Saturday, March 19, 2016

A Year in Retrospect

Today is March 19.

A year ago today I came home from my mission. It was today that Teagan surprised me during my layover in the Atlanta Airport (I was so shocked I didn't even know what to say to her. In English. Haha) and we flew to Birmingham together where I was greeted by my family, ecstatic and full of tears.

Being able to hug my mom was the best feeling ever. And then to hug my dad and hear him say "Syd, I am so proud of you." Nothing better. Because I knew Heavenly Father was proud of me too.

I reflect upon that moment of taking off my name tag, how incredible painful it was. Feeling like my identity was being taken from me.

As I look back over this year, I think about how I have had to re-discover myself and who I really am.

2015 was my year to LiVE (little victories everyday, forget about the "i").

2016 is my year of light. Seek the light of Christ, be worthy of it and share it with others.

As I have striven to LIVE and be a LIGHT, I have found myself again. And this time, better than before.

I have to admit it hasn't been easy, and my heart still deeply longs to be on the mission again. I would give anything to go back for just one more transfer.

But the Lord needs me here. And He's got another mission for me to fulfill. I must follow His example and turn out instead of turning in. I must be His LIGHT for others.