1. The absolutely most important thing that happened in 2009 (in my life) was my salvation. My gracious Savior and King broke my heart of stone and gave me His righteousness. He held me tight in His loving arms as I went through the whole ordeal with my parents and gave me strength to endure. He knowingly surrounded me with people who would love and encourage me. Not many people know this but I found out in that week after snow retreat that my regular doctor and volunteer supervisor were Christians--and these were people He had placed in my life ahead of time. [Also, the Lord sent me encouragement via an employee at the hospital. When I was on my lunch break while volunteering, this lady came over and asked me if I was a Christian. She had seen me pray before I started eating and reading my Bible. She told me that I shone like a light. God is so good.] He also gave me the loving family at Grace, consisting of students, staff, parents, etc. You all have a very special place in my heart--I will always think of you as family.
2. I went to England, Scotland, and Normandy! There are simply not enough words (or pictures for that matter) to sum up what those two weeks were! Not only were the locations beautiful beyond belief and the history that they were steeped in impressive but the lessons learned and the fellowship were simply amazing. I would do it again in a heartbeat.
3. I learned to golf. I wasn't very good; I experienced again and again what exactly it means to have to trust in Him in order to accomplish something. Every time I tried to golf on my own strength, it wasn't very pretty :) But He is good. Through golf I got to spend some more time with my bestie, Ariell, which is always good.
4. I graduated from Grace Academy with 17 amazing people. I could not have chosen a better group of people to graduate with. Each one of them will hold a special place in my heart. You will always be my "apne," meaning my own or my kin.
5. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was diagnosed in June while I was away at orientation. The cancer was in the early stages. The doctors ordered a lumpectomy for July 8th and then just before I left for WSU, her chemotherapy started. Her radiation treatments followed the chemo, ending just a week and a half ago. It was hard knowing that my mom was going through so much when I was so very far away. But God is in control. In my absence, so many others rallied around my family including my mom's co-workers, who raised nearly a $1000 for her and donated numerous PTO hours so that she wouldn't have to return to work until she was ready to, and the GA high school student body, who brought meals to my family when my mom was unwell and even helped with yard work. I was so encouraged to hear about all of that, especially in light of the testimony it is to my family. My mom is now doing well, though she is still just very weak and sore from it all. My prayer is that she heals quickly and realizes through Whose hand she was healed.
6. Three wonderful women poured their lives into mine: Joan Dabrowski, Renee Lugg, and Patti Frisk. I cherish the time I have spent in the company of these women and look forward to the time that I will spend with them. The wisdom that they have passed on to me and the many prayers that they have prayed on my behalf are of immeasurable worth to me. I consider each of them to be second mothers to me.
7. I moved to Pullman to go to WSU. What an experience it has been! I was completely terrible at adjusting when I first went. I was pretty much set on not liking it but after some encouragement from a cougar couple, I adjusted my perspective and now I love it! It is still different than Marysville and GA but it's supposed to be. I realize that now. I hope to be content in my situation so as to be the most useful to God and His purposes. [Also a HUGE plus to going to WSU is the wonderful friendship that has been formed between Sarah and I.]
8. Emmanuel Baptist Church became the very first church that I regularly attended. It is a wonderful church and every time that I am there I feel like I am home. The people are incredibly nice and the teaching is right on. God was so gracious to allow us to find such a good church so quickly.
God has been faithful and gracious in so many ways this past year. That is does not even begin to cover what all He has done in my life alone. I am excited to see what else He has in plan for me and all His children. Happy New Year!
