Thanks Jesus for 2009

Dear Jesus,

What a year. Some of it felt so familiar.

The year started out with Osmel in Cuba. He had a great trip visiting his family, and we both found that we really missed each other.

He decided that it was time to get healthy. He joined 24 hour fitness and we started working out on January 12th. We decided we would try to eat more healthy and I decided on January 23rd to get serious about it. Since then, I have lost over 100 lbs. It has been only by God's grace and I hope to continue on this journey. Through the course of the year, I have made some "workout buddies." My after school buddy, Kim. I have two morning buddies- Jane is my 5.30 buddy and Kristine is my 8.30 buddy- Of course we can only have morning workouts when there is no school. I thank God for my workout buddies, they help me stay on task. Of course, my husband started as a buddy, but that hasn't been very consistent.

He has however been a great encouragement through this year.

Through this year, Osmel has had some health issues and God really used them to get his attention.

Then of course, there was the job loss and then the new job. I really miss my Revere Friends, but I really love my new school. My new principal has been so encouraging. It is nice to have a principal that makes me feel good about what I do and how I do it. I love kinder, I never thought I would love it this much. I have to be more prepped than ever before, and it is really good. I get to do a lot of songs with my students- who would ever believe that I would spend so much time singing out loud (and in front of people?)... Now that is some big growth!! Half the time the tune gets lost in the process, but I just try to find it again and when I can't, my voice goes inaudible (at least in human terms, though you can hear the dogs in the distance).

My partner is great too. She and I pray together before the start of the day... although we haven't been as consistent lately. But I am very happy here. I am praying for a miracle that would enable me to not lose my job in the midst of this budget nightmare. And Jesus, while you are handing out miracles, give me permanent status?! Please?!

Osmel and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary. And to all the skeptics who thought we would never make it this far... I say HA! I have a big God who does great things!!

We took a few trips- we went to Palm Springs, San Diego, and we did a stay-cation or two. We do love the weekend getaways. To my deep disappointment, I didn't make it to Arizona or Donya's wedding... it worked out that in the absence of work, going away didn't seem like the best idea.

We are praying and asking God what is next for us, and trying to figure out what His will is. It seems that my life the last few years has been a journey to teach me about taking life's steps one day at a time.

I looked at the possibility of rejoining the world of ministry outside of my home. I was a part of VBS and of the Anaheim VBS and that was awesome! But I really see that for this season in my life, my ministry is at home.

2009 was not just the end of a year... it was also the end of a decade. I would say this decade has held more change than all other decades combined. My whole way of looking at life, at planning, at careers, at marriage, at friendships, at ministry.... It has all changed!!

I'm thankful for all that God has done for me, just in this year, but also in this decade.