Written by Amanda Hawkins
As we are about to enter the new year, I've been looking back at 2016 and all of the things that have happened. I realized that this has been a huge year for us!
Just back at the beginning of this year we were sleeping in our 2000 Ford Explorer every night.
I became a teacher this year. Dominic went through 4 different jobs before he ended up where he is now, with a job that is not through a staffing agency, thank you Jesus!
We went on some great road trips, made some bad and good investments, lost some friends, made some new friends, probably ate out too many times, took some things off our bucket list, started a blog, got married, (or eloped, not really sure which....) and moved into our first apartment together.
I would love to share the pictures, and some of our very best memories.
She was a beautiful car, complete with rust, dents, missing exterior side panels, a gas tank that was rusted through, a broken radio, caving in roof upholstery, and leaking oil.
We took it to the drive-in theater to see Finding Dory, and sold it a month later because it leaked oil like a waterfall, and we had already dumped almost 300 dollars into trying to repair it.
We'll never truly regret her though, she was Dominic's first pride and joy car that he ever bought.
The first spontaneous road trip we took this year, and also the first lighthouse I ever seen. We went to Michigan City to see the Lighthouse that was built in 1837, and to go to the outlet mall there. It was a great road trip, and I hope to go back again.
We went hiking with my sister, Autumn, this summer. Complete with a bible study at an elevation of an 885 foot hill that we hiked, picking wild berries, and getting a workout. It was the best hike ever.
The Sushi was phenomenal! It made me crave Sushi for every meal thereafter. It was more of an experience than a meal, and that Japanese Fusion place is now one of my favorite restaurants.
April 6, 2016. It was our one year anniversary that we decided to get married.
Our wedding was sweet, just Dominic and I and the courthouse appointed official who married us. I felt terrible though that we didn't even tell Dominic's side of the family that we were married until a half a year later. Long story.
I had always wanted to see a Dolphin in person, and that dream was made reality. There was an underwater dome where you could hear the Dolphins talk, and walk side by side with them. We were even able to see a Dolphin show where we sat in the splash zone. It was amazing.
I know I sound like a kid, but it was my childhood dream.
The balloon glow we seen when we went to a festival near us. Dominic said my eyes lit up when I was watching the show. I couldn't understand why he was watching me the whole time instead of watching the glow. He said that it was more fulfilling seeing my reaction to it, than watching it himself. He's so sweet.
That was pretty amazing too.
They had a chocolate waterfall, and a lookout station where you could watch the people making the candy.
It was a neat experience.
We picked one bushel, and had apples for over a month and a half afterwards, which half of them we threw away; they started to go bad because we were tired of eating apples and apple pie.
We went to Frankenmuth, Michigan. Home of Zhender's Splash Village indoor water-park, and Bronner's Christmas wonderland, right next door to each other.
We went to Bronner's first, which had so much stuff. Floor to ceiling, lights, ornaments, statues, snowflakes, showcases, elbow to elbow with hundreds of Christmas shoppers. It was a nightmare for anyone who hates crowds, which we do.
So we left Bronner's, and went to the waterpark, which we had already purchased a day pass for, only to find out it was more of a waterpark for kids. There were 2 slides that were pretty intense however. One was a family raft slide which was fun, and the other was a drop slide which we did not try. We did have a lot of fun though on that road trip, and we will not regret it. We even met someone from Canada!
She was hanging around for a couple of days on the back porch at my work.
It had been snowing and below zero degree temperatures.
Dominic and I decided to take her and find her owner.
When we finally tracked down who she belonged to from the tags that were on her collar, the people said they didn't want her or care, and that they had too many cats already.
We were surprised at how someone could be so cold towards an animal in need. We took her in ourselves, and that night, on December 6, had one additional family member.
We went out and bought her 100 dollars worth of food and litter and toys and flea combs and shampoo, and treats, and all kinds of cat goodies. She's a spoiled brat, and we love her.
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We made so many lifelong memories just in this one year.
I can't wait to make more memories as we continue on our walk together in marriage, in Christ, and in life.
I can't wait for whatever the coming year holds, because whatever it is, it's in God's hands.
My only hope for the coming year, is that it be a year full of God's grace, and filled with opportunities to share the love of the Lord. I pray that we are able to build a ministry this year if it be in His will. I pray that 2017 be given to the Lord Jesus Christ. Whatever is ahead of us this year Lord, let it be to glorify you.
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