Game Changers: 24th & 2011 at a glance.

Every January most people reflect on the past year. The good things, sometimes even the hard things. Most of us reflect, and then look forward to the fresh start of the New Year with hope and faith in the new beginnings. Hope for more tears from laughter and joy, instead of fear and sadness. Faith in using wisdom from past experiences, and not making the same mistakes twice (or three times). Yes, we all do it... we reflect on the last year, and look forward to the next.

When I do it though, it's a bit different. My reflections typically come about ten days after everyone else's, and more in the form of a reflection on the last year of my life. You see, for those of you who are not aware, my birthday is January 11th. Therefore, not only do I look at the start of a New Year as a fresh start, a clean slate, or a bright beginning... but I look at it more like, the winding down of my 24th year, and the promising beginning of my 25th. Most people get to do this twice a year (at the New Year and their birthday), but I like to keep things simple, so I just do it once. :)

My roommate, Kala, and I have been using the word game-changer a lot lately. Primarily in the context of dating, however I feel like it's a universal word, and can be used in reference to various things, specifically life circumstances. I think that sometimes life throws us game-changers that we have to work with or adapt to, some good or bad, doesn't really matter, they're just game-changers. Reflecting on the last year of my life, I would most certainly say that there are some pretty significant game-changers I experienced.

So, here are the top six "Game-Changers" of my 24th/2011 year -

- I originally was going to go with five by I just couldn't drop the last one. :)

6. Jim Tressel scandal.... game-changer. Of course, my love and passion for The Ohio State Buckeyes has not changed because of this, however I think that this is still a significant game-changer for all OSU fans. A lot of us fans put a little bit too much faith and hope in a Tressel over the last several years. We get a bit carried away (from time to time) with our Buckeye-nation, and at times I admit it's a little bit tasteless. We sometimes may act like our "poop don't stink", and we may get a little big-headed about some things, however... I think this past season was certainly a game-changer for us. 6-6 season record... lost our Bowl game... Tressel, well, you know... and poor Fickell, he looks just like Adam Sandler. Needless to say our 2011 season, was a game-changer.

5. I know most of you probably would have thought that this would be higher than #5, but in comparison to my other game-changers, this one really didn't stand a chance to be any higher. Got into grad school, got excited for grad school, started grad school, finished the first semester of grad school. Game-changer for life! I am accumulating about $25,000 of more school debt (for just this year), therefore making a game-changer for my financial life for the next 15+ years. So, although that's not my favorite I am excited for how this is going to be the game-changer for my career. I am so excited to see what is to come with this as part of my story in life.

4. Family dysfunction. I, like most you, have a dysfunctional family. This past year, the Rozelle's certainly experienced our fair share of heart aches and hardships to run alongside some of the good memories. The last twelve months have been difficult, exhausting, and incredibly dark for us. Emotional roller coasters, one after took us to our breaking point, where we had no other choice but to surrender to God. This was the game-changer I've been praying for. As ugly as it was, I wouldn't trade it for anything, because if nothing else it brought each and every one of my family members closer to the Father, for comfort, guidance, and love as we linked arms and walked through the darkness together. I have never, in my entire life, felt closer to each of my family members than what I do today, and I know it's because of those hard times. I wouldn't wish a hardship on anyone's family, but in the end if you're able to look at it and honestly say, that was a game-changer, for Christ... then I think it's worth it.

3. Freedom in being single. I never thought that God would have pulled me out of the depths and darkness I was drowning in before, but He did. Throughout the last year, the Lord restored my heart, mind, and soul in a way that no longer hungered for my husband, but instead hungered for Christ. When I allowed God to completely come into my heart, and remove all of the muck and ugly and dark crap in there regarding being single, I was finally able be let go, set free... it was my game-changer to have a healthy spiritual life, for just me and my Ultimate Romancer.

2. New job at Brookside. I never thought working was fun, enjoyable, and life-giving until May 17, 2011. Accepting this job, was definitely in the top three best things that happened to me in 24th/2011 year. I love my staff team, I love my boss, I love the volunteers I work with, I love how sweet and simple the faith of the kids are.... I love that I finally love a job. I've never felt more valued and appreciated in a work environment. If nothing else, this job has helped me to see how game-changing it can be to have a loving and positive work environment.

1. My roommates. Without a doubt, this is my number one game-changer for 24th/2011 year. I couldn't imagine having to go through #2-#6 without them in my life. Cheering me on, giving me love and encouragement, and even a shoulder to cry on and a listening heart when it got really bad. They are my number one game-changer. Having roommates this time around is completely different than what it was like just a couple of years ago. I admit that I was apprehensive about living with people again, especially people who I didn't know all that well, and women who weren't my previous roommates (Kala and Wags had tough competition... I've had some pretty wicked sweet roomies in the past). But the Lord is sooo good. He brought me a game-changer in the form of two goofy, fun, energetic, sweet, and beautiful, Godly women who I am honored to say are not only my roommates, but also two of the dearest friends I have. I love them, and I am so thankful for how the Lord has been and will continue to use them in my life, so that I may learn how to better love the Lord and others, just as He has called us to do.

I think it might be hard, but I hope that 25th/2012 game-changers top these ones. Some one much smarter and wiser than I said to me via Facebook today, "I think life gets better..." She's a dear friend, so I think I'm going to trust her on this one. Thanks Sandy. :)

Before I hit submit, I want to do one last thing... wait for it... wait for it... it's now 12:01am on 01/11/2012, I'm 25. Here's to a good year. Happy Birthday, me. :) Cheers!

Love,

Ash