Mari Isaacson

As I reflect on 2009, I must admit it was definitely a year to remember!!! let me share some of the highlights with you.

In Austria we had more snow than we have had for a long while. Furthermore, it stayed the entire winter. That too is an unusual occurrence. I think God did it just for me seeing as I love snow so much. Seeing it was my last winter in Austria. I loved it!!!

I got to spend a few days in Venice with one of my co-worker friends. It was awesome. It was something I had been wanting to do for years, but couldn’t find anyone to do it with. Then out of the blue, Margit suggested we do it before I leave. So, there you have it! God is good!

Everyone has a birthday once a year… but how many people get to celebrate the BIG 50 on Easter Sunday. What an awesome privilege!!!

When it comes to packing for a vacation it might be difficult knowing what to take, but how do you pack when you are not only moving out of your present home, but also out of the country? It was a big chore deciding what to keep, what to sell, what to give away and what to throw away! I am very grateful for the help. My church even had an action for some of my stuff. It was quite an event!

Taking a boat trip on Woertersee in Kaernten is something I have always wanted to do. Well, it ended up being one of my birthday presents from some dear friends. We made a day of it and had lots of fun. Ha, we even experienced a real dozy of a storm on the last leg (hour) of our trip. Making memories!

How do you say goodbye to co-workers, dear friends, dear places, dear things (my kitties), then children in the different clubs… all after 19 years. Believe me, it was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. Infact, I believe I started the mourning process already a few months ahead. Out of the blue, I would break down in tears… sometimes alone, but mostly while in church or during some activity with friends. I definitely left part of my heart in Austria!

Then there was the actual leaving Austria. Something I never thought I really would do. Something I prolonged as long as I could. Sigh.

Then there was vacation with Tabea Eggeler in Canada and the US. I was so very grateful that I didn’t leave Austria alone. The three weeks with her were a blast!

Meeting my future boss and a new co-worker in Alberta was a blessing. The other two workers I was already acquainted with from times of furlough spent in Alberta.

Our sister get-to-gether on Orcas Island for a few days. Tabea was there for that as well and fit right in. It was so much fun getting together with my sisters. Something that only happened once before the entire time I was in Austria.

In all the years I have been with CEF, this was the first time I spent a whole month in Warrenton, MO. It was great.

Sharon and I took our traditional trip to Branson and stayed with friends there. We really got to see a lot this time around. The highlight was going to see the Titanic museum. I was glad I was one of the survivors!!!

I had never heard of Stream-cleaning, let alone be apart of such a crew. Therefore I jumped at the opportunity to do it in MO. What an experience. You wouldn’t believe all the crazy things we pulled out of the river and transported in/on our canoes… it’s amazing some of our canoes didn’t sink! What fun!

Spending a few days in Georgia with a dear friend was a real blessing as well. We went contra dancing which was a first for me. Contra dancing is like folk/country dancing… it has it’s own style. We got our exercise that night!

Being in Arizona for the first time was quite an adventure. It included a trip to an Indian school where I was about to challenge the children about missions. Then we got to spend a few hours at the Grand Canyon! Wow. It was spectacular!

I spent more time with family in 2009 than I have with them in almost all the years I have been in Austria! I am so very grateful for my family. Thank you, Lord!

Learning how to blog has been a great challenge of 2009! I am still getting the hang of it!

Then seeing supporters and friends I have not seen in a very long time was a real blessing. There was the joy of seeing other supporters and friends who I usually see each furlough as well. I am so very grateful for each one! I wouldn’t be where I am today without them!

Being a part of the Missions Conference at my folks church in Moses Lake was a real blessing.

For the first time in a very long time I was able to spend two whole weeks at my home church in Edmonds. It was fantastic! This church has seen me thru thick and thin and I am eternally grateful to them!!

I had the privilege of going to the play, “Pride and Prejudice”. It’s one of my favorite stories. It was great.

Being given a trip to Disneyland (hotel and entrance fees for 3 days) by a friend I haven’t seen in 21 years was two wammies in one! I didn’t know Disneyland could be so much fun. It really depends on who you go with. Thank you Bry. It was special.

Jury Duty has always intrigued me. But it’s something I never really thought I would be chosen for. Well, I was called but not chosen since I am not nor ever was a resident of the city in which I was called. Sigh. I couldn’t have done it anyways since I had speaking engagements during that time and wasn’t even in the appointed county. Well, let me rephrase… I am glad I didn’t have to cancel those important meetings.

I got to be in the Christmas program at my parents church. I was even an angel. What a privilege to be a part of that. I was indeed greatly blessed!

Christmas with family for the first time in years was definitely a major highlight. It was awesome. Thank you, Lord.

To end the year, one of my sisters had a Murder Mystery Party and I was invited. What a riot! The theme was oriental so we dressed accordingly. What an evening! It was a crazy group and we had lots of fun. My character was NOT the one who done it!

To top the evening/year off… or welcome in the New Year, we watched over an hour of fireworks. Everyone brought more than enough. Jim made a great bonfire which helped us keep warm. The fireworks and fellowship was great.

Well, these are the major highlights. God has done some pretty awesome things this year. I am so grateful He has used me to speak to many this year about Him. Thank you too for your encouragement in my life. You have made my year much richer!!

Happy 2010!… can you believe it, only 11 months till Christmas!?!?!