Before Christmas I was able to check off two more things from my list. I wrote letters to the people I love the most, bought a great camera and took a photography class.
The camera: This year I was awarded a great honor at my work when they deemed me 'Islander of the Year' which is the same as employee of the year. This fabulous recognition came with a great prize - $2,000 that had to be spent on something fun. So I bought a nice camera to start my passion of photography. I did a lot of research and took a friend's camera on a test drive and decided on the Cannon Rebel. Amber decided to get a new camera around the same time so we signed up for a photography lesson together. It was awesome. He taught us all about the different features/settings. Now I am ready to go take shots like a pro. First assignment will be on the cruise Logan and I are taking for his 30th birthday in a few weeks. I can't wait to really break it in.
The Letters: I was sitting in church a few Sundays ago where I heard Pastor Glenn talk about preparing our hearts for the holidays. He made a great point that Christmas is not about material things, it is about relationships. He also suggested that the greatest gift that we can give is ourselves. This made me think about all the people I have in my life that impact me on a daily basis as well as help mold the person that I am. I decided to write the most influential people in my life a letter expressing to them how they are my greatest Christmas gift. These people were my Mom, Dad, Amber, Logan, Merissa and Lori. I would not be the person I am today if it wasn't for each of them. I spent some time thinking about what made them each so special and jotted it down in a note that I mailed to each of them on Christmas Eve. It felt so great to tell these people just how amazing they are to me. It felt even better when I saw their reactions! I am truly blessed to have people I can count on and grow with.
