Best year ever? I think so.

Here is what happened in my life in 2009. Some are important, some are minute. All in all, it made up my year!

I turned 20!

Okay, still not super important. But I spent an evening with my mom and Lydia and Jason Mraz. And this time he didn't get sick... so maybe it is a pretty big deal =)

My very best friend and roommate got married! I only lost her as a roommate though. This year marks the first full year of our friendship. I couldn't be more thankful or happy that she is my best friend. God worked a pretty big miracle when putting us together as roommates. It took a lot of unfortunate incidents and awkward moments for it to happen, but he knew what he was doing. We just didn't know that he was giving us our best friend in the process!

This whole next section will be Cambodia. But within my trip I accomplished a lot of different things.

I road a boat down a river for six hours. This allowed me to see a side of Cambodia that I would not have seen otherwise. There are tons of people who live on boats, or in their hut type houses right on the river. Even rural America does not compare to rural Cambodia. It was amazing to see how these people live, especially knowing that this is just a way of life to them. It was pretty cool.

This one is big for me. I got to visit Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is one of the most amazing man-made things left on this earth. It was incredible to walk the stone where so many people have walked. Just knowing that this is what Cambodia is proud of as a culture was quite humbling. But it was also kind of sad. It was filled with Buddha. It was also sad to see how much value they put in an ancient structure. Angkor Wat is a place of worship to a god I don't worship. In that sense, it was rough. But as I walked through, I prayed. I prayed for the Khmer people who are worshipping a structure and a god that isn't the true God.

Regardless, it was still an amazing day that I will never forget.

I also got to visit Ta Prohm. This is a pretty famous temple. I was really wanting to see it because of the intense tree's that crawl all over the temple walls. It was amazing. Once again, something I will never forget.

I rode an elephant. Up a mountain. Okay. I am glad I did it, but NEVER again. So scary. Thank goodness for an awesome friend who kept me calm. (Thanks Malia!!)

I learned to love 200ish kids who weren't exactly begging me to love them. I did this while being physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted. And it was one of the best lessons I have ever learned.

I met one of the strongest, smartest, passionate, and loving people I have ever met. Without Malia, my trip would have been completely different. She took care of me from the moment I arrived at LAX til the moment I left LAX two weeks later. Not only did she take care of me, we bonded. She was my roommate for the longest and hardest (but best) portion of the trip. Seriously, Malia had a huge influence on me and still does today. She is one of those friends that I think will last a long time, even though she lives all the way in Seattle.

I can't show you pictures for the 2nd biggest thing that has happened to me this year. My two little sisters changed my life completely. They taught me more about love than I ever thought I could learn from two girls that don't speak my language. They taught me more about life, justice, joy, and freedom than I ever thought I could learn. I miss them wholeheartedly. Not a day goes by I don't think of them. Not a day goes by that I don't long to be with them. Malia told me at the beginning of the trip that when I come home I might not feel whole. That wholeness might not come back until I am at Rapha House. I understand what she means. While I don't feel it's God's calling on my life to live in Cambodia, those girls have a piece of my heart. It's a piece I want them to keep so in case they ever doubt it, they will always feel love. When they think of me I hope they think of how often I hugged them and told them I loved them. I hope they remember me telling them how beautiful they are(beautiful being one of the few words I actually learned). I hope they look at my picture and remember how much I care for them and miss them.

Cambodia as a whole changed my life. I am so glad I had the opportunity to see another culture and learn more about how God's love is meant for all people. I am glad I had the opportunity to spend time with Christians in Cambodia who are trying to give hope to a country that has very little have hope in. It's a place that needs so much prayer and support. Cambodia will forever have a place in my heart.

Okay, next!

I spent a week with my favorite high school students! Not only this, I spent my first week at a camp other than Cyokamo... and I didn't die! Imagine that! This year also marks the first year of being more involved with College Heights High School ministry. I started investing more and became a d-group leader. It's been an awesome experience. And here is the most awesome family group ever: Tyler's Lane.

And incase I haven't said it enough- I got engaged. Not only do I have a new beautiful ring to show for it- but I can finally start planning! And I don't mean my wedding (although, I am planning that). I am finally planning my life with Tyler. It's so awesome. It's awesome to finally have that confirmation that we will be sharing our lives together. Tyler and I have had so many ups and downs. We have been friends for so long. Without the friendship and the crazy good and bad things that have happened with us, we would not have been ready to be together for good. But we have worked through every challenge we have faced. We have celebrated things, enjoyed when our relationship was easy, took care of each other when either one of us was down, and most of all loved each other no matter what came up. I wish I could go in to detail about all of the hardships we have overcome and all of the amazing things that have happened for us in the past year, but I won't. I am so excited to start sharing my life with Tyler. I am so lucky and so thankful!

I told Tyler tonight that my New Year's Resolution is to get married. I know, I think I am pretty funny too. I have never really made a resolution, and I don't think I'll start this year. But know this, even though 2009 was incredible and I had a pretty life changing year, I know that God has great things in store for 2010. I am so ready for this year to start!

Happy New Year! I hope 2009 was one worth remembering. If not, here's your chance to make 2010 a good one!