Celebrating 6 Months of Intentional Living

-
Can you believe we are already halfway thru 2016? Halfway through my year of living intentionally! I think it is really important to reflect back on how far we've come, how God has been working, and continue to make goals for the remainder of the year.

So far this year, I have...
* written 31 blogs (this is #32!)
* read 23 books (and 5 magazines!)
* taken 21 hikes (and half-a-dozen walks on the beach!)
* attended church almost every week (plus a 6-week Bible study!)
* traveled to Reno, NV; San Felipe, Mexico (including an overnight in San Diego, CA); Ohio and Indiana; and most recently, Lake Tahoe, CA/NV
* AND gone on a date with my husband at least once a week, ranging from breakfast to double dates, a scavenger hunt to an art class, picnics to dinner cruises, movies to pedicures, and Dancing with the Stars LIVE tour. 
I've grown in my faith, my calf muscles, and in my marriage. I've celebrated more and worried less. I've filled my time with things I love and feel called to do, with the person I love and feel called to do life with.

What a year! And we're only halfway thru!


I'm really excited to see what is to come for the rest of 2016. Camping trips, a big move, more travel and books and dates and hikes... lots of changes, challenges and blessings are in store! Already I am beginning to see why it was so important for me to take this year to live with intention.


I hope you will join me in living intentionally for the next 6 months! I promise you it will change your life. Think and pray about the things you feel called to do, and then begin to do those things on purpose. Make daily, weekly, and monthly goals, and reward yourself for achieving those goals! Whether you put a sticker on your calendar like we do, or you go to the spa for a professional massage, make sure you celebrate your victories!

AND give yourself grace for your failures. If you look back at the numbers above, you'll see I didn't quite achieve my goals in taking a hike and reading a book every week. But I didn't let those setbacks stop me from jumping right back in the following week and trying to do better. Don't give up! Even doing the things you love and feel called to do takes discipline. But you can do it!



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

names

-
Image
Yesterday my sermon was about the importance of names. Matthew 1 begins with a list of names, the genealogy of Jesus. Mark 1 begins with baptism, when our name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Luke 1 begins with an angel telling Zechariah he would have a son, to be named John. And John 1 says "In the beginning...", reminding us of Genesis when God called things into creation, named them, and gave Adam his first assignment--to name all the animals. And because we are celebrating Jesus' birthday this week, we talked about His all important name. Jesus, which means "God saves." And Immanuel, "God is with us." Not "for" us. But "with" us. Dwelling among us. Walking the earth. Filling our hearts. I also shared that Katie means "pure". A name I've always been intimidated by. A name I never thought I could live up to. But through this year of self-exploration, of embracing fears and family and lessons ...
Read more

No Purpose in Pie Town

-
Image
Life is always changing. Sometimes it feels like a long process, sometimes it happens in an instant, and other times it just sneaks right up on you. A year ago, Randy and I were in the middle of nowhere ( Pie Town, New Mexico ), 100 percent sure that it was our next move. His mom was told she only had 6 months to live , so our plan was to care for her in her final days. During our visit, I envisioned putting my office in the loft. And already anticipated being irritated by the television and phone calls and visitors below. Randy made up the plans to convert the garage into a master suite for us. We even picked out our flooring. I researched getting certified to teach at the local elementary school and Randy had scoped out the local diner where he planned to "sling hash." We were excited about the hiking and bouldering opportunities in the area and even bought special shoes. But as the months passed by, mom seemed to be as stubborn and healthy as ever. An...
Read more

shortcomings

-
Image
I am a terrible housekeeper. I never remember to dust and I haven't seen my kitchen table in months. Yes I do eat at said table. And if you want to join me you are welcome to put your plate on a book or magazine of your choice. I have zero willpower. Every 3 months for 10 days I do a "cleanse" and only eat lean meat, fruits, and vegetables. I am yet to make it to day 5 without cheating. I am very wasteful. I waste everything. Everything. I had never heard of Saint Nicholas Day until yesterday (even though Wikipedia says it is popular in Cincinnati). And it sounds really scary. Kids getting butchered (on a similar note, did you hear they are going to make a movie out of the books Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark ?). Demons kidnapping naughty children. Giving presents to unmarried women who "need" to find a husband. (Maybe it's not such a shortcoming to have neglected to put my shoes outside Thursday night.) Typically when we talk about shortcomings ...
Read more