And Forget Not All His Benefits

Another year has snuck up on us again- I can hardly believe it!

At the beginning of 2010, I posted a blog about my life during 2009. Today, as I read over this post that I wrote almost a year ago to the day, I smiled to see the way that God has used the events of 2009 to bring me to where I am today in the beginning of 2011, and what a beautiful place that is.

So, here are "A Few Neat-O Things I Did in 2010":

1. I spent the summer of 2009 living in Italy, and during the summer of 2010, I lived in, and fell in love with the beautiful island of Nantucket. This experience was one of the most meaningful of my life, and I will forever cherish my time there and the friends I made. I am counting the days till I can go back to see my precious ACK!

The breathtakingly beautiful sunset at Madaket beach.

2. Because of my friendship with Cara & Steve Gilmore and my participation in their beautiful wedding ceremony, I met the man I had been waiting to meet my whole life. Now, a year later, I wake up every morning feeling undeserving of him and his love for me. It also is an added bonus that our best friends are married to each other- it makes double dating very easy :)

Jared and me walking into Steve and Cara's wedding reception- what a fantastic party!!!

3. 2009 was the awakening of my love and passion for wine, and now a year later, after hours of hard work, failure and disappointment, I can proudly say that I am a certified sommelier!!! Even more exciting news- just this morning I received a job offer to enter the wine industry working in Napa for a public relations and communications firm that specializes in wine. God has been so faithful and has used my passions and talents to lead me down a really exciting path! I can't wait to see them unfold in the upcoming year.

The whole crew of CPP sommelier guild members (and my daddy and Steve in the background). I completed my certified level 6 months after taking the first exam.

4. During the summer of 2009, I went to visit Cara and Steve up in the bay area. I immediately fell in love with the area, and little did i know, I would fall in love with a man that lives up here too. Now, in 2011, I am living up in the bay, and am moving into my own little place in just a few short weeks!

Roommates again- relishing our time together, and doing our favorite thing- cooking! Who would have known that all this could happen? God did :)

5. Never have I forgotten how important and precious these 3 people are to me. I love them even more in 2011 than I did in 2010!

My wonderful family and me at my graduation from Cal Poly Pomona.

2010 was a fantastic year, and here's to an even better 2011- although it doesn't seem fathomable!

"Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and forget not ALL His benefits"

PS: Because of my life changes, I promised my dear friend Megs that I would post updates on here more often, so check back soon!