Direct my footsteps according to Your Word. Let no sin rule over me.   Psalm 119:133

Thanks again Amy at DandelionSeeds for charging all of us with the task of writing our New Year's Goals down and sharing them. I've really been giving it alot of thought. And from my draft posted a few days ago, I've narrowed down a few and expounded on others. And I think I'm ready to share...

You'll notice that I've put this blog under my "faith" category....mainly because reaching my goals will require a step up and out in faith this year, amen?

Personal

• Daily QT and Bible Reading, journal daily (whether it's by blog or notebook), attend one conference, become more active in our church and girlfriends prayer group
• Maintain my monthy Girls Night Out (GNO) and Annual Girlfriends Retreat
• Read 10 new books ~ this month is the Charlotte Mason Companion
• Walk 2X weekly (I know this doesn't sound like much, but it's more then what I've been doing. I figure I need to make an attainable goal and then move up to 3, and then 4....), I would also like to start doing sit-ups and push-ups 2-3X per week, find a new family doctor, start to de-caffeinate myself....I'm down to 1/2 caf right now...I'd like to be down to 2 cups a day, and then go no-caf in another month.
• Finish writing the Galatians/Ephesians Inductive Bible Study I've been working p/t on all year. And start writing one of the two children's books I've had on the back burner for 5 years.

Marriage

• A date night with my husband atleast once every other month - I wish we could do more, but we are on a tight budget too.
• Pray for my husband EVERY DAY...especially that we can start to pray and possibly do a daily devotional together. 

Kids

• Pray specifically for my kids EVERY DAY.
• A Daily Q&A sharetime and prayertime with them
• Limit TV/PlayStation to 2.5 hours per day (and I still say we work that down more.)
• Bible Reading most nights before bed.
• Play more games in the evening.

HomeMaking

• Set daily and weekly cleaning schedule that includes the children's participation.
• Set the timer 15 minutes daily for power decluttering and/or cleaning times.
• Use cleaning tasks for "consequence jar".
• Take DandelionSeeds Clean Heart, Clean Home challenge in April.

HomeEducation

• I've recently picked off my shelf a book that was given to me several years ago by a friend. It's called the Charlotte Mason Companion. After reading the first ten chapters, I've realized that I've been using many of her principles for years and didn't even know it!! I have been able to pinpoint the reasons why I've not been completely satisfied with our curriculum and learning environment for a while. They've been acceptable....just not totally satisfying for me or the kids. Now I know why. So, beginning immediately, I plan on implementing even more of  the principles I've found in the Charlotte Mason Companion, and learning more by checking out the The Original Homeschooling Series, by CM. More on this transition later...

Outreach

• Maintain our global prayer board.
• Work into financially supporting an international child.
• Support the missionaries and our church in the DR with prayers, financial, and short-term mission trip (possibly next November again).
• Re-commit our involvement at the nearby nursing home with monthly visits.
• 2-3 conservation projects beginning with a nearby section of road that seems to always be polluted with garbage.
• Homeless Car Package...more on this later.
• Meal for Ronald McDonald House every other month.
• Pray daily for our neighbors specifically and stay mindful of ways to serve them. 

Now, for accountability. You girlfriends who are reading this that know me well.....I NEED for you to hold me accountable here.  Please pray for me, and help me to stay on track! Ask me how I'm coming along with each of the areas. Especially with those personal goals....and the date night. With my track record, those are the ones that fall short the easiest. And most importantly,

Dear Abba Father,

I commit ALL of these goals to You Lord. I thank You for helping me to realize what needs to change. And I pray for Your strength, guidance, and courage to pursue and achieve all that we have set out to do. God, I love you. And I thank you endlessly for Your Son and all the ways He has changed my life.

Amen