A New Year

2010 was one of the hardest years of my life. Not just for me, but unfortunately for a lot of people around me as well. But because of the struggles, I relied on God more than I ever have before. And every time He was there for me.

Here are some of the bummers:
--I nearly drowned in medical bills!

--Spent $1600 within the first 2 weeks of January. $600 to get out of a sketchy lease. $1000 to have surgery.

--Had 3 surgeries: 2 hip surgeries. 1 nose surgery.

--Mom had 2 surgeries: disc fusion. stent put in her ear.

--My Grandpa lost his battle to cancer on my favorite holiday (July 4th).

--My good friend got her heartbroken, cheated on, fell out of love, and divorced. All on Valentines Day.

--Got stood up by my [ex] boyfriend.

--My best friend's dad got diagnosed with cancer for the 4th time!

--2 of the cutest little kids got diagnosed with Leukemia:(

--Dated the same boy twice. Ugh, should have learned the first time.

--My good friend spent two weeks in the hospital with appendicitis, internal bleeding, depleted lung function, low K+ levels, low iron. I mean you name it, she had it.

--Literally had $2 in my bank account more than once.

--Got let down my someone I thought had changed.

--Had a huge falling out with a friend I thought I had lost forever.

--They found a tumor on my friends spinal cord!



BUT, because of God:
--I'm a good swimmer and paid off those medical bills thanks to payment plans and two reallllly good friends by October!

--I'm slowly building up my savings account again.

--The surgeries were rough and being in a wheelchair wasn't my most favorite experience, but I have NEVER felt better! I got to grow closer to my friends and family for support and help during recovery. It was a blessing disguised by pain.

--my Mom has no more neck pain or right arm numbness from the disc fusion. AND no more dizziness because of the stent in her ear:) We are NEW women!

--Grandpa is resting in peace, free of pain.

--I got to become closer to my friend. And she moved on from the loser, to be with a much more incredible boy!

--I learned about forgiveness.

--This diagnoses is hard. But my friend has relied on God to get through it. It has opened up her families eyes to the future (or lack thereof) and how to plan/prepare for it.

--These two little kids are doing SO well and fighting the good fight. One gets to go home soon (after 4 months in the PICU) and the other is at home receiving chemo, doing so well! I KNOW they're gonna pull through:)

--Learned once and for all, what I do and don't deserve. What I want, and what I definitely don't. AND I had a lot of fun getting there! I went on my first camping trip, went to Lava Hot Springs, and had a lot of laughs:)

--My friend is doing much better! She's back to work where she belongs! This experience gave her a chance to "find out who her friends are" and for that, she's grateful. She's still having some "mystery pain" but I know they will figure it out soon. I'm convinced she got sick to slow things down, she's always on the go. I think she's getting some good recovery happening.

--I am a saver. I always have been. Getting that low in my bank account gave me anxiety like you wouldn't believe. But I've been working long weeks during December to build up that bank account again! Thank goodness I have two jobs so that I am able to do that!

--it sucks. My goal for 2010 was forgiveness, so I tried so hard to believe his apology. At one point in my life I really really liked this boy, so I decided to accept his apology and let him take me out. Only to find him about 2 months later half naked in my friends kitchen doing inappropriate things with his girlfriend. But that was the slap in the face I needed, so thanks for that. Plus, he looked like the ass, not me!

--Things with rent got pretty ugly. This girl (roommate) was one of my closest friends. I loved her like a sister. We had tons of laughs together, and living together will always be one of my favorite memories ever. One of the coolest stories ever though, literally 30 minutes after my bishop gave me a blessing to deal with this situation she called bawling, apologizing. It gives me the chills just thinking about it!

--Finding a tumor is scary. Period. but when it's on your spinal cord, that's tough stuff. Medicine these days is INCREDIBLE though! The tumor was 100% benign and she's doing perfectly. I even got to help her cope with her scar, since I have close to a zillion!



And the best news yet: I GOT INTO NURSING SCHOOL!

..It was pretty cool turning 21 too:)

It IS my Golden Year this year, so show me what you've got!