Goals from our home for 2008

Aaron & I spent last evening setting some goals for the new year, while using the questions by Donald Whitney that I listed previously. We also went over the questions provided by Doug Phillips to review God’s Providences on our behalf this past year. It was such a refreshing time together. I will treasure making this a tradition each new year. Having these thoughts, events, areas of growth, etc. recorded will be making our family history so memorable. I am going to paste the document we wrote out in the back of the our photo album for the year.

2007 HIGHLIGHTS

- At a mission conference in the beginning of the year, Aaron & I received a clear burden for missions. The Lord challenged us to be preparing to go rather than just willing to go and planning on staying. We are preparing to go if the Lord calls us!

- The Lord protected us in a crazy car accident in January and provided the funds to repair our car (as we were at fault and had no full coverage insurance).

- We went to Orcas Island in Northern Washington to celebrate our 1 year anniversary in April.

- Karis Ruth arrived on May 4 through a miraculous and a surprise breach birth at home.

- We started a mission mobilizing group in our church to increase mission awareness.

- We had several doors close in business and school plans for Aaron (things we felt like were needed for preparing to go on the field), but God is continuing to lead, direct, and provide for our every need. Even though we are lacking a lot of direction and wisdom in this season, God is faithful and will never leave or forsake us.

- We are growing as parents in learning patience, growing in our communication as a couple, and becoming more faithful prayer warriors.

GOALS FOR 2008

- We both desire to increase our enjoyment of God this year by increasing our reading. I am aiming to read one book each month for a total of 12.

- We are both seeking to keep each other accountable in reading through the Bible in a year. We are using the Discipleship Journal plan for this.

- Fresh structure in our schedule. I am seeking to keep my priorities in the right place by limiting my computer time to when Karis is napping. It has been a distraction and temptation to get on here and blog when she needs my attention first and foremost.

- I want to be in more purposeful prayer for my husband and children (Lord willing!). I have been slacking lately, and will begin afresh by using Stormie Omartian’s prayer cards, which are taken from her book, The Power of A Praying Wife. Powerful prayers that have greatly enriched my prayer life.

- Wiser in my food spending. I am seeking to decrease our food spending this year by starting to make a few more things on my own. I am seeking to eat more nutritiously on a budget (I will definitely be sharing through the process). I am going to start eating more grains and legumes. Mapping out my monthly menu plan is greatly assisting with this. I also want to learn how to make a few of my own dairy products, dressings and condiments.

By God’s grace, I will seek to review these things throughout the year!