This Time Last Year...

At this time last year, I was pretty much a mess. In last year's "Chubby and Chubbier" blog post, I went into great detail about most of the things that were weighing me down.

But reflecting on where my life is now compared to then, is so exciting! I can't believe all that has changed in a 12 month time period.

This time last year I had just gotten home from a week of beach camping, and I was fed up with how awful I felt...emotionally and physically. I don't have the power to change all of life's circumstances, but I do have the ability to change SOME of life's circumstances. On that day, I started with my physical change. This time last year, I was 40 pounds heavier!

The worst of the worst (then)...



The best of the best (now)...



This time last year I was struggling to make exercise a priority. 12 months ago, the word "Marathon" was a completely foreign term to me! But at some point in the last 12 months, I had trained my body to not only run a 5k (3.1 miles)...



And not only run a half marathon (13.1 miles)...



But to run in a full marathon (26.2 miles)!!!...



Something happened after my 30th Birthday...nothing intentional. It just seems as though my load became lighter after turning 30.

God has grown me in all ways.

This time last year, I was burdened with our financial situation...we had been on a drastic path of paying off debt. In the beginning of that (approximate) 18 month journey it was exciting. It felt good to be diligent. But somewhere in the middle, the novelty of being responsible wore off for both Rick and I, it just seemed boring to be restrictive. It was SO HARD to resist the urge to abandon our budget. But ONLY by the grace of God, we were always able to see the finish line in the moments of weakness, and we kept pressing forward. Eventually, our moment came during this past year...when my van was paid off...no credit card debt remained...I was able to quit my job, and stay home with our kiddos full-time again.



In this moment of reflection, I have nothing negative to say about where I was Spiritually last year. This time last year, I was clinging to the Lord in my chaos, and that's not a bad place to be. ;0) However, I will say though, that in this last year, the Lord has taken me to even greater places, and He has stretched me in ways that I thought were not possible. By spending time in the word and prayer every single day, He has given me great wisdom in friendships, my marriage, my family relationships, and in His ministry.

At this time last year I had just taken on the responsibility of heading up the MOPS group at my church. I was excited and overwhelmed by the task all at the same time. But after a couple of months, I settled into to my position, and the ministry was nothing but FUN! When we ended our MOPS year in May, we had about 25 women attend our group on a regular basis...



I have been with the MOPS ministry for over 3 years, and we have always had about 25 women attend our meetings. Ever since I took the Coordinator position last year, I have prayed and prayed for this outreach ministry to GROW. Our God is a God of miracles...I have exactly 50 women who have RSVP'd for our first meeting this coming Wednesday! :-0 We have doubled our numbers!...SO EXCITING!

And finally, at this time last year, I was grieving the eminent death of my Uncle Marc...my Godfather.



Losing a family member was a new experience for me. It was completely emotionally draining. :0( In 3 days from now, my Uncle will have been gone for exactly a year. In honor of his life and memory, my family did what my family does BEST...this past weekend we had a party! :0)

I made cookies...my Uncle's nickname was "Pooch"...



The children and adults alike rolled coffee cans full of cream and sugar, to make Auntie Mary's homemade ice cream...



And the rest of the day was spent eating, socializing, eating, laughing, and oh yeah, eating some more...











I shall be grateful even for the valleys...as they make the mountains that much HIGHER!