Resolutions

I hadn't really planned on making any resolutions this year, but this morning I thought of a few things. I want to run three 5 ks this year. And in an effort to become a more goal-oriented person, I want to set weekly goals for myself instead of a bunch of yearly ones that I'll never reach. I also want to refocus on my gifts and try to send at least one encouraging note a week.

It's been a big year. I've left China and (for the most part) readjusted to American life. I've settled in, have a job, and am starting school in a few weeks. 2009 was certainly uncertain but things always turn out in the end. I look forward to seeing what 2010 holds. Jehovah Jireh.

Niagara New Year

This New Year's we've described as EPIC.

Danielle, Jeremy, Amy, and I loaded up and headed to Niagara Falls via Cincinnati on Tuesday. We froze a little, saw the amazing falls, tasted ice wine, saw where "real" Canadians live, and experienced the STYX concert on New Year's Eve. I'll admit, I only know 2 STYX songs, but when they started playing one I knew (Come Sail Away) we all went kind of crazy. Snow falling, STYX playing, a new year, in Canada. It was big. Jeremy and Amy were on Canada's ET coverage of the concert! Apparently New Year's in Niagara is like Canada's Time's Square. It was a short trip and a long drive, but we had a great time. We even had a little China tribute at 11 am on New Year's Eve and dropped an apple down a chopstick like old times.

The falls were amazing. Pictures truly can not capture how incredible and impressive they are...even in the snow and ice!

No words

Sandra and Sherol, our friends in Yichang, have been waiting for an adoption match for 24 months, and they were just matched with a precious 7-month-old girl! We Yichangren have all followed them on this journey through their blog, and at times I felt like their longing and desperation was my own. Beth called me at lunch today to tell me the good news. I can't help but think of the correlation between waiting for this baby and the Advent season. And hearing such good news made me wish I could extol the Lord like Mary did...that my words would flow out in poetic verse or I that could dance for the Lord like David or like the dad in Fiddler on the Roof. Me, I couldn't even form the right words. I guess now is when you rely on the Spirit to express the words you can't find.

God is good.

Amazing Provision

I don't think we give God enough credit in our daily lives for how things come out perfectly orchestrated for our good. Recently I've seen so clearly how He works and moves, and its really all a matter of waiting out to see His good timing. I'm coming to learn more and more how to trust Him...that His ways are certainly better than mine.

Just a few things lately that are so obviously God:
Brad's entire school journey up to this point, in-state tuition etc (now if he can just get accepted...)
Kim's school provision
Katie's made-for-her perfect job in Nashville!
The community house
Sandra and Sherol's amazing adoption match
My own job and school provisions


The journey is often uncertain and uncomfortable, and that is exactly when He reveals more than we could have dreamed for ourselves. I often get caught up in what I think I want or not knowing what I want, then I take a deep breath, and relax, knowing that I can trust Him completely. Really it's less anxiety now, and more anticipation of seeing what amazing things He has in store for those who love Him...

Jehovah Jireh.

Christmas Recap

This Christmas was certainly different than any other. When asked recently what my family does for Christmas, I wasn't sure how to answer. I've been in China the last three Christmases and meanwhile, my family has moved to Florida.

Knowing it would be hard to compete with a China Christmas, this year I tried to really focus on celebrating Advent and making some of my own little traditions.

Here are some of my Christmas highlights:

Experiencing Handel's Messiah at Christ Cathedral (Hallelujah chorus = amazing.)

The semi-honored tradition of the making of the hideous (ly awesome) Christmas shirt

Shopping for Christmas angels

A Zumba cool down to "Love Came Down at Christmas"

Singing along with Mariah's Christmas CD (badly) in Jehovah Jireh with Brad

Late night guitar and singing

The "Your Presence is our Present" dinner and knife throwing

Christmas Eve service with mom

The endless fun of iphoto booth

Race Stats

Well, my stats are in!

82nd place among females in my age group
760th place overall :)
408th among the ladies
44:18 total time
14:18 pace

Oh yeah...

Oh yeah, and today was a big day because...

I got accepted to the University of Bridgeport's online M.S. in Human Nutrition program! I start in January on some prerequisites and won't get to start the actual course work until Fall or Spring of next year. We'll see how it goes working full-time and doing class online part-time. I'm really excited!