Reflections of 2009 and Hopes for 2010

A few highlights of last year...

1. The frequent flyer miles - Nor Cal, Florida, Kauai, Colorado, Seattle... not to mention the normal; camp, Shuyokai, fishing in Mammoth, Midwinter, Catalyst, and Vegas with Josh's friends, to name a few.
2. Linda's story - proposed to, fell in love, experienced her first, kiss, bridal shower, dress shopping, cake tasting, hand holding, canoodling, splitting a meal with a loved one, and on and on.
3. Graduating from school, and bringing to a close the end of a three year journey.
4. Working with Gary and the conference, seeing vision come to reality, DropIn, church visits, and every other amazing thing God has done here.
5. Babysitting Grace - watching her grow up has been so rewarding...we love her so much.
6. Aimee's 30th birthday. A monumental occasion for more than one reason.
7. Bringing a salad to the Uyeda family Thanksgiving.
8. My family doing so so well. God is truly faithful.
9. Mr. and Mrs. Uyeda accepting Christ and being babtized...and everyone else who accepted Christ!

Hurts of 2010:
1. Loosing those we love, like Marion
2. Linda, and cancer
3. Blankey

Things to look forward to in 2010:
1. Moving Out
2. Josh graduating
3. Momentum

Resolutions for 2010:
1. Ordering a Tall instead of a Grande
2. Passing gas in front of Josh

But the best hope I heard for this year came from a wise young someone we all know and love, Miss. Lauren Tang:
A Prayer: "Shake the foundations of my heart...I will not burn out this year, I will burn bright...No more empty resolutions. No more frail intentions. This year, I want to do something brave and beautiful. From the deepest corners of my trembling heart, I'm wispering the same words Isaiah did: Here I am. Send Me. Because my days don't mean anything if they don't belong to you." -Natalie Lloyd

Happy New Year everyone.

Blankey

For those of you who didn't know, I have a Blankey. And not just any blankey, but my lifeline, comfort, body warmer, tear catcher, pancho, leg warmer, head rest, and constant traveling companion and passenger seat guest in my car for the last..well, since seventh grade - so for over fifteen years. For some reason, in the past three years or so I have grown even more attached to it... so far even that I have been taking him out of the house and putting him in my purse when I'm just running errands. He just brings me comfort wherever I am. Anyone who knows me well, knows about my love for Blankey. I know that may sound terrible and you can psycho analyze away if you want - but today I came home from Vegas and I realized I had left Blankey there.

I can't even tell you how sad I am. When I realized what I had done I couldn't stop crying...I still can't stop crying. I have lost the most important nonhuman thing in my life. I know we're supposed to be rejoicing in the New Year and celebrating with loved ones and friends but I can't even think about that. I lost Blankey today. I am so sad.

I found this picture of blankey and Grace.

Three Years in the Making

This past Saturday I officially graduated from APU. This is part of the team who helped to get me through. Thanks guys.

A Birthday Bash Delight!

Last night we celebrated Aimee's 30th birthday with her closest friends. It was a really amazing time of laughter, sharing, and lifting her up in who she is in Christ. I thank the Lord for the blessing of her.

The 5,5,5

5 girls, 5 desserts, and 5 hours later...

It was a great ending to such a fabulous weekend thanks to these great friends.

Love you guys.

A Foodie's Delight

We LOVE Downtown Seattle! Aim found a Pike Place Food Tour and this morning we had the best time learning and tasting all around Pike Place.

Oh, and just so you have an idea... it's freezing!

Changing Times

I can remember when people didn't have home computers.

It was only in high school that pagers became popular.

Cell phones and texting didn't hit until I was in college.

And today..lookie at us today...

Free In-flight Wifi on Virgin America!

Hello from somewhere over the Pacific...i think. =)

(Yes, I did lift my computer, turn it around, and take a photo.)

Awesome start to A's glorious birthday weekend extravaganza!

The Meaning of Advent

Today is December 1st - the beginning of advent.


"The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival." The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent. Thus, Advent is far more than simply marking a 2,000 year old event in history. It is celebrating a truth about God, the revelation of God in Christ whereby all of creation might be reconciled to God. That is a process in which we now participate, and the consummation of which we anticipate."


Isn't that exciting? I woke up not thinking of the uniqueness of this special day. As each December day passes may the understanding of Christ's birth, and the life changing implications of His coming, become more real to you and I.