Looking Back on 2008

I've been looking for a way to process the year that was 2008, so Marko's blog inspired me to post my own take on this survey. This overview helped remind me that though in many ways 2008 was a hard, dark year for me, it was punctuated by many bright spots.

1) What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
-Hiked 28 miles in one month
-Vacationed in Hawaii
-Planned, led, and translated for a youth mission trip without the aid of an organization
-Tried pilates (love it!)
-Photographed a friend's wedding
-Got sucked into a pop-culture phenomenon (thank you, Stephenie Meyer!). Usually I wait until the hype dies down before I venture anywhere near.

2) Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Um, I don't remember making any last year. And I don't plan on making any this year.

3) Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes! It was fantastic to hold little Nathaniel on the day he was born. (I think I had seven friends give birth this year... crazy!)

4) Did anyone close to you die?
Unfortunately, this was the year we had to say goodbye to Nan.

5) What countries did you visit?
Guatemala.

6) What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Inspiration and passion fully expressed.

7) What date(s) from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
June 11, Molly graduated high school, and had a (temporarily) paralyzing fall at her graduation night. July 1, we returned to visit our Guatemalan family and church for the first time in 2 1/2 years. Amazing.

8) What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Trusting God and seeing Him work through me to love and mentor Molly like my own daughter. I can't think about it without tears of joy coming to my eyes.

9) Did you suffer illness or injury?
Praise God, I was the healthy one last year. Other than sucky allergies, which I'm just learning to cope with.

10) What was the best thing you bought?
Food for 12-year-old Domingo and his family in Guatemala. Because Domingo required constant attention and care while recovering from a back-breaking fall, his grandfather couldn't go to work and the household was suffering from lack of basic necessities. Best money spent all year.

11) Whose behavior merited celebration?
Spencer, one of our junior highers who of his own accord planned and executed a bake sale to raise money for hungry kids. That kid's my hero.

12) Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Oh gosh, there's more than a couple who come to mind. No need to name names, though. I have been most saddened by Christians who don't take responsibility for commitments they've made (especially to family).

13) Where did most of your money go?
Rent, giving, and car payments.

14) What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Molly and Guatemala. The highlights of my year.

15) What song will always remind you of 2008?
Pocket full of Sunshine - Natasha Beddingfield
A guide to Marine Life - Falling Up
God of this City - Chris Tomlin
Mighty to Save - The Amoeba Singers (Guatemala Team)

16) Compared to this time last year, are you:
Wiser? Only in terms of the sad realities of life.
Healthier? Physically, I might be.
Richer? Relationally, yes!

17) What do you wish you’d done more of?
Invited people over.

18) What do you wish you’d done less of?
Itched (sucky allergies).

19) How did you spend Christmas?
Celebrated over the whole month of December: put up a tree for the first time in four or five years, attended a Christmas musical and a Christmas Eve service at church, then spent the big day opening presents followed by going out to the movies.

20) Did you fall in love in 2008?
Not romantically speaking, but I did grow to love someone very dearly.

21) What was your favorite blog post that you wrote?
"Faithful in the Waiting"

22) What were your favorite TV programs?
30 Rock, Top Model, the Office, American Idol.

23) Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don't hate anyone.

24) What was the best book you read?
The Irresistible Revolution, by Shane Claiborne.

25) What was your greatest musical discovery?
Captiva by Falling Up, Viva la Vida by Coldplay, and a song called Reign in Us by Starfield. Plus, that special version of "Mighty to Save".

26) What did you want and get?
Resolution in some old hurts. To see Antonio, Cata, and Pedrito again. A church small group with couples our age. Proficiency in playing the guitar.

27) What did you want and not get?
Answers. A coffee bean grinder. Cute brown shoes.

28) What was your favorite film of this year?
Cloverfield. And, Dark Knight didn't suck.

29) What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 31, and our friends just happened to already have a pizza and game night planned ("Things"). The next night, Molly and Gary cooked me a gourmet birthday dinner.

30) Which celebrity/public figure did you like the most?
I am just fascinated with Angelina Jolie. She is fierce!

31) How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Learning to love layering. And, wearing out my favorite pair of jeans.

32) What kept you sane?
My triad. I have been blessed with two wonderful godly women that I met with weekly to talk and pray with. They've encouraged me through some rough times.

33) Who did you miss?
A high school friend that stopped returning my calls. I miss her.

34) Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Sometimes you have to let a part of yourself die in order to keep another alive.

35) What did you gain this year?
Good memories with new friends, especially involving travel, tri-tip, and Settlers of Catan!

36) What did you lose this year?
My understanding of my life.

37) Who was the best new person you met?
Eric & Yvette (I just can't separate them). I love who they are as people, I am grateful for their friendship, and I can't wait to get to know them even better.

38) Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
I cried out with no reply
and I can't feel you by my side
so I'll hold tight to what I know
You're here, and I'm never alone

Here’s to ‘09…