Happy New Year - 2013

WOW, so much time has passed since my last post - 7 months to be exact.  I never intended to let so much time slip through my hands.  I always wanted this blog to be a way for friends and family to see what was going on with our family since we are overseas and not always in touch.  I also found it cathartic at times...

Now a new year is upon us.  Welcome to 2013!  I am starting this year out with some good intentions but more than that...  I am focusing on ONE word for the year... that ONE word will translate into many things in many ways but I want to live it out here - a place where I can find accountability to stick with it, where I can chat about how it is going and possibly even get feedback from those who are "listening" to my ramblings.

My ONE word for the year is RESOLVE.  It just came to me as I was deciding that I indeed wanted to start this blog up in earnest again.  I was really just mulling it over and thinking do I really want to PUT myself out there for all the world to see (or really just those 2 or 3 people who actually read my blog).  The more I thought about it the more I realized that I needed to - IF only for me...  I was inspired by several different blogs I follow and so before I had even decided to blog again I RESOLVED to not have resolutions to start the year but rather a PRAYER for the year.  I based it upon one I had read that resonated with me and added some bits here and there.  So now I will share it with you as well as some thoughts.

My prayer: Father in Heaven, I thank You that You are All Authority in heaven and on earth.  You, Lord, know me.  You know my every desire, my every need, and even my hurting places.  Lord, as I seek to know You more, would you please open the eyes of my heart so that I may seek Your wonderful ways.

Lord, I confess that so often I do not live a life that honors You.  My actions, words and even thoughts, Lord, seem so far from who You are and who You desire for me to be.  I want to live a life that pleases You, so I ask you Father, to soften my heart to receive what your Sweet Spirit has to say to me.  Give me a hunger and a thirst for Your Word.  As You reveal it to me, help me through the power of Your Holy Spirit to listen and obey.  Lord, I invite You now, to use Your Word, which is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword to penetrate to the deepest recesses of my heart.  Break me Lord, that I may fall to my knees and look up to You for guidance.

Give me a heart that desires You and Your truth above all else.  I ask You today for a fresh filling of Your Wisdom.  Give me the strength to walk in Your Truth, no matter the cost.  Guard my heart and keep my eyes fixed on You.  Grow in me the fruit of Your Spirit, those things that will make me more like You.  As I study Your Word, fill me and saturate me with more of You.

Today, Lord, I surrender my past and look to the future, thanking You that I am a new creation and that Your Mercies are new every morning.  No matter what was done before Lord, I have hope that You take all things and work them to good for You and Your Kingdom.

Thank You for being faithful and true.  Thank You for directing my steps.  I trust You to do a mighty work in me through this year and forward until I am with You in eternity.  May I spend each day in search of You and how to best serve You.

Father, help me to be filled with patience and grace.  Give me grace and humility when dealing with others.  Help me to remember who You are and to not be distressed or depressed by others actions.  Help me to be the bigger person and extend the hand in forgiveness, fellowship, kindness, etc.  Whatever is needed in that moment Lord.

I love YOU, Lord!  Make my life a living testimony of Your Love.  I ask these, and all blessings, in the powerful and mighty name of Your glorious Son, Jesus Christ, my Lord, who will do immeasureably more than I could ever ask or imagine.   Amen

Along with my prayer I have come up with a Mission Statement of sorts to try and guide my life by this year.  Again I will share it here in hopes of staying more accountable for my actions.

I RESOLVE to pursue a relationship with Jesus with my whole being and surrender all that I am and all that I have so that I can fully be an instrument in God's hands.

I RESOLVE to fully love James, my Beloved husband of nearly 23 years, so that he feels loved, cared for and admired.  To inspire and encourage him in his walk with God.

I RESOLVE to enjoy the time I have with my boys, Caleb & Jared.  To help them grow into men who fully trust in the Lord and serve Him in all they do wholeheartedly. 

I RESOLVE to live my life in such a way that others are inspired to fully pursue Jesus and desire contant growth in their personal lives.

I RESOLVE to set aside time daily with God, my father in prayer and reading of His Word.

I RESOLVE to take the time to eat right and exercise that I may finish the year more fit than I started.

I RESOLVE to make every attempt to live at peace with others and to have my words and thoughts tempered with patience, grace, mercy and humility.

I RESOLVE to focus on creating items (cards, gifts, etc) that will bless and inspire others.  To create items with my stash of craft supplies as a gift of encouragement to my friends and family.

And finally I RESOLVE to keep in better contact with friend and family by updating this blog more often with stories and pictures of our recent adventures however exciting or boring they may be.

May God's many blessings and peace be upon you.  Thank you for sticking with me thus far!

Love you all...