Reflecting on 2018

I’ve been feeling an urge to reflect upon the past year. Nevertheless to say... 2018 was a CRAZY year. It was filled with victories, celebrations, accomplishments, new friends, lifestyle changes, adaptation, love, realization, heartbreak, forgiveness, change, traveling, blessings, and a whooooole lot of relying on God. In January, I graduated from basic training and officially started my career in the United States Air Force. It’s what I had been dreaming of and fighting for for years. It was my first time being away from family and moving away from home. I then lived in San Antonio, TX up until April, where I completed tech school and was even more prepared for my career in the military. I then went home on leave for three weeks and got to see everyone back home again. On April 16th, I said goodbye once more as I flew to my duty station in Spangdahlem, Germany. Living in Germany has ultimately been one of the biggest blessings I could ever receive. I love it more and more every day and I couldn’t thank God enough for sending me overseas; opening up endless opportunities for travel, new friends, and a new home. I got to see multiple castles, went snowboarding in the Netherlands, took trips to Belgium, Luxembourg, Paris//Disneyland Paris, Amsterdam, found some beautiful hiking trails with gorges and waterfalls, etc. But then in July, I faced a few trials and had to overcome some major battles; which I didn’t start to heal from until September. I got super sick and was in and out of the ER for months, and was also hospitalized for a little while. I had the worst anxiety and was constantly having anxiety attacks and heart pains. I was super depressed and went to the extent of trying to get discharged out of the military. I lost so much hope, and had lost a whole lot of faith. And in the midst of this, I had gone home on emergency leave for two weeks because my brother was in life threatening condition in the hospital due to appendicitis. My relationship at the time had started going down hill. I felt extremely distant from God. I felt so lost and lonely and just wanted it all to end. However... Today I stand stronger, happier, and wiser than I’ve ever been. I healed completely physically and emotionally, as well as my brother who is fully recovered and back to his normal self. I found peace, healing, and restoration through Jesus, who helped me in the time of my first heartbreak. When I wanted to give up everything, He was the one thing that kept me pushing forward. I couldn’t have gotten through all of that alone. I am so grateful for who I am today, and who He is continuing to make me out to be. But although I’ve already come such a long way, I know I still have a long way to go. And there’s many more opportunities, challenges and blessings on the road ahead. I’m so thankful that I never gave up. I love and value my life so much. My family who will always always be there for me, my friends that are all around the world, my home state, my new home in Germany... grateful for it all. Since then, I’ve went to Switzerland, Oktoberfest in Münich, Amsterdam, Paris, Köln, Athens/Greece, and went to multiple Christmas markets and Christmas parties around in Germany. Total in the year of 2018, I’ve traveled to 7 new countries and have learned sooo much from every place. I’ve also been blessed with the ability to travel back to AZ for Christmas and New Years. It’s been great being able to take a break and spend time with my family for the holidays. But all in all, the last few months of 2018 was filled with a whole lot of self-discovery. I had to learn to love myself again, get back on the right path, and even now I’m constantly learning from my mistakes. Thankfully, I’ve made sooo many friends and have an amazing family who have helped me and supported me along the way. So that pretty much sums up my year. You will face trials in life. But one of the most important things I’ve learned from 2018 is that no matter how bad things might get, how terrible it all may seem, you just gotta keep your head up and keep pushing. And you WILL be rewarded for it. Things WILL turn around for you if you don’t give up. And there’s ALWAYS so so much to look forward to. There’s always going to be more mountains to climb and challenges to face, but no view will ever be greater than from a mountaintop. Sometimes you have to know what rock bottom is like to really appreciate when you are on top; rock bottom will teach you lessons that mountaintops never will. As the new year approaches, hold on to that, knowing that everything happens for a reason. That everything solely works to serve a bigger purpose for you. To build you up, to make you stronger, to bring you to places you’d never get on your own. God has an amazing plan for your life. I declare there will be a downpour of blessings in 2019. For good health, good friends, endless opportunities, and for genuine joy and happiness. Make the best of this new year ✨

#newyear #2018 #2019