What's In A Name...

The name Heather is of Middle English origin...an evergreen flowering plant that thrives on peaty barren lands. Has an upper-class aura. A variety of small shrubs with pink or white flowers which commonly grow in rocky areas.

Have you ever really looked into the meaning of your name? I have really only read the quick description given in random baby name books, and that usually say "flowering herb." I know, be jealous. I never really thought much about it. I decided to breakdown some of the words in the description.

"Evergreen" - Having foliage that persists and remains green throughout the year. Perenially fresh or interesting; enduring.

Not only remains green through different seasons, but actually "thrives on peaty barren lands"...

"Barren" - Incapable of producing, not producing, lacking

Doesn't that seem like a bit of an oxymoron? Thriving on barren lands? Sounds nice, but a bit ironic. Barren is incapable of producing, and yet the heather plant thrives in those exact conditions. It's the "peaty" part of the lands that make the thriving possible. As much as peat is good for growth, it's equally as dangerous.

And I'm sure it's more of a coincidence in timing, but I can't help but "feel" the similarities of the above description and my current state in life. Although, I'm not really feeling the whole "thriving" part as of late (as of late meaning the last 9 months) I definitely feel the peaty, barren lands. It's a fine balance of good and bad...life-giving and life-ending.

Maybe I'm in the wrong barren land...not enough "peat." I haven't really been having the "fresh green feeling" the last year...

BUT then again, maybe I'm just reading to much into it. You can also find Heather defined as "a shrub." Maybe I'll just go with that one.

2008

I think this might have been my favorite New Years ever. Yes, I had great company. Yes, I was surrounded by the beautiful mountains of Colorado. Most importantly, what made this year the best ever was the fact I got to spend New Year's day skiing...all day. I didn't really take the time to look back and reflect until I got on the bus and headed home. I made sure to soak up as much of my surroundings as possible. I didn't want to waste a moment looking back, when my present was so perfect.

But now I'm ready to look back and ponder on 2008...It's ups and downs, joys and sadness, firsts and lasts...I've decided to go month by month, briefly highlighting the important (or not so important) happenings.

January: Hungary. AIA Conference.

February: 27. Roadtrip. Katie. Vienna. Salzburg. Liechtenstein. Zurich. Munich.

March: Poland. Auschwitz. Intense.

April: Uneventful.

May: Praha Goodbyes. Marathon training begin...

June: Philly hellos. World Harvest newest member. Katie's married!

July: QT with the fam. Texas Peach Festival

August: Still running...

September: Ran the half. Became "Miss Heather" to some cutie 4 year olds.

October: Roadtrip with fam to Tennessee. Biggest black eye ever.

November: Saw the beautiful CA-Nada. Jax and Michael! Become "Coach Heather."

December: Ran a marathon. And ended the year in the beautiful state of Colorado.


What a year! It was one of the most challenging, interesting, and blessed years of my life. I'm thankful the Lord has graced me with another year to grow and be refined into His image. I'm thankful for the people He has in my life at this exact moment in time. Here's to 2008, and to the great moments to come in 2009!