1/1/14 - 2014 Goals

Yes, I am one of THOSE people. I make new year's resolutions. I love lists, I thrive with structure and a plan. So each year, I go with it. I make resolutions.
 
This year is the last year of my 20's. And to be quite honest, I am so looking forward to entering my 30's. I think it will be a great and exciting time of my life! But this year feels somewhat special and sentimental to me. Like I need to slow down and cherish this, I'll never have my 20's back again, ever.

Ok, maybe I'm a bit strange and overly sentimental here, but oh well, it is what it is and I am who I am..
 
Ok, back to this year, 2014…Here are my goals...

 
#1 - To read through the entire bible (it's embarrassing that I am 29 years old, been a Christian almost all my life and there are still parts of the bible I've never read and much of the bible I've never carefully read).
 
#2 - Become less selfish - be more giving as a wife, mother, etc.
 
#3 - Lose 15 pounds (and really to just be healthier so that I can have more energy and to feel better)
 
#4 - Read 10 books this year (I have picked out 10)

-Give them Grace by Elyse Fitzpatrick & Jessica Thompson

-Knowing God by J.I. Packer

-The Hole in our Holiness by Kevin DeYoung
-Radical by David Platt

-Reverberation by Jonathan Leeman

-The Reason for God by Timothy Keller

-Breaking the Islam Code J.D. Grear

-Discipline The Glad Surrender by Elisabeth Elliot

-This momentary Marriage by John Piper

-The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace

 

Along with reading these books I want to write and take notes on each book so that I can (hopefully) retain the information better and be able to reference back to what I learned later.

 #5 - Start working through the "One Bite at a Time" ebook (it is designed to be done in 52 weeks but I just want to make it though as much as I can this year with no pressure to finnish the whole thing in one year.. If it takes 2, then so be it… I also want to blog/write though those challenges)
 
#6 - Accomplish the following goals from my "30 by 30" list

1. Go Skiing
2. Go Ice Skating
3. Sew Aprons
4. Keep a journal all year long
5. Write a letter to Olivia and Brayden for them to read when they are older
6. Make a 33 by 33 list
7. Run a 5k
8. Taka a photography class
9. Grew a garden

 I feel like some of this list is a little shallow. Like #6. But those are just things to work toward in my life. And I am sure I could have more lofty and more spiritual goals to work toward but I know that at this time in my life I need to keep it simple. I really just want to read and meditate through the whole bible. Simple enough. And #2 is to becoming less selfish, this is a big conviction of mine recently and it is something I want to pray and seek the Lords guidance in. I get so stressed at Bryan and the kids when they don't cater to my plans and desires.. I feel as though I love them most when they are acting exactly how I would want them too… and I sometimes withhold my love and affection when I am hurt or disappointed by them. How unlike Christ could I be in this area? Christ was always there, though tired, probably more tired then I have ever been. He wept when his people wept. He taught when they needed taught. He loved and hugged and was there when they needed him. I know I am selfish, to my very core. I love to serve myself. And it is most seen in how I serve my family. I see it because I love to clean and I love my home to look perfect, so I choose to spend my time and efforts most on my home. When my husband, kids or family get in the way of my "perfect" home then I get mad. I choose to serve own passion and desires and I get mad at them for getting in my way. I also sometimes choose entertainment (TV, internet, phone) over the time and heart nurturing my children need. Selfishness gets in the way of who I am called to be as a wife and mother. So my prayer is that the Lord will change my heart drastically this year regarding this matter.

So #1 & 2 are my priority - if this is all I do this year then that is AWESOME!
 
# 3-6 are things I want to work toward. If I accomplish all of them or just a little portion of them I will be glad that I am working toward something.
 
Happy New Year! I pray that it is a good one for you!

~Steph