2010.
January: Megh and I visited Mariah in DC. Started working at the bank. Flew to LA for the first time to take the CSET to get certified to teach.
February: Snowed. A lot. And melted the next day.
March: Got engaged! Flew to LA to take the CSET. Again. Passed it this time. Got offered a teaching job at a charter school in East LA teaching 10th grade English.
April: Bridal shower and wedding plannings. Quit job at the bank. I bet they’re so glad they hired me. I’m sure I was quite an asset to their team. For 3 months.
May: Friends flew in from DC, Philly, & Minnesota. Epic Bachelorette party commenced. Reception in Lexington with incredible friends and families. Flew to Costa Rica. Got married!!!
June: Moved to Cali.
July: Taught summer school- 10th grade English- in Los Angeles. Met incredible people. Learned a lot. So hard. So much fun.
August: Hubby joins me in LA. Dad visits. Began my first year of teaching. Began grad school. God led us to Reality LA. Where we joined a community group.
September: Began coaching running team. Flew by so fast that that’s literally the only thing I remember.
October: Mom visits. Won runner up in the costume contest at school on Halloween. Took first sick day. Wasn’t really sick. Shhhhh.
November: First Thanksgiving married. Cooked a baller meal. Began book club with the girls at school. Zach turns 21. AND gets accepted to UVA LAW SCHOOL.
December: Jess visits. 10k race with running team. First semester of grad school completed. First semester as a teacher completed. Christmas break. Slept for the first time in 6 months. First Christmas married. First Christmas away from home. Zach comes.
This year, I became: a teacher, a coach, a grad student, a TFA corps member, a Californian, a wife, a Kersbergen.
This year I learned to rely on God like never before. He became real to me in such new, tangible ways. I saw His power of redemption as I began working in a school where students come from such difficult circumstances. He taught me who I am in Him- that I am justified in Him and, despite what everyone around me is telling me right now, that I don’t have to prove myself to Him. He loves me more than anyone else ever will and I can’t make Him love me more or cause Him to love me less. He helped me become a better teacher by leading me to His Word to study the life of the best teacher who ever lived- His Son. He taught me the power of hope (and that true hope is found only in Him) when I watched one of my best friend’s life fall apart when tragedy struck. He showed me his faithfulness and goodness when He healed another of my friend’s mom from cancer. And more than anything, I’ve really learned what it means to long for eternity- to long to be in His presence. As Christmas approached and I read and studied the Advent, I finally understood it. The people were waiting in captivity- they’d been waiting for years and years for a Savior. I get it this year. The way they waited for His birth, we wait for his return. As we sang all the Christmas songs about his birth and how he came to ransom captive Israel and end the wars and bring Peace on Earth and end pain and suffering… I yearned for that like never before. It seems more real.
At the same time, He’s taught me a balance. I’m excited about being with Him but I know He has a purpose for me here, and part of that purpose is simply savoring the life He’s given me and being very much in the moment- being all there. I’ve always struggled with this- I’m always planning what’s next, making lists, saving money for the next big adventure. And over and over He’s shown me that while it’s ok to be excited about what the future has to offer, it’s not ok when I take it to the extreme and let it subtract from the passion with which I live my life today. So I think that’s my New Year’s Resolution (or part of it at least)- to be all there.
To be all there, while at the same time looking forward to the day that I’m with Him. I think it’s possible to do both. That’s my challenge.
2010. Good grief. I don’t think life could have possibly squeezed in any more changes for me to face. But it’s been so fun. No way 2011 could be crazier. Right?
more pics to come soon…
you never cease to amaze me….2010 for me…i saw my little girl grow into the most beautiful christian young lady i know, and i couldn’t be more proud…my son realized his dream of law school…couldn’t be more proud…and i gained a son whom i dearly love…couldn’t be more proud.i cannot wait to see what the lord does in your lives in 2011. happy new year! praying for you and love you.