365 days later

What have I learned 365 days after landing in Germany?

I’ve learned not all beer is bad, living in the barracks sucks even more as a SNCO, Germany has a law for everything, running is better in the trails, alcohol makes nights alone a little better, weekly bible study with the best ladies can carry you through any tough days, there’s a million beautiful things to see both near and far-you just have to go, snail mail is the sweetest surprise, your nieces grow 20x faster between rare face time calls, mom and dad become your FAVORITE people in the world, circumstantial friends aren’t worth the effort, CDs are best for long drives through countries with no English radio, a smile helps a lot when asking for help in a foreign country, ‘out of sight-out of mind’ is true for a lot of relationships and you’ll have to reach out first, Switzerland is the most beautiful place on Earth, having really bad bosses doesn’t mean you have to be a bad leader too, sharing a laundry room with 10 people isn’t fun, being the only enlisted and only female in a meeting isn’t a bad thing, Europe doesn’t really do fast food so plan to be at dinner for a while waiting for service, checking out at a German grocery store can be one of the biggest moments of anxiety you’ll have all week, nothing comes close to SoCal sunsets on the coast .. and so much more!

A YEAR GOES BY REALLY FAST!!

I am a totally different person today than I was a year ago. If anyone knew me WELL a year ago you knew what I was going through, who my friends were, who I spent all my time with, and what I wanted in life at the time. Nearly none of those things are even a figment of the truth today; and that’s not all bad.

If I had one phrase to wrap up the last year it would be : to quote Romans 8:28 ‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,’ but sometimes that good isn’t for you right this second and you have to consider what else is happening downstream (Joshua 3:15-&16). Sometimes your plans right now are ruined in order to further God’s Kingdom later. And honestly.. that’s okay because you should never be begging God to keep someone in your life – you’re so much better off when you outgrow them and learn to love yourself and enJOY where you are right now.

I’ve had sad days missing family too much, days of total awe at creation during my travels, hiked more than ever, bitten my tongue a lot in order to keep my rank and career, broken my first bone, tried new things like snowboarding which resulted in the broken bone, tried more foods than my mom will ever believe without proof, spent more money than I could count on INCREDIBLE trips making better memories than any amount of money in the bank could give me, made career plans then made new career plans weeks later, gained a whole new perspective of America, realized I – and only I – can take care of myself the best and I shouldn’t rely on anyone to fill a void.
‘Stop listening to yourself and speak over yourself.”

I’ve also had to cancel a lot of plans (as has everyone, I know) Mom and dad’s visit, Auschwitz tour, getting to see Belleau Wood and celebrate Marine Corps history there, my 26th birthday in Paris, Disneyland for the first time, a Taylor Swift concert in Belgium, a hike in the Italian Dolomites, a weekend on the Croatian beaches, a spartan race in a foreign country, work trips to Estonia, and several bible study nights.

I’m crazy thankful for the friends, career mentors, bible study sisters, Germany parents, and experiences I’ve gained in a year and I’m so excited to see what happens in the rest of the blessed time I get to live young, single, and free, in Europe!