New Years Goals

Every Christmastime since we had Jonah, Mike and I have gone on a date while in Minnesota and have taken time to talk about our family and set some goals. This year, we changed our approach a bit. Both of us feel as if our home and family have been more surviving and less thriving mostly because of our lack of self-discipline. We wanted our goals for the year to adequately reflect that as well as other areas we are struggling with as well as having goals that reflected our strengths.

So, while trying out the new little coffee shop in my hometown, we talked through the strengths and areas of growth needed for each of our family members. Then, we set our goals for each person and as a family. In past years, we have made our goals measurable. This year, we felt that making some of the goals measurable would restrict them, make them more legalistic, or take away from the heart behind them. Measurable goals are easier to reach, but we aren't necessarily looking to meet goals just to meet them. We are setting goals so our hearts are fixed on the right things.

I won't share all of our goals, but here are a few of them.

Jonah - Increase in understanding of the chief end of man - to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. (primarily a goal for us as he will need us teaching and modeling this to him)

Silas - Memorize 3 Bible verses (this one is measurable, but a goal we once set for Jonah and he blew us away at his ability to memorize Scripture from a young age. I'm sure Silas will be great at it, too!)

Me (Julie) - Up at 5:30 am everyday - So far, so good and I am actually feeling a little more rested. I think it is because I am going to bed earlier.
- To read 5 books this year - Reading has always been one of my favorite past times, but I have really struggled with time to do it since moving to Wahoo. So, this year it is a goal. I just started reading Elyse Fitzpatrick's Give Them Grace and have 2 more lined up.

Family - Consistently have our home open to friends and church family. We love to have people over for a meal and enjoyed the open house we hosted for our church family this Christmas. We look forward to another year of loving on and ministering to those around us!