The End of 2009

It's here. The end of 2009. I think a lot if people would say this has been a hard year. I disagree. It's been a good year of adjusting to changes. Changes in how we spend our money. Changes in our dependence on God rather than ourselves to make it through hardships (I guess that only applies to those who know the Living God, Jesus). Changes in our attitude about the power and supposed invincibility of our country the United States of America. OK, maybe this all sounds harsh, but change is good.

As I think about the end of 2009 I can't help but think about the end of a decade. We're going into the two digits, 2010. This is the first decade that I've been an adult for the entire decade and wow has a lot happened!

I've attended college and earned a bachelor's degree in theater and music. I've worked as a costume shop seamstress, waitress, church secretary, receptionist, foreign government customer service representative, and coffee barista. I've travelled to Germany, South Africa, and New Zealand. I've lived and worked a year overseas. I've grown in my faith and trust in the Lord an incredible amount. I've seen a major terrorist attack on the US, an almost decade long war, a terrible natural disaster in the city of New Orleans and a Tsunami overseas, a major global economic crisis, and the election of the first African American President in the US. I've witnessed the growing popularity of DVD's, cell phones, laptops, flat screen TVs, Blu-ray, myspace, facebook, twitter, youtube, texting, online music downloading, and online TV watching. I've watched two brothers get married and one nephew come into the world. I've grieved through the death of a grandfather. I've laughed, cried, and worshipped with three wonderful churches; they've been and still are my christian family.

I've shared my testimony and the gospel with so many people in the US and around the world, it blows my mind to think about it.

Thank you Lord. Only because of You can I say 2009 has been a great year. Only because of You can I say the 2000's have been a great decade. And only because of You can I confidently say that no matter what happens, I will be able to call my future years and decades on this earth great.