The Fox Adventure

Yesterday, Andrew and I went on our last date of the year and listed our top twelve moments of 2016. We had an incredible year, to include a cross-country move, and we couldn’t narrow it down any further. The more the merrier, right?

While the world seems to be associating this year with negativity, I am choosing to fix my eyes on The One who has plans for my future – plans to prosper and not harm. Instead of focusing on the negativity of this world, let’s be aggressively grateful as we send this year out.

Christmas Eve Service at Wooster Grace.

Boone Hall Planation. #thisdarlingadventure

candlefish class.

last beach trip with the boys

Clipstone Dr. you have been so good to us

Cleveland Indians game with the family.

Mt. Rushmore.

Banff.

4th of July camping in Denali.

Tonsina Trail in the pouring down rain.

glacier cruise.

room five team.

1.  Let’s start this list off at the beginning of last year: Christmas/New Years. Technically, it was Christmas 2015 but there were so many wonderful memories that I couldn’t leave it out on a technicality. It is always wonderful worshipping the birth of our Savior with the whole family. Little did we know, less than two months after singing “Silent Night” by candlelight my Grandma Frizell would be in the presence of Jesus.
2. When Andrew and I first started sharing our favorites from 2016, he immediately shared memories from a weekend in March that Allison, Steph, and Rachel came to visit. It was jammed packed full of lattes, southern food, history, an 18^th birthday celebration and coffee shop dreamin’.
3. Stephanie’s last trip to Charleston. Steph and I have made so many wonderful memories in Charleston together. Her last trip down was no different. She was a lifesaver in helping us get our house ready (the packers came eight days later.) We even found some time to become certified chandlers, thanks to Candlefish.
4. The first 6 months of 2016 began living 45 minutes from the beach. Looking back, I took for granted the last 5 years of this, but we spent those last couple days at the beach reminiscing about our time there. Sullivan’s Island, you are dearly missed.
5. Finding hope for our future. If I’m honest, when Andrew told me he got orders to Alaska, I sobbed. I was a mess (just ask my sister), there were so many emotions. Charleston was our home for the past five years, I loved my teaching job and the friendships that were formed. I found excitement eventually, but for the time being, I was paralyzed by fear. Over the next six months, I saw that fear replaced with excitement for this new adventure. The final drive away from Clipstone Drive wasn’t as hard as I imaged because I was filled with the hope of our future.
6. Before heading to Alaska we made a quick detour in Ohio. It’s always a struggle to see everyone in one week so this time we decided to have a cookout. It was a wonderful evening of aunts, uncles, cousins, and high school friends. The older I get and the farther away I move, the more I love my family. Whether it’s a quiet night at home, swimming at the pond, or Cleveland Indians’ games, I cherish every minute I get to spend with my family.
7. When planning our road trip to Alaska, we decided to spend a little extra money and time by stopping for two days at Keystone, South Dakota. Let me tell you, Mt. Rushmore did not disappoint. To see more of our adventure at Mt. Rushmore head over to my post, “It’s just a rock”.
8. Our night stay in Banff has to be my number 1. This was a bucket list trip – I have never seen a more beautiful place. You need to add it to your bucket list! Check out my two posts on Banff: Town within the Rocky Mountains and Snow Caps, Lakes, and a Tea House.
9. Old friends in new places. During Andrew’s first deployment he developed a friendship with Andi Gentsy over their mutual love of Marvel comic books and Harry Potter. Andi and her husband Gene received orders to Alaska a year after returning from their deployment. It has been a blessing to already have close friends up here. We started planning a trip up to Denali National Park before we even arrived. Unfortunately, due to a few inches of rain and a leaky tent we had to cut it short. It was a great weekend of cooking over a fire and exploring God’s creation. And the start of my desire to own a camper.
10. My parents’ August visit. We had only been there a few short weeks, but it was no surprise that my parents planned to come to help us settle in. We decided to spend a weekend in Seward. The weather was overcast and rainy on our first day. We decided to hike the Tonsina Trail regardless of the weather. We got completely soaked! But this hike taught me something, even when you want to quit because you are tired, wet and discouraged keep trekking along because you never know when the trees will open up and your standing on a coastline watching bald eagles soar, otters playing in the waves and those ever ominous moose tracks.
11. Glacier National Park Cruise. While my parents visited we decided to take a 7.5-hour cruise in Glacier National Park. We watched sea otters play in the bay, sea lions sunbathe, puffins drive for food, and whales wave hello.
12. My new job. I have been blessed to be adopted by a wonderful family at Mt. Iliamna Elementary School. My classroom team is simply amazing. The work is crazy and the kiddos are crazier but I am stronger because of Shannah, Josie, and Trent.

I have never been one to set New Year’s Resolutions, but this year I decided to create goals for 2017. Most of my goals revolve around the idea of following through and seeking God. There have been so many things I have started in life and never finished. I want 2017 to be the year of follow-through, to set my mind to it and finish the devotion or the workout plan.

Jeremiah 29:11 has always been my life verse. It has been a verse I have clinched to on my knees in a fetal position. It wasn’t until recently that I started focusing on verses twelve and thirteen. This coming year I want to create margin in my life, time that I can spend seeking Him.

These two verses will guide me through 2017.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:11-13

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! AMEN.

Ephesians 3:20