2012

Woohoo! First post of 2012!

So what to write about? I always hear of people around me who take time to relfect on the past year, and taking time to make resolutions. I always thought that it was a nice idea, and I would like to do it one day. But I didn't give myself time. I am like that. I am someone who pictures myself doing a million things, and pretend that's what I would do if I was that person. I do it a lot. I've labelled it "my ideal self". But that's not what this post is about  (though I am working on getting rid of that ideal self. I don't think it's healthy- it is more negative expectations I have made for myself based on what I "think" society wants). Anyways, I wanted to talk about something else. I finally did sit down and relfect on the past year... kind of.

I have these two letters I wrote. One at Gardom Lake Bible Camp in summer of 2010, and one when I was in Spain in March 2011. They are both letters that I wrote to reflect on my time in both of thos places. The activity then concluded with us placing the letter in an address marked for home and sealing the envelope. The letter was to be sent to us 6 months later. They did successfully make it to me, but I never opened them- just waiting for the perfect time.

Well, I finally opened them today, and from that time of reflection came two goals for this year (I don't like the word resolution because it has such a negative stigma around it...). Here are the goals:

1. I will attempt to read three chapters in my bible each day. I am setting aside a half an hour to read and pray. This will be a way that I can start the day on a positive note, challenge myself to read my bible, get close to God, and have some quiet time during the day. Time to relfect and think- which I realized I don't do enough when the thought of relfecting on the last year didn't seem to have even a chance of happening! There are so many good reasons that come from starting my day this way.

2. Relationships. This is a hard one for me. I am going to challenge myself to work on relationships this year. I feel that the relationships that I have in my life, with my family and friends, and most importantly, with God, could be at a much better place than they are right now. And I believe that starts with me being open and vulnerable. Oh, this is going to be a hard one!

Well, good luck to all of you who are also challenging yourselves this year. More importantly, may God walk with you and guide you through the next year!

Christi

²⁴ “The LORD bless you 
   and keep you; 
²⁵ the LORD make his face shine on you 
   and be gracious to you; 
²⁶ the LORD turn his face toward you 
   and give you peace."

Numbers 6:24-26