Things that made me feel alive in 2009

I read a quote somewhere that says, "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that! Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." I want to live my life in a way that I feel alive every day! Not just happy or an all around "OK" feeling...but an alive feeling! That feeling you get when you dance in the rain and hold a new born baby and help others. God was so good to me in 2009, and with His Spirit in me, I thank Him that I am alive each and every day! Even though we're already a few days into the new year, I wanted to take time to thank Him and appreciate those special "alive" moments of 2009. When I think of 2009, I'm brought to Psalm 65:11. "You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance." There's so many blessings, let me count the ways! I can't even begin to count! But I just want to remember just a few special moments/things that made me feel alive in "09....

my precious newborn nephew AIDEN! I adore him!
spending New Years with close friends in Hot Springs, NC
hiking and sledding in the snow
listening to my favorite professor, Dr. Jabbour at CIU
studying new ways to reach the unreached in the Ms world
tasting cold Sundrop and Fanta Passion :-)
hugs from precious children
exploring new places and ideas
getting packages from home :-)
swimming in oceans
teaching kids at Northwest like Julio and Tamia
teaching kids in Rwanda like Orla and Jabel
waterfalls
teaching Bible for the first time
falling out of the raft on the Nile River
seeing Mt. Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti from the sky
building new friendships
rekindling old ones
listening to sweet guitar music
roasting marshmallows over the fire
sleeping in a tent
hiking Old Bald and seeing friends from CMW

There are so many more but time is short. He has been so good to me! I can't even begin to count all the ways! I hope your New Years was a fun celebration wherever you were! I rang in 2010 in Kiembieni again, surrounded with friends at church. They call it a "kesha", which means overnight. On any special occasion like Christmas or New Years, people flock to church and "spend the night" singing praises. On Saturday, I was able to take a short trip with friends, upcoast to Lamu, which is the oldest town in East Africa. Really amazing. So peaceful. Life is slow and simple here. The best kind. I'm going back to Mombasa tomorrow, and headed back to Rwanda at the end of the week. I'll write more about my time here when I get back and post some pics.

My prayer for 2010 is for God to enlarge my vision. Broaden my vision of Him and what He can do. All things! Make it something I really believe, and not just speak. I want to abide in His presence always and believe His promises for me! OK..I know it's too terribly cheesy...but here's my motto for this year...are you ready?...."Abide in Him in 2010." :-) Thank you Father for health, for friends, family, love, and your Spirit. Every time I leave Mother Teresa's orphanage in Kigali, I see a memorial in her honor that reads, "Make of your life, something beautiful for God." With Him, we are made alive!

Thanks for all your emails, birthday messages, and sweet cards. I love you all and wish you a 2010 that is ALIVE! Love you!