(I wrote this a couple of days ago and just found internet access to get it to you)

Everyone all across the blogosphere is blogging about the new year. New years parties, new years resolutions, reflections on 2009, hopes for 2010. Some are funny, some are inspiring, some are silly, some are cliche, some are brilliant. If you read any amount of blogs then surely you have already read a hundred posts about new years. I debated skipping this post and going straight into January 2nd with normal content about whatever it is i’m doing (which at the moment is flying at 33,000 feet over middle America).

But, alas, i’m giving into the topic of the day: New Years.

I don’t have a resolution yet, i don’t even have anything brilliant to say about what i hope to do in 2010. God has given me so much in 2009 and this past year changed me in ways that i’ll remember forever. As i glance back to 2009 there are memories burned so deep within me that i know this has been a momentous year of learning, growing, seeing, soaking, and enjoying.

Many of you know that i had the privilege of traveling fairly extensively during 2009. Everywhere i went i heard a roar, an anthem, that makes much of our great God. If there’s anything worth looking back on in 2009 then we should look back on these cities around the world and once again listen carefully for the roar of hope that is rising from these cities:   

Beijing, China
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Hong Kong, China
Chengdu, China
Vientiane, Laos
Auburn, AL
Louisville, KY
Birmingham, AL
Montgomery, AL
Atlanta, GA
Niceville, FL
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Nanchang, China
Taiyuan, China
Changchun, China
Hohhot, Inner Mongolia
Phoenix, AZ
San Diego, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Fort Collins, CO
St. Louis, MO

And the many places in between where i saw and met amazing people doing amazing things. In all of these cities there are people who are some of the most hospitable, graceful, and kind people i have ever met. To all of you, all across the world, thank you for a remarkable year. I’m looking forward to seeing more of you and seeing more of the world in 2010.

Your friend,
Biscuet