Bigger than ever

Happy new year to each of you! I trust it's been a good one for you so far, as it most certainly has been with mine. But before I get into all the things I'd like to for 2010, let me back up and fill you in on December 2009.

The first word that comes into my mind when I think of last month is crazy. I was literally stretched in every which way and, to be honest, I liked it. True, there were some activities I could have done without, but the Lord guided all aspects of my life. I took each decision I needed to make to Him first. You will have no idea what a load off your back it is when you do that unless you make it a habit. The Lord works in ways you can't even imagine when He's involved in your daily routine ... and sometimes not so "routine". One of the biggest ways God blessed me in was allowing a friendship with someone I met in Mexico last summer to be more than that. We are always praying about everything that's said or done and taking things slowly. At times it can be a bit fuzzy with what to do, but whenever that happens I again take it to my Heavenly Father and He shows me the way. There were other fun Christmas activities I was able to be involved in. You can look through the pictures below:

The teens at my church had a lock in on New Year's Eve. It was a great turnout with at least 20 teens showing up. Mr. Unger and his son-in-law Ben brought their snow mobiles and pulled the teens and adults around in the snow. I - of course - stood by and took pictures =) The tempurature had to have been only single digits, as we were all freezing. Still a blast though. We played lots of games inside and out, had plenty of snacks thanks to Elizabeth and Lori (and probably others I'm not aware of), and Joe gave a short challenge before midnight. There were many unsaved teens at the event who were able to hear a clear presentation of the gospel.

I know of people who make only one resolution for the upcoming year, some who make many, and even those who don't make any. I try to make at least one goal for myself each year and came up with two areas in my life in which I need to work on, the first being patience. This is something that's not come easily for me in the past few years and I'd like to change that. Second and more importantly to me is reaching out to others. A few months ago I would have told myself that I reach out plenty and that isn't an issue for me... but in reality it is. I noticed that when I try to help others, I end up only wanting that person to help me. I myself don't totally understand how that works, which is frustrating. But I want others to focus on Christ and see Him through my actions and words. Many times when I've helped someone, I want praise and for everyone to notice what I did. That's not what it's about though. The only reason why I even have the ability to be there for others is because of the Lord, so shouldn't all the credit go to Him as well? Certainly!

I'd appreciate your prayers for me this year as I try to better my life for the Lord. Each morning I am in God's word and in prayer. Quite often I have no idea what to pray about for specific friends, and yet God still puts them on my heart to pray for. It's neat how later on I find out that I was praying for someone at the exact time they needed it. Praise the Lord for His goodness, for the fact that He knows everything about everyone, and that we can call Him our Father!