2010....

I have read some of my friends' thoughts and stuff about the year that is drawing to a near, and while driving home tonight, I considered what this past year has meant to me and those around me. INCREDIBLE is one word that helps to describe what I have felt. At the beginning of the year, I committed to go to Africa on a 3 week mission trip. Doubt and fear of being able to pay for the trip occupied much space in my heart and mind for many months leading up to the trip. With some astonishing generosity of close friends, family, and fellow church members, I was able to raise enough money to pay for all the expenses and take the time off work. It took 6 flights to get to and from Mozambique, which is more than I had been on in my entire life. The trip was so amazing and the perspective I gained still leads me today. The beauty of the land, the hospitality of the people, the spirit of their worship services, the incredible need of so many, and the hope that things will get better resonate with my soul. While we were there families invited us into their homes to cater a meal for us. In most cases they had saved for weeks or months to provide us with a meal that would be considered a feast in their city. I couldn't help but feel like the spoiled American, but I do know that their intention was to be respectful and hospitable. It has caused me to value breaking bread with family and friends. I have never really gone without, and would even say I have taken for granted the privilege of having warm food and good drinking water in addition to a safe place to stay and for most of my adult life a job and a car to drive wherever I have wanted. For many of my new friends I made in Africa, this has not been their lifestyle, yet I found them to be such a more hopeful and positive people. The trip to Mozambique will forever mark my worldview, and I am very seriously considering a return trip in 2011!

Enough about me, my friends and family did some incredible things this past year. One of my proudest moments came at SEEK Camp when my little sister Rachel joined me. I tried to prepare her for what was to come, but her heart was so much more prepared than I could have ever done. She jumped right in and loved every minute of it. Just thinking of all the memories SEEK Camp holds for me, and what lies ahead for her, brings tears to my eyes. I also got to hang out with Mike Wood, one of my favorite campers, out in Greenville. It was incredible to go out to eat, see a movie, and then sit down with his Grandmother as she beamed with joy as we looked at homemade scrapbooks of his teenage years. I got to see my "little brother" Michael graduate from high school. Being 9 years older than him, I can remember him as a baby, toddler, and little kid. He has grown into quite the young man. My little sister Katie has fallen madly in love with her boyfriend, and it has been heart warming to watch a young couple fall in love. ( I am still keeping one eye on Josh at all times though!) My older brother Brad is still and always will be my lifeline. Like on "Who wants to be a Millionaire?" when I need an answer, he is the first guy I call, and this past year he gave me many answers that I was needing. My parents are perhaps my biggest blessing. My mother and father have continued to show me what it means to grow in faith and transform their lives as adults. I know being a step parent is not easy, but my step mom Sheila and step dad Mike seem to know exactly what to do and say to always be there for me. I don't get to see my step brothers Josh and Chris as much as we might like, but there remains a bond from all the time we spent growing up in our teens together. And the one family member who I know will always cheer me up? My nephew Brayden, who started kindergarten this year. Stress from work or worry about bills does not even enter his radar. I know when I hang with him I can expect references to Cars, Iron Man, and Star Wars now! What an incredible family I am a part of!!! That doesn't even include ALL the extended family I got to re-connect with on Facebook too.

In looking back on 2010 I also have to look at the group of amazing friends that I shared so much time with. My roommates helped the house we rent feel like a home. Me and Ken have been friends and seen each go through our ups and downs through the years. It has been awesome to catch up with Mayan since our high school days and see his success as a baseball coach. My friends from Salt Grass, it was bittersweet to leave yall behind in November. Some of you really saw me grow up, heck yall even helped me to grow up. The frequency we hang out might be less, but I do count yall as blessings in my life. To all my friends that I go to church with, many of you directly assisted me in getting to Mozambique. I can say I could not have done it alone. Even though I went as one person, I felt like a representative of FUMC Lewisville. Seeing all the love and prayers and dedication to the new programs at church like HIS Kids and YOTO gives me energy and guidance going forward to be the hands and feet of God in this world, country, state and city that we live in. And perhaps the most crucial of my friends are in Addison, I will continue to thank God daily for the time yall take out of your lives to help me along this spiritual journey.

It was amazing to sit down and write this. To really know that I surrounded by all of these people that had such a positive effect on my life this past year is almost overwhelming. I am reminded of a post one of my high school teachers put up on Christmas...

“I am not alone at all, I thought. I was never alone at all. And that, of course, is the message of Christmas. We are never alone. Not when the night is darkest, the wind coldest, the world seemingly most indifferent. For this is still the time God chooses." Taylor Caldwell

I can remember just a few short years ago, that I did feel so alone. Thanks to all of you for showing up in my life, to assure me that I am not alone. More than this simple thanks, I hope to show up in your life and to assure you that you are not alone...SEE YOU IN 2011!!!