A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That...

     So, I have lots of thoughts floating around in my head today. If you are living in Missouri you know we are having the first snow of the winter.  I totally wasn't expecting it, and was planning on doing my grocery shopping but I think I will forgo that!  Aowyn made it to school, per Grandma, but I don't know if they will actually keep them all day or not.  Asher and Aurelia are watching movies, and I have been uploading pictures onto the computer in hopes of getting some printed off/ordered for Christmas. 
     Anyway, it was brought to my attention (per Facebook) that today is the birthday of two men who have been very influential in my life and faith. First is Chuck Hittle: he is the pastor of Shiloh Family Church (where I grew up and my family still attends) and was youth pastor for some of my high school years.  I still remember a lot of his in depth teaching, but the love and wisdom he operates in is what makes all the difference.  The second is Pastor David Gadbury: a pastor at Church of the Harvest in Oklahoma City.  Pastor David was in charge of the interns in 2002 when I interned at Youth America for the summer.  He taught most of our classes, and opened up his home a few times so that we could get off campus and out of the gym locker rooms we lived in!  Even though I have had little contact with them in the past 8 or 9 years (makes me feel old- I can't believe how much time has passed!), looking back I know they are an integral part of my foundation. I am so thankful for these two men who encouraged me, and spoke into my life. 
     Take a moment to locate, and maybe even write down or go thank, those people who have spoken into your life and invested in you.  It may be years since you have spoken to or seen them, and though you have come far, they helped bring you to where you are now.  Maybe this person helped you discover something about yourself, or encouraged you to pursue something you loved, or even challenged your values, thinking or faith.  Whether you are still in contact with them (maybe even every day), or have no clue where they are now, give God thanks and glory for the people who have influenced you and helped you become the person you are today!

Looking Ahead

     So, I feel the need to apologize, as much to myself as any of you who keep up with this blog!  I am not meeting my goals of posting as frequently as I'd like, but on the other hand I am getting lots of other things done and I am not going to focus on what lies behind but what lies ahead.  This fall at The Revolution we have been talking about getting ready for 2012- it is THE YEAR OF DOING IT!  I am already looking forward to next year, and am planning for what I want to accomplish personally and as a family.  What have you desired to do, and maybe have even started, but have yet to do or complete?  Those are God-given, and you should pursue them!  Sit down and write down five things that you have wanted to do.  They are probably things that have stuck with you for awhile now, right?  I challenge you to have a family meeting, and discuss what you would like to accomplish and what course of action you need to take to achieve it.  You can do this with your spouse, parents or best friend.  You will be amazed at how even just talking about it will give you new ideas and perspective!
     Some of my goals for this year were to have a garden (didn't happen), blog weekly (fell short there), and have a regular girls night (eh, but that wasn't fully dependent on me!).  We did set up a savings account, I did do a girls book study (though we weren't able to finish due to scheduling conflicts), and I got all A's on the rest of my pre-reqs for nursing school!  I have also wanted to write books (fiction) for a long time.  I started writing, found a friend in New Zealand who is also a writer who actually responds to my mile long emails and gives me feedback!, and also participated in NaNoWriMo (with another local friend) in November.  Even though I didn't meet the 50k word goal, I am going to try again next year.  I have grown leaps and bounds in leading worship, which has been a dream of mine for years.  I even started playing around on the keyboard!  And I have been asked to work on a children's book through a connection brought about by this blog! 
     I turned in my application for the nursing program this week, so that will consume a lot of time next year, but that isn't going to stop me!  I want to write more, blog more, sing and write more music... I have gotten lots of creative ideas.  I have someone who is going to be my PIG (partner in gardening, lol).  Abram wants to move into a bigger house, so we are going to work toward getting our house ready to sell.  I have made some crafting friends, so hopefully I can progress in getting my scrap booking done!  I have really been working toward getting more organized and keeping things clean, and I am going to keep on! 
     I realize that none of this sounds spiritual or seems to reflect a specific "be a better wife and mom" goal, but hold on!  One thing that I have always been a little intimidated by, but secretly aspired to, is the "Proverbs 31" woman, and all of these tie in and are moving me toward being who God created me to be.  I have experienced so much grace this year, and lots of things have been resolved and worked through.  All the glory goes to Him!  I am so excited to look back on 2011, and have so much hope for 2012!  I will try and post some pictures to prove I am actually doing things. :)  If I could give you all a taste of the apple butter Kristin and I made yesterday I would!
     If I could give you one word of advice it would be: begin with love.  "Faith works by love." Galatians 5:6.  A desire is deeper than emotion.  Take that step of faith, and know that whatever you do God's love and grace is there, and I am sure you have a few people beside you too.  I know I am not leaving this subject here, so prepare yourself and make your list! Thanks for sticking with me!