I have never been one to make New Year's Resolutions.  One year I tried, but was disappointed when I dropped the ball around March... That was the end of resolutions for me.  Now, I pick a word that I want to focus on.  A word that comes up throughout the year as I grow in that area.  It started about four years ago when I moved to Texas.  Fresh out of college and the world awaited me.  Back when I had all the answers and knew how I was going to save the world.  Back when I thought I knew.

2008- It was this year that I realized that I was not the end-all, be-all.  This year I cried a LOT.  I realized that I wasn't the solution to the hurt and pain my kids faced.  In fact, I couldn't do much of anything except love on them and point them to Jesus.  This year was a difficult year for me.  One that was all about SURVIVAL.  That was my word for the year.  I could not do much other than figure out how to put my feet on the ground in the morning and withstand the onslaught of Satan's attacks.

2009- This year I began to grow in the work.  I figured out how to make the schedule work, to get as much done in as little time as possible.  I began to GROW as a Teaching Parent, GROW in my relationships with my kids, and GROW in life in general.  This was not easy, but each step was worth it.

2010- I realized that the little things were slipping away.  It was easy to focus on getting my checklist done instead of building relationships with my kids.  This year was about learning to be INTENTIONAL.  This is also a focus that needs to be every year.  I struggled a lot at this throughout the year and it will eventually make it back onto my list of focus areas.  But I strove to make the most of those little moments with my kids.  I planned for activities to teach them more.  Planned occasions to show them how special they were.  This is the year I really began to teach them to cook and made them learn it.  I also took them to coffee in the mornings and wrote notes to them.

2011- This year has been really difficult for me.  The end of last year, one of my very close friends moved back to Mexico, then I had a falling out with a good friend on campus, and to top it off there was several staff changes in both my houses.  It rocked my world.  And I've struggled all year to gain PERSPECTIVE.  It has been an ongoing battle to realize that this little world that I am in right now is not the end all.  That this part of my journey is just difficult, but will not last forever.  It has been a struggle to step outside of the daily battle and see the big picture.


2012-  This is the time of year now that I begin thinking and praying about next year.  What word will describe it?  What area do I want to grow the most in?  Contentment?  Endurance? Perseverance?  

Lord, I give this next year to you.  Change me.  Transform me.  Make me less and you more! Guide my feet.  Prepare my steps.  Show me your plan.  Lead me where you want me to be.