Flashback Friday: reminiscing back to the beginning

Finishing off my previous post with a picture from 2008 caused me to reminisce a little bit this evening. I knew the picture I wanted could be found within my profile pictures on the ever faithful Facebook. I was surprised at how far back it was. That picture was from 2008. However, it was an interesting experience to see the 72 moments that were captured that I deemed worthy of representing myself on social media. It was like going through a time capsule.

Fact: google defines reminisce as the following

"indulge in enjoyable recollection of past events"

As I was reminiscing through the photos, I started to categorize them and this is what I came up with:

Brother photos: following every treasured trip for a too short of a visit, the Facebook world would know that it happened. He spoiled me each time and I love him for that.

Hawaii 2009.
Many flight issues included lost bags. Bought that shirt at wal-mart.
But none of that mattered as long as I had such sweet time with him.

Randomness with friends: I was in the prime of college years when I joined Facebook. There really is no explanation for anything that happens as soon as you walk out of class and sometimes the epic level had to be shared.

I was so innocent and Shani felt otherwise.
APSU Campus, Clarksville, TN
c. August 2008

Obligatory snow pictures: I love, love, love snow! Being in the South, I am mostly alone in this love. Whenever I was blessed with snow, it led to many adventures and countless pictures to freeze this moments forever. (pun intended in regards to "freeze")

Snow tunnel digging became a tradition at my grandparent's house in Eastern Iowa.
They improved in size and complexity each year.
(this was the first one, 2007)

Something I accomplished: Sometimes I do something that seems to fall into the awesome or unusual category and I like to share that also. Below, I am wearing the blue helmet in the front. I am also identified as the one with a wall of water next to my face.

Alaska Nova River Adventure
Six Mile Creek is known for its Class V rapids.
July 2009

 Africa: Looking through my pictures, they seem to be leaning towards one area….Africa. Am I surprised? No, I just never realized what it may look like from the outside. The picture below may not seem Africa focused but it is really where it all started. This picture was taken the day that I knew without a doubt that God was calling me to Africa.

Wednesday, 26 January 2011
Clarksville, TN
Lydia jumps on my back after setting the timer on my camera.
Result: one of the best roommate moments ever is captured on camera.

Fact: There are 41 photos after this picture on Facebook that I have selected for profile pictures. 27 of them are related to Africa.

{thank you for joining me for that reminiscing session!! I'm about to wrap things up}

Many opportunities for me to share about Africa have come and gone during the last month. I have enjoyed each one for they have all differed greatly. I learned that each time I share about why I am doing what I am doing, it reaffirms for me and seems to light my fire all over again. It has been a blessing to get to remind myself that God has called me to do this. I encourage you to read about the day that God confirmed my calling to Africa by visiting my first post HERE!!

It seems to me that the last few years have can be categorized into two roads: my dreams and God's will. At times the roads were going in the same direction. One road was obviously a bit easier of a path. The other may not have lead to the same place but gradually the destination was changed and evolved over time. There were many turns and at some points it crossed with the easier path and I walked that road for a ways. It seemed that the view was clearer and I could see where I was going but then something caused me to turn again. Although, even when I was on the easier path, there was still times that I would be unable to continue on my own and others would come by my side and help me get on my feet. 

Fact: It is getting late! With that said, I hope that last paragraph of metaphorical (is that the correct literally term?) rambling makes sense to you.

{wrapping it up for real this time}

1. Reminiscing is fun.

2. I've been blessed to have opportunities to share about Africa which has allowed me to reminisce and recall when God confirmed His calling to me.

3. You should learn about that day by reading my first blog post.

4. I am extremely blessed to have the road of my dreams merge with the road of God's will into this amazing path that has proven to be better than I expected.