HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I look back over this year, and I have SO much for which to be Thankful: God's grace, the Bible, my husband, residency, a warm and cozy house, and most recently-GYC. We just got back from GYC (General Youth Conference).

GYC was a conference for about 5,000 Seventh-day Adventist young people from all around the United States and Canada. We converged at the Baltimore Convention center December 28-December 31.

Wow, wow, wow... I can't describe how incredible this event was. Every speaker was inspiring. Break out sessions included topics such as Religious liberty, Truth in the Crossfire (a thoughtful look at the "mistakes" in the Bible), Prophecy (the accurate fulfilment of prophecies in Daniel and Revelation), Biblical courtship, Biblical morality, and many more seminars I can't even begin to remember. David Asscherick was the evening speaker. My two favorite messages were "because of them that sat" a thoughtful look at why Herod murdered John the Baptist and "Eyes wide shut" which dealt with viewing the world through God's eyes instead of our eyes. I especially was touched by this talk. He reminded us that we are to look at every single person as someone whom God loves and expects us to love as well. This isn't always easy as this includes even our enemies: those people who don't like us. Anyhow, I've included some pictures from the event. Next year it will be in Minnesota, you'd better not miss it!

After it ended, New Year's Eve, we drove down to Washington, DC to pay our regards to the late President Ford. That was a once in a lifetime opportunity. We weren't allowed to take pictures, but I got a picture of the Washington Monument to prove I was there!

We flew back today. It was depressing to have to leave all our friends behind. Come visit us! We miss you all!!!

Love, Rachel