The end of another year. Time to reflect and prepare, and to count the cost and set some goals. 2023 was a good year for me, particularly the last quarter. I need to write about the trip to Africa, and that is coming soon, I wanted to a New Year post first.

The beginning of the year involved changes at work. We merged with another organization, which had been in the works for over a year. My specific job duties didn’t change much, just the end of a lot of working relationships and the start of new. In the Spring I got a new wardrobe thanks to some friends, which was a blessing due to the weight loss, and I took over editing and posting our church services on YouTube. Around mid-year I joined a gym and working out regularly-ish. Also started planning the trip to Africa. The first 2/3 of the year was slow in comparison to the end. In mid-July I moved (2^nd floor to 1^st), took a handgun safety course in August and a friend stayed with me for a few days. In September, the missions committee for a ministry in Malawi I’m fond of started meeting and then in October I went to Colorado to visit family and, finally, got to skydive. In November I left for Africa and spent 2 weeks in Uganda and 1 week in Malawi (where the mentioned ministry is located). I arrived home in the 2^nd week of December, rushed through Christmas, and here we are now.  All of that without no new tattoo, but many more planned. My weight loss hit 90 pounds too.

I didn’t expect most of what happened in the last 12 months! I got a lot of bucket list and long-term projects crossed off, so I’m excited to see what next year brings!