Lessons from 2008, Hope for 2009

The year 2008 has been one Joe&Tina are happy to put behind them. From the long wait on a decision from Crusade to hip surgery to the long series of waiting/trials/junk that happened over the summer and fall to the process of trying to sell the house and move to Minneapolis....it's all memories best left in the past as we look forward to a fresh start in 2009. Some lessons we learned:

• God doesn't send memos. Prayer, no matter how much you do, does not result in God detailing his plan in writing, complete with a timeline and a helpful list of steps to complete. Faith requires hope of things not seen -- and a willingness to keep walking forward even if you have no idea where you're going.
• God's timing and mine are different. But, I can take heart in the verse from 2 Peter 3:8-9, that "with the Lord a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness."
• God has a plan, as He promises in Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."
• We have to be careful in our words and actions, being self-controlled, acting in love, kindness, and all the other fruits of the Spirit.

There's more that we learned, I'm sure, but we are ready to look forward to 2009, instead of looking back at the past. The things we are hoping for 2009:

• We would like for Joe's job at Youthworks to continue to go well, and for Joe to have safety and productivity as he travels from Minneapolis to his ministry sites in Colorado, California, Nevada, Arizona and Wyoming.
• After Joe finishes the summer of 100% travel, we would like to start the adoption process. We will need to have a successful home-study and would love to work with a caseworker who is a Christian. For now, we are praying for our children, wherever they are.
• We want Tina to find a job that (a) pays enough for us to do more than just get by, instead allowing us to become financially free; (b) that either allows Joe to take seminary/graduate level classes or opens a door for Tina to do a job that will be truly satisfying for the future.
• Joe&Tina would like to become comfortable in Minneapolis, finding a church "home" and some new friends.
• Joe&Tina are also conscious that it takes work to maintain friendships, especially when friends are far away. In 2009, we plan to be intentional to spend time with our friends and loved ones back home.

Hopefully, 2009 will be a year of blessing, prosperity (in ministry, spiritual growth, and friendships), financial freedom, love, hope, and joy. Happy New Year!