The second part of the goal setting challenge at Total Woman Tuesdays is to break down our annual goals into measurable and attainable short-term goals. I sort of did this when I came up with my goals, so here is the ways in which I'm going to meet my goals:

1. I have grown closer to the Lord:

a) Read P31 daily devotional (find another daily devotional)
b) Attend our Young Marrieds and Women’s bible studies
c) Read Christian blogs
d) Read the New Testament
e) Pray for / find a mentor

2. I have become Matt's helper:

a) Read The Power of a Praying Wife daily
b) Read Created to be his Helpmeet before Matt’s birthday
c) Ask Matt specific prayer needs
d) Pray for his protection as he's on the road and in the courts / jails.
e) Keep a clean house, which includes ironing without complaining
f) Cook by making one dinner / dessert out of bon appétit
g) Plan a monthly date night

3. I have built up our savings:

a) Clean Amy's house
b) $50 from every paycheck into savings
c) Talk over purchases with Matt before spending
d) Stick to the budget!
e) Find a second source of extra income

4. I have maintained a healthy lifestyle:

a) Workout everyday on my lunch hour
b) Start running (with Matt, I hope)
c) Eat only one or two sweets a week; nothing more
d) Read six ‘fun’ books
e) Learn how to can fruits and veggies

5. I have helped another woman / wife find their self worth:

a) Pray for God’s will with women’s ministries as I’m not entirely sure what God has in store
b) Be involved with Westgate Women’s ministry team
c) Attend eWomen’s conference in the fall

Goal Setting

I'm joining up with Brittany, one of my favorite bloggers, for her newest mini-series. She's challenged us to name five goals we would like to be true of us a year from now. I have had many goals throughout my life, but the ones that include my heavenly father, my husband / family, and finances have been at the top of my list for a while. Some of them are similar to Brittany's which is why I think I enjoy her blog.

In no particular order, my five goals are:
1. I have grown closer to the Lord. I plan to achieve this by reading His word everyday, book by book, and meditating on his word.

2. I have become Matt's helper. I believe that God created Eve to be Adam's helper and I want to live this out in and outside of our home, for my husband. Outside of the home, I plan to do this by reading The Power of a Praying Wife everyday (lifting Matt up in prayer), asking Matt what his specific prayer needs are each day, and praying for his protection as he's on the road and in the courts / jails. In the home, I plan to keep a clean house, learn to be a better cook, and smile / laugh when he's around.

3. I have build up our savings. I plan to do this by sticking with the budget we came up with and not spending money frivolously. I will work hard at saving the money from cleaning Amy's house to put into the savings.

4. I have maintained a healthy lifestyle. I plan to do this by continuing to workout everyday on my lunch hour and start running (with Matt, I hope). I also want to gain control over my sweet addiction and cut down to one or two sweets a week; nothing more.

5. I have helped another woman / wife find their self worth. This has always been a passion of mine. I plan to do this by speaking God's truth, showing God's word and love to other women, and becoming a friend. I desperately want other women to feel worthy of God's calling on their lives and to live up to their potential with His help. I am not entirely sure what God has in store with this, but I do know through prayer I will follow His will.

If you'd like to join us in this mini-series, share your goals! *I'd say "link-up" but I don't know how to do that on my blog, yet. I'm a work in progress.*

Happy Total Women Tuesday Ladies!!

Love your neighbor

"For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Galatians 5:14

An email from my dad this morning:
A Holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said, 'Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like.' The Lord led the holy man to two doors. He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in.

In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew, Which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water. The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful. But because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths. The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering. The Lord said, 'You have seen Hell.'

They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man's mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking.

The holy man said, “I don't understand.” “It is simple,” said the Lord. “It requires but one skill. You see, they have learned to feed each other. The greedy think only of themselves.”

Another one bites the dust...

Last year, many marriages around us seemed to fall apart. Of those we saw on the rocks only one couple is still living together, yet they don’t share the same bed and divorce is a word uttered often. Watching them fall apart doesn’t sit well with my soul. It makes me wonder how they got there and confused as to why they didn’t fight for each other. It causes me to doubt marriage and love and relationships and, I’m embarrassed to say it, God.
This past week, I’ve learned that one more marriage is over. Separated for a year, both hearts are broken or hardened to the other. Thoughts of hatred fill their heads instead of a glimpse of reconciliation. They are moving on, seeing other people and ‘happier now than ever before.’ I learned of this broken marriage and cried. Oh Lord, how can this be??

I know that it can be tough at times. We have an enemy who wants us to fail. In the heat of the moment, Satan loves to bring awful thoughts to the surface. He laughs as tempers flare, harsh words are said, tears shed and doors slammed. He rejoices as one more divorce attorney is called, knowing that his hold on this couple is good and tight. I look at these couples, once happy and in love, friends who’ve now become strangers and I cringe to think that one more number to add to the ever increasing divorce rate.

Then, I have days like today! Days when God leads me through His word, arming me with a weapon the devil has no power over. Sweet memories of our wedding day fill my heart. I twirl my wedding ring and thoughts of the man I’m crazy about drown out Satan’s temptations. The Lord leads me to write down verses on index cards, read words of those who have weathered the storm, and gives me prayers for my husband, for myself, and for our marriage. He reminds me to remain in Him (John 15:4), seek first His kingdom and righteousness (Matthew 6:33) take captive every thought (2 Corinthians 10:5) and think on things that are pure, lovely, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).

When I open God’s word I am reminded that we do have an enemy who has come to kill, steal, and destroy, but I am also aware the Lord has give me authority over all the power of the enemy (Luke 10:19) and, with that authority, I’m going to fight against anything that tries to destroy what God has put together.

I will forever carry The Power of a Praying Wife with me. My copy is ‘loved’ with a binding that is shot but it talks about the number one weapon we have against the one who has come to kill, steal, and destroy. In the first chapter at the bottom of one of the first pages, Stormie Omartian urges us to say “I will not allow anything destroy my marriage.” Today, as I think about that marriage broken, I will say that out loud for all to hear.

*Please excuse my play on words with the title.*