Christian Homekeeping

I kept waiting upon a Word from the Lord for this New Year and wasn't getting anything.  Then, yesterday we started a revival and in the morning service, God reminded me of a promise that He made to me many years ago.  He said that He will restore the years that have been taken from me.  The preacher preached that you are between a problem and a promise, quit looking at the problem and look and remember the promise!  I know of 2 promises that God made to me in my life, this one and another one that is private but that He is fulfilling.  All that was left was the promise that God would restore all these years of trouble, heartache, tragedy and trauma - pretty much my entire life of 38 years!

Then, last night before the preacher preached, the Pastor called me up to the front in front of everyone.  I assumed he was going to anoint me and pray on me simply because of my health issue.  However, he began to prophesy and say he doesn't ever do this but God told him to - him and others laid hands on me and as I heard his prayer I was so touched because it was things that only God really knew.  Then, I looked up at him as I was about to turn around and go to my seat, but he spoke again prophesy and all of the sudden I shouted, probably the longest and loudest I've ever shouted in my life!  Wow!  I received the prophesy but I also gave God my burdens and hurt.

All the way home, I thought on all of it, I wrote the prophesy down and God's promise of restoring years kept coming to me like a burning in my heart.  I then began to look at the scripture that God used back when He gave me this promise and read a commentary and then I saw the word - RESTITUTION.  It pierced me and I knew - this was the year, God was going to give me restitution for all I have suffered in my life.

Restitution defined is the restoration of something lost or stolen to its proper owner and/or recompense for injury or loss.  

God is going to begin my restitution!!  I don't know how or exactly what but I can tell you that I believe by the end of this year, I will be writing my yearly post looking back and see the great things that God has done!  He never fails!!

My phrase for the beginning of 2018 was Defined By God.  I am amazed that every year I've done these phrases and posts - that when I go to look back on them at the end of the year - it truly did define that year!  This WAS the year that I became defined by God and God alone!  I had great personal and spiritual growth, probably more so in one year than I've ever had.

The new hasn't stopped since we stepped out on faith and followed God's leading for our lives.  As soon as we physically stepped foot on the ground here in this area, we felt the Holy Spirit and a strong feeling inside both of us that we had finally arrived in the place we were meant to be.  It was the oddest thing ever but we sure know we are in God's Will!!  I'm still happy, I still love it here - best place I've ever lived before and the whole family is happy here.  We got a new (first) house, a new (first brand new) car.. a new church, new friends - well you get the idea.

It isn't just all that as we are finding out.  We have even had new adventures from traveling to kayaking and being outdoors more!  I really do feel alive again and healthy.  Our daughter has been flying an airplane, our son is a genius (no really, he is) and taught himself piano, multiplication and the list goes on and on.  People at church quiz him all the time about math equations and he is constantly calculating things - a blessing and a curse I suppose.

After having been stagnant for so long and stuck in what wasn't God's Will for us - it is an amazing feeling when you finally, just really have faith and trust GOD.  There is no better place on this earth than the place that God wants you to be - HE knows what you are put on this earth for!  HE knows WHERE you should be better than anyone, amen!?

If we could have gone back in time and just listened to God, we would have been better off.  We would have went to Nashville when we were 22 but oh well - we will never know what might have been and we got a whole lot of experience and lessons in the process.  Suffering has made me a better person!!  I can relate to SO many different people now, I've been there!

I've stepped into some of the roughest parts of town where my color wasn't welcome and witnessed to people at the Lord's leading.  I've watched God touch people and show me what true love really is.  I've seen a church operating with the gifts and freedom of the Spirit allowed to move!  I've seen miracles in person, seen others and even myself healed on the spot while being anointed and watched the youth get in and seek God and receive and be on fire!  I've watched my daughter come alive and stand up many times testifying about what God has done in her and our lives.  I saw my son healed of his speech delay after our first pastor here prayed on him.  Whew... you all, it doesn't stop there!!

I said all that to say this - JUST GO!!  RUN!!  If you are God's child, you WILL hear His Voice!!  It is time to start listening and obeying HIM - go to that city you know He has called you to!  You won't be sorry.

I loved this song but couldn't say that I've never "lost" my hope, joy, faith and praise but then I began to understand the song as it was meant - never having lost these things completely.  Then, I could sing the song because truly, I never lost my hope, joy, faith and praise no matter what has come my way in life.  God has been faithful and good!

I've lost some good friends
Along life's way
Some loved ones departed
In heaven to stay
But thank God I didn't lose everything
I've lost faith in people
Who said they cared
In the time of my crisis
They were never there
But in my disappointment
In my season of pain
One thing never wavered
One thing never changed

I never lost my hope
I never lost my joy
I never lost my faith
But most of all
I never lost my praise
My praise still here
My praise still here

I've let some blessings
Slip away
And I lost my focus
And went astray
But thank God I didn't lose everything
I lost possessions
That were so dear
I lost some battles
By walking in fear
But in the midst of my struggles
In my season of pain
One thing never wavered
One thing never changed
It never changed

Chorus

There is nothing more discouraging than being around women who are not Godly mentors.  They will criticize your walk with God, draw you away into selfishness and you will find yourself adopting their ways.  Be careful who you spend your time with and who you have your communication and friendships with!  I would rather have a few friendships with quality women, than an overabundance of friendships with those that lack substance.

If you set out to follow God's Word and his plan for women and be a Christian wife and mother, you NEED to surround yourself with Godly mentors.  These are women who also share the same goal - to be a Godly woman who builds up her house and is focused on God, her family and her home.  Seek out these women in your area and online.  Let their words, talk or fellowship encourage your soul to be better and to love your husband and children as the Word of God instructs.

I've found that if I hang around women who are selfish, criticize their husbands and neglect their children - it will discourage me and prevent me from staying focused!  There are some, that we can BE mentors to, but if they are not interested in pursuing that route, don't let your good become the enemy of the very best.

Godly mentors will encourage and edify you to be better.  They will provoke you to good works.  They will shake your mind up to get your priorities straight again.  Hint; it isn't Facebook!  I remember 2 times I was on Facebook and both times I was saddened by what it did to me.  It took me away, like a vacuum, from the very best people in my life - God, my husband and my precious children.  Sorry Facebook, you may glitter and dazzle but I won't let you take me away with your deception of "friends" and forsake what, and who, is truly important in life!

I've surrounded myself with Godly mentors.  I've found a great group of women that encourage me in the Lord, in being a wife and being a loving mother.  They are very focused on their husbands, children and homes and it boosts my spirits.  I also read blogs and books of the same caliber of women to sharpen myself and help me in this continuing journey we face as Christian women.

Don't forget your children!  Make sure they have mentors as well.  We have a wonderful, Godly youth group full of youth that truly seek God and live the life outside the church.  I'm always amazed at the fervor in the hearts to be what God wants them to be.  It truly makes a difference when your children have others to look up to and be encouraged by as well.

I was cleaning out some old files in my Google forms and came across this.  I had asked the question, "Why do you read my blog?"  I left a box for those who wanted to answer the question.  I somehow forgot to share these wonderful things that women left for me.  I decided to share a few of them.

I was very touched by reading these today and it brought tears to my eyes.  💓

1. I read your blog because I find it very encouraging! I sometimes check it more than once a day if I am on my iphone, waiting in line, etc. Or I will check it at home from the laptop, but get off if a family member needs me or a chore is needing to be finished. I really appreciate being able to access the archives because I am learning so much from your writing!
2. I was so glad when I found your blog. You stand for Biblical truth and Biblical standards and it's so rare to find that today. I have been challenged, encouraged, and blessed here. When someone asks you a question, you don't just tell them what you think about it, but point them to the Word of God and spell out what HE says. I should know, you did it for me! lol Love you and so glad to have "met" you via the internet.
3. I find your Blog to be very supportive and inspiring to me. I am living in a foreign desert land, where many do not speak my language...
   I always read your posts, although sometimes many together as I don't often have the time to spend on the computer. I don't do fb, and share the same philosophy as yourself on many of today's issues.
   I'm thankful to be raising my children here overseas in what I would call quite a conservative country, and praise God that they are not exposed to many of the trappings of today's very changed world.
   I'm older than you, and I consider you to be very knowledgeable on many subjects that many Blogs, and people for that matter, tend to avoid touching upon.
   I'm not interested in seeing some posting pictures of themselves in what they term modest dress on Blogs that they claim are Christian. I'm not interested in them "adding" me on any social network. In fact, I really dislike "Social Networks" and would rather "follow" people who share my viewpoints and priorities. I want to learn new practical ways to help me at home, and how to discuss certain subjects with my children. I'm not interested in hearing how someone crawled home in a stupor in the wee small hours. Would they be comfortable about mentioning that in their Church?
   I've seen tried out and enjoyed some of your recipes, (more please!!) have listened to your recommendations on homeschooling curricula and would like to thank you Beth because I do find your Blog inspiring and encouraging.
   God bless you for everything that you do. God will reward you in Heaven.
4. I am from NC. I have commented a few times. I always look forward to new posts. I will admitt that I don't read all of your posts. My husband and I are empty nesters and have been for years. I usually don't read your homeschool posts because that is something that I am not involved in. I find your blog VERY much worth my time. You do inspire and encourage me in many ways. We don't always agree on matters of religion but that's ok. We do agree on the main issues. I love the homekeeping posts. You have taught this old dog some new tricks.LOL You are very blessed and I pray that God continues to bless you and your dear family.  
5. I have been reading your blog for the past year because it inspires me to be a better wife and christian especially in a time where true christian values are becoming lost amongst the ways of the world! I am about to become a mother and i will continue to be inspired by your blog and encouraged to follow the truth and what's right. I do love your honesty and passion to live by the word and do things God's way. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and stories with us all
6. As a young mother of 3 small children, I have found that my 'new' ideas are not really that innovative and that at some point in the past a mother/wife thought of it already. I like to follow a few blogs written by God-fearing women and mothers who understand God's calling for their lives as wives and mothers to gain the knowledge they have acquired. It feels like I have all these wonderful wise friends encouraging/teaching me to do the right thing! 

These were recently added:

• Why I read your blog? One of the main reasons I read your blog is because as a Christian woman I try to live my life according to God's will, I struggle daily and when I read your blog I feel like you hit on many of the issues that we women in todays society are facing. You bring up day to day topics that non Christians just don't get.My biggest help has been that you get how it is to place your husband at the head of the family. Some of my friends and family don't understand that I am not being a door mat, i am just letting my husband do as God willed. I do have to tell you that I miss not seeing your blog on a more regular basis. I get it, with 2 children and home schooling and hubby you have to be so busy. 
• I would have to say that I read your blog because it has really inspired me along with the word of God to be the best wife and mother that I can be. You blog on topics the are real in all of our lives with out sugar coating nothing. Life as a wife ,mother ,church member , family ,and friend does get hard but I can always look back at your blog and find a post that encourages me to continue on my journey living for God and taking care of my family. As a regular commenter on your blog I know that you just like Tealady stated above can related to our struggles from outsiders looking in and not understanding why we let our husbands lead the Home. Ok I could go on and on but I’m not lol I am trying to get the littlest one to bed. But I’m glad that you would like to do a reader appreciation for those of us that read your blog but to me it’s not needed because we love your blog and we learn so much from it. but it’s your blog and you can always do what you like Lol .But I would like to personally let you know I appreciate you and how you allow the Lord to use you to inspire other women to stay meek and holy.
• I do not live in the US... I would just like to say that your blog has taught me a great deal. It is like having a friend to guide me through the day with your invaluable and practical inspirational and informative posts. God bless you
• Hi, I find your posts to be very true to life. I like your writing style. Your 'Defined by God' post helped me in pinpointing the basis of my own blog...I'm almost done with the rebuilding of my site. Thanks! I like how you encourage me to be a better wife. Your writings always come at the right time that I need them. 

Thanks to all my readers, I really do appreciate you!

My phrase and life focus for this New Year of 2018 is Defined by God.  No longer will I allow, and live my life, as defined by others.  No longer will I allow others limitations and judgements of me, define me.  No longer will allow my past and mistakes, failures, or sins define me.  No longer will I succumb to the enemy and his lies and let them define me.  No longer will I let others lord over me and thereby define my life, schedule and choices.  No longer will I let my feelings define who I am.  I will be defined by God!

In 2018, I will endeavor to be what God wants me to be.  I want to be authentically what God has defined me as being.  I will identify with Christ.  I will pursue my destiny, of that which, God has planned for me from the moment he formed me.  God is limitless in what He can do and I will not allow anyone to hamper my life in Christ by placing a ceiling of immobility over me.

If someone would have told me this year would hold all it did, I wouldn't have believed them.  I had no idea what my phrase at the beginning of this year would really mean.  My phrase was, "Let It Go and Embrace the New!"  It is amazing to re-read the post I wrote at the beginning of the year that I received in prayer and look at how well it fits the past year.

There were so many things that my family and I let go of and so many new things we embraced as new.  We truly experienced a powerful newness to our life.

God told my husband to go a different route with our life and we did and God really has been showing us we have a future doing a work for Him.  There is no longer a ceiling above us saying we can't do anything, if anything, God is finally unlimited in what He can do.  Do whatever God tells you to do, follow His Voice and you will find He opens doors, provides and does all manner of miracles as you walk in faith!

We also had some challenges this year, one was my husband losing his job due to company cuts.  However, my husband said, that is ok, God will open another door and put applications in and was going to a lot of interviews.  Then, he finds out management at his job, along with other top people that knew him, said they can't let him go.  They got a lawyer involved and found a workaround with the union to keep my husband's job.  Not only that but he got moved to a new position and making more.

At the beginning of this year, I was finally able to face my fear and sing in front of people thanks to our previous Pastor here.  He helped me in more ways than any Pastor I ever had by putting confidence in me.  I'm forever grateful for what he did for me.  The first song that I sang was, "I'm no Longer a Slave to Fear."  It was powerful and I wasn't even nervous!  It was a major victory for me to break through my insecurities and just be who I am.

We also traveled a lot, putting about 20K miles on our car this year.  We made new friends, went to revivals, youth events for our daughter and visited family.

We have experienced a lot of growth this year in our faith in God, standing in God and becoming aware of our destiny in God.  It was truly a year of letting go and embracing the new.  What a year!

I will leave you with the song that started my freedom in January, I sang this version of it:

Instead of having a word for the new year, this year, I have a phrase - 2017 will be the year that I LET IT GO and EMBRACE THE NEW!  What am I talking about it, just what am I letting go?  Having had emotional, mental, physical and spiritual turmoil for too many years of my life the past few years - there is only one thing to do now that all is new - let it go!

God gave me a new place to live, a new church to grow in, a new home with no bad memories, a new car that feels safe and a new me that is coming forth.  In order to embrace this newness - I must let the past go.  With God's help, this year I will let go a lot of the remains of what years of tests and trials left me with.  It is almost as if I've shed the "old" and have everything new - it is kind of like being born again in a sense.  I needed this.  I needed this a long time ago but I'm not going to concentrate on the delay.  I'm going to concentrate on the here and now.

Letting it go also involves this excess weight that came from hospitalizations, stress, medications, sorrow and depression.  I felt like I was in a prison to be quite honest and I couldn't see a way out.  However, I didn't quit (like so many of my friends did).  I pressed on, endured and made it through many tests that God brought our way.  I didn't give up!

I'm letting go of the past.  I'm letting go of the person I was.  I'm letting go of the old way of thinking.  I'm letting go of people that are not good for me.  I'm letting go of insecurity in what I am in God.

It doesn't just stop at letting it go - I also must embrace the new!  I'm embracing the new life God has given us.  I'm embracing the new person I'm becoming.  I'm embracing the new way of thinking.  I'm embracing new people that God has put in our life.  I'm embracing what God made me to do for Him.  I'm embracing 2017!

This song is amazing and one that will bring in my New Year with the message it gives.  Just like that olive, we have to go through things for God to make us into what each of us are truly meant to be.

Wow!  Wow!  Wow!  That is what I have to say for this past year.  My post from last December was about hoping 2016 would be the year that we REBUILD what Satan had destroyed and hardship and life had broken down.  Not only did God REBUILD it all but He blessed us immensely and the blessings keep pouring in.  I'm literally drowning in God's blessings and I've been so happy that I've even lost about 10 pounds lol.

2016 started out with hope that this year wasn't going to be as tragic as 2015 was.  I started this year in physical therapy and it continued on for half of the year until I felt I was almost fully recovered.  Then, we got in an auto accident in July and I was again, back to rehabilitating some injuries.  My husband had decided around April that we were going to stay in WA state and buy a home.  That didn't end well - nothing seemed to work out, it was a nightmare!

Thankfully, sometime around the end of August, my husband said he wasn't going to fight the will of God anymore and we were moving to Ohio (a place he got in prayer almost 3 years ago).  As soon as my husband told God he would do His Will - it was like a flood of blessings and miracles flowed out on us.  The next day, we got this Ohio visitors guide in the mail (that had never come the year before I ordered it and it just so happen to show up at the perfect time).  It is pictured to the right of this - on it said: Anticipation.  Something fun is about to happen - don't you love that feeling?  Oh yes - something fun was about to happen!!

I could literally write a book on the whole thing but to keep this short - it only took about a month from his decision, to move, buy a home and be in Ohio.  Not only did we get a wonderful home at just the right price, God worked ways that still amaze me when I think on them and we got our money back that we used for our move.  Then, most recently, God blessed us with a brand new 2017 car!  Not just a car, but a very nice car.  I still am in awe at the ways of God when you ask in faith - He can do ANYTHING!!

I'm probably the happiest I've been in 10 years or more.  My husband is incredibly happy and so are our children.  We felt the presence of God when we arrived in this city that God called us to be in and are aware that He has a purpose of some sort for us.  Whether it is to just be happy or to be a help or both - we are thankful and ready and willing to do whatever God wants us to!

Some friends that know me very well have all told me they aren't used to me being so happy lol.  This is my testimony to others - just go with what you know God wants you to do, no matter if you can't understand the WHY - just obey God and understand later!  Step out on faith and God WILL bless in ways you didn't even think of.

God did the REBUILD this year - and I'm moving forward into the new year with a new life, new city, new state, new home, new car and a new me!!

I was looking back at my word for last year and it was "Adapt" because I was pregnant and expecting a new baby in 2015.  Not only did I lose that baby but 2015 was the most painful, debilitating year of my life.  I still can't tell of all I went through because my body actually relives it as I even THINK on it, I start feeling the pain as if I'm there again.  I felt as though I was broken in pieces and hit the bottom and then the bottom fell out!  I felt ground to powder - I felt forsaken by God but I know that is not true but in the midst of it, I wasn't so sure.

I began to think on what my word for 2016 would be.  I knew it was going to do something with recovery as I'm still recovering and it is a long road.  I prayed and the word came - REBUILD!  I started shouting actually because I felt the Holy Spirit so strong - this is the year that not only I, but our family, rebuilds all that has been broken down!  We are so broken on so many levels that the only thing to do is either die, spiritually speaking, or rebuild what Satan and hardship have destroyed.

I'm rebuilding my body, mind and soul!  I'm going to strive to rebuild the structure of our home, my children and I believe my husband is also on board to rebuild in his own life.  This year was a test - would we still continue for God despite the infirmities, despite the losses, despite the friends that walked away...?  Satan - I WILL continue!  

I get Paul now - I glory in my infirmities!  I'm thankful that God allowed what I went through this year.  It made me a better person and it made me stronger.  It showed me things that I needed to let God burn off in my life.  Truly when we are weak, we are strong if we let God have His perfect way.  I pray that God will help me as I endeavor to make this year one of rebuilding.

My theme song for the year is one called, Building Up the Wall, and it is best sung by the Ambassador Youth Choir, but I couldn't find it online, so provided the words:

Chorus:

I’m building up the wall, and I won’t come down
I’m building up the wall, and I won’t come down
I’m building up the wall, and I won’t come do - own
Building up the wall and I won’t come down

Verse I:

The walls of Jerusalem were broken down to the ground in shame
But Nehemiah had a heart to rebuild them up again
And when the enemy came to mock, Nehemiah stood his grou - nd
He said, "I'm building up this wall, and I won't come down"

Verse II:

The devil he dropped by today, just to have a little chat with me
He said “Son, you’re workin’ way too hard! Come on down and rest your feet!”
Well I didn’t even stop to take the time to turn arou - nd
Because I’m building up the wall and I won’t come down

Verse III:

The world is lookin’ on; they just shake their heads and say
“That wall’s way to high! You don’t have to live that way!”
My answer is still the same, and it will never, ever cha - ange,
Because I’m building up the wall and I won’t come down

We purchased a TV, not cable or anything, but an actual TV monitor, along with the Amazon FireTV and a TV stand.  I don't even like the word TV - and some of you may remember why in posts from year's past about how the TV was my enemy as a child, at least in my mind.  We didn't have one until I was 9 years old and it took away my parent's attention and my sister's and it caused a host of other things.  It was the enemy.

So, when I sat and reasoned what was different from having a "TV" screen that was 43 inches from our Kindle Fire - I couldn't come up with much difference, other than the obvious size.  It wasn't like we were getting cable television or even going to watch bad things.  I couldn't even press the button to purchase the thing, I had my daughter press it.  From that moment on, even when it was here, I felt horrible.  I would wake up in the morning and see it and it would turn my stomach.  I couldn't stand having the thing in the house.  I did like watching our history videos on WWI and YouTube channels I like but there was just something about it that bothered me.

I figured out it had to probably do with my past experience and I was just going to work that out myself and let my family enjoy the big screen's benefits.  However, I didn't like that it caught my daughter's attention so much to where that is all she wanted to do or look forward to doing was playing games on there.  My husband doesn't even watch movies, so he wasn't using it.  I finally decided to just keep the thing and not let my personal issues get rid of it. 

That is when my husband said, "I don't want the thing in the house."  He couldn't even stand to say the word, "TV" either.  When I drilled him about it, he said that greater men than him have fallen to this thing and sinned and he didn't want to sin.  He didn't feel like he would sin with it but he didn't want that door there.  My heart sank - wow!  It was then I realized that it wasn't just my issues with my past but my husband also realized the potential of this beast and so we sent it back.

He had already put together the "TV" stand and didn't want to return it, so I was wondering what in the world we were going to do with it, probably sell it.  Then, I saw this space between our bookshelves in the dining/homeschool room and I asked my husband to measure it and wouldn't you know, it fit perfectly!  It makes a great little window seat for my toddler, as it holds 90 pounds and it is great storage for his learning toys.

I listened to a wonderful seminar from The Homeschool Coach, Mary Ann Johnson, on Hecoa's free Not-Back-to-School Summit about the family chunk clock.  It was so amazing, I watched it again and took a LOT of notes and then also listened to the audio and printed out the handouts to make ours.  My daughter has voiced to me before that she feels like she doesn't know what is next each day.  I knew that this would not only benefit me, but especially her!

How it works is, you divide your day up into chunks of things you do.  If there are days where things come up, someone gets sick, etc. (and they will!) this chunk clock helps you see a visual of what is important to finish that day, what you can skip and to help you refocus when you get off track.  You can listen to the audio on her website, just google the homeschool coach and family chunk clock.

We wanted a catchy funny name for our clock instead of the generic -- Family Chunk Clock, so we came up with "Got Chunks?" LOL!




You may be wondering what is up with the weird names on each chunk.  Well, my daughter created each of those names to add some FUN to our chunk clock!  Here are the why's of each chunk:

• Snore No More - because we are not morning people and we must stop snoozing
• Moddy Time - She took Mo from Mom and ddy from Buddy (my son’s nickname) to show it was for me and Buddy (my son) to have time together.
• Hope Lu - She took Ho from homeschool, pe from P.E. and Lu from lunch!
• Kazm Time - My daughter and son and me - since this is our time to do individualized things
• Chep Hour - usually 5-6pm, so an hour and she got Ch from chores and ep from prep (dinner).
• Foing Up - Fo from food (dinner) and ing from Washing (dishes)
• Chee - Ch from church and ee from Free(time)
• Spied - Spi from spiritual and ed from bed

I didn't put every detail in our clock (showers, time with husband, etc.) because I wanted to keep it simple and this is our guide to show us our natural flow and/or routine.

This has already helped my daughter KNOW what is next and have a visual of how our day will go.  This also is helping me in the same regards and also to have my priorities highlighted, so I don't lose sight of what is important - God, School and Family!  It will also make a great conversation piece when friends visit!

My Pastor gave the theme of our church's spring conference - "Striving for the Mastery" and each year I like to have a theme for that year and chose the conference theme as it fits my personal goals as well.  Surely we all have things to work on and this past year my life took a turn for the better as I matured a bit more. God helped me heal from my past, showed me tools to use to do so and I've been able to not let my past failures derail my future.

Sunday morning's message was so timely as Pastor talked about "Precious Memories" - referring to what we SHOULD be thinking on - the times God forgave us and picked us up again, NOT the failures, mistakes and sins.  God has really shown me this past year that most of my problems are because of what I think upon - I create my own misery!  I want to rather, think upon those precious memories, not only of God's grace and mercy, but also the good memories of my past.

I wanted to outline some of my goals for this year:

1. Be more devoted - Bible reading (see 90-day plan here); Prayer; Witnessing
2. Return to a healthy weight - read "Time to Get Back 2 It"
3. Keep my homekeeping schedule - this past year was the year I really got on track with my schedule and planning, etc.  I want to keep that up this year, always improving and making things better.  I'm loving that I have had meals from Oct-Feb finished and plan on keeping the 3-month freezer cooking rotation going this coming year.  I also like doing my one-day-a-week cleaning marathon.
4. Perfect our homeschool - we have really been pretty lax and took the entire month of December off.  I plan on perfecting our homeschool more this year and its something that is always being perfected as we learn as we go.
5. Learn to sew -  how many years have I said this was the year I would sew?  Well, way too many and this is the year, Lord willing, I learn how to sew.  I was able to make curtains but I want to be able to make my daughter's clothes as I have so many ideas in my head - just need to be able to put them together into an outfit.