I Took a Four Month "Blog-Sabbatical "

Okay, so my blogging prowess seemed to come to an end, but I never fear....I am back! I can't guarantee this will last more than one entry, but I will assure you with a pseudo-sincerity that I will be a blogging champion in 2010! Tiffany has assured me that blogging is extremely important, and that she will at least read these entries.

My, my, my. 2009 has already come and gone, and not only is this a new year, but this is a new DECADE. Can you believe it? It seems like yesterday we were stocking away food in the fear of Y2K. Just kidding. To think that I was eleven when that year began is surreal. The worries and responsibilities that seemed so important at the time now seem so trivial, but this must continue to occur as we grow and mature. I look back and remember the good and bad, but the good truly shines more brightly. And in the words of America's most popular rapper, Kanye West, "th- that don't kill me, can only make me stronger." I graduated both middle school and high school, and began and experienced most of college. I've grown in many ways, and sometimes it takes something like the turning of a decade to simply reflect on this growth.

I committed my life to God when I was fourteen, and the journey of my relationship with him has been exactly that: a journey. A journey is often accompanied by good weather, and easy paths, but there is also the poor weather and hard times. This journey has been the same. I can honestly look back and say that I cannot live my life without the strength and peace that God provides me, and I thank him every day not only for my life, but his ordained purpose. This purpose gives me a feeling of significance not to men, but to his kingdom--there is no greater feeling. When I was fourteen, I wasn't completely sure of what I was doing, but I did know that I was doing the right thing. I knew that God had a calling for me and that his spirit was going to be my ultimate guide, rather than my own flesh. I began to seek God as a father, a comforter, and a source of boldness, power, strength, and joy. I'll never forget when I was seventeen years old, and I walked down to an alter call where the speaker uttered over me that "This is the last time. You will never pray for the struggle of lordship in your life again. The plateau you have found yourself on is removed, and you will continue forward from here on." I wrote it down, because I never wanted to forget it. I never wanted to forget the night that I told God that nothing would come before him ever again. Have I been perfect since then? Most certainly not. But, I can say that I'm somehow continuously reminded through circumstance and grace where my priorities lie. Where I seem to knock myself back two steps, God's mercy carries me three steps forward. When I was twenty years old, I dedicated myself to forsaking fear and unlocking my own purpose and potential. As a seed, I wanted to begin to grow and mature into the fruitful being that I have the potential to be. We are constantly underestimate ourselves, and in essence are underestimating God, who gives us the ability to do all things through him. This I am admittedly still working on, but am excited the decade where I will see when I accomplished this next step in my journey. I would love to continue to reach new places of righteousness and answer the call to be holy as he is holy. Gotta get my Proverbs 31 woman on!

As we look back to where we were ten years ago, isn't it fun to imagine all the things that are to come? Besides exciting, also slightly scary. haha. We know that hard times are coming as well as big decisions, but I feel as if some of the greatest moments in my life will happen in this coming decade. I do feel on the cusp of many changes, but what they will be, I'm not completely sure! Where do I want to see myself in ten years? I want to be a sanctified vessel, ready and willing to be used by Christ. In this, I know I will be happy. I think too often we identify our careers being "what we do" as the definition of our lives. The truth is, no matter "what we're doing" most important is how we're doing it. No matter "What I'm doing," I want to love people and identify myself through Christ. I want to be compassionate and have an impact on others. I want to love people that simply just need it, no matter what the reason. I hope at the end of the decade that I've seen a lot more of the world, and traveled as much as possible!! I want to submerge myself in cultures and see different and beautiful things. I would hope to be married by the next decade! I know those of you who know me well enough just probably fell off of your chairs, but yes, always single Erin sees herself getting married in the next decade, and who knows...maybe even having like 24 or 25 kids! (Just kidding...no double digit kids) I guess this new decade has worn away some of my love cynicism and I'm finally realizing that having a best friend who you can mutually share passions, goals, support, and pretty much life with can truly be a great thing. Don't tell anyone I said that though. I would love to look back at the end of the next decade and smile as big as I do this one. I want to still have a cohesive and unbelievable family whom I love more than words can describe. I hope that I've kept some of the amazing friendships that I have developed in this decade, and that their even stronger at end of the next one. I don't want to be fat at the end of next decade. Excuse my vanity.

This has been far too long, but it's two decades all in one blog! (Or at least the past four months) All in all, I want to keep my perspective BIG picture, but take it one step at a time. Let's become our greatest selves in this next decade and continue to give thanks to the one who provides the gift of time and life!

Love you all,

Erin Glynn