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Looking Back on 2008

Happy New Year, y'all! :D Wow...I can hardly believe it's 2009!! Remember when the world was going to stop at Y2K? That doesn't seem so long ago--certainly not 9 years!

So, I'm kicking off this new year the way I usually do--looking back on the last one and looking ahead to the year to come. To get started, here's a video of random photos of various events in our year. It had to be seriously condensed to get it short enough to upload on our slow internet connection, so there are quite a few events not represented. Maybe I'll get around to an "addendum" later...for now, here's the video:

If you can't see it, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-6ZVy-qI5Q to watch it!

Looking back on this year, I think the only way to summarize it is: through sunshine and rain, my God is still the same. Whether in the times of laughter on an extended vacation up north or a (colorful) trip to Six Flags, or the pain and heartache of watching our grandfather weaken and go home to heaven, God never changed.
On a more personal note, God's unchangingness has been proven time and again as I alternate between walking with Him and wandering away. In some ways, it's been a bit of a rough year as I've sure seemed to do a whole lot more of the latter than the former. When I'm not walking with God, life is hard and dry and empty, pointless. And it doesn't help anything to know that I've only got myself to blame!! The good news is that, as my favorite line in Casting Crowns' song "Praise You in This Storm" says, "You are who You are, no matter where I am." And who He is is Holy, Merciful, Just, Loving, Powerful and Full of Grace. Part of His unchangingness is that His arms are always open, He is always calling me home.

So, that's last year. What about this year?
My main, over-arching goal for 2009 is this: to be so gripped with the knowledge that God loves me and I am His alone that it becomes a fact that permeates and controls my entire life.

And with that thought, I'll sign off. May the Lord bless you richly in 2009 with His grace and guidance, and may you fall deeper in love with Him every day! Happy New Year! *sending big smiles and lots of hugs to all of you*
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Comments

Kelly Ranae said…
I will most definitely join you in that prayer! And I'll pray it for me, too. I love you, Haley Nic!
January 1, 2009 at 11:16 PM
Anonymous said…
Nice slideshow! Man, I haven't heard that song in a looong time. ;) I always love looking back over the year and all the great memories made! May you have a blessed 2009!
January 3, 2009 at 7:35 PM
For His Glory said…
Happy New Year! I really enjoyed the slide show. Wow how the boys are growing tall.
January 4, 2009 at 5:12 PM
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