>> One Year

Y'all, Bryan has officially completed his first year of PT school AND we have been residents of Conway for just over a year now! Cannot believe it. What a year it has been. At times it feels as if SO much has changed this past year and at other times, it feels as if everything is still the same. Maybe that is a result of falling into the routine of the new “normal” and just trying to keep up with life? I know I’ve done a mediocre job of documenting this past year. I had good intentions. Promise. That’s what all casual bloggers say, right? I really do love writing and this is a fun outlet for me, so maybe, just maybe, this year will be different for me. 

Over Memorial Weekend back in May, we decided to kick summer off with a quick trip down to Hot Springs to do a little hiking, exploring, and…eating. Let’s be honest, no weekend trip/vacation trip is complete without visiting new restaurants and eating unashamedly. While in Hot Springs, we visited Garvan Woodland Gardens, which is well worth the trip alone! It’s incredibly beautiful and there is so much to see. You probably need to go there.

We also hiked around Lake Ouachita State Park, which was lovely as well. We ate some delicious food, some that was especially delicious at McClard’s BBQ. Apparently it’s a world famous BBQ restaurant that has been around for many decades…we now know why! Heaven in your mouth, folks. Oh, and we hear it’s Bill Clinton’s favorite restaurant. Knowing that, how can you not go?! J

We also had the chance to visit Bryan’s homeland, Minnesota, for a really quick trip. It was great to see Bryan’s family and peek a little further into the former life of my northerner husband. J Unfortunately,we went to Minnesota for the funeral of beautiful Michelle, Bryan’s cousin Justin’s wife. For 17 months, she fought incredibly hard against a rare, heartless form of cancer. There’s no way to capture how much of an inspiration she was to me with words along. I only met Michelle in person on a few different occasions, but her zest for life and her love of her Savior was obvious. Following her journey through family updates and her Caring Bridge site was equally heartbreaking, encouraging, incredible, and humbling. What an incredible woman she was and what a lasting imprint has left on this world.

Although there have been tough moments this year, where the light at the end of the tunnel was difficult to find, it really has been a remarkable year (mostly) filled with joy. A year of growth, change, and struggle, but yes…a remarkable year. As I think back on the high and the lows, I do find one consistency.

He is enough.

// He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. \\

[2 Corinthians 12:9]

Until next time, 

AA

P.S. WHY IS IT SUCH A NIGHTMARE TO ALIGN PHOTOS IN BLOGGER? Any quick tips you have would be appreciated. =)

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