11 Things To Do In 2011

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21

I am keeping those 2 verses in mind this year as I set these goals. I believe it is good to make plans and look ahead (after all without a vision the people perish), but God's plans are greater than mine and so I share my list with you so you can know some of my heart's desires but with the understanding that this year I will yield my own plans as much as possible in light of a glimpse of His, which I know is far better. This is not an easy task...the laying down of your own will for His, the whole dying to self thing...always a challenge.

The thing I like about making the list is that I challenge myself. I know that it is easy to become complacent, apathetic, stuck in a rut, doing the same thing day after day. I long for change, I long for growth and challenges, I long to discover all that our great God has for me and those around me. Don't you?

Go ahead make your own list, it doesn't have to be 11 things but maybe 1 or 2. Something that you have been hoping to do but everything else gets in the way and you keep putting it off, it can be as simple as reading a one of the classics to as grand as organizing a fund-raiser for families in need. Whatever it is, I believe God puts dreams in our hearts. So live out loud...

And the list...

1. Make the most of every opportunity...loving God and loving people
2. Finish writing book or books
3. Write more blogs, dramas etc.
4. Graduate NYIP and work on being a better photographer
5. Work on degree
6. Get involved in women's ministry again and host a local women's conference
7. Read at least one book a month (borrowed this from my friend Lori-I liked the idea :)
8. Travel to a place I've never been
9. Work on being debt-free
10. Mission trip
11. Try something new

So there it is, there are some big things on there and some not so big things but the bottom line is nothing is impossible with God and I am excited to see what the year will bring.

Talk to you soon...hugs to all :)

The Promise of a New Year and a Look at the Past

Ahh the New Year holds such promise. It is the time that we all look back at the year that just flew by and remember the good, the bad and the ugly (the last one refers to bad hair days of course) :) Every year I do the same thing, I look back and think of all the things I wanted to accomplish but didn't. It fills me with mixed emotions. My time is always filled with unexpected surprises, great highs and inevitably some disappointments. The temptation to wallow in self-pity or regret at chances missed or opportunities not taken is strong until the thought of a fresh start. Suddenly the New Year is upon us and like a gust of wind it fills the sails of hopes and dreams once again. It is refreshing and exciting to think about what could happen, what changes may come and how God could move in the coming season.

I will admit that in 2010 I had a lot of expectations but life happened and many of those expectations went unfulfilled. To be honest I doubted at times but I know His timing is perfect and His ways are definitely not mine, so here I am ready to trust that God loves me and that His plan is good and believing that in 2011 it will be a whole other level. Of course nothing happens without faith, trust and some hard work and dedication.

So in 2010 I made a list of 21 Things to do in 2010. I wanted to give you an update, although there were many things on the list that I did not accomplish, there were some unexpected surprises that certainly made up for it.

Enough chit chat let's get to the list shall we?

1. Get healthy- exercise and eat right well I've had my ups and downs but I had a better year physically than 2009 which was awesome. Exercising died after summer though, gotta join the Y or something...soon before it all goes south.

2. Start a blog :) You are reading it. The plan is to be more consistent and post more often. Maybe get a bigger following and add some cool stuff to it.

3. Read through the Bible in a year -Done! Yeah! Actually on the reading list we actually read the New Testament twice and the Old Testament once so way cool. I will confess that I finished around 2 am on January 1st before falling asleep.

4. Pray for others more - I think I actually did this but still not as much as I should have. So many people who just need a touch from God...

5. Work on my degree :( I am afraid I didn't do much in this area. The challenge in finding classes that are on-line through JCC that I have not taken is tough plus the expense of paying for them has been a burden. I plan on working on it in 2011 but maybe switching to a complete online program.

6. See a show (production) I've never seen Well I did attend Shakespeare in the Park and my first Sabre's game which was a blast (not sure that counts as a show though).

7. Read at least 7 new books including Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis so this was a no. I did read a few books but missed out on Chronicles. It is the first one on my agenda this year. I already have my bookmark ready :)


8. Take an art or photography class In process. I am enrolled in the New York Institute of Photography. It's been interesting so far. It is a 3 year program I am hoping to finish in a year and a half


9. Go on a road trip with a friend - Defintely took a few trips with my BFF Lori. Visited Austin for a mini vacation and took a few trips to Toronto and did a 'buy one get one' weekend in Buffalo. So much fun. Hoping to do a lot more traveling this coming year.

10. Organize a family portrait with all my relatives uh...let's not talk about it. Lol!

11. Try a restaurant I've never been to definitely did this a few times. Tried a little Korean spot in Chinatown, Toronto. Spicy Thai in Buffalo, amazing food. Tried Panera Bread for the first time and 5 de Mayo for Mexican (not as good as Don Lorenzo's)

12. Volunteer for a good cause Volunteered at my church of course but also for the Gus Macker tournament for the second year. It was fun especially since my friend worked it with me.

13. Finish writing my book A work in progress...definitely on the agenda for this year. Already have one of my favorite teachers lined up to look it over.

14. Go to a conference Didn't make it this year. Bad timing with free weekends. Would like to puy on conference locally one day. I think that would be awesome.

15. Go to a concert or comedy show If a family reunion counts as a comedy show I was there. Haha!!!

16. Visit a museum I've never been to - was hoping to get back to the Smithsonian but didn't make it :(

17. Host a tea party not a formal one like I wanted to but I did make a pot of tea one evening with the girls.

18. Go white water rafting NO! Realized I may not want to drown just yet. So much to live for.

19. Go on a mission trip overseas Finances just wouldn't co-operate this year but maybe it's in God's plan for the year ahead.

20. MOVE It is a deep desire to do this and hopefully it will come to pass. I will not miss the snow, sleet and sheets of black ice or the freezing of my digits as I wait for my car to un-thaw.

21. Tell at least 1 person everyday how much God loves them I did really well with this but the months of November and December got pretty crazy and I fear I did not do it everyday. But I hope you realize how much He does love you if you are reading this :)

There you have it folks and up date on the 2010 list. There were lots of great stuff that happened that were not on there like trying the game of golf for the first time, playing tennis and going four-wheeling. Wrote and performed several dramas and did flags for the first time at church. Visited a castle, took a second trip to the African Lion Safari, flew by myself for the first time, tried to hit all the local cultural events of the summer and went to Rock City Park for the first time. Started a photography business and actually have had happy clients :) Checked out the Botanical Gardens and Pumpkinville. Discovered a cheap movie theater, Marshall's and Ollie's. Spent some time getting to know new friends and reconnecting with old. Pierced my friend's ear using a safety pin and ice (kids don't try that at home). Watched countless reruns of "say yes to the dress" and learned how to play at least 5 new games. All the other things cannot possibly be listed but as much as there were some hard times and days of broken heartedness there were some great moments and lots of grace. I thank God for the past year and the things that He taught me. But I have so much to learn and so far to grow.

I decided to make a new list. 11 Things to do in 2011. I am hoping that my year will surpass my list. That would be truly awesome. 2011 here I come!

Psst: Don't forget to check back for the new list... Luv ya :)

What do you smell like?

I have been wanting to write this particular blog for a while now but my life has gotten attacked by 'holiday mania' and I have been swamped. I am happy to have an evening at home to get these thoughts down for myself and for you.

It all began a few weeks ago when I got a whiff of Old Spice (the original), and my head and heart were immediately flooded with thoughts of my dad. He always wore Old Spice and smelled absolutely amazing. When I think of him I am almost always happy that my dad is home with the Lord and not suffering anymore, but it's moments like that one that I just want my daddy here.

It made me begin to think about how smells can trigger memories or feelings either good or bad. You know what I'm talking about, you all smell...uh...let me re-phrase that...you all experience smells :) sorry, couldn't help myself. A lot of smells are pleasant to me. I love the smell of the outdoors after a heavy rain. When I'm leaving work some days, the bakery down the street will be baking fresh bread and the smell is enough to make me drool a little. I love walking into my house and it smelling like fresh laundry and I love the smell of babies (in a non-poopie state of course). Plus there is hardly anything that could compare to the smell of a cup of freshly brewed coffee (sprinkled with great company) or a bouquet of fresh flowers that reminds you of how much you are loved every time you look at them...

Of course on the other side of the coin there are those whiffs that make you want to donate your sense of smell to a curbside charity. I recently was waiting on a customer and I wanted to write out my last will and testament because I wasn't sure I would make it through the entire transaction alive! I think I may have to invest in Lysol stock pretty soon. Lol! One day recently I encountered someone who wore so much perfume on that I literally became sick to my stomach. It was like a smelling a fragrance factory in rebellion. Then there are the smells that remind you of being sick or that stench that remains with you for days after you accidentally microwave your spaghetti and meatballs in a plastic bowl for 20 minutes instead of 2 and manage to melt it all into a congealed glob of black tar...not speaking from experience...

You get the picture, smells will trigger either great feelings or make you throw up a little in your mouth. Then I was reading my Bible and I came across these words in 2 Corinthians- "For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life..." Hmmm...it made me begin to wonder what I 'smelled' like to those around me. Am I living the kind of life that produces that pleasing aroma? Does my life in Christ cause those who are seeking Him to rejoice? Does it challenge and convict those who are not? I want my life to be that pleasing aroma of Christ above everything else, to be able to love people the way He does...regardless of what they smell like :) That's my goal. What do you smell like?