H E L L O 2 0 1 4

Like everyone else I've set some New Year's resolutions. I was commenting to Kianna about wether she was ready to set an absorbent amount of unrealistic goal for the upcoming new year, we then proceeded  to discuss how unlike previous years we wanted to set doable goals this year. Over on her blog you can see the her super doable, yet challenging goals. 

This year I decided to set 5 broad goals and then each month I would set smaller goals to help achieve the overall goal. Inspired by Hannah I've decided to do a monthly resolution check up on the blog, so stay tune for those. Without further ado my 2014 goals:

1. Read the Bible 1x- In 2012 I read the Bible three times, and for the following year I was burnt out. From my whopping 3x victory in 2012 I couldn't even finish it once this year! So though seemingly easy this is a goal my heart desires to do. 

2. Get Fit- This consists of exercising, walking, running, possibly trying rollerblading, and drinking water.

3. Cultivate my Relationships- with God, as a daughter, sister, and friend. 

4. Improve my work ethic- That can mean anything from doing all my work on to the Lord, homeschool, chores- to being an intentional and wise steward of my money, but most importantly learning to be a servant. 

5. Work on my talents- Sometime last year, my mom made us name three things we enjoy doing or would like to do in the near future. I chose tinkering with imovie, card making, and alterations. These are all things I would like to work on and improve. I would love to learn something new, learn an instrument of sort, continue with calligraphy, and most importantly use what the Lord gave me and not be the wicked servant who does nothing with his talent. 

Top 13 Books of 2013

Here is a list of my top ten favorite books for this past year. It was way too hard to put them in an order of most favorite to least. But I think I can safely say that Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers was hands down my favorite this year. (I'll be posting a review later...)

Anomaly by Krista Mcgee Captives- Jill Williamson 

Back Before Dark- Tim Shoemaker Chasing Jupiter- Rachel Coker

Redeeming Love- Francine Rivers Sweet Sanctuary- Kim Vogel Sawyer

The Offering- Angela Hunt The Return of Cassandra Todd

Last Light- Terri Blackstock Shattered- Dani Pettrey

Drum Rolllll....
My favorite series this year was the Swipe Series by Evan Angler!

Bye 2013 - Hi 2014

During the Christmas rush and New Years excitement we can focus on presents, goals, and just plain ole holiday rush. Though we say with our mouths that Jesus is the reason for the season, we somehow don't always live that out.

This year my family and I started a new New Years Eve-Day tradition. We each were to choose a gift and Bible verse that represented what the Lord had done in our life, and/or something the Lord ministered our hearts with.  At times I wasn't super committed to my daily devotions and more than once felt stagnant spiritually. I felt that this year was a year that I was just grateful to have persevered in the Faith. My verse was "... let us then persevere in the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1b My gift was a hand weight to signify the perseverance an athlete/runner shows in his exercise and an itunes gift card because who doesn't listen to music while working out. 

On Tuesday, New Years Eve, we  each drew names and gave our gift to the person we drew up. The second part of our tradition occurred on New Years Day. We were once again given the task to choose a verse and buy a gift, but for what we wanted the new year to represent and/or what we wanted to declare over someone else's life. 

I gave a gift with the intention of working on this for my personal life, without even knowing that someone was going to mention it in our church as a word of edification! I chose Galatians 6:7-9 "A man reaps what he sows..." This year I want to work on cultivating my relationships with God, and as a daughter, sister, and friend. 

The focus of this tradition is not the gift, but instead serves as a memorial before our family to what the Lord has done in each of us this past year.