Life is Grand!

One year ago, I was in Michigan and probably having a nervous breakdown about my future.  I only had one, over Christmas break.  Most of the time when someone asked what I was doing after graduation, I laughed and said..."Well, I could be in graduate school at six different universities, or, you know, I might move to Poland for a year."


As I reflect on this past year, I am amazed at the blessings that have been showered down on me. After almost four months in Poland, twelve months doesn't seem so long and it's incredible to see how much my life has changed in twelve short months.

The wait for university acceptance letters was complicated by my wait for a notification letter from Fulbright. By this time, I had no doubt that I would be accepting the Fulbright.  A far cry from when I first wrote my application.  The Fulbright was merely an "option" for my future, in my mind it was unlikely that I would receive such an award.  So I often talked about how I might skip the Fulbright even if I got it to go to a graduate school program.  Part of me didn't know how prestigious the scholarship is, and the other part of me was trying to guard my pride from disappointment.

Over the past year, I've seen countless friends get engaged, three friends have babies, all my close friends are employed after graduation.  I graduated, worked for a fantastic conservative organization over the summer, and now live in Poland.  Through all this, I have found people to pray and share my faith with and I've grown closer to God with every step.

This closeness with my Creator is new for me.  Three years ago, when I studied in Poland, I put my faith on the back burner because it was easier to not seek out Catholic friends.  Over the next two years, my friends at St. Mary's helped me see the importance of a Catholic community to life.  The details are important to me, but inappropriate for this public outlet.  Suffice to say, if you are struggling, reach out to your friends and family because they love you, accept you, and will forgive and help you.

The past year has been a spectacular ride.  Granted, there have been numerous bumps along the way (my mis-scheduled flight to DC and my first days in Gdansk come to mind), but all in all, the past year has been absolutely wonderful.

There's really no way that I can speculate as to what 2013 will bring.  I have lots of travel plans, and will continue to teach my students and make friends (especially my new Catholic ones!).  However, the big things...like will I really end up at Indiana University in August...well, that's something I can only trust one Person to answer, and He hasn't communicated it to me yet.

 At least three of my friends will be getting married and potentially one cousin (thus far, I'm going to miss all the wedding dates I've been given *sadface*).  Hopefully I'll continue meeting family members in Europe and get to see all the cousins I miss so very much in the U.S.  And I reeeeeeally hope that I'll spend Christmas next year in Michigan, with my family, at St. Hyacinth, where I belong on Christmas!!  But, only God knows which of these hopes will be reality.

Even with the few tears of sadness and frustration in 2012, the year has been the best yet.  And I'm looking forward to see what 2013 holds because, well, you never know what will happen in life.

However, as my mom always says...Life is Grand!