Wow! It is hard to believe another year has gone by so quickly. 2008 was all in all a good year personally. Socially–bankrupties were up, home forclosures were up, the banks required a bailout, the auto industry nearly collapse, the stock market drastically fell, gas was over $4.00 and now back down to a $1.50, factories are closing, unemployment is high, crime is up. So how do we see hope in such bleakness? Well first, God is with us. We aren’t going through this alone. This is also an opportunity for us to re-evaluate our priorities. I am as guilty (if not more so) of getting caught up in a booming economy. But when it comes down to it, family is a beautiful gift that we have received and we need to take time to enjoy each other. We need to remember the simple pleasures of life again and reconnect, build relationships. So as we start a new year, what a wonderful time to set new goals.