psreit wrote:I always like New Years because I feel I can regroup and start fresh in certain areas of my life. I don't make serious resolutions, because I'm human and don't carry them out to the expectations I put on myself. But, one area in which we can all agree is that we can never do all that we need to do for the Lord while here on earth. So, beginning a new year is always a time for me to commit to having a richer prayer life, spending more time in God's Word, being available for serving, being more bold to witness to the unsaved, being a better helpmeet to dh, being a better example and teacher to my dd, etc....
I like New Year's for the same reasons you do!
A fresh start, a time to regroup, a time to make some new goals... I think you have come up with some great thoughts and goals for the New Year! I have prayed for you for God to come alongside you as your Helper in the ways you have shared.
I've done some reflecting of my own and made some new goals. One thing I have started this New Year is a journal. I am reading through the Bible again, and I decided I needed some new ways to respond that help me with consistency and application more. The journal has already been so helpful! I just read several chapters each day, copy a key verse that stood out to me, write what it means to a Christian in general, and write what it means to me personally. My Bible has wonderful notes on the bottom of each page (NIV Life Application Bible), and that has helped as well. I can already see it is helping me identify patterns - good and bad - in my life, that I normally somehow miss.
Another area I want to work on is choosing to be joyful and patient each day in my homeschooling. I confess I am sometimes not, and yet these are things I expect from my dc.
Making sure I have my Bible Quiet Time, listening to praise music while we do our chores, and praying at the start of our day helps get me off on the right foot.
I am sometimes lonely as my dh is gone quite often, and I don't always respond well to him being gone. It is hard for me to encourage him in his work sometimes, as I am jealous of the time it requires. I miss him, but I realize I cannot use that as an excuse to be upset with him. This is an area I am working on this year too, and the beautiful thing is, his being gone truly does draw me closer to the Lord. I have to depend on Him more, so this is a good thing in the long run!
I have written all the things I love and appreciate about my dh in my journal, and there are so many! I read them when I am needing a boost in the love department.
Getting healthier. A final goal for me. I have made some gradual changes this past year and lost 20 pounds s-l-o-w-l-y over the entire year. I am hoping to exercise more, and keep making healthier food and drink choices this year. I have found the benefits to be more energy and a more positive attitude, so I hope to keep heading in that direction, though it is not easy.
My dh and I are doing P90X workouts together. 3 days down, 87 to go.
Like you said though, Pam, not huge goals I can't meet, but rather just trying to move more in the right direction. That, I should be able to do.
My Bible verse for this year is, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things." Phil. 4:8
May we all have goals the Lord loves for this year, and may we all have His help in meeting them!
Thanks for sharing and for letting me share too! BTW - I loved reading abrightmom's goals too - and have also prayed for you, Katrina!!!
In Christ,
Julie
Gentleness and a quiet mouth are not natural for me.... 
. He is faithful, however, and I know He delights in disciplining and refining His children. 
