Reflection On 2010...

2010 was nothing short of extraordinary. A fun filled adventure that began in rainy Washington and ended in sunny San Diego. The short of it is that Karilyn and I traveled by way of car in Bertha('90 Chevy Lumina) in hopes of finding a place to help people and glorify God. Along our roadtrip we experienced quite a few firsts including our time camping together. For two weeks, we lived in and out of hotels and a tent as we made our way south eventually landing in San Diego, CA. When we felt the desire to move on hoping to head towards the grand canyons, we were stopped short when Bertha started experiencing heart failure. Soon we would find ourselves crawling along the streets of San Diego trying desperately to find a job. Within days, Karilyn had a job, we had found an apartment, and it appeared as if we would be ok. When I wasn't sending out twenty resumes a day and standing on a street corner scanning the rows of places I could apply at, I found solitude when surfing, reading the bible, and spending time praying for my brother. My faith throughout the year and the trip to San Diego was unforunately often times like what Paul tells us not to be, a reed blowing in the wind. Watching my brother struggle to get over love gone wrong, a lifestyle hugging demons, and waiting for the worst to happen; my faith was surely tested through a fire that without God would be impossible to survive. God provided many opportunities to grow, such as my surfing bible study group, conversations with my buddy Evan, and later in the year my newfound friendship with Cameron that would help us both grow. After thinking about all the things I did in 2010, I decided to list them...

First Yard Sale in Port Angeles at House On 10th St
First Time Meeting Molly, Tim, & Clementine in Vancouver, WA
First Time Through Oregon on Road Trip
First Camping Trip With Karilyn On Klamath River in CA
Went Through Napa Valley till RT 1 on way to San Francisco, CA
Camped In Carlsbad with Nolan right by Beach
Camped at Lake Morena in the Windiest Conditions
Karilyn Got Job With It's A Grind in Downtown San Diego
Rented Apartment In Hillcrest neighborhood
Mom and Dad visit San Diego, Danny got job at Pacific Terrace Hotel
Moved to Adams Ave Apartment
Went to Sea World and Zoo
Hiked to Blacks Beach
Nolan spends last days in San Diego with us
Golfed many great courses, Steele Canyon, Mt Woodson, Doubletree
Surfed many great spots, Sunset Cliffs, Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach, La Jolla, Huntington Pier
Hiked part of Pacific Crest Trail on Mt Laguna
Bought 2010 Subaru Impreza
Went Rock Climbing in Joshua Tree NP and Camped in middle of desert
Stayed at South Coast Winery for anniversary
Made 9 hour trip to Lake Tahoe slept in car at Emerald Bay and snowboarded Heavenly
Made 7 hour crazy trip to Mammoth, blew two tires, but still snowboarded deepest snow
Spent 2nd Christmas with Wife and Leah at Home in Pacific Beach before working

I'm sure I'm missing a lot but the whole year was amazing. Even in the bad times, God came through for us and the family. Mom and dad both came to Christ early in the year and soon after Nolan arrived home, he would too be baptized. The next chapter of the journey is going to be in Whitefish, MT where I'm sure there will be more than enough firsts. Thanks be to God for giving us a life to live for Him.