Here's to 2010.

One of my traditions about this time of year is writing about the last 365 days of the year. I think it's a good one, because it gives me a chance to remember how beautiful the faithfulness of God is. I don't reflect enough on life, so here's to 2010.

I brought in the New Year with 25,000 other believers in the America Center in St. Louis, Missouri. I spent the last week of 2009 at Urbana. Urbana is a missions conference held every 3 years. It was an incredible week learning about missions and what God is up to around the world. It really was a perfect start to a new year. The next week I was on my way to Chicago for little getaway with some friends. It was a wonderful week, despite issues in life that seem to creep up on you.

Soon after Chicago the semester was back in full swing. It was a great semester. One of the best parts was how well I did in school. But the most beautiful part of it was the growth I saw in myself. And not just in all things school, but in my faith. I remember spending many hours by the pond writing in my journal, praying, reading the Bible. Through those times I experienced the incredible love and joy of Christ.

I also had the chance to do even more traveling. My family and I went to Savannah, GA and Florida for spring break.

During the summer I worked at Stonewater. I also spent time babysitting. One of the highlights of my summer was traveling to Ecuador. I went with my youth group. We stayed up in the mountains, in a city called Riobamba. It was a wonderful trip! I loved it so much! It solidified my calling to go to the nations. I also had the privelege to help lead a domestic mission trip.

For a few years my youth pastor had this vision to live in poverty for a period of time. To experience it. So that's what we did. We partnered with another Nazarene church in the area and camped in a field. I could go into to detail, but for the sake of time I'll leave it at that. All to say, it was a great week.

And then this semester. This semester was by far the longest, hardest, busiest one. I had to learn a lot and honestly, I am still learning a lot. I'm still figuring out things and working through things. But that can be another post.

And here we are, at Christmas time. On Monday I leave for a conference in Kansas City. I can't wait. I can't wait to experience God and to learn and grow.
About a week after that I'll be heading to Ireland for two weeks. I can't wait. Seriously!

Be blessed this Christmas season!