2024: One of the Best Years of My Life

Now, I'm back at school. Makena and Sawyer have officially left, and I've been alone in my room for the last week. I've been taking this time to relax and recuperate from all of the hustle and bustle. I've been so busy with school, trips, and my friends that it has been a while since I took time to invest in my interests; writing, reading, and journaling, and I've enjoyed this time to reconnect with myself. I've almost finished reading two books and I'm off to a good start for my 2025 reading goal. School starts on the seventh and my new roommate is arriving on Monday from England. I'm excited, but sad that the break is almost over.

However, I can't wait to see what these next semesters have in store for me; New friendships, more knowledge, more adventures. 2024 is going to be a hard year to beat. I achieved so many goals, did and saw so many things, and met so many amazing people, I'm not really sure what can come next. This past year, so many of my dreams have come true, that I fear I may have to start making new ones. How exciting!

2024 has also been a year in which I have seen God working in my life and on my heart more than ever before. He's preparing me for something big, I can feel it. There is purpose in each stride I take even though I don't always know what I am walking toward. This is both exciting and daunting. I often fear all this change, all this excitement, and all these new experiences will come crashing down on me, but then I remember how far God has taken me, and that he has put a calling on my life and I need not fear for the future.

This past year, I have dedicated a lot of time to my personal goals and aspirations; I finished writing my book, I landed a job with the National Parks Service, and I moved to Europe. All of these things have changed me and shaped me in profound ways, and I truly believe God's blessing was behind all of them; but as I move into this new year, and consider the fact that I am already approaching my last year of Undergrad, I have been seriously asking myself, where I should go from here. One thing that has come to my mind on multiple occasions has been dedicating a year to missionary work. I have made leaps and bounds in my own life and in my own walk with God, I think the time is coming in which I need to start putting out into the world what I have received. Please keep me in your prayers as I seek wisdom and guidance.

I want to thank you all for the love and support you have shown me. To my family, you have been the most unwavering supporters and mentors in my life. Each historical fact, each book I read, each deep thought I have had, you have listened to tirelessly. You've shown me how to take my passion and curiosity and convert it into art and creativity. You've directed my thoughts away from myself and toward the Author of my talents and given me the tools I needed to use them to glorify Him. And most importantly, you've shown me what it means to love and be loved.

And to my friends, who I consider family, your support and interest in my studies, my spiritual growth, and my life, have given me the opportunities I needed to explore how I can use the things I am learning to glorify God's kingdom. This, undoubtedly, has lit a spark in me that I can use, by God's grace, to light fires in others.

As I go into the New Year, I am constantly reminded of one of the last things I told you all before I came here; "Many are the plans in the mind of man, but it is the Purpose of the Lord that will stand. Perhaps we were born for such a time as this." Proverbs 19:21 & Esther 4:14

Here is a small recap of my year in photos:

In January, I finished writing my 171 page novel, which had been in the works for over a year and half. I sobbed. I don't have a photo, but I also got a call from the National Parks Service telling me I was being offered a job.

From January to May, I worked as a tutor in the school's writing center, and worked as a docent at the Lynn H. Wood Archaeological Museum; and was asked to host multiple group events. (Above, is a photo of a "Babylon Brick", which has the name of Nebuchadnezzar inscribed on it.)

In March, I got to visit the Great Smoky Mountains with the two most important men in my life (currently) ;)

In April, I dealt with an ongoing health condition that had me down and out for a month. The day of the Solar Eclipse was the first day I had felt normal in over four weeks.

In May, I finished my Sophomore year of college with a ten-minute presentation and six-page paper critiquing the method and theories of a sight report on the Great Baths of Corinth. I got 100% on both the paper and the presentation. This is a photo of our last day of class.

I was offered a job as a Greek tutor and TA by Dr. Wilson Paroschi, the best Greek professor I could have asked for. We celebrated his retirement the same month.

I said goodbye to the best roommate and one of the best friends I have ever had. Miss Jessy Hajaj, or as I call her, Habibti.

I meant my new niece, Annika Carol Grace Reed. She was perfect in every way.

I gave my first archaeological presentation (outside of school) at Invitation Hill Seventh-Day Adventist Church, and would give four more in the proceeding months.

I also began my paid Internship at Theodore Roosevelt National Park where I worked as an archaeology and museum technician, taking care of Teddy Roosevelt's personal belongings, doing research, hosting museum visits, hiking over ten miles a day in some of the most beautiful country I have ever seen, and finding my first artifact; a tiny arrowhead.

In July, I got to visit my brother and sister in Lincoln Nebraska, and spend two days shadowing at the Midwestern Archaeological Center. I also got to meet Gideon's new girlfriend, Savannah.