Looking Back...Looking Ahead

In the year 2010...

I Rejoiced…
>when our baby girl, Honoree’ Faith, burst into our lives
>when the Lord used His people to help meet our monetary needs during several months without work
>at the start of a home church meeting in our house
>in the gift of beginning a new friendship
>in teaching another child to read
>watching my husband and oldest daughter commit to purity in her life
>over baby kittens!
>when I found I was down 5 pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight a week after giving birth
>when a dear friend and her family returned from the mission field and later welcomed a new baby to their family!

I Grieved…
>during the hurt and struggle my husband faced while searching for work in the winter months
>the diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes in the last weeks of my pregnancy
>the loss of my planned home and water birth when pressed to deliver at a local hospital due to “policies”.
>when my 4 year old daughter broke her arm
>the ending of our home church
>the ending of a dear family friendship
>gaining 20lbs 6 months during my post partum season
>fighting the baby blues
>the poor state of our garden

I Learned…
>Humility brings blessing
>the Lord truly will not rest until He has dealt with a matter
>that Seven isn’t all that I feared
>Seven is still a Number to Be Reckoned With
>my husband has great insight and ability to guide me
>waiting on the Lord is hard and reveals my terrible lack of patience and trust
>I *enjoy* exercise and I *can* lose weight while nursing, even though it requires much diligence
>I like the Wii.

In the year 2011...

I Pray…
>I would grow in my bible reading and prayer life
>I would strengthen heartstrings with my children
>I will learn to love as the Lord teaches, setting aside the worldly mindset of love
>I will make relationships a priority in my life
>I will slow down, de-stress and grow in humility and let go of anger
>I will stay faithful to my health and fitness goals, resulting in a stronger and healthier lifestyle for our whole family
>our family will find a home church and ministry in which to serve

I Resolve…
>to walk 100 miles by March
>to increase my physical activity daily
>to learn how to make and use sourdough
>to increase raw food in our diet
>to find a new physical activity I’ve never tried but will enjoy regularly
>to send personal notes weekly
>to leave a comment each time I visit a blog or receive an email
>to establish a weekly “date” with my children
>to tend the gardens and yard better this year

>to pray for and reach out to our neighbors weekly