Four Then and Four to Come

I was tagged by my friend at Pandapalooza to do this meme. I haven't done this one, nor do I participate on a regular basis. Here is how this one works: You share four things that were new to you in the past four years. Four things you learned or experienced or explored for the first time in the past four years. New house, new school, new hobby, new spouse, new baby, whatever. Then you have to list four new things you want to try in the next four years. I liked thinking about the four new things that I want to try.

Four new things I learned or experienced in the past four years:

1. The Lord brought a certain young man in my life in summer of 2003. We
   spent many days learning more about one another, and now, four years later, I
   can't imagine what life was like before him! He's my best friend, leader,
   encourager, but most important is that he continually points me to the truth of
   the Word. I tend to lose focus when my emotions take a front seat in
   certain situations, but he consistently points me back to Christ and the truth
   of His Word (even when I don't like it at the time).

2. In summer of 2003, I had my third overseas experience in Istanbul,
Turkey. My team spent two weeks on a college campus building relationships
with students. I wouldn't say I was "distracted" while over there, but it
was definitely a time of intercession and reflection. I would go back to
the hotel every evening and check my email, signing into Yahoo with anxious
anticipation for receiving emails from a certain someone: it was part of the
"getting to know you" season...

3. I graduated from college in May 2004 with a Bachelor of Behavioral
Sciences. I didn't rush into seminary immediately following that, but
instead stayed in my college town for a few months working and wondering where I
would be headed next.

4. I've been in Kentucky for two years!!! It's hard to believe, but I
moved here in June 2005. My boyfriend and I both moved here and began
classes at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in the fall of 2005.
I finally found a biblical counseling masters degree that actually relies on the
Word! Not only did he and I move here, but our other Texas friends
followed us a year later!

Four things that I want to try or do in the next four years:

1. 
   
   1. "Good things to come to those who wait." While everyone around
   me seems either already married, more impatient than myself, or all of the
   above, I would like to be married in the near future. I'm the silly
   girl who told him that I want to be completely surprised (and trust me, some
   days I wonder why I ever said that!) I am patient in knowing that now is
   not the time. What worth is there in being impatient for something that
   clearly has not come yet for reasons known to the Lord? The day
   will come when it comes, and until then, I'm enjoying my best
   friend~

2. Graduate from Southern with a Master
of Divinity in
Biblical
Counseling, and receiving my NANC
certification. My current school and
work
schedule limit my time to invest in extensive counseling, but I do treasure
both the studies and relationships I have been given during this
season.

3. Pending marriage (yes, let's not put the cart before the horse
here), I would like to have at least one child biologically. While there
are concerns that accompany tuberous sclerosis, and I am in favor of genetic
counseling, I would like to have that experience. I have realized more
than ever during these past few years just how fragile life is, and how the most
minute details of life are completely in the Lord's hands. If He wills it
so, I would love the experience of carrying my own child.

4. I would like to live in a HOUSE! While I am thankful for
where I live and
the low expenses that come with my apartment, I would love to
have a house
at some point, whether buying or renting. There is something
much more
personal about a house than sharing walls and floors with other
people.

I am tagging the following bloggy-friends:

1. Gret-Reads-247
2. You Little O Wife
3. I'd Rather Laugh than Cry
4. B-Michael
5. Colorado Dreaming