As 2010 Closes ....

I realize that this was the last Christmas and New Year of my 30's. I am not one to get hung up on my age, but it is quite surreal to be turning 40 this next year. At this time in my life I hope that I have "gotten" some things. So as I leave the last year of my 30's and enter the first year of my 40's, I have the following reflections ....

1.  Esse quam videri . "To be, rather than to seem". This quote was in the book An Amish Christmas by Cynthia Keller. What does it mean to me? It means that for almost 40 years I have been trying to be a certain someone or trying to make others think I am a certain someone. It's time to actually be the certain someone I already am.

2.  Learn from yesterday, Live for today, Love for tomorrow. This is on a plaque my grandmother gave me for Christmas this year that now sits on my desk. Not a bad way to live your life.

3.  I am going to enjoy 2011. How am I going to do that? I'm going to do the things I enjoy. I enjoy everything "home". I enjoy every person in my home and everything in my home and I'm going to concentrate on those things this year. I am going to work on the individual relationships with the people who live in my home. I'm going to snuggle with the animals in my home. I'm going to be content with whatever home I have. I'm going to revel at the birds outside my home and I'm going to nurture my garden in the spring. I'm going to read and watch t.v. and cook. And I'm going to smile while I am doing those things. I'm going to make time for exercise and for quiet time and for reading. And I'm going to end each day with my husband.

4. I am going to learn something new. I don't know if it will be sewing or crocheting. I have a desire to learn how to do each of those things. (And I would appreciate it if everyone on my Christmas list next year will just kindly smile and say "thank you" when they all get hand-sewn aprons or crocheted scarves as gifts!)

5.  I am going to search for a new church to attend. I have not attended a church for a year and a half. I never thought I would be someone who didn't attend church regularly. But because of pain and disillusionment, I find myself and my family in that place. I do not need some heavy-hitting church. I need someplace where I can gather to start my week and hear from God. I need someplace where I can serve other people who have real needs. I need someplace where the people who are attending are not afraid to be real and authentic. I hope there is that church out there.

6.  One Word Resolution. Somewhere I saw a link to a One Word Resolution post, and I don't know who to give credit to. But, my resolution, wrapped up into one word, is: Family.

We ended 2010 playing Family Game Night with our kids (3 of the 4). It was a nice way to end the year. Today I'm making a big pot of vegetable soup and we'll just hang out at home. I still have some 'putting-away' to do and I need to plan this next week of school. Really I'm hoping to spend the majority of the day on the couch.

Have a great day!