Happy 2012, Y'all!

I told D last night that I like the sound and look of 2012.  I'm not sure why; maybe it's the symmetry of the 2s on each end. I do appreciate some symmetry.
So you know, every January 1st I make a list of goals for the year, some I achieve and some I don't.  I stopped beating myself up a long time ago about the ones I don't accomplish.  I just figure if I achieve some of them, I am way ahead of where I would have been if I hadn't set them at all.  I clearly appreciate the clean slate of a new year.  It reminds me of the clean slate that Jesus gives us everyday when we confess our sin to Him.  He wipes it clean; white as snow.  It's me that keeps writing the same ole things on that clean slate and He keeps wiping and washing.  Praise Jesus.

As I looked back at 2011 goals, it's clear that some I achieved and some I didn't.  So that's what I've been thinking about this morning.  Why didn't I achieve them?  Why did I lose focus on some things where I clearly remained focused on others?  Is it how I structured my time?  Is it how I structured my priorities?  Yes on both of those accounts.  So what do I do to change that?  How do I rewire my life so that ALL of those goals are achieved?  I'm still pondering that but my heart's desire is that what God has for me in 2012, I accomplish and finish well.  No more and no less than what He has for me.  I don't want to get distracted by my fleshly desires and lose focus of what He wants for me and my family. So easy to do and yet so vitally important.

So here we go.  Some of these are similar to last year because I structure them the same each year.  Whew, when I begin to type these goals, I immediately become hesitant. It's kind of hard for me to put myself out there and share something so personal.  But I believe in accountability even if it is to a faceless blog community in this case. Of course,  I'll share these with my husband and closest prayer partners but I so wish I knew who will read this on the blog.  Maybe by putting my 2012 goals out here for all the world to see it will spur someone to make their own list.  I really encourage you to do that.  It will change your life.

1.  Spiritual Goals:  My desire is for a new year that draws me closer to Jesus.  I want to know Him more.  I want to love Him more.  I want to see Him more in the world around me.  I want to serve Him more.  I want to be more like Him. 
As far as Bible study, I will complete the study of Esther with the Tuesday night girls.   I'm going to delve into James with a heart friend.  I just want to understand more about the Scriptures.  I want to see for myself what it says for me.  So I'm remaining open to see where God takes me here. 
2.  Relationship Goals.  These are too personal to share but trust me when I say, I have them.
3.  Physical Goals:  Oh boy, this is always a loaded one, isn't it?  I just feel so blessed to feel so good.  Having spent the last couple of days in a hospital waiting room surrounded by so many who are suffering with health problems, it is humbling to see how fragile our healthy really is.   So my goal is to do all that I can to remain healthy.  Yes, that's means weight adjustments, exercise, a check-up appointment with a new doctor and some serious discipline on my part, I know that.  But if that's what it takes, I'll do it.  Specifically, I want to participate in some 5Ks again this year.  D is such an inspiration when it comes to this. I renewed our gym membership last week so here I come!
4.  Work Goals:
a.  Last year, we set a WEC goal of 12 weddings/events and we did 14!   We are so thankful that God gave us these opportunities to work and serve.  I'm overwhelmed with His goodness to give us this work.  So, I'm going to go big or go home and say that our goal this year is to do 20 weddings and events.  I can hear E gasping now as she reads this.  This is an ambitious goal but I truly believe that God is preparing us for it.  So girl, let's do it!
b.  The What's for Supper? segment.  I just cannot tell you how much fun I have with this.  2011 saw the exit of the two original co-hosts of the Afternoon Show, George, who retired and B.J., who moved to the newsroom.  So, 2012 will bring a set of new hosts. Katie B. is already in place and I'm assuming there is another on the horizon to take the other chair.  Whatever the case, I know that at 4:50 everyday I get to talk about food and have some fun on the air waves.  It is a blast.  It is a lot of prep work but I love every minute of it.  I'm thinking about some fresh ideas for the segment and possibly some other events connected but we'll see where that goes.  Either way, it's tons of fun!
5.  Time Management Goals:  I am working hard on the fine line of balance between scheduling/planning and leaving room for flexibility.  I'm a planner through and through so I have to kinda work at being spontaneous, which I'm pretty sure is an oxymoron.  Creating my plan for the week and what I need to accomplish all the while, building in time for divine appointments and promptings from God.  Whew, I'm so not good at this.  Big time goal for this year. 
6.  Bucket List Goals:  I still have my mission trip goal on the table.  God is still stirring my heart about this and I'm waiting on direction. 
7.  Reading Goals:  This is the same as last year, 2 books a month.  This goal is fairly easy for me as I love, love, love to read.  I'm still using the Good Reads site to manage my book list and that has proved very helpful.
8.  Home Goals:  Well, this is a another loaded one for me.   I've got several unfinished projects that I won't bore you with but those need to be completed.  Our basement pretty much looks like a bomb went off down there, so I need to purge and organize there.  I'm going to set up for myself a schedule in order to accomplish all of this.   I find I work better with a deadline. 
9.  Volunteer Goals:  I'll be rolling off the Board of the Care Center this year.  My heart will still be close to this organization as I strongly believe in what they do there every day.  I'm also involved in another ministry with women up in North Georgia that I want to pursue a little further.  God has also laid something on my heart about children's hunger and I'm praying specifically about that.  We'll see where that goes.
10.  Relaxation Goals:  I know that this may seem very strange to list such a thing as relaxation goals but I have a husband who that if I didn't build in some relaxation time for us, he would just work and work.  So I regularly schedule time for us to get away even if it is just to go to the farm for the weekend.  We do have some super fun things planned for 2012 and I'm really looking forward to it!

So there you have it!  Today I'm praying for a most wonderful of 2012 for you and yours!

"You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance." 
Psalm 65:11 NLT

Happy 2011!!

You know, I think “resolutions” just set you up for failure. Maybe it is all in the semantics, but I really like to make “goals” for a new year. And not ones that are completely unreachable like to become a size 4 by Valentine’s Day or memorize the book of Psalms. That’s clearly not happening. But I firmly believe if we don’t have goals, we won’t have that ever-present mindset of things we want to accomplish in our lifetimes. I believe I need to be constantly working on becoming a better me; to not get complacent or unintentional about things in my life that would better my mind, body, soul and relationships.

So, I’m going to put myself out there and share with you what I have in my personal journal for 2011.
1. Spiritual goals:
a. Siesta Scripture Memory - 2 verses per month. This is a Scripture memory program through Beth Moore’s blog. I’m signing up today. If anyone wants to join me on this journey, I’d be glad for you to come along.
b. To read my new Chronological Bible through in one year. I have an accountability buddy for this venture so that will definitely better my chances of accomplishing this goal.
2. Physical goals.
a. Losing weight is a constant goal.
b. Exercise. I completed two 5Ks last year which was a first for me. I want to do three this year. I have an accountability partner for this one as well which would be my husband. He is an inspiration to me.
3. Relationship goals. These are very personal. Trust me that I have them.
4. Work goals.
a. WEC: To provide the very best service we possibly can to those who entrust us with their wedding. E and I dreamed when we first began our business of having 12 weddings a year. We have already booked five for 2011. Praise! I’m believing we can accomplish our original goal this year.
b. The “What’s for Supper?” segment . There are lots of possibilities stewing around the pot with this. There are two things specifically that will very likely happen this year and wow, it’s going to be fun.
5. Time management goals. Maybe you don’t struggle with this but I sure do. I know I need the following in some very specific areas.
a. Disciple.
b. Structure.
6. Bucket list goals. You know I’ve been so blessed in my life to do some really cool things but one thing I want to do this year: go on a mission trip. Praying diligently about this.
7. Reading goals. Read two books a month. Do you know that while George W. Bush was President of the United States he entered into a reading contest with one of his top staff members? George read 95 books while his friend read 110 - in ONE year. All while being the Commander and Chief of the free world. Okay, I guess I can read 24.
I just signed up for Good Reads, an online book management site. If I can remember to record when I finish a book, at the end of the year the list will show my accomplishments.
8. Home goals. To organize and de-clutter one room in my house a month.
9. Volunteer goals. I am the Board President for the Gainesville Care Center this year and I have some ideas that will hopefully raise some much needed funds for an extremely worthy organization. Praying for clarity and specific direction here.
10. Relaxation goals. Now that may sound funny to some but I’ve discovered in my family that if I’m not intentional about setting aside specific times for us to get away, that my special someone will just work and work all the time. So, as we begin 2011 we already have some weeks marked off the calendar for rest, relaxation and travel.

So, today I'm wishing you and yours a most blessed and rewarding 2011!

"You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance." Psalm 65:11 (NLT)