At the start of 2020 I prayed about a word to help me focus my intentions and to develop for the year. My word was inconvenience, I kid you not. At the time the reason I chose it was because God was showing me how I am too comfortable and loved our lives as we had planned them. I didn't enjoy taking risks or stepping out of my comfort zone because I viewed things as an inconvenience that drew me away from where I wanted to go. So I asked God to help me embrace inconveniences--big, small, personal, professional, I wanted to see what I viewed as my inconveniences as HIS lessons, and more importantly opportunities.
We slowed down, we spent intentional time together. We through expectations to the curb. I took a social media break and savored the time we were blessed with. We got to spend months with our family that we normally get to see once a year for a few weeks. We lived with just our beach stuff for months and have still yet to get our stuff from China. We set new routines that revolved around each other, not things or places. We had long conversations about some really hard things.
All this does not go without saying that I know 2020 was not kind and was downright horrible for millions of people and I feel thankful that we had a support system, the proper "accepted" passports, and the financial resources to move about and stay safe. I know I am speaking from a place of privilege and that is not lost on me, but I've also learned this year that it doesn't negate the feelings I had/ have.
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We've shown each other grace when we felt inconvenienced for one reason or another. We managed to both work from (another family's) home and raise two kiddos. We've snuck in date nights (more like moments) by playing Azul, making cappuccinos, talking late into the night, and watching all the Avenger movies. We've encouraged one another to grow professionally and personally. Jess' walk with God has grown and it is so awesome to see him open up to the Lord's plans. I've been challenged to assume positive intentions and look at education from a different perspective. Inconvenience seems like the perfect word for my first principalship at a start-up school in the middle of a pandemic. But I am proud of myself for rolling with the punches and reflecting on what I could improve and do better.
Top of the List in 2020
Chinese New Year celebrations
A bonus trip to our favorite resort in Thailand
Celebrating Elea's birthday with family
Triple date with the Campbells and Talleys
Surprising Mom for Mother's Day
A teraful goodbye to my SIS community
Cousin Camp 2020
Hours upon hours talking and laughing with the Talleys
Celebrating our 8th Wedding Anniversary (and first time alone in forever) with a night in Greenville
Beautiful Colorado
Tae, Elea, and Grace's Birthday Party with the Kuemmerlins
Annual Mom and Scott girls night out
Tae and Elea becoming Fish
Moving to and exploring Portugal
Opening a school!
Picking up running (again...)
Movie and Pizza Nights
Drawing and creating with the Kids
Tik Tokking with Katie (and the kids)
Family Beach trip to NC
All of these things wouldn't have happened or would have had less intention and appreciation for the moments we shared. God is always in control and always knows what He is doing, perhaps the inconvenience of 2020 created more joy, mindfulness, and gratitude.
