January

 There's not much to do in our area in the winter.  We hardly ever get enough snow to be worthwhile, even though I LOVE. It's usually  too cold to do much of anything outside (which I could overcome for snow).  I always get the "blahs" - Christmas is over, and there's nothing to "look forward to".  It is depressing!

I don't do well with big resolutions about losing weight, reading my Bible through in a year, etc.  Remember November?  It is true that "this is where You're finding me, in the exact same place as New Year's Eve.
From a lack of my persistanc-y, We're less than half as close as I want to be"  - thanks ReliantK.  I love that song!  Despite my hesitancy to make resolutions, I DO want to end 2010 walking closer with the Lord than ever, following Him wherever He may lead.  I want better relationships with the people in my life, more order and being on top of the maintenance/cleaning of our home, and to be in a better place with our finances.  All of those things won't change a bit because of intention, it takes purposeful steps in the direction I want to go (Principle of the Path - it's a must read!)

I can make lists upon list of worthy steps and goals.  I am, in fact, a master list maker!  But as my daughter recently pointed out in her splendid blog, what good are plans and lists if we don't DO them?  They are nothing but wasted time, effort, and energy.  I have been always able to plan more for a said amount of time than any mere human could accomplish, and then give up when I realize I won't get it done.  Talk about self defeating strategy.  So, in 2010, I am going to do things differently.

For January my goal is to try and define the general goals I have for my relationship with God, with my husband, with my children, my work as a home-maker, my church family, my friendships and extended family, my role in ministry, and my goals and dreams for my own personal stuff (things like writing a book, learning to play piano, losing weight, etc.)  That is a huge list right there.  I need to evaluate where I am, where I want to be, and what steps I need to take this year to move in the right direction, without making a 90 step plan for total transformation!  This will be a huge thing for me.

As I do that we are in the process of seeking a possible new church home.  I'm going to be looking hard at my walk with the Lord, and the difference between being a believer and being a disciple.  I want to be able to answer truthfully that God is my #1, most important thing.  It's easy to say He is.  It isn't easy to live like He is.  That will be utmost on my list of things to work on, followed closely by the family relationships.  We've had some things out of whack around here, and that needs to change.  

Now, a girl has to have some fun, too!  So, here's my Januray fun Project Adventure.  I love to take the kids sledding, pull them with the 4-wheeler.  Billy always wants to pull ME, and I say no way.  I don't complely trust him not to ditch me in a snowbank.  Since it sounds like we are going to get some playing-in snow finally, I am going to take a turn on the sled, too.  If that goes well, I would kind of like to try skiing.  I have no idea if I would like it.  I know I'm terrified of ski lifts.    But it looks so FUN.  So, we'll start on the sled, and see how it goes.

Have a great January.  Fight those winter blahs.   Make God, Jesus Christ, your #1.  I know that is something no one could ever regret at the end of the year.  Blessings!

D