Goals for 2012- February

I run my goals on a four week cycle, so I consider it February already.  Here is the update from the last four weeks.

First, I am amazed at how motivating it is to have my goals posted on our refrigerator.  I feel like I have to accomplish them because everyone that comes over can see them clearly.

I was able to successfully fit 30 minutes of exercise into my week.  It was difficult, but it was such a low goal that on Saturday I kept on feeling like I can't give up on this, so I would do it.

My Bible goal has been really interesting.  I'm reading through the Bible chronologically and it has been eye opening to see what things were happening around the same time.  I read through Isaiah and learned so much.  I never realized how old that book was.  I successfully memorized Isaiah 41:10 and I'm amazed at how many times it has come to mind during the day.

Also, we successfully went and visited all of the grandparents.  I am so glad that we did, because we almost didn't visit one set and then we heard how lonely they had been.

Finally, we are at 80.08% of our big goal!  We made it by the skin of our teeth.

February (next 4 weeks) Goals:
1.  Keep Isaiah 41:10 memorized.
2.  Memorize Ephesians 2:10  "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
3.  Continue the read through the Bible chronologically in a year program.
4.  Exercise 40 minutes a week (it's so embarrassing, but this will definitely be the most challenging).
5.  Visit each grandparent once during the month.
6.  Be at 82.25% of our big house saving goal.

Goals for 2012

Oh boy, we're almost at the start of a new year, which of course means a great time to make new goals.  Money Saving Mom has some great posts about how to make your goals, so if you are having trouble you should head over here.  I used her steps to make my goals for the year.  Here is the break down of my goals this year (not including my teaching goals- that would probably add 3 pages ;) ).

1.  Memorize at least 12 verses starting with Isaiah 41:10   
      Fear not, for I am with you; 
      Be not dismayed, for I am your God. 
      I will strengthen you, 
      Yes, I will help you, 
      I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
I decided on this verse because I have an extremely busy month ahead (my fault- if only I could say no), and so I believe this verse will really encourage me.


2.  Read at least two "wife" books this year.  I'm looking into When a Woman Inspires her Husband and Rekindling the Romance: Loving the Love of your Life.


3.  Visit with each set of grandparents once a month.  Visit each sibling (us driving) once in the spring and once in the fall.

4.  Visit long distance friends over the summer.

5.  Exercise.  This year I am breaking it down by the month.  Don't laugh when you read this- you have to remember that I currently don't really exercise other than the squats I do while my papers are copying at work (yes I am that crazy lady in the copy room).  I'm trying to be realistic this year.
Jan: 30 min/week     Feb: 40 min/week    Mar: 50 min/week   April: 60 min/week   May: 70 min/week
June: 80 min/week   July: 90 min/week   Aug:80 min/ week   Sept: 60 min/week   Oct: 60 min/week
Nov: 60 min/week  Dec: 60 min/week

6.  We reached our small goal this last year and we are currently at 77% of our goal (2% higher than my goal!).  My goal is to reach our big goal by October.

7.  Use this website to choose a Bible reading plan for the year.

8.  Tape my goals to our refrigerator (it isn't magnetic :( ).  Revisit once a month online.

Gratituesday: Thankful for breaks

I am partnering up with Heavenly Homemakers' Gratituesday.  I am so grateful for quiet times and breaks in the action.  It has been a little over a week since school has ended.  My first week I felt like I was still on the treadmill from school because I was charging through everything and going here and there.  This week has been a bit slower.  Although that slow pace seems weird to me, it is good.

I have started watching a video series on Christian counseling.  I decided that I do so much counseling at school (even though I'm just a teacher) that I really would like more training.  I am thankful that my church has this amazing free resource for me to use.

I have been reading books!  They refresh me so much.  They've challenged me on many levels.  Each one pushes me a bit farther.  Once again, these were provided free through my local and church library.

The main focus of my thankfulness for this week is my husband.  He is very wise.  Last year I just couldn't handle the thought of staying home over the summer and not having a job.  Actually what bothered me most was the thought that I would have to tell people I was doing "nothing" and that they would have the image of a housewife that sat home and ate bon bons all day (which was not at all what I did last summer).  My natural tendency has always been to fill my day to the brim with activities from start to finish.

However, this is not always good.  My husband really really encouraged me not to get a job.  At first it felt really weird.  But then, all of the sudden in the silence of the day I would just feel the peace of God.  It was wonderful.

This summer has been even better.  Not that God doesn't speak to me during the school year, but it is the quiet of a summer day in the country that forces me to slow down and reassess my priorities and goals.  Even Jesus took time away from the group to go off and be with God.

In summary, I am extremely thankful that my husband is much wiser than I and realized that I need the quiet of the summer to force me to quiet my spirit.  God is doing things in my life that weren't always possible when I would try to hear his still small voice in the din of my life.