Ignorant Historian

What in the world am I thinking putting a picture up taken after a long day of traveling?

6 months until Christmas! ;)

And to think that that baby is about to have a baby!

In the last five years, there have been some crazy big things happen in my life. In each situation, I was surprised with my reaction, so I guess I’ve learned about myself–and most certainly God–in each of these situations.

1. The apartment fire in 2007. While it was a small fire, the response to it was something that overwhelmed me. To see the overwhelming outpouring of blessings come our way was incredible. In the end, every ruined possession was replaced and every surviving item was moved at no expense to us.

2. November 2009. While I couldn’t blog what all was going on back then (in part because I was in Turkey during the depths of it and in part because other people’s secrets are wrapped up in it), I can share that it was the darkest place I’ve ever been emotionally. While there was also much humor then as well, it was a time I had to rely most heavily on God.

3. April 2011. Of course the pneumonia/tornado/babysitting/end-of-tax-season confluence of events makes this list.

4. My brother’s wedding. I thought this would be a super emotional time, but it turned out much different than I expected when I woke up 10 hours before the wedding, throwing up.

5. Not making it home in time for Christmas 2008. With my then brother’s girlfriend in the hospital as well, it was a holiday my family won’t soon forget.

How gracious God is that these events were well spread out over the 5 years!

Continuing with this week’s 5 theme in celebration of my 5th blogiversary this week, today I’m talking about the 5 biggest changes in my life since I started blogging.

1. I’m no longer a student. This is an obvious change to pick. When I graduated in December of 2008, I thought I was going to really miss being a student. I love to learn, and up into that point, I always found a lot of identity in being a good student. Turns out, I don’t really miss it. I do get a little bit of jealous when someone talks about syllabi and reading assignments, but I’m really glad I can make up my reading schedule for myself.

2. I now think of myself as a grown up. I’m only 28, so when I started blogging I was 23, a year out of college. Still, I felt like a kid, perhaps because I was still a student or perhaps because I was still in the in-between place between being in my parents’ home and being on my own. Some point between then and now, I realized I was an adult (said with the emphasis on the first syllable). Perhaps it was when children stopped mistaking me for a teenager…

3. I’ve gained a sister. I love that when my brother married Amanda last year, he brought her into our family forever. She’s become one of my closest friends, and my only regret is that we don’t live closer. Seventeen and a half hours (just Googled it) is a little too long to drive for lunch.

4. I’ve quit my (Diet) Dr Pepper habit. Okay, so I still drink it. Just not as much, and not as often. I only drink one a couple of times a week and only usually finish half of my drink. Actually, when I started blogging 5 years ago, I was still drink regular, even. I never thought this was something I’d want to give up, but I’m glad I have. This may seem trivial to put on this list, but it’s one of those things that everyone knows about me.

5. I’ve gone from seminary housing to living in a townhouse. I’m still renting, but I’ve made 2 big steps up, first to a nicer apartment with a larger bedroom and my own bathroom, and now to the townhouse where I basically have my own floor.

This week will be all about 5s. Why?

Because 5 years ago this week, I started blogging.

Instead of doing a usual one-post celebration, I have to drag it out all week. Five years is kinda a big deal, right? So all week I’ll share 5 this or 5 that (I haven’t quite figured it all out yet).

Today, let’s talk about my 5 favorite things about blogging. For the fun of it, each post will also include a childhood pic since I have so many to choose from (thanks, Dad). None from when I’m 5…that’d be too obvious.

1. I get to write what I want to. I’ve had to write for school, and I’ve had to write for work. For the most part, I don’t enjoy that kind of writing. Something in the compulsion and formality of it bugs me. But here on the blog? I can write what I want.

2. The fact that blogging isn’t a monologue. Sure, I love to share my opinions, but I love that people respond, making it a dialogue. I have the best commenters, too.

3. Blogging refines me. Blogging refines my writing (I hope!), but it also refines my beliefs and opinions. I know that I have to defend what I believe, not just state it.

4. Blogging is a record of what I’ve been thinking and doing. Now that I have 5 years worth of a blog, it’s interesting to look back. It’s amazing how much I forget. Something that can seem like such a big deal at the time can be really small in hindsight.

5. By reading other blogs, I learn. I learn more about individuals and ideas as well as about people in general.