But those who hope in the Lord.

Last year I wrote a blog on my facebook about the year I had in 2008. It was full of good and bad and I found out I was stronger than I thought. I wrapped up the blog by telling 2009 and "bring it on" I could take it...And boy did it! Needless to say, I am not ending this blog the same way!

I feel like this has been one of the hardest years of my life, if not THE hardest. I also feel like it has been hard for almost everyone. At the beginning of 2009 I just moved back to dallas, and back in with my parents. I was heart broken and never felt more alone. I was going to culinary school, and hating it! I had no church home and about 3 friends that still lived in the area, and I use 'in the area' very loosely since the closest one lived over 20 minutes away. I didn't have a job and I didn't feel like I had a purpose.

Since then I quit culinary school, got an amazing job (that we will come back to later), gotten my heart broken (again...what's new?), and made more friends then I can count through church. To other people 2009 may look like an unsuccessful year, but to me it was a year of growth. For the first time in my life I am living my own life, not in a 'not for Jesus' way...more like in a 'not for other people' way. I have really tried my hardest to listen to God and be who He wants me to be. I've tried (and am still trying) to not worry about every little thing and let Him guide me and take control of my life. Isaiah 40:31 says, "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

So now I sit here, already in 2010, not knowing much of what this year will hold....a new job since I will only be at mine until mid-January. Hopefully a new place to live. I love my parents but come on, I'm 23! New friendships and deeper levels to the ones I already have. But for 2010 I want to live by this verse. I want to put my hope in the Lord, completely. I want to give God a chance to be God, to be my provider, my comforter, my strength, my shelter, and whatever else He wants to be in my life this year. It sounds a lot better than the way I usually do things!

So to all my friends and family, and to those who had a particularly rough year, "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-25.