So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, good-bye . . .

With 2009 coming to a close, I couldn't resist listing a few developments and surprises that caught me this year.

• Went to Tahoe and intentionally spent the weekend in the motel room (next time I'll snowboard), January.
• While ice skating, I took a fall that caused someone to come up to my friend and say, "Wow, that was quite a fall."  Considering the left side of my back hurt for 2 months, I'd have to agree. February.
• Received a prophetic dream, April 21.
• Bible college.  Got that message in May.
• Began a love affair with the beach and walking in the surf.  First official date:  Memorial Day.
• Visited my hometown for the first time in 3 years, along with a first-ever visit to my dad's grave, June.
• Fired for the first time.  When it happened, I texted practically everyone I knew--joyfully.  July 13th.
• Modeled.  Me:  Miss Camera Shy?  Shocking!  August.
• Stopped fighting the idea of becoming a missionary, August.
• Sold/gave away every movie I own, September.
• My bag with my wallet and journal inside it was stolen.  I was most traumatized about the journal.  September.
• 90-block prayer walk to and from the beach with a good friend, October.
• Different prophetic dream confirmed by Christmas gift.  When I opened the package, I couldn't help laughing and thinking, "Really, God?"  December 30th.

Thank you for joining me on an abridged tour of "That'll never happen" and "Let me tell you what happened" and "Whoa!  What just happened?"  This may not be the most poetic reading ever, but I believe it's important to see where you've come from and where you're headed.

Sometimes you see your future begins in the past.