Monday, January 18, 2010

A Look at Year 2009

I was going to sum up 2009 in by month, but it was a really big year and well it'd take a very, very LONG time to go through each and every month. So follow along below and enjoy what I can remember thus far. If knew things come to mind, I'll add them :).

I learned to really know God's love for this very needy daughter. I moved churches and joined the Southlands community. I was prayed over a number of times and each time God affirmed my calling to share His life, reconcile His people to right relationship with Him and serve His people. I realized the depth of love Christ has for me and how necessary His truth is for my every day living. I need His words, because most of the time mine aren't nearly powerful enough to battle the, could be, devastating lies of the enemy. I also spent a whole week with my mom and dad on an Alaskan cruise. Yes, it was VERY cold, and I really do not enjoy being cold. BUT the sights were gorgeous and we were able to have some great conversations. If there's one thing Alaska provides, aside from food so good I think only the banquet feast in Heaven tops it, it offers amazing "quiet time" locations. God affirmed and confirmed so much that week. It was incredible. After this amazing time, I moved out of the comfortable home of my parents and into a new home with seven beautiful women. There I learned a different kind of community--one where love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and understanding are priority. But even more priority is knowing our Father in heaven in new and greater ways each and ever day AND knowing how to love His people creatively and passionately. Chris and I also celebrated our first year anniversary, BUT he was in Oman and I was here in the States. So he asked Heather and Jon to take me on a most meaningful date, that he planned in advanced for me to partake in. It included our special spots and letters he wrote for me to read at each stop. I loved it...granted not as much as I would have loved it if he were really with me, but it was beautiful to have Jon and Heather love me on his behalf. But you know, looking back on it now and having our friendship grown to where it is today, I know they really were loving me just because they do...and the things Chris planned were just added bonuses. Speaking of Heather and Jon, they also started dating via the making of the Web. One day Chris, me (who were already dating) went with Heather and Jon on a little adventure to Santa Barbara. Now Chris and Jon had already been really great friends to this point, but Heather and I had never met before. But conversations had together during times exploring beautiful Santa Barbara brought us together. In a matter of 6 months, Jon and Heather were engaged (Dec '09). The Web is still very special to us and represents a place that we get to experience the depth, height, width, and the length of God's love for us. It's tangible. You can smell it, taste it, hear it, touch it, breath it...all in safe community. If you didn't know, Christopher spent about 3 months (felt more like forever) in Oman learning Gulf Arabic. He also spent time in Bahrain where he met amazing people and formed deep friendships. The time a part was trying and stretching to say the very least, but God met us both where and when ever we needed Him. I spent much of this time learning how to pray and how to really allow God to be my lover. And having Chris come home was especially exciting. He really did mature in a variety of different ways, but more than anything He knew deeply the Father's love for him and this meant I (and so many others) get to be on the receiving end of his response to this extravagant love. He also really did learn Arabic and well, it's just fun to hear him speak it. I wish I could say I've learned to cherish the time we spend together now that we are with each other in the States, but I haven't. Until right now, I forgot just how much I miss him when he's not a phone call, text message or 20 min drive away. SAD. I'll keep this in mind. I am thankful for friendships though. So thankful. Living in these communities has also helped me to really appreciate what my parents gave me in my own childhood. I was raised and rooted in the traditions of Christianity. Now I have my own real, deep, intimate relationship with Christ and I look forward to passing this heritage on to my children.

THAT'S ALL FOR NOW...I'LL KEEP ADDING MORE...SO LOOK FOR UPDATES :)