A Year in Review: 2010 (very briefly)

January: Was spent entirely in Chiang Mai, Thailand. My parents came. Zoe Mei Alford was born on January 25th. It was a difficult c-section, an incredibly difficult recovery, and an extremely difficult transition for big sister Bailey, but of course, all was worth it. We can't imagine life without our sweet pea Zoe.

February: We returned to China on February 14th, which was Chinese New Year, my 29th birthday, and of course Valentine's Day. Chris was already traveling and prepping for our up and coming project at Chicago Coffee.

Throughout the spring Chris traveled and we launched our Yunnan Hope project working with the coffee farmers in Mengding. This was a huge event- still is- and we're so excited about all the opportunities to help improve these farmer's lives.

In May in June we hosted an awesome team of students from Grace University in Omaha. Sue, Katie, and Micah were also able to come.

Sue and Katie accompanied the girls and me back to the states for a three month break. It was awesome to get to spend some time in the States with family, but horribly hard to be away from Chris for that long. The summer was a blur of activity, and Chris was able to join us at the end. While we were in the USA Chris planted 4,000 coffee trees in Mengding. There were many challenges over the summer, but as always, the Lord was faithful.

With our return to Kunming, we immediately started brain storming ways to improve the coffee shop which eventually led to our opening our restaurant within Chicago Coffee. So... we did on December 18th.

2010 was an incredibly difficult year on many levels. I've never cried so much or so hard, felt so lost, felt so hurt, been so challenged, and been so assured of God's faithfulness in my life. I am looking forward to what 2011 has in store. I am so thankful that God's mercies are new every morning (not just the new year).

Happy new year to you! I hope you have a wonderful 2011.