Farewell 2009

2009 was quite.a.year.

How to wrap it up- these 12 months that were filled with many profits, several losses, and was horrid and fabulous all in one? Here's some sort of attempt...

In 2009, my family had some major ups and downs. Our lives were changed semi-drastically more than once. My husband began a new job, my son began high school, my girls became pre-teens. We became more flexible, less confident, quicker to count blessings. And God was there.

I made new friends- most of them through this blog. I flew to Washington, Texas, & San Fransisco. Each time I traveled with/met up with several cool chicks that changed my life forever. I lost a dear friendship. That changed me too. I became more hopeful, less trusting, stronger, wiser, and quicker to pray and ask for prayer. And God was there.

We battled illness after illness after illness. My son went into anaphylactic shock. I was diagnosed with mystery asthma. There were lots and lots of tests. I didn't get cured but I became more patient and learned powerful lessons about dependence and non-situational joy. And God was there.

I lost 21 pounds. I hired a maid. I move around better in my home and in my body now, though I have far to go on both counts. I cried with friends who lost their fathers, friends who powered through amazing crises, friends that got bad news, friends whose children were desperately ill, friends who became desperately ill, family whose hearts were broken, and friends who were betrayed. I found that trials really do either kill you or make you stronger. I know some pretty strong women now. And God was there.

I love my family with more love that I knew was possible. I'm getting better at showing them that's true. My husband and I celebrated 18 years of a miracle of a marriage. And God was there.

The last bit of fun I had this year was with my two best friends from high school- we've been friends longer than we haven't- and I laughed and cried and thanked God for the gift of chicks that encourage me to lean on Jesus. It was a good way to end this crazy year. And God was there.

I have never been so close nor so far from God as I have been this year. I thank God that the one constant of the last 12 months was that He was there- even when I was off trying to fix things on my own. I praise God for who He was and who He is and who He ever shall be.

I look forward to 2010- I pray for each of you that you will have a year full of blessings immeasurable... and no matter what the year holds, that you will know that God is there.

Where can I go from Your Spirit?

Or where can I flee from Your presence?

If I ascend into heaven, You are there;

If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.

 If I take the wings of the morning,

And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

 Even there Your hand shall lead me,

And Your right hand shall hold me.

Psalm 129:7-10