2010 Reflect

Where did 2010 go?! Seriously, I cannot believe we're closing the chapter on another year!!

As I sat back to reflect on 2010, I looked at the amazing things that have happened in my life and the life of the site:

We paid off our family debt – HOORAY!

I visited LA again and packed backpacks full of food, visited an actual TV set! All of this was part of ConAgra's campaign to end child hunger!

I got to interview Mandisa during Women of Faith! That was an awesome weekend with good friends!

T and I visited the DR with World Vision! I still hear God speak, and see Him work, as a result of our experience!

I changed the site name and now work with a team who help publish content. Yay for me gaining some “normalcy” again!

I added the first two hyperlocal sites to the Savings Lifestyle Network, Cincinnati and Dayton.

I co-founded Savvy Blogging and work with some amazing women. We held the Savvy Blogging Summit in July (despite controversy – we're stronger for it!). We're doing it again in July, 2011 too!

I co-founded My Coupon Database, (with more amazing women) a database to help bloggers monetize and offer a resource for their readers. I'm proud of what it has become, and eager to see our vision come to life!

I got to process boxes for Operation Christmas Child! After sending our own shoeboxes for 5 years, it was so cool to participate in that way!

Yeah, it's been a pretty amazing year! No wonder I'm tired and took December to sleep and focus on my family!

I would be lying if I said it was all amazing. There's actually been some not so amazing stuff this year I've dealt with on the personal front and business/blog front. Most of it was just disappointment. Through it all, grace has been prominent on the receiving and giving end. I can't tell you how many books I've read on the topic this year! Let me know if you ever need some suggestions – HA!

God has shown me a lot this year. It took a lot to hear His voice because of my own stubbornness and pride.  He has taught me several lessons that, quite frankly, hurt by going through them.  In the grand scheme of things, the suckish part was a smaller part in all of it. And, is truly nothing compared to what most of you deal with on a daily basis.

Despite the pain and bruised ego, I'm thankful for going through each trial and challenge – I'm thankful for God's grace! I'll never be perfect and never will this side of Heaven. During life's “storms” it's hard to understand the “why” in it all. Life continues to happen even though it just sorta sucks. Having gone through this last year, it's clear what I was supposed to learn despite the “suckiness” of it all. I'm still learning. Please remember that if you ever have one of those “suckish” days…or years too :)

Overall, 2010 was a year of growth and awakening in many, many ways. As I finish up my 2011 personal goals and site/business goals, I am really focusing on what I can control. And, I intend to do it with humor, joy and “the old Andrea” back doing all of it. I'll share those goals on another day.

For now, thanks for sharing 2010 with me!