2009 did not turn out like I expected.  In looking back at 12 months ago, I am not exactly sure what I anticipated that the year would bring.  I think I probably had some grandiose plans in December of 2008 for the upcoming year. I think I probably made a list of New Year’s Resolutions, but I am not doing that this year.  Life is too unpredictabe for resolutions!   I am going to cast them aside this year.  2009 brought a plethora of unexpected events.

The first few months of  the year were challenging and disappointing.  I attended the swearing in ceremony of newly elected Hood County Sheriff Roger Deeds shortly after midnight on January 1st.  He was quickly indoctrinated into the realities of his position.  He called on me to assist the Hood County Sheriff’s  Dept. with a couple of very tragic and unexpected traumatic events early in January. One of those calls for service involved the FBI. That was a first for me!  During that same period it seemed that we were having more than our share of funerals at church.  In February, we made the decision to cancel a medical mission trip to Northern Mexico due to drug-related border violence.  In spite of all of these trying circumstances, the addition of Roger to the law enforcement team in Hood County has been a great blessing

As spring approached, it became evident that the we would have sufficient funds at church to begin construction on a community service center.  The idea of a service center that could fill a variety of needs started began early in 2006. A talented engineer at church spent countless hours drawing and editing building plans.  After a special contribution for the sevice center, we were still short on the funds needed to construct our dream building.  One contributor made a commitment to the project that put us precisely where we needed to be in terms of funding.   The remainder of the spring and all of the summer was spent drawing plans, conducting water studies, and fulfilling other pre-construction requirements.  It was far more involved than I ever dreamed!  It was a test of our patience, but worth it in the end. Framing began in the fall.  As 2009 ends, we are ready to begin roofing and brick work anytime.  Even though we had been dreaming about the existence of a Christian Service Center for over 3 years, it was still an unexpected blessing to see the walls actually go up in the fall.

2009 was a time to renew old friendships.   A close friend from junior high lost his dad early in September. I had not seen him since 1981, but decided I needed to attend his father’s funeral in Lubbock.  I am glad that I did. It turned out to be an important trip.  The funeral trip prompted me to start digging around on Facebook to see who else I might need to reunite with.  I ended up corresponding with several friends that I had not seen since 1975.  That initial correspondence led to a trip to Wisconsin early in November and a visit to Round Rock, Texas in December.  The entire experience was an unexpected blessing.

In October of this year, I officiated at Staci Walker’s wedding in Woodward, OK.  Staci and her family have been dear friends for almost 12 years.  I walked away from her wedding realizing that kids really do grow up and become responsible.  I feel certain Staci’s dad had his doubts about her a time or two… 🙂 🙂  We were blessed by longstanding friendships over that weekend in October. 

The fall also brought the opportunity to conduct one of  the most successful medical mission trips I have been involved in over the course of 13 years . Our dentists were able to make use of portable labs for the first time. We were fortunate enough to have two medical doctors on the team.  After a false start in February, it was indeed an unexpected blessing.

My children matured this year.  Randall continued to excel in college.  He started his junior year in August. Daniel had a good season on the debate team, and did very well on  his college entrance exams.  Mitchell furthered his political career by being elected to the student council.  I learn new things from my children every day. They are indeed a blessing.

There are many other events that took place that I am not mentioning here that are of great significance.  I am not making any grandiose plans as 2009 comes to an end.  I have not even formualated any New Year’s Resolutions. I feel compelled to pursue one train of thought.  I am determined to get up every day in 2010 and embrace it.  Capture the day.  I feel compelled to accept each day for what it brings.  I don’t want to be guilty of complaining or whining.  Contentment is the key word for 2010.  Contentment – one day at a time…
I recognize that these are not very original thoughts, but they seem really important.  And they sound an awful lot like New Year’s Resolutions…