Yes, that’s right. It is 2am! What am I doing still up?? Good question. I stayed home sick today because well…I am sick. Horrible cold and stuff coming out of my nose. Not fun. BUT I did stay in bed till about 1:30 this afternoon. It was GLORIOUS!! I’ve never done that and my body needed me to stay home. I had such a fight with myself on whether or not I should stay home from work. I woke up at 6:30 this morning, went to the bathroom and felt like dirt. I debated on whether or not it would be ok to stay home today. Here were my thoughts: “There’s much to be done at work. I have to get this to that person. I have to contact someone about a clinic next week. My boss needs me. I want to show I’m dependable. BUT, I really really really don’t want to walk to work in the cold. I think if I step outside in this, I will get much worse. Will Kim think I’m a horrible employee if I stay home because I’m sick? Ok, I’ll call in. No, hang up. Don’t do it. Show her your tough and you can handle this. But then again, it’s not a sin to use one of your sick days that you have. I mean, that’s what they are there for right? When your sick, you can stay home. Ok, just call…”
And call I did. Though I it took me a while. I called. I’m glad I did. I needed the rest and to stay inside. It get bitter cold here. I think my blood has thinned out from being in Florida for 3 years.
So, here’s the point to my blog. I’m a sentimental girl. Really, I am. I appreciate thoughtfulness so much. I love memories and love to make memories. So in the picture at the top, you will see the many important events or memories I had in the year 2009. I like to keep it fresh every year. There are a bunch of baseball tickets, ballet tickets, inaugural ball tickets, pictures of dear friends, NYC subway tickets, wedding invitation to friends and my first wedding I shot, my 10-miler Cherry Blossom race bib, and so much more. I like to keep these things to remind me where God has taken me and how he graciously provided for me and brought me through, what I think, are trials and troubles.
This was the baseball ticket to my FIRST Red Sox game against the Nats!! My brother came with me that night and it was super fun to be there with all the other Red Sox fans. I think we out numbered the Nats fans, which is said because it was in the National’s stadium. Someday, I’ll make it to Fenway.
This was the ticket for the Presidential Inauguration Ball that Mike took me to. It was super fun to dress up and be somewhere fancy. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and was happy to share that memory with Mike. The Metro Fare card below is was from my roommates and I trip to NYC for New Years. Ryan, Suzanne, Michelle, and I all took the bus up to NYC for New Years Eve. I had never done it before and honestly probably won’t ever do it again. It was the COLDEST night of the year. We didn’t even see the ball because we were like a block or two away. It was a great memory, but probably won’t do it again. 
Ok, I do have to admit. This one is probably my favorite. I like this one the most probably because I worked really hard for it, and it’s like I accomplished something I never thought I would. Of course, all by the grace of God because all good things come from him. I made the Dean’s List my last semester at Liberty!!!!! I was floored when I found out! I had NEVER made the Dean’s list. I mean, the last time I made the honor role, I think I was in second grade. I just don’t do well in school…well, I did actually do really well at Liberty. I did really well on writing papers…it’s just that darn Math. It’ll always come back to haunt me. Mrs. Alexander, if you’re reading this…can you believe it??? That senior high girl who used to sit in the back of your history class NOT paying attention actually made the Dean’s list!! Woot!!!
This blue bib was from my 10 miler Cherry Blossom race in April. I didn’t do as well as I did last year, but just happy I could run it. My time last year was an hour and 25 minutes. This year it was an hour and 40 minutes. Yikes! I’m determined to get a better time this year. Maybe someday, I’ll run a real marathon. I remember that day though. It was an absolutely gorgeous Sunday. The sky was perfectly blue and the air was a perfect temperature. I remember the announcer told a little bit about our course we were going on and he said once we got to the Potomac River around Haynes Point, we would be under a canopy of pink. He was right! It was so pretty. I would’ve stopped to smell the flowers, but I mean, I was in a race. There’s no stopping in a race. But I thoroughly enjoyed the pink canopy I ran under.
Just another baseball ticket. I love baseball games! Probably one of my favorite past times during the summer. I went home in July to see my parents and we were able to go to a Tiger’s game. I hadn’t been to a Tiger’s game since I was really little so it was fun to be there again. This is also when I learned about my parents up bringing in the depths of Detroit. When I explain where I’m from to my friends, I tell them that I’m right outside Detroit so I’m part ghetto. Now that I know my parents actually lived in the heart of Detroit, my part-ghettoness is actually true!!
Lastly, I keep little encouraging notes from friends. This one was from my former roommate, Meredith. I tried to focus on the phrase “God has for you this year.” I like that it’s the beginning of 2010, and I can look back on that phrase and think about all that God had for me in the year 2009. Not only did he allow me to do such fun things and meet fun people and be a part of a fun city, but he gently sanctified me. He graciously provided for me with a job and finishing school. He led me to decisions where he will be most glorified no matter what I think.
I’m excited to see what God will teach me in the year 2010. I took down the memories on my bulletin board tonight, and I put up my first memory of 2010. It’s a coffee sleeve to the coffee shop where I had my first date with Brian. Though, it’s not the one from that date, it’s from the place. It didn’t dawn on me to keep it at that time. I was too flustered and excited about the person I was talking to.
I’m sure more sanctification will happen. I’m sure God will gently lead and guide me. I’m sure he’ll graciously provide. Even if he doesn’t he’ll still show me that his glory is what matters. Though as a child of a King, he will not let his children down. I’m thankful I serve a faithful, loving God who pursues and desires me.
