Saturday, December 15, 2012

My New Year's List

It is that time again; can you believe it? We are about to embark on yet another year and I, like many people, like to think of it as a fresh slate. So here is my list so far of things I hope to accomplish in 2013:
Link
1) My mom read a wonderful book called One Perfect Word, and in it the author talks about the wonderful lessons that can be learned when you focus on one word for an entire year. The author talks about praying what your word should be for the coming year, and choosing it with care, then every day of the next year, focus on it. I am still deciding what my word should be, but I decided to focus on one of the fruits of the spirit. I am now praying between Love and Gentleness. Don't worry, I intend to show both in the next year, but those are both words that I really feel I need some work in.

If you could pick one word to work on next year, what would it be?

2) Get my debt under $20,000. I originally hoped to get that number much lower, but now that I am only working part-time, our plan has to be alightly adjusted. I'll be giving my debt update in the coming weeks.

3) Become a mother. I know, I know, I can't exactly plan for this to happen, but I can hope, right? If we are unable to have a child on our own in the coming year, my husband and I will begin praying about adoption.

4) Move. Again. I am actually excited about this move, as our new place will be convenient and have a better lay-out.

5) Get out of pain and back in shape. My back pain from my weird episode last year at this time has kept me from the active lifestyle I usually lead. I am in physical therapy now, so I'm praying 2013 will be a pain-free year where I can get back to activities I love.

6) TRAVEL! I have been itching to travel for a while now. I haven't stepped a foot out of the country since I landed back in it from Turkey in 2008. My husband and I have been saving little bits over the last 2 year (we wanted to get our debt down first), and this year we are going to take a trip to Poland (to visit my husband's Grandparents), Finland (to visit my friends and family from when I was an exchange student), and hopefully Brazil (to visit my friends and family from when I was an exchange student, and to visit my little stepsister who will be doing an exchange there in 2013).Whether Brazil happens depends on how frugal I can manage to be, so I'm going to be punching pennies (even more than usual!) in the coming year.
Last time I was in Finland back in 2005

7) Go to our first marriage conference. We will be going to the Moody marriage conference in January, and I'm very excited for it. Any marriage can always be improved.

8) Finish the Bible. I have been reading 2 chapters per day for over a year now, and I am hoping that I will be finished in 2013.... only to start all over again!

9) Learn to knit. I can crochet like a champ, but I have no idea how to knit. I already bought the Groupon for the online class at Etsy.com.

10) Celebrate: 2 years of marriage, 26 years of life for me, 27 years of life for my husband

6 comments:

  1. What a great list of goals! I haven't begun to think about mine yet... I really should though! I pray that God leads the way for your family in 2013!

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  2. Great great goals!!! :) I always feel so accomplished when I get done reading my Bible. I have read it over 10 times and its always great to start with my new Bible reading chart. :D

    Iris♥ -The Blue Birdhouse

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  3. Great list of goals. I really enjoy reading your blog.

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  4. Hi AmyJoy!
    Your "one word" plan really challenged me.
    Thanks!

    I hope you're feeling better!

    While you're recuperating, have you listened to Otto Koning? My husband introduced me to his tapes.
    This site has several of his messages: http://www.prayerclub.net/sermons/main-speakers/otto-koning.html
    The stories are down to earth, humorous, and the principles SO applicable.

    I hope they will be as much as an encouragement and blessing to you as they have been to me.
    Elisia

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  5. Hi Amy,

    Just wondering (and I don't mean this critically, so please don't take offense) about how you often refer to your step-sisters as ... your step-sisters. I come from a family with half-brothers, and step-siblings and we all just refer to one another 'brother' and 'sister'. Any specific reason you make the differentiation? Again, not trying to criticize, just curious.

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    1. Great question! I honestly haven't thought about it before! My parents remarried not too long ago (Dad in 2005, mom in 2010) so perhaps it would be more natural to call them "brother" and "sister" if I grew up with them. For my youngest stepsister, I often do refer to her as my sister since we've been her siblings for most of her life. For the older stepsiblings, who were in their 20s or 30s when the marriage between our parents took place, the "sibling" relationship hasn't fully developed yet. It is the same with my stepfather, who is a wonderful man, but has only been in my life for a few years. I cannot imagine yet calling him "dad".

      I also want to avoid confusion on this blog, as I was raised with only 3 siblings, and that has made my perspective and experience different than it would have been if I was raised in the large family I have now.

      I hope the day will come when I never think to utter the word "step" again:)

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I love to fellowship with others and hear what they have to say. I would ask, however, that you be mindful of what you write and try to be uplifting and respectful. Thank you for sharing!