Goals for 2009

Instead of New Year's resolutions, I have made some written goals for myself. There is something very motivating about writing a list of goals and sharing it with others! Some of these things have already been started! There are long term and short term goals. I hope to finish even the long term goals before the holidays, knowing that I won't be motivated to organize when I really want to bake or decorate!

Personal Goals

• Read from the Bible everyday
• Keep a prayer and praise journal
• Read a book every month
• Continue learning to crochet, complete a project each month, if I get tired of crochet, I may try knitting

Long Term Goals

• Clean up my bedroom (started) organize my closet, organize my clothes,organize baby clothes, spot clean carpet, put up curtain rods and curtains, organize linen closet and stockpile from all the CVS shopping
• Organize school room, get rid of excess, organize what we need
• Paint the living room (if I can decide on a color...these decisions are torture for me...any suggestions are welcomed) and trim, possibly add crown molding

Short Term Goals

• sell/donate excess clothing (started)
• I still want a clothes line
• back up my picture files on the computer (Can you believe I still haven't done this?)
• organize coupons(started)
• set up my files beside my desk. This will hopefully allow me to keep my desk clean. I need a system better than my current "make a pile system"

I will post on my progress! Happy New Year!

Simple Living, Living Simply

Simplicity is the property, condition or quality of being simple. It often denotes beauty, purity , and clarity. Simple things are ususally easier to explain and understand than complicated ones. (as defined on wikipedia.org)

I have been thinking a lot lately about simplicity and the benefits of a simple life. Like the definition states, simplicity is living a life of beauty, purity, and clarity. I would add that this is only possible through Christ. I am saved by grace through Jesus. My sins are forgiven and I have hope in my salvation alone. I am blessed to be a child of God and He has blessed me with a precious family. I am learning to serve my Father by serving my family.

I have a tendency to be a distracted, overwhelmed person; but my desire is to be focused and purposeful. The only way to do this is to daily focus on bible reading and on the Lord. I am learning to fully trust in His plan for my life and follow His commands. I have much to learn. The world wants to make me believe that happiness is anything but simplicity. The world values everything but simplicity....especially for women, we are told that we "need" so many things to be beautiful and complete. I would say just the opposite. The less stuff the better, emotionally, physically, materialistically. We only need more when it concerns God's plan for our life.

My simple prayer for today....Lord, help me die to self, so I may serve you better.