Hello 2020! New decade, same purpose.

Wow. I am always excited to celebrate the closing of a year and the start of another. I mean, the very concept of the entire year changing in literally a matter of seconds, as soon as that giant ball of lights smack dab in New York City reaches the end of it’s journey, a new year begins. What a mighty job that ball has, declaring the start of a new year. What if it moves a little slower than predicted? What if it gets halfway and decides it just doesn’t want to go any further? These are very important questions that I have never considered until this very moment. As an enneagram nine, I can’t even imagine that kind of pressure.

Anyways, it’s officially 2020, a brand new decade. And while I am all about looking ahead and getting excited for what’s to come, those who know me know that I can’t help but to reminisce in the nostalgia too ;) While in the car the other day, I began to think back on the last ten years. So much of it is a blur of the day-to-day life of a high school and college student. I realized just how intentional the Lord is, how He is constantly making a way for me both in a personal and professional sense. The story about how I ended up on staff at ETBU is a story of just how evident His presence has been in paving the way for me. Maybe I’ll share more details of that another day. But looking back, it was so much more than just happen stance. The last decade has been an entire sequence of events leading up to where I am today, and I wanted to document the details so that later on in life, I can look back and reflect on how good the Lord has been to me.

In 2009, while in my freshman English class, I discovered an interest for writing and began to consider the idea of pursuing some sort of related career.

In 2010 I joined journalism, where the world of headline writing and feature story writing became a new hobby.

2011 was the year I was finally on the yearbook staff, creating spreads, taking pictures, and writing stories.

In 2012 I was co-editor of the yearbook, and was still loving journalism UIL.

I started college in 2013 as a Mass Communication major with a focus on journalism.

In 2014, I transferred to A&M, where I switched my focus to public relations, gave lots of speeches, and wrote tons of papers.

In 2015, I tried and tried to score an internship, but was unsuccessful and was left having doubts about my skills and how much I would be able to achieve. I was snared in the trap of comparison.

My first internship came in 2016, where I got a tiny taste of what working in the communication field would be like. This was also technically my last semester of school, and was filled with countless group projects and exams.

Bryan and I graduated college in 2017, and began the grueling search for our first full-time jobs, all while preparing for our upcoming wedding. After months of searching, discouragement, insecurity, and frustration, I was finally offered a writing position at a marketing agency.

In 2018 I was able to learn an extensive amount of information about the marketing industry, and immensely improve my skills during my first “big girl job”.

In 2019, I finally worked up the nerve to publish my blog for the world to see (okay, more like my family and Bryan ;) Hi mom! I know you’re reading this.) 2019 also brought the most incredible blessing of being offered a position at East Texas Baptist University, where I have the privilege of using my passion for writing and marketing to further the mission of our Christ-centered institution on the Hill, and serve the Lord as His kingdom worker.

Looking back over the last 10 years, I can clearly see the Lord outlining His path for me to uncover my talents and skills, and placing me in the perfect position to serve Him in His perfect timing. It’s incredible.

Here’s to continued growth and career development, to finally feeling confident in my talents, to enjoying where I’m at right now in this very moment. Here’s to 2020!