2006 in Review

What did you do in 2006 that you’ve never done before?

I took some time to learn some new skills.  I started crocheting and worked on some quilt squares.  I did not finish the quilt but it is started and over halfway done.  I also learned a few basics for knitting that I plan on honing this coming year.  I have been to college before but took the leap into culinary school to start a new path for starting a family run catering business.  This is a big step for me…

Did you make any goals?  Which ones did you meet?

I wrote on Virtuous Values last year.  I did not complete the tenth one because I am such a failure at this one.  I will try to finish this one as the Lord leads me to write it.  I grew in all areas but will continue to grow over the coming years as this is not the end of the journey.  Other goals I made are here.

Where did you ring in the year 2006?  We spent New Year’s Eve with friends last year in a progressive dinner followed by fellowship and games.  This year we are doing dinner at the same friend’s home we played games in last year.  Her husband is deployed this year but she wanted to host again.  We are doing a spaghetti and meatballs dinner with salad, bread and dessert and lots of games again.  It will just be about four couples and all our kids. 

What scripture was a theme of 2006?

² Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. ⁴ And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

     ⁵ But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, ⁸ being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

     ⁹ But let the brother of humble circumstances glory in his high position; ¹⁰ and let the rich man glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. ¹¹ For the sun rises with a scorching wind, and withers the grass; and its flower falls off, and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.

     ¹² Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. ¹³ Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. ¹⁴ But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. ¹⁵ Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. ¹⁶ Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. ¹⁷ Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow. ¹⁸ In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we might be, as it were, the first fruits among His creatures.

James 1:2-18 (NASB77)

Did anyone close to you give birth?

Not this year but there is a cousin having a baby in March after struggling through several miscarriages.  We are praising God with them!!!

Did anyone close to you die?

Dan’s Grandmother died this year.  We also lost several church members this year… It has been a sad year in that respect.

What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?

Less debt and a deeper relationship with Christ

What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Going back to school at 39!  I am starting my second semester in a few weeks in culinary school and I am tickled pink about being able to do this.

What was your biggest failure?

I have struggled a great deal with trusting God and waiting on Him.  I have also struggled with my “private world” but this year I am making my goals based on this aspect of my life.

What was the best thing you bought?

We purchased a new-to-us van about a month ago.  It was greatly needed.  Now we just need to sell a van and give Dan’s mom’s car back so she can sell it. 

Where did most of your money go?

Car repairs, bills and debt payments.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Going back to school

Were you in school at any time this year?

Ummmm… yep!!!

Where did you go on vacation this year?

We made a trip to my folks twice this year. 

Did you attend any sporting events or concerts this year?

We spent a great deal of time at the baseball park watching the boys play ball but nothing professional.  We did, however, get to attend a rockin’ Mercy Me and Audio Adrenaline concert recently!!!

What is something you learned about yourself this year?

I am still carrying a great deal of anger around about some things that I need to let go.

What song will always remind you of 2006?

You know… there really isn’t one that stood out to me this year as a theme for 2006.

Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier or sadder?

Happier in many ways, sadder in some

Thinner or fatter? 

Thinner by almost 15 pounds

Richer or poorer? 

Richer and more debt paid off

What do you wish you’d done more of?

Spend more time simplifying and enjoying life

What do you wish you’d done less of?

Fretting and yelling

How did you spend Christmas?

With family and friends at home

Did you fall in love in 2006?

With going back to school…

What was your favorite TV program?

I cut way back on television this year but still enjoy my Food Network, British Comedies and PBS Cooking shows.

What was the best book you read?

Ordering Your Private World by Gordon MacDonald

What did you want and get?

To go back to school

What did you want and not get?

I wanted a “new to me” suburban but God said I needed a “new to me” van.  He was right!!!!!  LOL

What were your favorite films of this year? 

We so rarely go to the movies but we watch lots of them at home.  This is my list of my top ten off the movie list from the year of all the movies we watched at home

1. Foreign Correspondent
2. Curious George
3. Remember the Titans
4. I am David
5. Glory Road
6. Signs
7. Horatio Hornblower series
8. Second Hand Lions
9. Harvey with Harry Anderson (the old Jimmy Stewart and this new one are both fabulous!!!)
10. Rebecca (masterpiece theatre remake)

What did you do on your birthday?

Spent it with family and went out to eat at Furr’s Cafeteria (tradition)

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?

Casual feminine…  LOL  …but not sweats – they make me feel too lazy and frumpy.

What kept you sane?

Prayer, journaling and study and a really cool husband!!!

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

I don’t get into celebrity but I sure have been thinking about Betty Ford and all of her courage and strength since President Ford died.  She is still such a strong woman and remained such a treasure to her husband to the very end.

What political issue stirred you the most?

I keep up with lots of issues but do not really talk about them here because I just don’t feel this is the place.  I think the thing that burns me the most is the idea that we have to be open minded about everything but Christianity.  It seems that the political world feels that Christians are to be relegated to the whipping boy position.  ‘nuf said!!!

Who did you miss?

I missed my friend Patti until she returned from Iraq.  She is leaving again tomorrow to serve in Virginia but her family will remain here so I will get to see her when she comes back to be with family.  

Who was the best new person you met?

I am so lame… I didn’t really meet anyone new in 2006.  I officially “met” Blest before 2006 on the phone.  So I guess she would have to fill that.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006:

The only one you can truly count on, talk to, rely on, etc… is God!!!

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

One of my MOST favorite songs I got to hear Audio Adrenaline perform LIVE…

"Ocean Floor"

The mistakes I've made
That caused pain
I could have done without
All my selfish thought
All my pride
The things I hide
You have forgot about
They're all behind you
They'll never find you
They're on the ocean floor
Your sins are forgotten
They're on the bottom
Of the ocean floor
My misdeeds
All my greed
All the things that haunt me now
They're not a pretty sight to see
But they're wiped away
By a mighty, mighty wave
A mighty, mighty wave
Your sins are erased
And they are no more
They're out on the ocean floor
Take them away
To return no more
Take them away
To the ocean floor