2021 Is Coming

 At the end of 2019 I chose the word Stand to be my word for 2020 with my final thought being "I want to be found standing in 2020". I thought it would be a year of resting; of getting our feet under us and preparing to move forward.

 I was oh so wrong. It was a year of constantly adjusting and readjusting to what seemed like constant challenges and ever changing situations. Covid came and closed our foster care license. Nathalie and Rachel moved back home. Samantha moved to Kansas. We were presented an opportunity to be house parents in Alabama. And then that was retracted. 

2020 had more curveballs than a world series, but I am still standing. I rolled with the punches and found allies who stood with me. True friends who wouldn't tell me what I wanted to hear, but spoke the truth with grace and love. I found again the grace God has for all of us and the balanced perspective that that grace gives. Too many years of being told that I had to do more to earn God's favor and love were replaced with the understanding that because of who I am (His child),  I am already favored by Him. He favors me because He knows me, not because I behave perfectly all the time. And because I gained this inner balance, I was able to stand strong when everything around me seemed unbalanced.

My word for 2021 is "BEHOLD". 

In the King James Version of the Bible, “behold” is used as the translation of the Hebrew word "hinneh" in the Old Testament and the Greek word "idou" in the New Testament. There is no word in English which conveys perfectly what these words communicate. They might be defined as “Pay careful attention to what is to follow; it is very important!” It is an imperative command to pay attention. To behold something is to focus your attention upon it. I want to remember in 2021 to be alert to how God is moving, directing , and leading me. 

Webster's dictionary defines behold as "to perceive through sight or apprehension" and "to gaze upon" or "observe". If I am going to perceive, I need to be observing. This means I need to focus and see the whole picture. I often get tunnel vision and concentrate only on reaching the goal, losing sight of the experiences at hand in the process. God in 2020 certainly slowed me down and I am learning to be in the moment more often. I can make better decisions when I behold the whole picture.

While mulling over this word, it occurred to me that the past tense is BEHELD. I'll take some artistic license with that word and change it to "Be Held". I want to be held by and to hold loved ones. Covid has limited physical interactions and I want to savor each one when they happen.

Being held means being secure. I want to know God's presence and to rest in the knowledge that He holds me in the palm of His hand. In 2021 I want to remember that I am forever held by God's grace and take courage in that knowledge, so I can step in faith whatever direction He leads. 

2021 is a blank slate; wide open with possibilities and challenges. I want to remember to behold the whole picture, pay attention to the scenery, and slow down enough to perceive God's opportunities. I also want to remember that I will always be held by the Creator of the Universe and I can face the future with confidence.

New Year 2020

Last year at this time I wrote:

“For 2019 I am choosing the word ADVENTURE. By definition adventure is "an undertaking usually involving danger and unknown risks." It also means "to proceed despite risk." I want 2019 to be the year that we keep going despite the risks that we can see, and the ones that will surprise us. We want to keep building on who we are, growing better, finding our new purpose, developing new skills and talents, and always seeking God's plan.”

2019 was a year of work. Working to become foster parents. Growing our marriage. Building our new house into our home. Striving to heal from past hurts. Crossing items off our bucket list. Taking chances with ourselves and with others. Clearly, we were busy.

And now we are weary. Work, growth, building, healing, and adventures all take effort. So, I believe our word for 2020 is STAND. Standing can be a defensive or offensive position: stand against something (defensive) or stand up for something (offensive). Stand can also be a cessation of movement or process; neither offensive or defensive, just being still.

Even Jesus grew weary and rested: at the well (John 4:6), in a boat during a storm (Mark 4:38), and on a mountain alone (Matthew 14:23). Jesus maintained his ministry, while still taking time for himself. If the savior of the world can take a rest and stand still, then so can I. Being busy doesn’t make me more spiritual. If I am resting and taking care of my body and mind, it does not mean I am selfish. 

I will stand upon what was built in 2019 and during 2020, I will stand up for myself and stand against what others say I should be doing. I will stand still when I need time alone. 

In 2020 I want to be found standing!

Resolutions

New year, so new resolutions.

Big broad ones:
Spend more time studying the Bible ( and applying it!)
Be better organized.
Take chances and go beyond my comfort zone with my sewing.
Get healthy.

Specific ones:
Walk at least 1 mile every day.
Memorize the book of James.
Go hiking with Sam once per month.
Participate in 3 no spend month challenges.
Simplify and declutter one room per month.
Plan and take 2 big trips this year.

For the specific ones I have added steps to support them. Either writing them in my daily planner (hiking and decluttering) or adding an app to my phone (memorizing James). The first big trip is the end of this month (Grand Canyon!!) and this month is also the first no spend month.

They say writing them down improves the likelihood that you will complete them. Whoever “they” are....

New Year's Resolutions

So it's the second week of January and I am getting around to contemplating and assessing my New Year resolutions. Being only the second week of January, some of them are going better than others.

There are the standard ones: I want to be more faithful in my devotions time, eat healthier, and exercise more.

And then there are the ones that require more thought, more work, more effort. Some of these are subsets of the above resolutions, and others are stand alone.

I want to produce, save, prepare more of our own foods. This requires putting more thought into food shopping and planning ahead. Planning ahead for raising our own meat chickens in the spring (coop, lighting, feed, etc). Researching and learning about using my new dehydrator and vacuum sealer.

I want to eliminate our debt. A college graduation and a wedding this summer are going to make this an extremely difficult task. We don't carry too much debt since we did away with credit cards six years ago, but we do have a few loans and the mortgage that I would like to see gone. I have decided to break this into smaller goals spread out over the next three years. So the goal for this year is to eliminate a small personal loan and cut our camper loan in half. Next year we want to eliminate the camper loan and half of my student loans (yes, I am STILL paying on those!). Then the third year we will finish the student loans and start on our mortgage. Sam retires from the firehouse sometime around 2023 and we really want to be free from all debt by then. This plan requires really cutting back our spending on eating out, groceries, travel, and other extras. GULP!

I want to be more patient. I am so impulsive sometimes and dive into things with little or no forethought. My mouth runs ahead of my head and my heart is often miles ahead of my mouth. My intention is to do good, but in the end I am apologizing, scurrying to get it all done, and just squeaking by with no time to spare. I really want to take time this year to choose my words carefully. I want to choose my actions carefully. I want to take the time to fully enjoy the moments I have without thinking about the next project I have on the agenda.

And so, I have an app on my tablet that is helping me keep up with my Bible reading time. Abby has agreed to go with me to the gym at least two times a week, where she makes me do the weights with her. I do the treadmill/elliptical/bike the other days. I am reading books about food: where it comes from, how it is processed, and what is in it. I am reading books about preserving my own food.

And lastly, but perhaps most importantly, I am praying more. I am finding that as I share my heart with God, He is changing my heart. I pray this leads to perhaps a kinder, gentler person. A person who is living life abundantly in every minute, not anticipating what life might be in five minutes.

It's only week two and my arm muscles are sore, I have missed one day of devotions, I've completed one book about pork production, I have declined two opportunities, but accepted one after some consideration, and I made one extra payment against the personal loan already.
Only 50 more weeks to go....

A New Year

Ahhh, the NEW year. Full of promise. A blank slate. The universal "do-over".

For 2012, I really didn't make a serious resolution. It was more of a vague desire to draw closer to the Lord. Funny how God works those things out in ways we never would have imagined, or desired. I never would have conceived the journey of the past twelve months, and in my human-ness, I still think there could have been an easier way. But God is sovereign and He knows better than I do what would bring about results.

So for 2013, with so much new around here, (kids are in public school, Nathalie applying to college in South Carolina for the fall, my new sewing venture) my resolution is to be more efficient and effective as a wife, mom, and Christian. With new routines and schedules, I need to look at how our household operates and change what doesn't work, or is outdated. So I created this little checklist:

• Compile enough healthy, inexpensive and easy recipes that I have a 10 day dinner menu  and I have the grocery lists to match. Also include lists for school lunch items.

• Weed out the clutter and get rid of it by gifting, Freecycle, or Goodwill. Forget about waiting for a tag sale, the kids and Sam find the stash and start removing items. 

• Create a weekly schedule with time set aside for housework, sewing, library time, and Bible study.

• Get our budget nailed down and stick to it! 

• Establish a Will, change beneficiary on life insurance policies, etc. 

• Start exercising regularly. The goal is to be healthier and lose another 20 pounds this year. (I'm down eight pounds since Thanksgiving!)

• Go through the "hard copy" photos from 2012 and create a photo album. Go through the digital photos on my hard drive and cull. Back up the remaining photos. Finish the 2012 Christmas album on Snapfish.

• Create a monthly Game Night that will reflect Sam's ever-changing schedule. Create a monthly Date Night also. Create a monthly Family Day where we take a trip or do an activity as a family. 

Maybe I'll get it all done before January 2014. 

New Year's Resolutions 2010

Yeah, I know, it's already January 7th!

I did make some New Year's resolutions this year. And I actually kept most of them for a few days! I actually did pretty well with last year's resolutions. Here's a reminder of what they were. I'll wait while you read the post... ::::interject Jeopardy theme music:::::

I actually have lost weight in the past year, but I still need to keep at it. Our new Wii Fit is a great help in that area as it reminds me to keep working at it.

My prayer time has increased much over the last year. I started a new habit of turning off the radio when I am driving to work. This gives me a good 15 uninterrupted minutes to and from work to pray.

Getting more organized is one that while i have gotten better in some areas, other areas have completely fallen into chaos.

The last one from last year was to stay on budget. I am happy to report that we have been able to do that and have made good strides in reducing our overall debt!

So my new New Year's resolutions are similar to last year's:

1. Continue to lose weight and get healthy.
2. Increase my time reading the Bible. My goal is to finish the Old Testament by August.
3. To stay on budget and reduce our debt, all while reducing Sam's workload.
and 4. To keep my mouth shut when I don't have something nice to say. I tend to spout out what I am thinking without, well, thinking. I made it until Jan 4th before I messed this one up, but Jan 5th was a new day and I have been able to bite my tongue for one more day!

With my successes from last year I am optimistic for this upcoming year!

Nearly the New Year

It is nearly the New Year. Time for resolutions that I might keep until January 10th!



My first resolution is to lose weight. I say it every year and every year I do manage to lose some weight, of course I gain it right back!



Second is to work harder at setting aside time to pray. I am good at praying 5-10 minutes, "on the fly", as Sam calls it. I need to get better about really setting aside a specific time to spend REAL time in prayer.



My third is also one I make every year: Get more organized. I actually have made great strides in this area in the past year. I need to keep going though! Especially now that I have taken on a job this year! (I am now working 15 hours per week at a local day care center!)



My fourth one is a biggie. I need to stay on budget! The last 9 months have taught Sam and I great things about budgets and staying within your means. We have made some VERY BIG mistakes in the past years that we are now paying for, literally. The good news is: I am a pretty smart cookie and I learn the first time around!

I am looking forward to 2009 and all that it will bring: A new baby niece or nephew (my brother Tom and his wife are expecting!!), new baby goats and chickens, new fairs to go to, new youth summer camp for Abby to attend, new 4H experiences, new friends to meet, old friends to get together with, trips to museums, and projects in the house and yard.

Good Bye 07; Hello 08!

Today is the last day of 2007. It is also Sam's birthday. I am sure he will have fun with the guys at the firehouse, as he is working overtime, AGAIN. (He has informed me that he WILL be home tomorrow. He muttered something about after working 96 hours straight they couldn't make him stay another minute.)

So today is the day I make my New Year's resolutions. Maybe this year will be different. Maybe this year when I resolve to not lose my cool with the kids I will actually keep it longer than the 2 hour record I attained last New Year's. (Although in my defense, walking in on Rachel and Samantha smearing yellow and blue UNWASHABLE, paint on their floor, walls, and beds would've pushed even Mother Theresa over the edge.)

So here goes:
1. Lose some weight. Any amount would be nice. 15 pounds would be a good start. Heck, one pound would be a good start.
2. Yell less. Just in general, at town meetings, at the kids, at Sam, at God.
3. Get more organized.
4. Stay organized. (with five kids and a pack rat husband whose favorite saying is: "But we might need it someday," this one just might be unattainable.)

That's it. I think four is a good list. Technically, I don't have to start until tomorrow, right?