2009 Rewind

For many of us, 2009 has had its fair share of ups and downs...more downs it seems for some of us. While it has been a rough year, I feel like I have learned more this year than I have in a really long time. When times are hard, we tend to lean more on God and on each other. I think this is what we should always try to do regardless of our circumstances.

I think that the biggest lesson I learned this year is to live within my means and plan for the future. I don't think I would have ever learned it had I not lost my job in February. Eight months of unemployment really forces you to look inside yourself and figure things out on your own. The highlight of my year was returning to my beloved Cape Town, South Africa to lead a team of 13 people on a mission trip for our church. I had yet another life changing experience at my home away from home that just so happens to be on the other side of the world. I was also baptized in August as a result of my time spent in Cape Town this year and last year.

As I write this, I'm realizing that it was actually an amazing year for me. God brought me down, and then He raised me up. Sometimes we need to be humbled in order to learn and grow. While my life isn't always peachy keen, I'm confident that God has great things in store for all of us in 2010. I encourage you to put your faith in our perfect Maker who always knows what is best for us.