Resolutions

I love the coming of the New Year. The last part of December hosts the three most precious events in my life: my son's birthday, The Son's birthday, and then our wedding anniversary.

So, by the time January 1 rolls around, I've celebrated to the utmost and I'm ready to regroup, realign, and set my sights on the year ahead (after reflecting for a bit - but not too long - on the year past).

I love New Year's Resolutions. I actually love resolutions at any time of year (because really every day can be a fresh start) but there's something about the beginning of a year that is a little more ripe for the pickin'.

I've enjoyed reading many of your resolutions the past few days. Whatever you've chosen to accomplish, count me amongst your cheerleaders! And do keep us posted on how you're doing. I love hearing progress reports. So, with that in mind, I thought I'd go ahead and share some of mine - some being the operative word because I am sure you're not interested in the fact that I've resolved to floss every. single. day and drink more water (blah and double-blah).

My most steadfast work this year will be in Faith and Outreach. I decided to split the year into four 3-month sessions since I have so many areas I feel God is leading me toward. And, every other resolution I have is based on how I apply myself in faith and prayer.

Now through March 31 I'll be focusing on Marriage and Family. I desperately want to serve my husband more and be a better helpmate, while also setting aside the bulldog in me by allowing my husband to serve and help me more. That's one thing he asks from me over and over and I will be working on it with passion. I always keep a copy of The Power of a Praying Wife in the seat beside me in the car. It's amazing how reading nearly any page at random is a blessing and a lesson. I will be praying specific and focused prayers for my husband, more so than I've ever done before, and I hope you all will consider praying more for your spouses this year, too. If you do nothing else, consider doing this. My Bible Study for these first three months is Praying Through the Deeper Issues of Marriage by Stormie Omartian.

I've also been picking up note cards and writing paper in the sale bins at my favorite stationery stores. This year I'll be sending at least one hand-written note every week. Think how much you love to get a little something special in the mailbox... I know I do. There are many, many people in my life who might need a word of encouragement, a thank you, or a note "just because".

I've also started a daily diary for Adam, written in my own hand in a nice leather-bound journal. I'll add in pictures and anything else that strikes me as memorable on any given day. And, with a two-year old, it's not hard to find things to record.

In the Financial category I'd love to teach myself more about investing and put that knowledge to work. I don't have any debt, other than our house, so it's prime time to make money on the money we have, save more, and spend less.

I'm also going to make a donation every month to a charity I've not donated to before. The donation could be monetary, a specific item, or service of my time. This will open my eyes to the many, many needs of others. I can't wait to see what organizations I find and people I meet along the way. This month I'm donating to Camp Sunshine.

There you have it - a little glimpse of my resolutions for 2008.

Now if I could only get those Christmas decorations put away...