Wrapping Up 2024: A Year of Challenges, Growth, and Blessings
As we approach the end of 2024, I find myself reflecting on a year filled with profound challenges, unexpected blessings, and personal growth. This year has been nothing short of transformative for me, and I hope sharing my journey will inspire you to embrace your own challenges with faith, determination, and hope.
This year, I achieved a milestone I once thought was impossible —I lost 30 pounds. Living with hypothyroidism, PCOS, and Hashimoto’s disease means that maintaining my weight will always be an uphill battle. These conditions affect not just my physical health but also my energy levels and mental well-being. There have been days, weeks even where it’s physically difficult to accomplish even the simplest tasks like taking out the trash, doing laundry, or going to the gym.
2024 was different. I was committed to prioritizing my health, and with perseverance, I saw results that went beyond the scale. There were many days I’d be crying in Raymond’s arms because of my weight or my disease hindering me from reaching my goals faster. A year ago from today- last December I remember feeling DONE, struggling with my weight and not feeling confident or even beautiful in my clothes.
I started the beginning of this year weighing 162 Ibs. and now I weigh 130 Ibs. I move better, my endurance is great, and most importantly, I feel alive. I can wear clothes I’d tucked away a year ago, but more than that, I’ve gained confidence I hadn’t felt in a long time. The energy I have now is a stark contrast to how I felt in 2023, and I’m reminded daily that our bodies are resilient and capable of incredible things.
Just three days after closing on our first home, my husband lost his job. To say this was a test of faith is an understatement. For seven months, we navigated the uncertainty of unemployment while settling into the home we had dreamed of for so long.
But through it all, God provided. We leaned on our faith, supported each other, and celebrated small victories as they came. The culmination of this season was nothing short of divine timing—Raymond started his new job on our first wedding anniversary, July 22nd. It was the best gift we could have asked for, a reminder that God’s plans are always greater than our own. I remember getting the news on my lunch break at work and I almost dropped my lunch and coffee when he called me to share the good news with me. The timing couldn’t have been anymore perfect.
This chapter of our lives has taught us to trust God completely, even when the path ahead seems uncertain. It reminded us of the strength we have as a couple and the power of perseverance and prayer.
As I write this, I am preparing for another major life transition—
I am leaving my full-time job to return to school full-time in 2025. Completing my bachelor’s degree has been a long-held dream of mine, one I had almost given up on. Yet here I am, ready to take that leap of faith.
It feels surreal to think that this dream is finally within reach. I’ve always wanted to create a better future for myself and my family, to be able to contribute and provide in a way that matches my aspirations. This decision is scary, yes, but it’s also incredibly exciting. I know it will require hard work, sacrifices, and unshakable focus, but I’m ready to embrace it all.
There’s no way I could do this without the support from my husband and family. This was a very difficult decision for me to make only because I struggled with feeling guilty for taking time away from work to fully focus on my studies. I have never not worked before, so this will be very new to me. I have been working since I was 15 years old. I remember when I got my first job at Hollister and Victoria’s Secret.
2025 is going to be a very good and rewarding year for us.
If there’s one thing 2024 has taught me, it’s that life is unpredictable, but every challenge carries the seeds of growth and blessing. Whether it’s reclaiming my confidence, weathering a storm in our first year of marriage, or stepping into a new chapter of life, this year has shown me the power of perseverance, faith, and gratitude.
As we step into a new year, I encourage you to reflect on your own journey. Celebrate your wins, learn from the hard moments, and remember that God’s timing is always perfect. You are capable of more than you know, and even the smallest steps forward are worth celebrating.
Here’s to a new year filled with hope, determination, and dreams realized. Thank you for being part of my story, and I can’t wait to see what 2025 holds for all of us.
