As I reflect on this past year, I am continually reminded of God's goodness. Surviving my student teaching last spring, graduating from college, watching one of my best friends get married, getting a niece, participating in a life-changing ministry program, moving to Greensboro and then into the neighborhood where I lived during the summer, getting to know my two wonderful housemates and meeting friends in a new city, taking care of my niece and another sweet baby, and getting a first grade position in South America for next year are just a few of the highlights of 2007. This has also been a year of a lot of self-discovery; it has been an amazing journey in learning about Christ's desire to live through me rather than me trying to do life on my own and inevitably failing. God has allowed me to see a larger world view, opening my eyes to His heart for the physically poor, the poor in spirit, and reconciliation among His people of all races and statuses. He has given my family the joyous blessing of my niece, Maddie Grace; I never knew I could love something so little so much! The Lord has affirmed my desire to teach, and completely paved a way for me to teach in La Paz, Bolivia in South America beginning August 2008. He has shown me areas of hurt in my heart from years past that He's promised to heal if I am viligant in surrendering and forgiving. He has provided friendships that have stretched and encouraged me, and taught me how scary and terrific getting to know people in-depthly can be. He has reminded me time and again that He will never leave me; I can never run far enough away to be beyond the reach of grace. He's taught me to be real, and reminds me that the "I'm good and everything's okay" facade doesn't equal holiness. He has revealed to me that what I am given to deal with in life may not be as difficult to deal with as the obstacles that others face, but I need not feel guilty over the "ease" of my struggles and hardships. He's challenged me to create margin in my life, which has meant saying no to things much more than I would like to, but has also meant blessings of peace in my spirit, fuller relationships, and more joy in giving my time and finances. God is good. No matter what 2008 brings, I will cling to His goodness.
Thank you, Lord, that you are good.
