31 days

And there goes January. Shockingly enough, the first month of 2010 has passed and since my last post was the first day of this month, it's only fitting that my next post should be the last day of the month. And I've been snowed in for 3 days so I've had lots of time to think.

Every year I am shocked by how quickly time flies by and how little I remember of each day. I get caught up in work and errands and social activities and don't take time to be aware of what's really going on in my life. So this year my resolution was to write a sentence each day in my planner that sums up the day...it could be something impactful I've read, or a fun moment, or a detail of my life I don't want to forget.

So here's some highlights from my January days:

1: Avett Brothers at Fox Theater: energetic, exciting; beautiful venue; drinks and good times with a good friend.

4: Made dinner and shared with Brooke. Have dinner with friends more often this year!

7: Conquered my fear of brussel sprouts and roasted some. Not sure I'm a fan.

9: Focus on what I have, not on what I don't have.

15: Went to a 20-somethings dinner and met a bunch of kids who recently graduated from college. Reminder that a lot happens in your 20s!

21: Trust God - on His terms. Deuteronomy 8:2

27: Today's high: Bought a new car (all by myself!)
Low: Poppy Vasgaard died peacefully in his bed after dinner. An era has ended, and Pop has gone to join his Savior and wife of 65 years.

31: Long walk in the snow, big homemade lunch, and guiltless lazy time. Being snowed in is not too bad!

It's been a month of joy and sorrow, laughter and lessons.
Now I'm excited to see what February holds!

new year, new stories

Wow, 2009 is gone already. Shoot, a whole decade has passed in a hurry...I remember the fear and trepidation with which we entered this century, and can't believe it was 10 years ago!

In pondering 2009 the theme that has emerged is story. Probably because I spent the better part of the year hearing about Donald Miller's new book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, in which Don challenged himself and his reader to be more intentional with the way we live our lives and make decisions, to remember that our lives are telling a story in the actions that we take.

In 2009 I collected some pretty great stories . . . adventure stories about backpacking through Italy and Greece and hiking the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi . . . sweet stories about time with friends old and new, both at home and at destinations far and wide . . . inspiring stories helping refugees from Sudan, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, and Egypt learn to speak English a little better . . . perseverance stories of surviving another year working for a book publisher in a tough economy . . . bittersweet stories of loss and memories as we said an earthly goodbye a wonderful grandmother . . . and love stories as I have been blessed by friends, family, and mostly by a God who has told the most wonderful story of all.

So here's to 2009, and all the moments that made it memorable. And here's to 2010, may the stories that I tell be the richest, most loving, and most adventure-filled yet!

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And because I love crafts, painting, planning, and now, telling good stories, even my homemade holiday card/calendar/gift has a story theme this year: