22 Memories of Being 22- (#11)

#11: Wicked at the Pantages

For a Girl's Night Out, we decided to go see Wicked while it was still in L.A. Besides all of the homeless, drunk people and the extremely uncomfortable shoes (which ended up in some of us walking barefoot down Hollywood Blvd.--no big), it was SO MUCH FUN. We went to an awesome restaurant for dinner, the show was amazing, and the company was irreplaceable! :)

22 Memories of Being 22- (#12)

#12: Mexico Trip 

In December, I had the opportunity to go to Mexico with my church. We went with a group called Spectrum Ministries (who are there every weekend) and we basically went into a little area, set up tents and a bathing system with stations, organized clothes, etc. The girls were in one tent and the boys were in another. Two girls in our group and I were in the hairstyling section. We'd give the girls a braid or a ponytail, along with the hair "doo-dad" of their choice. 

Going on mission trips never ceases to amaze me because I always go thinking that I am going to BE blessing them, but in reality, I am infinitely more blessed BY them. The girls were so appreciative and joyful about what we were doing. It was so humbling to see how little they have and how easy it was to make them happy, when we are blessed with abundantly more than them and are constantly whining. It really showed me that true joy does come from something greater than the crap we surround ourselves with. I say "crap" because that's all it is. It's just junk that fills our rooms--stuff for next year's garage sale. The state of our hearts is so much more important than what the world places value on. I'm definitely excited to go back to Mexico; it's a lesson that can't be learned enough.

My sister and Sara setting up the girls' tent. 

22 Memories of Being 22- (#13)

#13: Meeting James Denton

When I tell people that I'm shy, they usually laugh in my face. However, I do have my moments and this was one of the only times in my 22nd year that I actually was speechless. James Denton (an actor primarily known for his role on Desperate Housewives- a show I no longer watch...ya, kinda trashy) is a co-owner of the OC Flyers baseball team. My friend's family has tickets and we'd go all the time. Well, James was there one day and I almost had a heart attack. I seriously was so star struck. When we went up to meet him, I almost died a little. So here's the picture of us with him. Ya, his arm is touching me in this picture. Don't hate.

22 Memories of Being 22- (#14)

#14: Life Together Group

I remember when the mention of Life Together Groups (LTGs) occurred in our Friday night bible study. I was not a fan, mostly because I didn't go to the church where the rest of the ladies went. Basically, LTGs were going to be taking over our Friday night study. Well, long story short, I ended up joining an LTG and it was such an amazing experience. Being a newbie at the church, I signed up for one that had the most names I didn't recognize so that I could get to know people better (not typical for me). We just wrapped up our "trimester" and I'm so sad to know that our groups are going to be switched up in the fall, but excited to see what the Lord has in store!

22 Memories of Being 22- (#15)

#15: Seattle

I had the AMAZING chance to go visit one of my good friends in Washington in early December. Washington is seriously the most beautiful state and I would move there in a second if I could. We took a day and went up to Seattle. It was sooo fun and I can't wait to go back!

I love this picture of the Space Needle because it shows how gorgeous the sky was. It was the first weekend in December and no rain in sight! We got lucky. 

In front of the original Starbucks...so exciting! It's so tiny inside; there are NO tables or chairs and the line is always so long. There are also a ton of other coffee places (including other Starbucks) in that area, but of course this one is the most popular!

22 Memories of Being 22- (#16)

#16: DeepQuestions.net

R.I.P

22 Memories of Being 22- (#17)

#18: Driving Scotty to Work

Ok, I'm not going to lie--this wasn't one of my *favorite* memories, but it did have a big impact on my 22nd year (and on the tires of my car). For 7 weeks (so 13% of my year), Scott and I were basically BFF since we had to see each other first thing in the morning, intermittently all day at work, at lunch, and until about 9 pm. You'd think he would've been dead by now but I practiced self-control. ;) But in reality, we had some good times and we are even better friends now. I was kinda sad when he started driving again because I was so used to having someone to talk to while sitting in traffic! Bonus: now whenever I want/need anything, he owes me his life so it was totally worth it and will greatly impact my 23rd year (and 24th, 25th, and so on).

22 Memories of Being 22- (#18)

#18: Women's Retreat at the Hot Springs

A small group from our church went to Calvary Chapel's huge women's retreat in September. It was sooo much fun. I can't even really explain it; it was just fun to get away and do something different. Plus, the venue was beautiful! We're all so excited to go back! (Sidenote: Heather's face when she won the raffle prize was hilarious--"SZILAGYI!!!")

22 Memories of Being 22- (#19)

#19: Camping (...IN A TENT!)

I went tent-camping for the first time (outside of church camps when I was younger, and I think that was only once). Ok, if you know me well, you know this is NOT my thing at all, but it was SO much fun. I am actually looking forward to going back. Miracles do happen. (Oh ya, minor detail: I slept in the car because I was LITERALLY freezing my butt off. I was not at all prepared for how cold the evenings would be. But come on, miracles happen... just not overnight.)

22 Memories of Being 22- (#20)

#20: Get Carded by Rachel

I made a website, ordered business cards, and even had a little party at my house. It's exciting to have people enjoy something you enjoy--so THANKS to everyone who's shown support and encouragement for my mini-business.

22 Memories of Being 22- (#21)

#21: Graduating

Technically I graduated exactly one month before I was 22, however...the benefits of being a graduate resonated well into my 22nd year! Seriously, not having to deal with homework, papers, tests, professors, and knowing that it was DONE was the best feeling ever.

22 Memories of Being 22- (#22)

There are 22 days left of my 22nd year on this Earth. I figured I'd do something exciting, since 22 is my favorite number and I'm extremely sad to have seen this year go. :( BOO!

I'm going to blog my Top 22 memories of this year (in pictures...and not *really* in any particular order).

#22: My 22nd Birthday

I say this every year, but seriously, my 22nd birthday was my favorite. Rosa and Natalie decorated my office in all pink (I still find pink heart confetti in some of my drawers), we had a fun time at Yard House, and went to the Improv. Such a fun day!

(Seriously, how cute is this office?! I wish it always looked like this!)

(I *might* have made everyone wear pink, or it could be a coincidence. ;) I can't remember.)

Why I'm Glad I'm Single (Right Now)

I was reading Emily from Unfurling Flower's post about being single. She seriously stole the words from me. A year ago, I was the saddest single person ever. I thought surely life would be 100 times better if I was married. How the Lord has changed my perspective!

I am so grateful to be single right now because the man I would've thought to be perfect for me a year ago is a LOT different than who I think would be perfect for me now. I want the man I marry to love Jesus so much that it's overflowing. I want us to be able to lift each other up in our walks with Christ and have Him be the center of our relationship. I want God to be glorified by how we treat each other. I don't think I can honestly say that I felt this strongly about this a year ago.

I am so grateful to be single right now because I have learned so much about being a wife in the last year. I want my marriage, and particularly my role as a wife, to glorify God. I've come to understand and love the idea of marital submission. (Ephesians 5:22-24-"Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.") The reasons I want to be married have become less selfish and more focused on growing the kingdom of Christ.

I am so grateful to be single right now because I have an extremely valuable resource: time. I want to serve others in ways that I might not be able to if I was in a relationship. Relationships take a lot of cultivating, and while I will be more than willing when the time is right, for now, I am enjoying molding and shaping other areas of my life.

I know the Lord has impeccable timing. It's evident in all areas of my life and it's also evident in scripture. I know the Lord has me at this stage of my life at this time in my life for a purpose. While I sometimes wish I could make my own path, I know and trust that our God is sovereign and has something much better in store for me than I could have for myself.