Then and Now

What do I want in life? What are my dreams and desires? They seem to change over time. Looking back on landmarks of my life, I can see the changes. You know those questionnaires you fill out about what you like and where you hope to be in 5 or 10 years? Yeah, well those are fun to review occasionally. It’s also enlightening to take a trip down memory lane.

Ten years ago, I was getting ready to graduate from high school. It was the week before my 18^th birthday – which my sister celebrated by throwing a surprise party. We played laser tag. I was Flo in the homeschool dinner theater and rocked out oldies on the keyboard in our “band.” I played at my last Fine Arts Festival. I staffed TeenPact and worked at Spanish camp and was in the Stained Glass Theater’s sequel – Return to Belle Plains. I was having senior pictures taken and pondering if I really actually wanted to leave home and go to college in the fall.

My 18th birthday.

My first cell phone! I thought this was the coolest thing.

And then looking back five years ago, I was finished with college. I had taken a trip to Kenya for three weeks to celebrate being done and then started my job as a technician in the ER in January. I was living with three other lovely ladies from Evangel who were also done with or finishing their college careers. I was stressing out over whether to apply to PA school or med school. I was about to turn 23 years old.

My 23rd birthday.

My 23rd birthday.

Graduation from Evangel with my bachelor's degree.

In some ways, things are still the same. I’m still trying to “figure out life.” I’m still striving to become a better person. I’m still experiencing huge changes. This time around, I’m looking at my 28^th birthday around the corner. One more week to make the most of my 27^th year of life. I’ve finished graduate school and have a “big girl job” as a physician assistant. I’m still in the infancy of my career.

Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016.

The past two sets of 5 years have held new phases of life academically. Along with those phases have been other life changes, growth, locations. Although I don’t anticipate a new formal academic phase these new 5 years, I do know I won’t ever stop learning in the career I have chosen. Location-wise, it’s hard to know where I’ll be.

Other goals for the next five years include: Paying off my car. Paying off my student loans. Making a dent toward saving for a house. Having a garden. Visiting at least one more state on my to-visit list. Going on at least one medical mission trip. Becoming more like Jesus. Spending time in reading His word and praying. Sponsoring a child internationally. Investing in the community – of my city and my church. Buying a keyboard. Having braces to correct my teeth. Growing in relationships, hopefully including marriage and kids.

Goals change with each stage. Priorities shift. People come in and out of one’s life. Life offers new opportunities and introduces you to things which you didn’t even know existed. Here’s to the next 5 years of learning, changing, and living.