Beginning a New Chapter: December 2009

It's been just over a year since I started this blog. Last December I was preparing myself to start a new chapter of life. That chapter included a new city, a new job and a new perspective. I never would have imagined everything that has happened over the last 12 months. The past year has truly been full of ups and downs, both of which have been extreme. I imagine that is one of the beauties of life, the unexpected. What I am taking from this year is not all the wonderful or terrible things that have happened, but how those things have changed and shaped me.

I recently read a piece on the origin of the word life. The word originated from the Proto-Indo-European word "lip", which means "to remain, persevere, continue." In Old English, the word "life" meant, "the condition, quality, or fact of being a living organism......which includes the capacity for growth and development characterized by functional activity." Those two definitions really sum up the last 12 months for me. Not only have I persevered through the last year, but it has provided opportunity for growth in my life.

I have no doubt that this next year will bring an ample amount of opportunities for change and growth as well. Although I didn't think I was strong enough to handle the things that were thrown at me this year, God has provided everything that I need. If it were not for the strength that He has given, I would have completely given up. I am very thankful for my friends and family who have also stood by and supported me through the last year.