Revisiting 2010 Resolutions!

Okay, so now is the time to revisit last year's resolutions and see which ones I accomplished! I think it's always great to have goals, but the truth is, every day is a gift and the real accomplishment is just learning to live each day to the fullest! But, I do love doing this because it's really fun to look back and remember my goals and make new ones for the future.

So, let's see which 2010 goals were accomplished:

1. Figure out what my divine burden is.

This was the one I was most excited about last year! I thought for sure I had this one all figured out. Your divine burden is what gets you all fired up....something you care about that maybe no one else really does....something you are passionate about.....something that God has broken your heart for. I do know for sure that part of mine is the orphan crisis. I love to see all the adoptions taking place, both international and domestic! I also am passionate about being anti-abortion. And lately, the homeless have been on my heart. I think what this all adds up to is that God has given me a heart for speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves and caring for the less fortunate. What I've learned is that there are always ways that God can use us to care for those who are lonely, hurting, and down. I used to think once I figured out my divine burden, that I would devote my life to that cause. But, I think what I've learned is that God has given me a caring heart and there are many ways daily that He can use me to offer His hope to others who are suffering.

2. Figure out which direction to go with my business. My goal for my business in 2010 is to create a product that I am really happy with, and just run with it!

Well, I think I'm close to figuring this one out, but last year was so busy that I just didn't have much time to devote to my business.

3. Lose 30 pounds!

LOL!!!! I think I actually gained 10 pounds last year! But, I have started drinking more water, exercising, and eating better this week and I've lost 5 pounds. It will happen this next year!

4. Organize my home and get rid of everything that we don't need or use.

I did pretty good on this one and I'm going through everything again in the next few weeks so that we won't be moving anything that we don't absolutely need!

5. Find a great cause that I can help out with and be passionate about.

Again, I have discovered that it's not about finding one specific thing. It's about being willing to help in whatever way He leads me.

6. Go on a vacation this summer.

We didn't do this one either, but I'm okay with that! I just don't know how people afford vacations!

7. Meet some of my blogging friends.

Maybe this will happen one day!

8. Overcome my traveling issues.

I've come a long way on this one and made lots of progress!

9. Read the bible more and lots more books!

I didn't do good on reading my bible daily. I know that's so important. I did read 28 books last year. They were all Christian non-fiction except for one, so I definitely learned a lot!

10. Budget better and cook more, so that we don't spend so much money on eating out!

We did really great on this one. We started several months ago with the envelope system....putting cash money for each category in envelopes and we have done really good sticking to our budget. We have done really good with cooking at home most of the time too. I am really proud of us!

11. Get Lily to sleep in her own bed.

*laughs hysterically* Ummmm, yeah........this one totally didn't happen. And we're starting to get really squished. I have a feeling when we move to a one story house, it will be pretty easy to transition her into her own room.

12. Write something (besides blog posts).

I just didn't have time for this one! I still dream of writing a book one day though!

13. Do lots more fun things with the girls.

I think we did pretty good on this one. :)

14. Make a point to do more family things on the weekends.

I think we did pretty good on this one too. We can do better though!

15. Find a babysitter, so we can have date nights!

You know what's funny? The few times the girls were all gone at night, or for a period of time, we really don't know what to do with ourselves. It just feels wrong and neither one of us like it. We truly enjoy spending time with our girls and having them here. I love our family!!! We have discovered that we both love being at home. That is our idea of a perfect night. Watching a movie, relaxing.

16. I talked alot about anxiety and missing my Mom in 2009. My goal for 2010 is to stop that. I believe there is great power in the words we choose. I have to stop proclaiming that anxiety is a part of my life, and start proclaiming that I have nothing to fear! I am going to put my trust in the Lord, and step out in faith and do all those things that I have allowed the enemy to steal from me! I will always miss my Mom, but it's time for me to live the life that she would've wanted me to. I've already come such a long way in 2009 and I believe 2010 is going to be even better!

Anxiety is that constant thorn in my side. I look at how much I've learned and how much I've grown in my faith these past two years and the enemy knows that this anxiety is the only way to keep me from complete freedom. I have done so well to step out in faith at times when I seriously thought I couldn't. And it is always thrilling when I make it through by relying only upon His strength. It's something that most will never understand. But you know what? It has made me more compassionate and understanding. I truly understand what it is like to have to meet someone right where they are. We have to understand that sometimes, even believers, have literally nothing left to give, and that is where we come in......to encourage, to pray for, to lift up, to carry. That is how we can be the hands and the feet of Jesus!

I have overcome many hurdles this past year. I have learned SO much about myself. The Lord has shown me that I don't have to save the world, I don't have to be perfect, I don't have to be the "teacher's pet" when it comes to serving Him the right way! I realized just how much I thrive on the praise of man, instead of being humble in knowing that I have done what God has asked of me. I also learned that I am not responsible for the things that others do. I learned that it's okay to stand up for what you believe in, even when it costs you almost everything, but that you can't forget to love first. Most of all, I have been loved by my Jesus in ways that I never even imagined were possible!

2010 was a great year! It went by SO fast and I believe that great things are in store for 2011!!!
I love my family and I love our life! It is so true that God will bless you more than you ever dreamed was possible!