2011 Goals

I just love a fresh start, don’t you?
The first page of a journal…
The blank pages of a new planner…

And here we sit, 3 days into a new year, a whole 362 days stretch before me, wide open with possibility.  I know there are people out there who don’t love resolutions or goals, but I am not one of them.  I like having a clear picture in my head of what I’m working towards.

So as I’ve thought and prayed over my goals for this new year, I’ve come up with quite a list.  Some of them are personal, between me and the Lord.  But a majority of them I want to share here.  Maybe they’ll encourage you… or you can encourage me.  That’s what this whole community is about anyway, isn’t it?

#1. Spend time with the Lord EVERYDAY.  I know this should be second nature by now, but reality is, I go in waves.  This year, I want to live a life fully surrendered to Him.  And I can’t do that if I’m not spending time with Him.

#2. Memorize two scriptures a month.  I’d love to do more, and if that happens- great!  But I want to end this year with 24 verses in my heart. 

#3. Run a full marathon.  I’ve said it before, but this time- I’m ready.  I’ve got training partners, a kick-booty plan and MOTIVATION.  I’m turning 30, you know… and this has always been something I’ve dreamed of doing.  This is my year to find that dream.

#4. Blog more.  I kind of fell into a rut last year, and now that makes me sad.  I hate that I don’t have a clear record of our lives from the past year.  This year, no matter how mundane or boring, I want to document our lives.

#5. Take more photos!  I love pictures.  I always have.  But sometimes I start to feel silly taking my camera out wherever I go.  No more.  I’ve signed up for 365project and I’m sticking with it!

#6. Eat wholesome, real food as much as possible.  This means less eating out and more cooking at home.  This means making a meal plan and grocery shopping.  I know that eating real food is the best thing for all of us- it’s just not always the most convenient.

#7. Be intentional in my relationships.  I want the friendships that I have to be growing and full of the Lord.  I want to encourage those around me in their walks.  I want our conversation to be seasoned with grace and wisdom.

#8. Read at least 4 non-fiction, spiritual growth books.  I love to read, and can devour a fiction book in no time at all.  Give me a book that is about something important, and chances are, I’ll never finish it.  It’s sad really, but something I know I need to work on!

#9. Date night with Micah once a month.  Life gets so busy, and it’s easy to let the time we spend together at work and home count for our dates.  But I know that we need intentional time set apart for the two of us.

#10. Get rid of all the junk we don’t need.  I have an entire closet full of stuff that if it disappeared tomorrow, I would probably never notice.  I need to seriously go through stuff and get rid of things.

So there you have it… my top 10 goals for 2011.  I’ll leave you with my memory verse for this week:

Colossians 3:12 “therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”