Goals 2019

So, the few goals that I gave myself here on the blog this last year did not really pan out the way that I hoped. But, it's ok. Sometimes things do not turn out as expected.

But this year, I did read at least 12 non-school books and Michael and I did go camping. Managing to get 2 out of the 5 goals works for me.

There is something that I didn't put on my goals list but is such a great accomplishment for me:

I have finished my Bachelor's Degree in English!

This was a long time dream of mine to return to school and get my degree and I did it! And I have loved all of it. In fact, I have loved it so much I decided that I want to continue my education and pursue a Masters Degree.

So, yay me!

But now, it's time for my 2019 Goals.

1. Read 52 books- averaging one a week for the year.
2. Write a story.
3. Weekly date night with Michael. One out of the house date a month.
4. Daily "one good thing" journaling.
5. Make a healthy exercise routine and stick to it.

And that's it for this year. My goal is to keep it simple and hopefully will accomplish more this year than the last.

Have a Happy New Year!

Goals 2018

The last several months of 2017 were hard and busy. I have thought about writing on the blog several times, but have never been able to get myself to sit down and do it. 

Part of the reason I have been unable to write on here is because I want to write a blog about my grandfather who passed away on September 17th... but, I just haven't been able to yet. The loss of him came very fast and though it has been months I have found myself stuck when it comes to writing about him. There is just too much to say.

Another reason that the blog has been lacking is my school schedule. I went back to school to obtain my degree in English and this last semester was a tough one. But I made it through. I have been writing and reading almost constantly but it has been almost exclusively academic. It has been a lot of hard work but worth it. I feel like I have learned so much. I am a year away from receiving my degree, which seems unbelievable and exciting but so far away. 

So, today's post is supposed to be about the goals for this year. Every year I make a list of goals and try to keep them updated as I move throughout the year. Some goals are easy to track and others are more of just feeling it, however, I never seem to complete all of them. But that's ok too. Sometimes just having the goal is enough.

So let's check out my goals for 2018.

1. Read one nonacademic book a month, or 12 "fun" books for the year.
2. Be able to run 3.1 miles without stopping. (This includes completing C25K)
3. Go camping.
4. Finish re-carpeting the house.
5. Write at least 6 blog posts in 2018.

And there you have it. The list is short this year. I'm finding that there are many things that I want to do and accomplish but I am also trying to be realistic when it comes to the amount of physical time I have. I want to be able to be successful with school, while still giving time to my church and spending time with my family. So, while it is very important that I do things that are for me, I do not want to have so many goals that I lose focus on the most important things.

Happy New Year!

Bible Journaling: Isaiah 12:2

Learning to trust is hard. Fear has this way of blocking us off from trusting at all. Why would we choose not to trust? Because we are scared of being hurt, let down or betrayed. But the thing is, that is not how God works.

God should be trusted. Because, honestly, we are the ones that let him down. We betray him and we hurt him. I have done all these things to him. But he has not done a single one to me. In fact, he stays and loves me through all those times that I have turned my back on him. He has stayed with me even when I chose not to trust him.

So, I try now to focus on this:

"God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid" -Isaiah 12:2

Fear will cause me to isolate. Fear gives me anxiety. Fear can take a hold of me and make it impossible for me to function. But God is trustworthy. And when I need him, he always shows up. He can be trusted. I do not need to fear because I walk with God. 

I keep striving for this. To let go of my fear and be able to trust completely. I do not have to be afraid. I do not have to have anxiety but the truth is, is that I do. But the trust part comes when I talk to God about the struggles that come and I learn to lean on him. He has made my anxiety less and my fears less. 

So, I will not be afraid. I will stick with God. He saves me.

Bible Journaling: Hebrews 12:29

There is nothing better than remembering the power of our God. When I read this verse it reminds me of how powerful he truly is.

Let's look at this verse with the one before it. It says,

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire". 

                                                                                                                -Hebrews 12:28-29

We are loved and in the presence of God who is unshakable. He is overwhelmingly amazing. My goal in life is to be with him. His power and spirit are so much that it consumes me whole, like a fire blazing through a field. My hope is that his fire grows within me and everything that I touch will then become alight with his flame and be consumed just as I have been. And the end result will be less me and more him.

Bible Journaling: Joshua 1:9

Sometimes I need a simple reminder that I can be strong and courageous because I know that God is with me. Just as Joshua encouraged the Israelites as they were getting ready to move into the Promised Land I can also be encouraged. With God with me I have no reason not to be strong and courageous. I belong to him, so I am safe, no matter what the world throws at me.

Bible Journaling: 1 Corinthians 14:33

There are moments in life that feel like they're full of chaos. We all need some peace. When I am able to focus I can remember who is the best way to peace. God is that.

1 Corinthians 14:33 says: "for God is not a God of disorder but of peace."

The context of the verse is when people come together for teaching and community worship. God will send messages and more than one person may speak, but it is not a time for everyone to talk at once and in a constant stream. It is time for learning from those who are teaching. It is not a time for chaos, but for peace.

And I believe that this is the same in my life. 

When I feel like I am being called all different ways and my mind is going a million miles and I haven't stopped moving in what feels like years I remember God's peace. I focus on Him and what he has done in my life. I remember where he has calmed me, slowed me down and changed my ways of thinking. 

And I know that he can do it again. 

It doesn't make the chaos disappear but it makes it easy to handle. With my mind at ease and God on my side I can take on anything.

Where do you go when life gets crazy?

Bible Journaling: Psalm 19:14

Anger and bitterness can seep into our lives and take over our minds. When unexpected life troubles come the first thing damaged is our minds. The thoughts and feelings that we hold can suddenly become so negative that there is no escape from the pain that we continue to hold one to.

But there is a choice to change the way we think. It comes with a concentration on God's word and his presence in life. Learning how to be grateful for the good and moving past the bad as it comes. 

When I find myself in a spiral of negative thinking it effect my entire day and spreads out to others around me. It changes the dynamic of the day. But I have to change my mind. It takes practice but I have been learning how to change the way I look at the world. I purposely seek out good thoughts and great memories to change how my day flows. I concentrate on the words I say to be uplifting and encouraging instead of a downpour of negativity.

What can help is remembering that God is here and to look at this verse:

          "May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart

                   by pleasing in your sight,

                   Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."

                                                                  -Psalms 19:14

If my thoughts are surrounded by anger or bitterness or sadness they are not pleasing to God. My thoughts effect my words and my prayers and if they're anchored in negativity I'm doing a disservice to everyone, my family, God and myself. Instead I'm trying to stick to a positive outlook and view the good and be the good on hopes that my words and prayers will be pleasing to God.