Thank you for 2011

It was the last night of 2011 and I was sitting in my dust cover room in the village.  I was praying and reflecting on the day, which lead to reflecting on the month, which lead to reflecting on the past year.  I was suddenly overwhelmed with tears of thanksgiving.  God had so graciously blessed me with such a supernatural life transforming year.  I couldn't begin to tell you all that He has done and all that has happened.  As I was reflecting on the year I remember the new years of my past and how it was celebrated more out of astonishment that I was still alive rather than with thanksgiving toward God.  I lived for so long with no regard for my life or anyone else's.  Satan had such a tight grip on me that sometimes just waking up in the morning didn't seem like it would be the next part in the story of my life.  I was on a path for destruction and I was going to take down everyone I could with me.  I was in a state of absolute depravity and longing for death.  God had other plans.

Through nothing short of a view handfuls of miracles and some incredible men and women of God I found myself walking down the right path into eternity.  This life is a gift when lived out in Christ and every moment is an opportunity to be thankful.  The world will look at my life and say you have nothing, but God looks at my life and says,"I have given you everything."

I wouldn't have seen that if I wasn't sitting here in this dirty chair, in the silence of this dusty room,  in the middle of this simple little village.  So many people where such a huge part of me being and I am truly thankful for you from the depths of my heart.  2011 wouldn't have ended the way it did without you... 

Thanks mom for never giving up and always praying.

Thanks Dad for coming to my apartment that day and telling me you wouldn't leave my side til I got on that plane.

Thanks to the Pastor and Church on the other side of that plane ride.  Who taught me I am...

Thanks Pastor Rick and the One way Church for making school possible for me where...

I met some incredible new friends.  Thank you to those friends that showed me God's love and inspired me to spread that love through out the world.

Which took me to the Philippines for friendship making and fingernail painting!

And making friends while mountain biking through part of Asia.

Thanks to those Prov 18:24 friends!

Who made community look good!

That will let you be yourself and love you anyway.

Who proof the love of God is stronger than any adversity.

Who give the best hugs!  And will love that I put this picture up of her!  HA!

Who step in and are the shoulder for those you love to lean on while you are gone.

Who showed me that being a christian is fun.

And serious... not.

They taught me it was safe now to trust and wait, and while you are waiting, love and laugh a lot!  Then when you are done waiting love and laugh even more.

Thanks so much to my family who never left my side.  I miss you guys a lot.

Don't worry the Good Lord has given me a pretty awesome family here too!

It seems like everywhere I go I am blessed to become close with more people in my family I had never met!

I am thankful Father for my new friends.  I hope they can become part of our family too!

Then they can tell all their friends and they can become part of our family too!

I am looking forward to this next year and the new memories we will make together.  Thank you for all your support and prayers.  The people in this country are encountering the overpowering love and truth of God because of it.