2023

This year was crazy. I was traveling and moving constantly (Korea in early spring, camping in May and in August, new job in September). I got my driver's license, which is wild. There were two deaths in my church family, both of whom were very influential in my growing up, and will be missed dearly.

In all this time, I had a hard enough time keeping tabs on the friends I had, much less on the friends I was making. But did I still make friends? I think so. I hope so.

Was God still faithful? Absolutely. Every time I got behind the wheel, every time I felt alone or broken, every time I mourned, God was there. Always and forever.

They say there is a time for everything. I think this year was a time for weeping, at least for me. But the little ways that God has proved He is still good will never cease to amaze me.

And I think that one of the many ways He has shown His love this year was through all the wonderful people who were with me in the journey. I'm not very good with words out loud, but usually I get by on paper, so allow me to thank the amazing folks who gave me hope this past year.

To Amelia:

Girl, I know we weren't that close, but you gave me something fun to look forward to when I was sick and tired of learning how to drive. Thank you for introducing me to "King and Lionheart", it's one of my favorite songs now. Thanks for being a very good 'friend for a reason', that even when we could have been stoic desk mates, you kept reaching out to me and drawing me in. I hope you passed your test, and you are loving the road. May God bless you and keep you safe out there, cause have you seen how many people don't use their blinkers? Freaking accidents waiting to happen.XD

To Chloe:

Thank you so much for being a sane coworker in a chaotic workplace. You are so amazing, and I am so grateful that we got to corral nine-year-olds together. May God be your strength and peace in these dark times, and may we one day be coworkers-in-crime again.

To The Girls Small Group:

Honestly guys, I came out here fully prepared to be a shadow in everything. I was so freaking scared to talk to people I have literally never met before. But you all opened your group up and even though my personality tends to make me live in the corner, you guys were and still are so kind and inviting. Even though these friendships are probably just for the season, your welcoming attitudes towards the quiet new girl will never be forgotten. Thank you all for being such a beautiful friend group and a safe environment for me to relax in. Thank you, Chloe and Ashlyn and Noel and Gayle and Jess and Jo and Maya and Allison and Sarah and Pam. God be gracious to you all and bring you peace.

To the people on Wattpad who I maybe only talked to once, or commented on their book or main board:

Y'all, the fact that you guys are still vaguely sane after being on here is a lot. You are all loved, and you are all created in God's image. Thank you for being here. Thank you for talking to me, a stranger on the internet, and thank you for being encouraging. Always remember that there is a God and He will always love you, no matter what dark pit you fall into, no matter what doubts you have, no matter your mistakes and failures. You will never be too far away for Him to lose you.

To Mr. Josh:

This isn't a hello kind of thank you, but a goodbye thank you. I remember you so vividly, preforming in the Passion Play, in the little kids room at church. The day you passed, we started the VBS program again. I think you would have loved it. Thank you so much for teaching me about God. I know I was little, but you were my beginning. Thank you so much for your love of theater. I don't think I'll ever be brave enough for the stage itself, but maybe one day I'll be the one backstage, making sure everything runs smoothly. Miss Carrie gave us Cyprus. The boys are taking good care of her, and I think she likes being around the kids. We're checking in on your parents, and the boys are helping take care of the clutter.

I can't wait to see you in heaven.

To Mr. Gene:

This is also a goodbye kind of thank you. I know I wasn't ever really close, but you were such a good role model for my brothers and for that I can't thank you enough. Thank you for making me laugh. Thank you for greeting me in Korean, even if I didn't like it when I was younger. I would love to hear it again one day. Thank you for being so faithful, for being an uncle figure in the church. It won't feel the same without you, but I one hundred percent know you are in a better place than here.

안녕히 가세요.

To all I've known before:

Thank you. May God bring you peace.

A Friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

Ecclesiastes 3:11

Psalm 40:4-5