whatever it takes, bring it on

As the end of 2008 crept closer and closer last night, I was filled with the feelings of excitement and wonder of the year to come. I couldn't help but think as my friends and I danced the night away in a warm yet cozy, overstuffed, downtown apartment, where I was last year at this time. I couldn't wait for 2007 to be over. It was a year filled with changes - moving to California, moving back from California, a brother being deployed and extended in Iraq for almost all of 2007, a summer filled with death and the ugliest of grief, a challenging, new semester at Concordia greeted with a week in the hospital, the articulate balance of God, classes, leading a high school ministry, work, family, and a social life?! I thank God for never letting go of me that year, because I was barely holding on. 2008 started with a dating relationship and God breaking my heart for his children overseas. This led to many conversations, prayers, restless days, being filled with awe and wondering where the Holy Spirit was leading me. I continued my college education and prayed like a warrior. The changes began again, Jared, my dear brother being deployed to Afghanistan, the high school ministry growing so much I wanted to put it on pause, two more hard semesters in school, filled in between with winter and summer classes, an end to a dating relationship, a close friend of mine moving to Italy, another friend leaving for mission work in the Philippines, friends getting engaged, and me with a restless feeling full of passion and hunger. As I type, I know God's got my back, and I know His love is strong. Oh, the blessings He gives - pours out to me every day! I have been blessed, now I want to be a blessing to others. Bring it on 2009, whatever it takes, I'm loving God and loving others down to my toes, with every fiber in my being.