~Happy New Year~ Wednesdays in the Word

"Old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new." 2 Cor. 5:17

This verse kept coming to mind yesterday morning as I was reflecting on '07 and praying about '08.

My thankful list for 2007:
-Our special friends, those new and old that God has placed in our lives
-Our extended family, we were blessed to each one of our relatives throughout the year
-Our health, we had a couple sets of stitches ; ) but that was it
-Our wonderful church, and I'm especially thankful for the Rangers, Missionettes, JBQ and TBQ classes for our kiddos and for what they have learned this year
-Our dear friend Carlos, and all that he means to us.
And I'm thankful for the incredible gift of a new kitchen that Carlos gave us even though I wasn't too excited about it in the beginning.
Boy, do I love it now. It was sure worth every minute I spent cooking in our family room and boiling water for 3 months. : )
-The love of my life, my precious husband
-Our 'rewards from the Lord,' Zachary, Nathan, Joy and Andrew
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As I thought about '08 these are some of my goals:

Let the 'law of kindness' be on my tongue. (Prov. 31:26)

Spend some time connecting with my children each day. We are always together because of homeschooling but I want to make a special effort to be close at heart with each one of them.

I'd like to get up earlier and spend more time in my Bible each morning. (this will make my hubby laugh because I have such a hard time getting up at 6:15 as it is. I'm not the early bird that he is but I want to try.)

I'd like to abide in the Vine (John 15:4-5) more consistently because "He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."

I want to treat all people that I come in contact with as PRECIOUS in His sight.

I want to honor my hubby in greater measures.

I want to speak encouragement and blessings over my kiddos and remember that criticism is the lingo of the enemy. I need to speak what I want to have remembered for generations to come.

And a list like this especially after the holidays wouldn't be complete without something about exercise. : ) So, I'd like to do better at our 'p.e program' which is jogging at a park a couple days a week.

He is the 'author and the finisher' of each of our '08's. May yours be blessed! : )
~Becky