Wednesday, December 31, 2008

HAPPY NEW YEAR

The year just flew by didn't it? Yes, I know that's usually a cliche, but it's reality around these parts. Each year goes by faster and faster, and this year has seemed the fastest by far. I don't want to think ahead to 2009 if it goes by quicker than 2008. That just doesn't even seem possible. In the year 2008 we sold a home, moved into temporary housing, had another home built and moved again, all while homeschooling, hubby adjusting to a new job location, myself adjusting to a new position, and our entire family trying to get our bearings in a new town and different church. Life continues to fly by at an uncontrollable speed.


"Teach us to number our days aright that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12 Even as our lives seem to blaze past, God is stable and firm. It's a blink of an eye to God, and it seems like he is blinking faster all the time. All we can do is use our days as best as possible and look to him for guidance and wisdom.


Last year held many blessings for our family. I like to look back and take note of all the ways I saw the hand of God work in 2008. What will 2009 hold for us? Joy, disappointment, fear, concern, opportunities,. .. ... I'm sure it will all be there, as will God. Thankfully, he will be there with us through it all -- again -- just as always. "When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future." Ecclesiastes 7:14


Will there be resolutions? Not this year. I don't like resolutions since I never, ever, absolutely never keep them. In 2009 I am changing my ways and making commitments. I feel more compelled to keep my commitments, I'm just that way. I'm not one to back out of a commitment, so that's how I'm planning for 2009. Did I start my commitments on January 1st? No Way!! I'm not setting myself up for failure again this year. This year is going to be different, so many of my commitments are not even in place yet. I'm taking this slow and making sure that I establish routines that I can keep.

Here are just a few of the commitments I'm making in 2009:

I am committed to tracking every single penny we spend. Okay, realistically I'll not be tracking every penny, probably not even every dime or quarter, but I'll be diligently tracking our spending. I'm committed to it. Not only do I want to keep a better account of how much of the money we are blessed with is going out the door, but I am also interested in where that money is going. Specifically, who or what entity is receiving those hard-earned dollars that the Lord is blessing us with? Is that company or person in line with what our values are, and is the money going to be used further down the line for purposes which we can be proud? Obviously there is much that needs to spent that we have little control over, but there is also quite a bit that we can choose to spend with companies and with people who are likeminded.

I'm committed to doing my best to help my family be healthy and safe, and to be kind to the environment at the same time. So far I've started replacing our plastics with glass, I'm milling my own flour and baking my own bread, we've switched to many organic products, we are using Klean Kanteens instead of plastic water bottles, and we just got our Laptop Lunches ready to use. There's much more to do, but we are well on our way and I am excited about the steps already taken. If you are interested in any of these changes, let me know and I'll give you some information.

I'm committed to becoming healthier myself. Notice I didn't say "losing weight" or daily exercise. I fail miserably with that. This year I am going to try to become healthy in many ways. I didn't start January 1st, nor have I started as yet. That's okay, because I haven't failed yet either. I still have 360 days to succeed because I haven't made my commitment yet.

I'm committed to so many things related to the education and discipling of my children. Suffice it to say that I have lots of changes that I am planning to implement within the next month or so. It's going to be a difficult process, but I'm committing myself.

I am committing to being in God's word and really focussing on what he has to say. I know he has plans for me, plans to prosper me and for a hope and future. I'm not sure where he'll be leading me, but I am preparing to follow.

Blessings to all of you as we begin this new year.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

I haven't written in quite some time. I have no real reason why that is, but I feel compelled to get the word out about two issues that are weighing on my heart and mind right now.

The first is the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. If this treaty is signed in the US, its effect on American families will be devastating to say the least. The new administration is poised to jump on this, so the time to get involved is now. Please visit www.parentalrights.org to find out what this is all about and how you can help.

Second, a letter follows that I received from another great organization. They are fighting yet another horrible piece of legislation. Please take a moment to read it and then go to their site.


I'm writing to let you know about a terrible piece of legislation called "The Freedom of Choice Act" (FOCA).
FOCA would establish the right to abortion as a fundamental right (like the right to free speech) and wipe away every restriction on abortion nationwide.
It will eradicate state and federal abortion laws the majority of Americans support and prevent states from enacting protective measures in the future.
FOCA will do away with state laws on parental involvement, on partial-birth abortion, and on all other protections.
FOCA will compel taxpayer funding of abortions.
FOCA will force faith-based hospitals and healthcare facilities to perform abortions.
Please read the expert analysis by Americans United for Life (AUL) and sign the Fight FOCA petition at: http://www.fightfoca.com/
Thank you

Blessings,
Angie