An Ode to my 20s

Oh dear Twenties,
Full of life.
You have brought me many new experiences.  In no particular order...

1 undergraduate degree.
Countless jobs.
6 states I called home.
More pounds than I want to admit.
1 beautiful wedding in Colorado, where I was the bride.
1 husband.
4 pregnancies.
2 precious babies.
11 different homes.
1 Master's Degree.
5 funerals of family members.
4 different vehicles.
Several deep friendships.
Anxiety.
1 trip to Green Bay to see the Packers play on Christmas Day.
10 days in Italy.
Red wine.
2 trips to Florida and one day drive along the Outer Banks in North Carolina.
1 honeymoon in Mexico.
1 Cubs game at Wrigley Field.
1 Cowboys vs. Packers game in Dallas.
5 days in New York City.
1 weekend in DC and a special weekend in Virginia Beach.
Lots of trips to NM and Iowa to visit family.
Many unexpected and undeserved blessings.
Jewels of wisdom.
Pangs of grief.
Deeper understanding of myself.
Greater desire to serve God.
Deep pain.
Insecurities and fear.
Great adventures.
Repelling down a mountain.
Swimming in a cave.
Counseling.
Hiking in Colorado.
Serving the homeless in Denver.
Fixing roofs in Northern New York with YouthWorks.
Cleaning out a family's house and cleaning up yards in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina.
6+ youth trips where I got to mentor, lead, challenge and play with high school students.
3 weddings I was in; many more I attended.
Many Bible Studies and small groups I have had the opportunity to lead.
A love of photography.
An appreciation of PBS Kids (it is on as I type this!).


I am thankful for you, dear twenties.  May I take the lessons I have learned and create an even better experience of my 30s.