3 in 30 week 3

Week 3 has brought much improvement with my goals. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading my book called, "Stepping Heavenward", a book about one young woman's journey to godliness. The setting is late 1800's which at first thought would seem to be out of touch in our 21st century. But as I read this book I am reminded of how the human condition is universal and timeless. The book is written as a journal and the young woman records her thoughts, many of which are so much like my own. I laugh at parts because she sounds like me at times and we share a struggle of wanting to grow in Christ but continue to battle 'the flesh'.

My goal of guitar playing was greatly neglected this week. I think my struggle is because I am essentially beginning a new hobby, and my life is busy enough as it is without trying something new! So, I'm a bit disappointed that my lofty goal of playing my guitar was out of reach but not without hope because I realize that now is not the time in my life for that goal.

My 3rd goal of exercising 4x/week has been cut to 2 this week (although, if I wake up early enough tomorrow I could make it 3....here's hoping). This was due to my finally succombing to the germs floating around my house. So, I was laid up earlier this week with a bad cold. Maybe I'll write tomorrow that I actually was able to get that 3rd day in after all!

So, if there is any encouragement from this week it is this: "to everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven" (to quote both Ecclesiastes and that old song). And it's good to learn that some things just don't work out because there just isn't time for that....right now.

3 in 30-week 2

Last week's success met this week's family illness and overall lethargy which resulted in.....no progress at all. Bummer. But I'm not discouraged. Many things contributed to my failure at meeting my goals. Mostly I was just plain tired out from being nurse maid to my husband and son with 2 differing illnesses. We also helped out my mom who was recovering from a bad bout of a few bugs (she's 80). I am stressed out by illness. Not my illness, but others' illnesses. When illness strikes, worry sets in. And worry wears me out! I have dealt with this issue for a long time because my oldest daughter is 13 and she was sick a lot when she was a little girl. I go into hyperdrive every time illness hits my house. My mind races at the thought of "what ifs", my body races to meet the needs of those who are ill and those who remain healthy. It wears me out. But I did pick goals that were little, so not meeting them this week doesn't set me back to the beginning. That's good.

One new outcome for this week is that I began mulling around future goals for the next month. It's funny to me that in the midst of obvious temporary failure in meeting one set of goals I am getting ready to set new, more challenging goals. Either I'm nutso, very optimistic of the future, or somewhere in the middle. Let's hope it's the middle!

3 in 30...week 1

Glad to report that I have completed all my goals this week. I have been more focussed on completing them then getting on my computer, so I almost missed the first week's 'link up'. I'm very new to the blogosphere....not quite sure what link-up meant, but was glad to know that there were just little buttons to push and blanks to fill and BAM! I 'linked up'.

As far as my guitar playing...I now remember why I stopped playing. It is so hard! My piano playing 10 year old dd is a good sport to listen to my stops and starts. But I continue at it, only to stop when my family has heard enough.

Has there been a talking donkey moment this week? Well, yes, but not related to my goals. Every day this week I have worked with my children to study the Bible via a book for kids by Kay Arthur: "How to Study your Bible". We've looked at the book of Titus. I've learned 2 things: 1. first graders don't really understand some of the language of scripture, so we took some verses phrase by phrase. 2. I was encouraged through scripture to live it out! Live out what I believe, not just say I believe it. And as soon as our study finished for the day we all were faced with making decisions to live it out!

All in all a very good week.

My 2011 Anthem

"You are worthy to be praised
With my every thought and deed
O great God of highest heaven
Glorify Your Name through me"

O Great God, by Bob Kauflin

We sang this song at church today for the first time. I was amazed by the lyrics at the end: "O great God of highest heaven glorify Your name through me". That's the kind of year I want to have; to glorify God through my actions, my words, my choices, my reactions. Let my life be as Galations 2:20 states, It is no longer I that live, but Christ lives in me. Definitely not a 3 in 30, but a 1 in 365. Here's hoping!

Just A Little Fruit

I have come to expect that most ideas for my blog posts come when I'm at the sink washing dishes. Today's post is no exception. This morning I caught myself smiling through my thoughts as I cleaned up last year's party dishes. New Year's Eve has brought the 2nd annual friend NYE Party/sleep over. My 13 year old and her 4 very BFFs spend the evening eating monkey munch, giving out their Christmas presents, and generally take over the house for the night. These girls are so nice they include dd's younger siblings, patiently listening to the little kids' silly jokes and stories and basically allowing them to be part of the merriment. I am fascinated by these young ladies, ages 13-14...(with a new 15 as the defacto leader of the group). They all come from homeschooling families, one is an only child, 2 are the youngest of brothers and 2 are the oldest of many. It's a great combination of personalities and as I get to know them better I become an auxiliary member of their exclusive club. At the sink I was thinking about how lucky I am to be watching these ladies get older. Last year there was no talk of music, singers, and other friends and this year they watched "Sleepless in Seattle", discussing why the 2 main characters didn't kiss in the end. They are growing up. I'm glad that we are a family that spends time together because the fruit of that is knowing my childrens' friends and being invited into their experiences. So far we don't have a generation gap and I believe homeschooling for 7 years (officially) is the cause of that effect. Just a little fruit of our labor....so far.

The 3 in 30 Challenge!

It's New Year's Eve, 2010. I am less than 24 hours away from my commitment to fulfill 3 goals in 30 days. Yikes. What have I gotten myself into? I have been successful once when a few years ago I gave up french fries. I did that for 1 year and I know that after the 1st month it just became easier and easier. But cutting something out is much different than adding something and I'm adding 3, not taking away 1. Here are my 3 goals:

1. Read a book called "Stepping Heavenward" daily. It is in the form of a diary, so I want to read entries everyday. Maybe 1 entry a day, maybe more. But I want to read every day and this seems like a small, reasonable, attainable goal.
2. Exercise 4x/week. This won't be too difficult. I already go with a friend to Bally's 2x/week, so now I just need to add 2 more days. I have an additional goal in mind with this, though. I have such a hard time waking up early every day and if I'm up and out of the house 4 times a week I will be much more likely to get going when I get home. At least that is my hope.
3. Play my guitar for 10 minutes daily. My husband bought me a guitar a few years ago and I haven't really given it much attention. I want to learn how to play songs so my kids and I can sing along to praise songs, or something like that. I just want to play more than I do. I can do 10 minutes. I know I can.

I like the 3 in 30 Challenge because of the accountability that comes with it. I look forward to answering to my new 3 in 30 internet friends who will offer encouragement and friendship via the world wide web.

Yes You Can!

I read this on a blog recently....

"We've learned not to despise brokenness. Don't let any lie in your mind tell you that you couldn't possibly walk a dark road because the fact is you will receive light when you need, as you need it. There is nothing special about our family being strengthened. God offers this strengthening to anyone who will ask for it. Anyone."

I wrote this down so I could remind myself that when I go through any trial or difficulty no matter how big or small I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. The first part of that verse doesn't work without the 2nd: through Christ who GIVES ME strength.