with the family and Sullivan Christmas traditions! 

Day 353

Thankful for lunch with the family, afternoons spent watching football after studying for the board exam, dinners and drinks with Alley, and spending an evening laughing&catching up with one of the best friends I have ever had! 

Day 352

Thankful for church services with the family, encouraging text messages from friends, dinner with the older brother, sister in law and grandparents, Sullivan family game nights and cool winter fronts.

Day 351

Thankful for Saturday mornings at home, getting the house ready for Christmas, good runs with the puppy dog and evenings spent watching football with the younger brother. 

Day 350

Thankful for how quiet it is at home, more delicious hometown coffee brews, lunch from my favorite restaurant, old school movies and decorating the Christmas tree.

 

Day 349

Thankful for hometown coffee, successful study sessions, new hair cuts, relaxing afternoons at home, and getting to spend the evening at my younger brother's varsity football banquet. 

Day 348

Thankful for safe drives home, feeling good being back in the hometown, sunsets over the bay, and family dinner time. 

Day 347

Thankful for officially being free of Kensington apartments, mornings spent with Lindsey, afternoons spent organizing the new apartment, and for my dog self-initiating hanging out in her kennel. Small victories!!!!! 

Day 346

Thankful for delicious home cooking from a Texas original, window shopping, adventures with the puppy dog, having the pup checked out by the vet and receiving the all clear and healthy!, delicious dinners and adventures through historic Grapevine. 

Day 345

Thankful for days spent maing the new apartment feel like home, opportunities to learn about dog training, only one potty accident, dinner with the Boer family and comfy beds.

It's official...i am already a crazy dog owner. We had one incident of peeing in the apartment today but she's getting adjusted and so am I. Currently she is afraid of pretty much everything so I am learning even more about patience (God really does have a sense of humor). Taking one day at a time! 

Day 344

Thankful for early morning coffee runs, successful move outs, amazing friends who helped me move, new puppy dogs, and realizing that I don't have to be afraid because God is good.

Today we crazy. Moved out of the old apartment and into my first completely self-paid apartment. So far not really enjoying the whole not having a roommate thing but we shall see. I also adopted a dog because I am crazy. But really I did. I fell in love with her a few days ago and have been battling with myself about getting her. I told myself if she was adopted before I could get back to her today than that would be my sign. It goes without saying that she wasn't and ow I am officially a dog owner. This is my life! And it is good!

Day 343

Thankful for successful box Tetris (loaded my car full of stuff!), lazy last days in the apartment, ridiculous snap chats with friends and spending the evening watching intense prison shows with Lindsey. 

Day 342

Thankful for finding a successful route for the move on Saturday, Goodwill adventures with the roommate, ridiculous British rom-coms, LINDSEY GETTING HIRED (make that money gurl!), relaxing evenings eating Vegan food with Ty and my amazing friends who always know exactly what to say.

God has been teaching me A LOT (loud voice!) this year but the one topic He keeps pursuing within me is patience. I am terrible with patience. Some would say I lack it all together and in certain situations I definitely do. I hate not knowing the plan and hate even more when the defined plan is changed. But the beautiful thing about God is I don't need to worry about a plan. He's the mastermind and He's already figured it out for me which guarantees me great freedom! Freedom to enjoy this day without fear of tomorrow or worrying about next year because He's got it. Freedom to live without boundaries because He's guiding my feet. I live free yet my flesh turns constantly to captivity which is sin. When I react to situations I am reminded that the reaction is just the manifestation of something dark within me. The great thing though is that God lovingly sanctifies me but it's not a one step process. It's a continuum, day in and day out, and some days are tough. Some days are downright awful but I will endure because again I am free by Christ.

Day 341

Thankful for cozy mornings, delicious taco lunches, adorable dogs, loving Momma, and continued packing!

So I kind of maybe sort of absolutely fell in love with dog today. It goeswothoutsayingthatthetiming is absolutely TERRIBLE but if she's still available after I move in I am snatching her up because she is incredibly sweet and her fur is amazingly soft. If she's already adopted then I won't be looking into getting a dog until after my board exam but I can't pass this one up! Big girl life is exciting!

Day 340

Thankful for mornings I can spend being lazy, incredible friends who find me free moving boxes and are willing to spend their Saturday helping me move from Dallas to Fort Worth, checking things off the to-do list, gradually packing up the apartment and spending evenings with the roomie! 

Day 339

Thankful for fun shopping trips with the family, safe travels back home for the fam, starting the process of packing up the apartment, left overs and unexpected gifts from friends!

Day 338

I graduated today!!!!!!!! I am officially Dr. Kathleen Sullivan. God is so faithful. My whole life is an example of His steadfastness but this accomplishment proclaims His goodness so eloquently! I am incredibly thankful for my family and friends who were there to support me today like every other day over the past 2 1/2 years, fun family dinners and brunches, amazing gifts and cards, phone calls with bekah, and celebrating our accomplishments with the roommate!!!!! Ahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!! 

Day 337

Thankful for lazy days with the roommate, safe drives for my family, amazing dinner celebrating graduation and reading encouraging card!

Day 336

Woke up humbled this morning and truly thinking. This whole winter storm through me and my graduation plans for a loop but God reminded me that He is bigger. I woke up to the city of Dallas covered in snow and man it was beautiful. Instead of worrying about this weekend I decided to appreciate today.

Day 335

Thankful for beautiful mornings at the lake house, Dads who always know what to say to make me feel better, safe drives back to Dallas, ridiculous news reports, and spending the night playing Family Feud with Lindsey while watching Tv and attempting to stay warm! #Snowapocalypse2013

Day 334

Thankful for last minute packing, road trips to the lake house, picking up the puppy dog, adventures on the 4-wheeler, striking up convo with the local cafés waitress, successfully building a fire and God's beauty shining through in nature and laughter and friendship and song.

Day 333

Thankful for waking up to the sun streaming in through my window, lazying around all day with the roommate, and finally having a fixed and appropriately working car! 

Day 332

Thankful for last days at school (School's out forever!), Dad's who always have my back, being approved for my first solo apartment, and for my ridiculous but amazing friends!

Day 331

Thankful for restful mornings, crazy afternoons spent apartment hunting, and lazy Sunday nights!