So facebook has a feature, “my year in review”, with what it thinks are my top moments of the past year. It got several things correct. But there are some things the number of likes and comments can’t measure. So here is what I hold as the top 20 moments and memories (in order of appearance) of 2013.

1. WinterJam. WinterJam was one of the few times when I felt connected with God along with the other believers around me. Connection like that is supernatural. 

2 .My Birthday. I remember feeling completely loved and cared for on that day. It was a Thursday, which meant there was swing dancing. Before that, I met my friends at Starbucks and they surprised me with flowers, coffee and a brownie with a candle in it.  

3. Ascension Convention. The conference itself wasn’t anything much, but again, as a youth group, we all connected. We supported each other. Frankly, as a church, we acted like a church. 

4. Prom. Yeah, whatever, it’s cliché, but I had a great time with this guy. 

5. The Imaginary Invalid. This spring play made me exceedingly thankful for the friends I have. I also played probably my favorite role: Leah, the quick-witted, snarky maid. 

6. Fashion show. Thanks to my sis, I got to be back stage during one of her fashion shows at her college. I did her models’ hair and got to meet some of her friends. 

The Vespers

7. The Vespers concert. This was the beginning of summer for me. Joanna, Hudson and I drove an hour and some to see The Vespers, now one of my favorite bands. 

8. My yard working job. This, I didn’t really enjoy that much, but I’m so glad for the opportunity I had to work and work hard with my bare hands. I was glad for the money and appreciative for the reminder of why I want to go to college.

9. Dancing in Beloit. This is one of my favorite things about summer. Each year, the family and then whatever friends we can drag along, go dancing at Harry’s Place, a gazebo on the river in downtown Beloit. 

10. Doing music with Joey. Joey and I have been writing and working on some songs over the year, and it’s been a ton of fun and I’ve enjoyed getting the experience. 

My favorite activity that we did 🙂

11. Vacation with the fam. I got to do so many things I had never done before on this vacation. I thoroughly enjoyed all the traveling and adventures. But really what makes this vacation stand out is all the time I got to think. Since we traveled all over the place, I had hours and hours just to sit and think about some things that I really needed to think about and figure out. I remember talking to God and hearing him answer. I asked him to make himself clear and a car hit us. Yep, having nothing to do is amazing. (read a related post)

12. Missions Week. My church did a missions week where we hosted a team from Ohio, had a VBS, and did community service all day long. So great. I’ve never felt so useful in all my life. The best part was painting a house. I got to paint the steeples with my second papa. The bomb.

13. Fourth of July. This night was mostly just classic. It wasn’t really the fourth, but it was my neighborhood’s firework show. So much fun. So many fireworks. 

My new friend, Lanie.

14. Escape to the Lake. This was a life changer. Escape to the Lake was a music conference over the Fourth of July weekend. I met a lot of great people and got to know some of the band people too (including The Vespers)! But the most important part was making friends with a little girl, Lanie. I thought I could never talk with kids, much less enjoy it. Thanks, girl, for proving me wrong. 

15. Doctor Who. Yes, this was an important part of my year. The Doctor taught me to see people the way they are: fantastic. All people are amazing whether they know it or not. I love discovering what different people are all about now. I see people in a whole new way. 

16. Classy Picnic. Life is what you make of it. And I decided to make it awesome. So I had a classy picnic with classic peeps.

17. USO Swing dance. I met the girl (who would become a close friend)I would travel to Hawaii with, played games, dressed up 1940’s style and got to dance the night away to a live band. That’s what I call a good weekend.

18. Hanging with my bestie and making some new friends. Abby became my friend when I was possibly in my most horrible stage ever. I looked awkward, talked awkwardly, acted awkward, and despite all that, I thought I knew almost everything. I’m afraid I didn’t have much grace. But Abs was always there. I thank her for smoothing over some of my rough spots. And she still pushes through all the rest of my weirdness and is one of my best friends to this day. I love hanging with her. I also got to know several other people this year, people that I’ve known, but recently discovered how incredible or funny or strange or sweet they are. People are just cool. 

19. Hawaii. I’ve been working on a post for Hawaii, and it’s been taking a long time because so much happened. So many little moments that I would have missed if I hadn’t had been looking. Those little things are really part of me now. I enjoyed playing with kids, had a ball in the kitchen and was reminded what life was all about. Oh, and gained two sisters.

20. Pine Havens Inn Trouble. This fall play was actually really stressful, but I’m so glad I did it.  I will very easily forget what the play was about or what my lines were, but I will never forget hiding away in forgotten corners, derping around backstage, and making ridiculous jokes with these dorks. 

So there’s that, 2013. I’ve changed so much for the better. I attribute it all to the amazing people God has put in my life and all the tough things He put in my way. Thank you for the trials, pain, laughs, friends, good times and encouragement.