Skip to main content

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

It has been exactly 2 whole years since I last wrote a blog post.

My last entry was January 3, 2021. I am surprised about that.

  • 2020 was a difficult year on so many levels.
  • 2021 turned out to be an even harder year.
  • 2022 I journaled instead of blogging.
  • 2023 ... I have decided is going to be a different year.
I love it when a new year begins. It's a metaphorical clean slate.
God gives us those each day, but on New Year's Day, I can see it more clearly.

This year, we attended a midnight worship service because New Year's Day fell on a Sunday.
It won't happen again for another 11 years. 
I loved it.
It was special.
The songs were beautiful.
The group of people was joyful.
The messages were heartfelt and important.
Be Determined. Follow Jesus.

Later, that same day, we attended a mid-morning worship service.
I loved it, as well.
It was also special.
The songs were beautiful.
The group of people was larger, but still joyful.
The message was heartfelt.
Be Passionate with your Faith.

I intentionally impressed on my heart the thoughts and feelings of that day.
I want to be able to recall them often throughout this year.

Every year I set goals for myself.
My goals this year are not a whole lot different, but they are important to me:
  1. Reflect Christ
  2. Chase after God
  3. Pray continually
  4. Read my Bible more
  5. Laugh more
  6. Show more kindness
  7. Be more positive
  8. Learn something new
  9. Be more encouraging
  10. Practice gratitude
  11. Complain less
  12. Focus on the good
  13. Be more joyful
  14. Smile more
  15. Be more forgiving
  16. Dream bigger
  17. Be more spontaneous
  18. Choose happy
  19. Talk less
  20. Listen more
  21. Read more
  22. Write more
  23. Drink more water
  24. Be mindful
  25. Take more naps
  26. Send more cards
  27. Be a noticer
  28. Use my time more wisely
  29. Take care of myself
  30. Be intentional
Over the last few years, I have chosen a word or phrase instead of making a resolution.
Those words and phrases have been:
  • Choose Kindness
  • Be Joyful
  • Focus
  • Thankful
  • Listen
This year, I have chosen the phrase: Be Intentional.
I want to Be Intentional with my words and in my actions.

Tomorrow, I return to work for 2nd semester.
I think I have about 92 school days left this year.
I hope I can make a difference to at least one other human being during that time.

As I venture out into the New Year tomorrow, I hope to Be Intentional.
I want to focus on my goals, as I chase after God.
The best thing is He is still the same, no matter what.
New Year, Same God.
He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
However, His mercies are new every morning, and I am beyond thankful!

Time waits for no one. Use it wisely.

:: Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. ~ Emerson

Love, 

Jan 💖







Comments

  1. AnonymousJanuary 4, 2023 at 5:00 AM

    I am always encouraged by your thoughts and the way you chase after God. Keep shining and keep sharing. God bless you as you finish the year in the strength of His might.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMarch 7, 2023 at 1:43 PM

    Hi Jan. I share your goals too. I am thankful for you. Thank you for letting me sit by you at the funeral of our dear friend. New seasons are ahead for me as well. I give God the glory fur each new day. I am thankful to have discovered your blog so we can stay in touch. Blessings, Laura ♥️

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

It's 2026! Happy Day 3 of the New Year! Wow! Today is already the 3rd day of a new year. These years seem to be arriving much faster than before. I know it seems like everyone says that, but time does really fly. I looked over my past blog posts and realized very quickly I have only done one a year for the last few years. There are many reasons why. I am sure life hit some bumps, but I am also positive life got fuller and richer. Every year at this time, I am reminded of two pieces of advice given to me when I was a newlywed living in West Virginia and again when I was a young mom living in central Indiana. Both women were strong mentors to me. These women were amazing Christian examples, but also just two dear friends -- even though they were decades older than me. They shared their life experiences with me (not in a preachy way) just in everyday conversations. Their advice helped me to to choose "what was better." (Like Jesus reminded Martha to do.) As a newlywed, I was...
Post a Comment
Read more

2024 Year in Review

2024 was an amazing year! [The following blog post was simply written for me] After making it through the longest stretch of the school year: aka Q3, we enjoyed a trip to the East Coast to see our eldest prince and his family over Spring Break. Always such a wonderful time being with them and seeing what life is like for them there. While we were there, we went into "the city" a couple of times to enjoy some tourist attractions. We ate at some of our favorite restaurants. And, we walked the boardwalk along the Long Island Sound. Our first adventure took us to the American Museum of Natural History. It was pouring down the rain that day. The line was super long. Everyone handled the weather like champs and we eventually made our way inside to explore more than 40 halls full of interesting exhibits on four floors. The museum was built in 1869 and contains exhibits for science, nature, and history. And, if I am being honest, many areas felt like we were still in 1869 -- and that...
Post a Comment
Read more

Curve Ball

Definition: something which is unexpected, surprising, or disruptive I love baseball! I love everything about it: stolen bases, 7th inning stretch, bunts, concessions, dugouts, running the bases, outfield, 9 innings, strike outs, home plate, umpires, home runs, bullpen, intentional walking, uniforms, rally caps, pennants, bubble gum, infield, World Series, peanuts, popcorn, cracker jacks, New York Mets, etc. etc. etc. Baseball is probably one of the things I miss most during this quarantine. Pitchers in baseball are talented and powerful. Their ability to throw several different types of pitches on command is amazing. The curve ball is always an interesting sight. Some batters are just more adept at managing their response to a curve ball. A curve ball in life is an interesting sight, as well. However, they are usually not as exciting to respond to or as enjoyable to receive. Not all of us are adept at managing our response - at least on a consistent basis. I know we all have received ...
Post a Comment
Read more