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!

--
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: