better

I’m not really one to make a new year’s resolution because it usually ends up being laughable, on a good year the goal may last a month and then it is forgotten, avoided or put on the back burner. This year would be no different, so I’m not going to make an official resolution, or try to reach an enormous goal that I know I won’t achieve, I am only going to try and be BETTER!

Well, with that said this is just a review of what I should already be doing, need to change or cannot do without…followed by why it’s important to me, so the goal being to remind myself of who I am, what my purpose is and how I want to live it out. (by the way, don’t feel obligated to read all this, it’s really just for myself, something to look back on later and hopefully be an encouragement to you if you do take the time).

*Growing and striving to better my relationship with the Lord, reading,praying, studying, worshiping everyday…no exceptions. This is something I cannot do without. As a Christian this is essential, this is who I am and my purpose. I found an old journal a couple of days ago and was thumbing through pages of entries about things God was doing in my life, deeper spiritual things I was contemplating, lots of Biblical passages and so forth…sadly, things I probably would not be writing in a journal at this point in my life. When John and I lived in South Carolina I felt as though I was on a spiritual high, we were growing like weeds and it was so necessary at that time, the Lord’s perfect timing. And then when we left India knowing that was not the direction He wanted for our lives I felt let down, confused and halted in my spiritual walk. I’ve pretended a lot, but haven’t really had a desire to read, study or pray since we’ve been back in Utah (I hated feeling that way, I did, a true hypocrite, and I acknowledged that during the midst of it but didn’t know how to get out, how to change)…until a couple of months ago. It was nothing I did, this I’m sure of, but I started to feel fed again, through preaching and Bible studies, the Holy Spirit was working in me, I was opening up again and life has been better since.
I’m really curious how the Lord will change me this year; I want to be changed, to be better for Him! To know my Savior and my God more intimately so I can more effectively worship and glorify Him, tell others about Him and live with true joy!

*Housekeeping. This is one thing I could do without, but unfortunately can’t disregard. Three things I dislike most in the cleaning category are dishes, laundry and cleaning the bathtub! I would insert pictures here but it would be terribly embarrassing for me to show you mile high laundry piles, mountain of dishes and our itty bitty icky tub.(side note…all three of those are currently non-existent, due to the help of my very sweet hubby…yay!) I have to admit that I am lazy, when
I could be working on all of these all week -a little here and there- I usually ignore them until the weekend or if we have visitors. Now, I’m not saying we live in filth Monday through Friday, it’s just not all organized, put away, dusted, folded, spot-free, scented, lines in the carpet clean until it has to be or it’s Saturday. So, as the Bible says, only fools are lazy…and it’s true, I strive to be less foolish in this chore.

*Relationships with friends and family. Random is the word that would currently describe my actions with this topic. I try to make birthday, anniversary and miss you cards to send to people but life seems to have taken away my creative artsy time to do this...resulting in store bought cards (which are totally fine, I just like to make them instead), late cards, or no cards at all. I’m off to a good start for January…here’s to hoping it will continue. Also, now that I don’t have to work Saturdays I have more time to get together with more people, cherish, support and enjoy current friendships and make new ones…more games nights, movie nights, girls nights, ladies breakfast’s, picnics, camping trips, etc…

*Love and respect John, support and encourage him, be a Godly wife in everything I do. At this time I would like to do some free publicity for two of my favorite marriage books. For those of you who are married and haven’t read these, single, or engaged I recommend these two easy reads for you…Love and Respect by the Eggerichs. This book is becoming more widely known as well as the video series that is available, it is such basic information, so Biblically clear, yet complicated to live out on a daily basis. And also, Created to Be a Help Meet by the Pearls.
This is a great book, very straight forward, focusing on the joy that a Biblical woman can experience as our role as a wife, mother and friend. Like most people say, I wish I would have read these before we were married, they have opened my eyes to so much and I am grateful for those who shared them with me. [And if you are wondering, John and I’s relationship is always growing, we are so happy to have each other and I am so blessed to have a husband that guides, provides for and loves me like he does!]

*And last but not least, the ever so popular lose weight. This is the goal I fail at so terribly each year, but I tell myself I’m going to try anyway…why? Because it’s important for my health, I’ve never been skinny before…no time like the present…and I always feel better after I exercise. So why is it so hard to accomplish?!! Because it’s so easy not to. Grrr. Anyway, I’ve stopped drinking soda in the last couple of weeks because it was making me feel bad and that will definitely help. And now that the holiday season is over snacking is not so readily available so…moderation, self control and crunches, here I come!

Again…I just want to do and be better , Better, BETTER in 2010 than I was in 2009! Feel free to join me in all of these things - I have a feeling it’s going to be a great year! Thank you Lord for giving me another year, I do not deserve it and will try my best to make it glorifying to you!!

k.