2012 Souvenir

2012: Year in Review

Greetings Friends!  I'm a little late with a "Christmas Letter" but still wanted to take a couple minutes to recap 2012, both to fill you all in on the life of Michelle and to create a record of this year.  It was not dramatic by any means, but still one of learning, serving, and growing closer to friends/family.  God taught me a lot about patience this year, teaching me hard lessons that my life and time is in His hands and I cannot rush what He doesn't have ready for me yet.

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.  Isaiah 40:31

I rang in the new year with my St. Louis family at a party at our church, The Journey. Love that I got to ring in the new year with the people that surround me on a daily and weekly basis.  They are my church family and my community and the reason I love my city so much. 

Trips:

While 2012 was the first year in quite some time that I didn't get on an airplane, I got the opportunity to take several trips this year, starting early in January with a ski trip.  There were six of us, mainly from the Journey, who road-tripped to Breckenridge, Colorado.  Four full days of skiing and eating great food left us exhausted and happy.  A personal feat: I skied down a couple black diamond runs.  With the tedious help of David at first, then the second time was invariably easier.  Hoping to get back out soon to see if "I still got it"... 

In April, Liz and I ventured to Memphis.  Along with seeing the fabulous Jennah and Joseph Marion, we saw the tourist sights, including the Civil Rights Museum and the Peabody, and took in a Memphis Redbirds game.  We also got to go to church at our old pastor, Jonathan McIntosh's new Church Plant, Christ City Church. We finished off with a trip to Lambert's on the way home. YUM! 

In late July, a big group of 17 of us headed to Kentucky Lake.  My friend Jack's parents have a house boat down there, which we used as home base while we rented three cabins and a couple of house boats.  We barbequed and had a great time of fellowship and fun.

One of many 2012 DC Pics

In mid - August, we trekked to the Land of Lincoln for our second annual State Fair & Boating Girls Weekend.  This time, we started with the Lincoln Museum.  What a fun weekend.  I love that I've been around these girls for long enough for us to have "traditions".  I got up on water skis for the first time since 1998.

Visiting the Lincolns

Deep Friend Peanut Butter Filled Chocolate Covered Twinkie

My new friend...

After a day of boating

In September, Liz and I hit the road again with a trip to her hometown, Detroit.  We spent a few days there with her family, where we almost saw a Tigers game and got to go to the Titanic exhibit.  We spent a night in Grand Rapids with her friend Sarah.  My favorite part was the night in Saugatuck, a quaint little beach town on Lake Michigan.

Waiting for the Tiger Game to start

Diet Coke on the beach

Climbing the Sand Dunes

Running

2012 also brought more of my running habit.  Every half marathon I run I say it'll be my last, but then my friends sign up for the next one and, before you know it, I'm spending money to be on mile 9 wondering why in the world I'm doing this and praying for it to be over.  I also ran a couple of "fun runs" in 2012 as well.  You know it's a fun run by the tutu... Of course. 

St. Patty's Day Downtown

Showing off our tutus!

Go! St. Louis in April

Ryan and I after the Color Run in August

Liz's Parents came in for our Rock N Roll Run in October.

  Events:
2012 was a significant year in the lives of some of my dear friends.  Jenny and Bryan got married in August and I was privileged to get to stand up as a bridesmaid at their wedding.  

Diet Coke Pic at Jenny's rehearsal

Being silly before the wedding

Mom and Dad and me at the wedding

On September 29, my dear friend Joy Lampe  married Jonny Lamb.  The Lampe-Lamb wedding was so cute in a bar out in the country.  Isn't she beautiful?

Ashley, Joy, Bonnie, and I in our "Carbondale pic"

 

 I didn't really get any good pics, but another significant event in 2012 was the first "Quasi" wedding.  Congrats to Mike and Lauren Barbeau!  

Quick pic of my family at the wedding

  

I was also privileged to meet a new angel.  My high school best friend Betsy and Jeremy were blessed with a beautiful baby girl, Reagan Grace, in July of this year.   Betsy and I worked on her "dream" blanket to welcome Regan to her new nursery. 

B

Betsy and I finishing up the Noah's Ark blanket

Finished!

Meet Regan Grace

Jadah even came in to meet her in August

I also had a milestone birthday this year.  Thanks to all my friends and family who love me enough to throw a fabulous party, complete with a Cardinal cake and photo booth.  I feel  so loved.

Ladies in the photo booth!

Cardinal cake

In 2012, I again led the high schoolers for Journey Youth.  In the spring, we had a girls-only Community Group.  I love these girls and have gotten to know them well over the past couple years and a few of them graduated in May.  To commemorate, we went on a Float Trip in Southern Missouri in June.  Youth Group isn't the same without them.    In August when Youth started up again, we decided to combine the boys and girls groups since we had so few girls.  It's been fun getting to know the boys and I'm excited to see what 2013 brings in terms of growth, both spiritual and in numbers.

Bonfire and Worship time before floating.  We loved the stars!

Group shot before the Float Trip.

Work:

2012 marked my 4th anniversary of working at Ameren in  Supply Chain operations. I even earned my first promotion.  So blessed to be able to work at a job I like with co-workers who are fantastic. 

Living:

Probably the biggest change in my life in 2012 was  moving into my first "just me" apartment in the Shaw neighborhood, right near church.  While I love my new place, it's very weird going from having lovely roommates who are always around keeping you company to a quiet space of your own.  Still getting used to it. Thanks again to everyone who helped me move.  If I haven't said it before, I have phenomenal friends.  I'm looking forward to living in the city and getting to know the Shaw neighborhood.

Roommate Pic!  Lacey, Gretchen, and me at our Valentine's Day party showing off our socks

Living room in my new apartment

Dining room

  And what would a 2012 recap be without mention of the Cardinals?  Tim and I once again got a "pack" and got to go to some great games. And, I got to sit in the "green" seats for the first time ever, fulfilling a "bucket list" item.  Even if they didn't make it all the way this year, games made for great summer memories.

Playing with my camera settings in our "pack" seats.

Green Seat view.  Go Yadi!

Goals for 2013 

• Be more reliant on God and less reliant on the events/people around me; be content where I am and patient for what He has next
• Read more!  I said this in 2012, but it didn't really happen.  Goals is one book per month in addition to Bible reading
• Continue to improve Journey Youth to encourage growth
• Meet new and different people to challenge me to grow in my faith
• Love my city through serving her well, including getting involved with my neighborhood association, doing community service work through Ameren, and continue involvement in Mission: St. Louis
• Keep up with this blog with fun St. Louis things and life things, so check back soon!
• Try new ways to stay physically active, such as biking and swimming.  I'll stop short of saying I'll do a tri-athalon in 2013, but it's on the back of my mind to try one. 
• Be more intentional in my rest
• Work hard and play hard and love my friends and family well

Happy New Year everyone!