a look back

Each year as my birthday approaches I can not help but look back on the year that came before, at the season just ending and think about what I have learnt and consider my dreams for the year ahead.
This past year has been one wild adventure. Since my 22nd birthday I have lived in three different countries, done my fair share of navigating train stations and airports, laughing the whole way. I have also had my fair share of struggles, tears and heart breaks. Unfortunately there are still things that my heart is struggling with a whole year later. I hope to learn to let these things go some day. But if I had to articulate one thing that I have most definitely learnt, it would be this:

People matter.

The people you encounter in life are what shape your life the most. I have learnt that one of the greatest blessings in life are friends - good, solid, faithful friends. I am a person of faith. I have faith in a God whose love overwhelms me daily, whose grace astounds me and whose faithfulness can not be challenged. I cling to this faith every time I am uprooted and move. I have faith that the next season will be an adventure and that I will meet new people, create community and have my heart blessed by their presence in my life. And you know what? Never once had God let me down, especially when it comes to community and friendships. There is nothing quite like a good friend. I have been here in Boise for just over eight months and the other night a friend so touched me heart that I heard my thoughts say, "it was worth the stress and the unsettling and moving here, just for this". In that moment, the struggles of life were eclipsed by joy. I was terrified about moving to The Netherlands for University. But I am so glad I did! My freshman year there was extremely rich and I made friendships that continue to amaze me in their depth.

People matter.

I have learnt that hearts are fragile, they are beautiful. I have learnt that there is no greater gift than to give someone your time - time enough to hear their heart.

And now....here is a [small] photo dump of this past year. A new season is beginning and I am dreaming of one filled with joy, adventure, friendships that go deep, love and wonder. And you know what happens when you dream with the God who created the universe? You can know that your dreams are heard and He is putting things in place to make them happen.

My old University

Dutch Family!

Dutch neigbours

Hallway parties...I miss these....very much

Oh she blesses me!

My old University

One of the besties

Amsterdam adventures

Hiking with my wonderful Godmother

Back with family in Boise

New friends in Boise

Back with the folks

New University

Outdoor Program adventures

Love these ladies!

More adventures

Adventures

Sweet friend and a river trip = perfect

birthday week

Today is the first day in my birthday week! I am unexpectedly very excited about entering a new year of my life. I know that it will mark the beginning of a new season and I have faith that it will be a season of adventure and joy. Tomorrow is the big day....23 here I come. As for today, I am thinking back to how I celebrated my 22nd in The Netherlands with my dear friends who blessed me beyond belief with birthday breakfast, Chanel presents, a day on the terrace drinking beer and enjoying the Queens Day celebrations before a dinner party and an evening of dancing. Wow, I really do have the most incredible people in my life. I am so full of joy this morning and this song just seems to capture that. Happy Monday!

bro

Happy Birthday Bro. It is times like this that I really struggle with living in different countries. I really wish we could spend the day together. If you were here I would take you to an awesome breakfast spot, give you a tour of my favorite neighbourhood and park. Then, since I live in a country of sunshine, we could just spend the day in the sunshine at the park or on the river before hitting the tequila bar.....I wish I could show you my new home and share in these celebrations. I love you brother. I miss our excursions to London to see bands play and see you bare with me whilst I drag you to art galleries. You are the best. I am counting down the days to your wedding when I get to see you.
See our last adventures together here and here.

joy

It is the second weekend in a row that I have escaped from the city and visited with my parents in the hills. My main motivations for doing so have been the fact that finals are looming, I have a ton of papers to write and, well, it's hard to concentrate in the city when the Saturday market is in full swing and my friends are busy having frisbee games and rock climbing adventures! So, here I am. At home. Enjoying waking up to the mountains, eating my mama's great food, reading whilst sat in the sunshine and watching the not-so-little ducklings grow even more. This is joy.

Snow is all gone

Memories of watching sunrises from a tent....bliss

Barefoot -ing it

Beautiful 

The ducklings are growing

endless summer

There are officially only a few weeks left of university and I officially have ants in my pants! It is so darn hard to concentrate on papers that need to be written and classes that need to be attending when the weather is so beautiful and the hills are calling my name. Not long now...
I am so stoked for this summer. I am optimistically hoping that once it begins, it will never end.
In other news? I turn 23 next week. Wow. What a year this has been. This time last year I was in my second semester of my freshman year at a liberal arts honors university in The Netherlands. What an adventure I have been on since then! I shall be doing the mandatory post on this past year some time next week so be sure to stop on by. Happy Wednesday!
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life lately according to instagram

This weekend I escaped the city and ran away to my parent's place in the hills. I am so blessed, no spoilt, to have this little place of retreat. Ahhh it soothes my soul to sleep in late, wake up to the mountains and read books in my window seat whilst I watch the clouds pass on by and the sunshine break through. I finally had a chance to get some much needed study done, eat great food, catch up with the family, watch the last duckling arrive and create a blog post right here. Life is life, and admittedly the first thing to get cut from my to-do list is blogging. But I am ok with that, and I hope you are too. Please know that I appreciate all the emails y'all send me and thank you for stopping by Me+Life+Coffee when you do and leaving sweet comments - they really do make me smile. I hope you all have had a great weekend and feel refreshed and ready for the week ahead...happy Sunday!
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Study mode at it's best!

Climbing late at BSU's Dance Marathon

The ducklings arrived

Sand Dunes and Trucker hats / Breakfast coffee and shopping dates

One of the best girlies / My hero

Tea time at work / A great coffee spot

Spring is breaking through / An oldie with my beautiful mamma

Backpacking adventures / Ahhh those were the days

Fire at the parent's place / Morning trail runs

sand dune adventures

This weekend I got to venture out of the city for a night on a trip for work. We visited the Bruneau Sand Dunes, Idaho where we hiked and camped out before doing some caving on our way back to Boise the following day. A short but sweet little trip. It was extremely windy but still incredibly beautiful! Here are a few snaps. Happy Monday!