Merry Christmas 2008!

Merry Christmas, sweet friends!

I know, I know - I am 2 days late. But hey - I love the Christmas season, so this is just my feeble attempt to make it last longer now that they have cut me off from my endless supply of Christmas music on the radio (which in my opinion is always the worst day of the year!).

This Christmas season has been different. I can't explain it - it just has. To start, I really had a hard time getting into the spirit of it all. I realize more now than ever what Christmas is all about the and the true impact and implications it has for my life. But I just couldn't get there. I dunno. I think work and life and everything else kinda was stressing me out and Christmas came way before I was ready for it. A little bit came finally on Christmas eve at my church's 11pm service, so that was good. I love the excitement and spirit that Christmastime brings, so I was a little sad that I just wasn't feeling it. All that to say, it still was a great Christmas and the rest and break that it has brought has been amazing. I've been sleeping 10-12 hours every night for the past 3 nights, so I am feeling really great, although a little tired from oversleeping. Weird how our bodies get tired from sleeping too much. I would like to know the physiology behind that. Must be something with messing with our circadian rhythms.

Anyways, I was very blessed this Christmas. I got some money from the grandmas, several giftcards, a nice study Bible and Mama Mia from my parents and brother and some other sweet gifts from friends. I also told my parents to save their money on me this Christmas to go towards missions in the coming year, so they will help finance my one or two trips I want to go on in 2009 (another post - I am very excited!).

2008 has been a very different year. Its had its unexpected highs and unexpected lows - but I just love what the Lord has done in my life this year. Seriously. Never have I felt the Lord's presence so closely in my life than I have this year and that continues to grow so I am excited beyond words about the years to come! Let me give a recap bullet style of some things that have happened in the past year.

• Finding community - a little over a year ago, I walked into a Sunday evening class called Metrolink (now Mosaic) and never really left! I just can't even express to you what being a part of this authentic community of believers has meant in my life. The Lord is so faithful!
• Deciding to teach - all through the spring I worked on my certification to teach special ed and now have finished my first semester of teaching it. The Lord brought me the perfect job at the perfect place at the perfect time. Best decision He has ever lead me to, though I never ever before in my life saw myself making it!
• Mom's health - I won't go into too much detail as this is an extremely sensitive issue for me, but we had some scares this year including a collapse and rush to the emergency room in May, very close to the point of losing her. I am very glad we didn't lose her, but continue to pray for her and her health please!
• Women's coordinator - in August/September, the women's coordinator of Mosaic asked if I would take over that position as she stepped down. Such a surprise and so humbling! I have been praying for 3 years to do something in women's ministry and the Lord just opened the door for me - how exciting is that?!?! I still don't feel entirely worthy of the position, but I love it and wouldn't trade it for anything. It has been a crazy, exhausting, growing and stretching 3-4 months, but so worth it. I can't wait to see what will happen in the coming year! I just love the women in our class and love ministering to them and connecting with them. So great! I could write a whole post or two on this one!
• Guatemala - So amazing! A post is coming about this one very soon ( I PROMISE!), so I won't write any more on here.

Okay, I think that sums up some of the bigger things for the year. I could write a lot more, but we don't want to be here forever.

I hope you have been very blessed this Christmas and reminded of the Savior's love for us. So amazing that He humbled Himself to be born as a baby in a barn (sometimes the most beautiful things have the most humble beginnings!) and then died on a cross just because He loved us that very much. Beyond amazing and exciting - just inexpicable and unexpressable!

Love you!