new year's "resolutions"

So with the new year rapidly approaching

it easy to see I have set at least one "resolution" -

to read the bible all the way through in 2008.

But God has been gently prodding me

over the past week or so to do more in 2008 --

things that will grow my heart and

at the same time that will challenge my head -

things that will make a difference

in how I walk out my relationship with Jesus.

Here are 4 of the things He is leading me towards

(I will add more as they come):

• to read 2 books a month during 2008 - not just fiction - not just parenting - but a wide array of things that will grow me! So I figured (yes, I am a structured person) that if I purchased a new book every other Saturday night at the GCC (Granger Community Church) bookstore before the service I would meet that goal. I purchased my first one last night -- Bringing Up Boys by Dr. James Dobson and I am on page 200 already (that is a whole other blog :))
• to invite friends over once a month to fellowship in our home - either with or without our kids
• to simplify, clean and/or organize small areas that only take a small amount of time - for instance I cleaned out the basket of books and magazines in our bathroom - threw away all the old ones and washed out the basket - it took a whole 10 minutes! My job is to keep the house as a peaceful, restful place for my family so that we can spend time doing what matters most!!
• to get the kids scrapbooks caught up to december 2007 and begin organizing 2008 pictures - I want my kids to have a photo legacy of our family as well as their grandparents and be able to look back on memories we built as they were growing up!

friends

So today my neighbor kim asks if her

and her family can stop by - of course, they are always welcome

in our house -- they always offer lots of laughs and

a great amount of parenting support.

Today they came bearing gifts -

and you will never guess what I got --

a new handmade bag!

It is gorgeous, brown and aqua and

I have the perfect use for it already --

it will hold my brand new One Year Bible, my journal

and of course assorted pens, pencils, highlighters

and post it flags.

I was so excited,

I have never liked emptying out a bag just to use it for something else -

so i probably have 4 bags going right now -

• one for my bible study MOTTTS
• one for library time with the kids
• one for when I go help a local winter guard with their dance stuff
• one just to take stuff I need to do when I am out - like bills, grocery lists etc.

The best thing about this one is that it matches the decor in my house.

I know that sounds silly but I can just leave it out and it looks good.

That is such an important factor in the ease of staying organized

and succeeding at my plan to "TRY" to

read through the bible in a year.

You know what else?

Kim is gonna "TRY" too!

thankfulness

So here it is - Christmas night

and we are getting the kids ready for bed and

I have so many things to be thankful for

and family is near the top of the list.

• I am so thankful for living near my husbands family - they sure do make Christmas a special day together.
• I am thankful that I know Jesus and my kids are watching their mom and dad celebrate His birthday and say a prayer of thanks together.
• I am thankful that my dad was able to enjoy a wonderful trip to Florida at the beginning of December and spend 5 days with all his kids and grandkids.
• I am thankful for my church who challenges me to be a Christ follower every time I walk in and out it's doors!

May you all know the love of Jesus this holiday season

and may your family be blessed by your relationship

with the most amazing Father, God himself.

thoughts in my sleep

Okay so last night I started thinking

while I was supposed to be sleeping --

I was excited about this whole challenge to

read through the bible in a year and

really feel like God lead me to do this

and invite my friends.

Then I started thinking -- can I do it?

What happens if I fail?

So I was considering "banking" up my time --

I mean I still have 10 days left before the new year

and the "official start date"

so what if I starting reading and blogging now??

Just to get ahead so that when I mess up

and skip a day I don't get stuck

in the battle with condemnation --

I just reach into my "bank" and remember

I have "credit" on my account already?

What do you think - is it a crazy idea or what?

welcome to the journey!

I am going on a Journey

in 2008 and I am inviting

several friends to join me

some of you know each other

some of you don't --

some live close and others live very far.

However,

we are connected

I know you all and

we all know

Jesus!!

Please come with me as I try

(notice try) to read the bible in one year.

I am creating this blog as a place for all of us to share

about how it is going and what

God is doing in our lives!