Sometimes the rain comes, but the sun is not far my friends

So, I haven't updated my blog much lately, even though there has been quite a lot going on. This is because although a lot of the stuff has been great (being with friends, Christmas with family, shopping, great things happening at work...), a lot of not so great things have been happening too. A lot of things that are building up to knock me down and humble me, and make me stronger. A lot of things I would rather not share here. I will say though, that every time I have sat down to write a blog post it has come out desperate or depressing, or both. It's just one of those seasons for me, friends. And as hard as it is, I will rejoice when I have these struggles, because it builds character & perserverence (according to an excerpt from my favorite book of all time - ask me about it if you'd like!). But please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I walk through this challenging time. I also want to invite you to join me in welcoming the new year. My wish is that we all look to the New Year to improve something. To make a change. To take a step. To reach a goal. The promise of a new year is similar to a cleansing. Let us all look toward 2010 as a way of cleansing ourselves from the things that have brought us down, the things that have proved a struggle for us, and the things that we can learn from and use to grow.

I leave this wish for you, and also lend some words for anyone who is finding themselves in that valley like I am, where the rain just keeps beating you down. You will rise to the mountain, and maybe next year is the year that you do it.

Even though the journey's long
And I know the road is hard
Well, the One who's gone before me
He will help me carry on
After all that I've been through
Now I realize the truth
That I must go through the valley
To stand upon the mountain of God

As I travel on the road
That You have lead me down
You are here with me
Yes, You are here with me
I have need for nothing more
Oh, now that I have found
That You are here with me
Yes, You are here with me

I confess from time to time
I lose my way
But You are always there
To bring me back again

Sometimes I think of where it is I've come from
And the things I've left behind
But of all I've had, what I possessed
Nothing can quite compare
With what's in front of me
With what's in front of me