I can hardly believe it is that time of year again! It feels just like yesterday that I was filling this out for 2008! Even though seeing 2009 leave is bittersweet, I’m especially excited about the upcoming year as I know God is greatly at work! Happy New Year, everyone!

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
A lot! 2009 was an extraordinary year as I’ve had a host of new opportunities with On the Baseline, became a part of CYT (Christian Youth Theater) with my family, was accepted into Microsoft’s Real Stories Office 2010 program, started a new PR & Design business with a friend, and coordinated a conference for girls ages 10-14 years of age called Gotta Be Me.

2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Well, I pulled out my list—that alone is a miracle that I still have it—and I didn’t do too badly. I still strive that the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart would be acceptable in God’s sight. God’s placed me in a lot of situations where I’ve needed to rely on Him for wisdom and not my own strength. I’ve tried to have a daily quiet time each morning, and although I’ve not always been faithful, God continues to help me remember to take time out during the day to pause and spend a few moments with him.

I’ve not exercised at least three times a week, but I did join a gym in 2009. I’m slightly closer to finishing my degree—but still have a ways to go. Scripture memory certainly needs a lot of improvement, as well as I’ve not managed to implement my idea of serving others more in 2009. As for blogging on this site at least twice a week, well, I need to work on that! I’ve tried to share the gospel more and had the privilege of leading others to Christ during the year. And lastly, yes, I have been remembering to take my vitamins!!!

As for 2010, yes, I’ll likely make more resolutions. Always is great to have a goal in sight!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes, I did say farewell to a few saints in 2009.

5. What countries did you visit?
Does California count? (I know, I said Austin last year, but that’s as close to being out of the country as I came in 2009.)

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
Once more, I’d like a deeper relationship with Christ, the completion of my college degree, continued growth and success for On the Baseline and DuoParadigms, and more wonderful memories of time spent with my family and friends.

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory?
Off of the top of my head and in no particular order—-my trips to Indian Wells and Miami for the BNP Paribas Open and the Sony Ericsson Open, Kristin and Brittany’s weddings, Aladdin, getting shingles, Gotta Be Me, starting DuoParadigms with Mel, and of course, the insanely memorable nearly all-night Black Friday shopping trip from 11pm on Thanksgiving night to 5PM on Black Friday with just a three hour power nap.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Does staying alive count?!!? God blessed so much in 2009 that it is really impossible to narrow it down to anything. Plus, if there is one thing that I learned this year it is that any successes or achievements were all God and absolutely none of me.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Same as 2008: Not getting more school finished.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Oh, yes! I sprained my ankle playing tennis two days before Kristin’s wedding—-never prayed for a fast healing so much in my life. God’s grace was so good—I was able to hobble down the aisle in flip-flops, which compared to being on crutches for the rehearsal dinner, was a miracle. During the summer, I came down with a freak case of the shingles. Avoiding direct sunlight because of the potent drugs I was taking seriously cut into my swimming and body-boarding plans. So. Not. Fun.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Believe it or not, nothing really comes to mind. I didn’t make any big purchases in 2009, so that’s probably why.

12. Where did most of your money go?
Same place as last year’s —– On the Baseline’s bills. One of the joys and sorrows of owning your own business.

13. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Seeing God’s hand at work. Life is never ordinary when you follow the leading of an extraordinary Savior.

14. What song/album will always remind you of 2009?
David Phelps’ Gentle Savior.

15. Compared to this time last year, are you: happier/sadder,thinner/heavier,richer/poorer?
Happier, thinner, and slightly richer. (But that might be because I haven’t paid all my bills for this month yet!)

16. What do you wish you’d done more of?
I wish I had spent more time with God, more time in my school books, and more time with my family and friends. I’m learning to treasure and invest in relationships more now. I thank God for all those who helped make 2009 such a meaningful year.

17. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Work. I’m learning to take those moments away to smell the roses, enjoy the sunshine, and just live life.

18. How did you spend Christmas?
At home with family and friends!

19. Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
Not sure, but probably my mom. I tend to spend more time sending emails and using instant messenger. Just in 2009, I know I sent thousands of emails, as well as had a lot of instant messenger conversations. Communication is everything!

20. How many trips did you take in 2009?
Quite a few!

21. What was your favorite TV program?
Chopped.

22. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No. And on the flip side, I met a whole lot more people that I liked in 2009!

23. What was the best book(s) you read?
I did take time to read a lot during 2009, so it’s hard to sum up what was the best book I read. I continued to enjoy Michael Phillips’ novels, especially the Secrets of Heathersleigh Hall series, as well as several Max Lucado books, J. Oswald Sanders’ Spiritual Leadership, and Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.

23. What was your greatest musical discovery?
David Phelp’s Gentle Savior and finally getting my Pandora radio station almost perfectly trained to play my favorites.

24. What did you want and get?
I really wanted God to be glorified in everything I did during the year and I truly hope that all praise and glory went to him because without him, I can do nothing.

25. What did you want and not get?
I didn’t get to go to the US Open this year, but in hindsight, God knew exactly what he was doing.

26. What were your favorite films of this year?
Too many to list. Loved the new BBC Emma and Young Victoria, though.

27. What did you do on your birthday?
Spent the day with my family!

28. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Eddie Bauer.

29. What kept you sane?
Only the grace of God.

30. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I had an opportunity to meet Jane Seymour, which was amazing.

31. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
Patience. I definitely have not learned it all, but God keeps orchestrating situation after situation to show me that he’s in control and his timing is always perfect. It was even kind of funny that when some things went wrong on New Year’s Eve, I asked God why he was causing so many random things to upset my plans. In the still small voice deep in my soul, I heard God whisper, “I’m giving you one more chance to learn this lesson in 2009.”

32. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year?
“And everywhere I look I see Your hand |
Why You would love someone like me |
I’ll never understand and I’m amazed, I’m so amazed |
How great You are, how small I am |
How awesome is Your mighty hand |
And I am captured by the wonder of it all |
And I will offer all my praise with all my heart for all my days |
How great You are, how great You are, how great You are.”

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