I am sitting here working on a list of goals for a family planning meeting with Mg. I am coming up totally empty. Well not totally... I have-feel better-written down. And really that's what I want... I want to feel better. I have felt tired and haggard for 3 years now and I am ready to feel better. Thyroid disease is a huge part of the problem but there is also my consistently poor attitude and some lingering sadness as well.
I know there are ways to deal with all of it and I plan on doing those this year. As well as trying really hard to love my family in a new and refreshed way. I have been slacking on the loving again. Falling into the old pit of selfishness and laziness that accompanies bad attitudes and the sadness lurking at my door.
So that's it: Feel better. Love the people who God has given to me.
Looks short on paper but I can see the outline starting to trail off of these two things. I know the amount of work my heart needs and how hard it will be to surrender the junk in there...Doing these things is not really something that will be "accomplished" this year-tho I hope for great progress-but something that will be worked on over the entirety of my life. I know I have a long road ahead of me and that I will have to work at it. but I want to enjoy the work...and I'm smiling thinking about how much grace I'm going to need...
Owen 5yrs and climbing
"Everyone to whom God has given wealth, and possessions, and the power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil-this is the gift of God. For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with the joy in his heart." (Eccl. 5:19)
This year I am writing it down and publishing it for all to see in hopes that the idea of accountability will spur me into accomplishment.
*Learn to make gluten free bread with new GF bread machine.
* Make/keep a bi-weekly meal calender
* Learn too sew
* Sew curtains for my house
* Make my basement work for me
* Get into shape (loose weight and tone up)
*Go to the gym 3 times per week (should be a sinch with new Kroc center membership)
*Be able to run in 3 mile increments with out stopping to walk
* Blog twice a week (at least)
* Print and frame pictures regularly (at least 3 times per year)
*Read 3 books per month and report on them.
* Live without refined sugar (Ok just mostly)
* Do one educational activity with Owen per day (no less than 30 minutes)
* Take more pictures
* Ask God to do something humanly impossible, pray and wait, expecting Him to follow through
* Keep a food journal
* Go on a date with MG at least twice a month
* Find a good baby sitter
* Buy an upright freezer
*Freeze things ( pesto, bolognese & enchilada sauce, fruits and veggies, whole meals, bread)
* Learn to can and can things like jam.
* Look to the Word of God first for counsel in hardship and then to my husband
* Make breakfast for my family everyday (that means getting up before 7:30)
* Find ways to serve the people I love then do it
* Make and keep a chore chart
* Finish Owens first year scrapbook (yikes)
* Paint the inside of our house
* Make hospitality a priority
* Frame some of Owens art
* Make my own kefir from scratch
* Make a photo calendar and book
* Make Christmas cards for friends and family (I have never done this and always wanted to)
* Try 2 new recipes a month and report
* Be more intentional about the way I live and the things I spend my time on.
Now I am not saying that all (or any) of these things will be accomplished only that I will be trying my best to do them. I am hoping to report back when I have the opportunity to cross an item off the list, or to report progress (or lack there of) when progress is made on an "ongoing" type goal.
I look forward to this new year and am hoping it will bring new discovery and joy in unexpected ways.
