Blogging in 2013

y blog has changed so much over the years. And so have I.

I have wanted to get back into blogging for several months, but just haven't had any idea what I wanted to blog about. Everything I used to reserve for the blog now ends up on Facebook or Instagram. And everyone who used to read my blog are on Facebook or Instagram...so this always gets neglected.

I had hoped to transform this into a topic-focused blog. I have friends who blog about photography, spiritual matters, cooking, crafting, organizing, bargain-hunting, homemaking, etc. But I haven't been able to find my new niche. Yet, I can't give up my blog. It's as old as my youngest child, who will be 9 years old in May. Something that sticks with you for nearly a decade shouldn't simply be deleted by the swipe of a keystroke. Right?

Meanwhile on Pinterest, which of course was linked to a blog, I found this journaling idea. I have a hard cover journal that I got for my birthday one year that is a similar concept. I have written in it here and there, but not consistently. I have also watched friends use something similar on Instagram, but using photos. But I don't have a problem with posting on Instagram...LOL So, I think I'll try it for the blog. What's it going to hurt, right?

So, here's January's topic starters.

I need to catch up the past week, so here it goes:

1. What is your number one goal this year?

My Number One Goal this year would be to finish my Credentials Courses, either through the School of Ministry or through Global University. I'm only 4 classes away, and it would feel so good to have it finished! I will probably have to take one class over again, which would put me at 5 classes needed. Unfortunately, even though I attended both days, did all the assignments & requirements, I missed one thing: I didn't turn in the 5 paragraph essay. And even though they are super flexible with the grace period, I think 11 months is probably too long...what do you think? LOL But what can I say? I'm taking this classes in addition to being a wife & mother, working outside the home, running a ministry (and now beginning a second one), volunteer work & homeschooling my children. So you can see why it's necessary for me to take a year to work on just 4 (or 5) classes...LOL

2. What are you most grateful for?

This is an easy question! I am most grateful for my entire life. The way my life began, the life I have now would have been so much different had I not encountered Christ and allowed Him to change me from the inside out.

3. Are you content?

Despite my underlying gratefulness, I do sometimes fall into the trap of discontentment. And when I do, it's usually because my life is full of busyness and I have forgotten my priorities. When my spiritual & physical priorities are in order, my contentment grows. But when I neglect those things, I get the "wants"...

4. What is your best memory of last year?

Last year was full of wonderful things. The year started off with an amazing Ladies Retreat all about Prayer, Passion & Purpose! We got Disney passes, which helped us create many lasting memories with the kids & our friends. I also got to see Beth Moore live, which has always been a dream of mine!

5. What was the last major accomplishment you had?

We paid off some debt last year. That felt amazing! We have some tax debt and one more car note to pay off, which in fact, should be added as a Part 2 to my Number One Goal for the year...LOL

6. What possession could you not live without?

Honestly? Okay...I'm going to be 100% honest here...my iPhone. My life is on computers...everything I do is somehow tied to a computer. But my iPhone, in a pinch, can get me through anything if I'm not near a computer at the time! Work, school, kids, home, church...you name it, and I can probably get it done on my phone. LOL

7. Can people change?

This is such a deep question. Can people change? If you read that as "is it possible for any given person" then yes, of course it's possible. I'm living proof of that! Anyone can change--Christ changes us into an entirely new creation when we accept Him into our lives. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

But if you read that as "Can *insert name here* change?", then the answer isn't always yes. Why? Because one cannot change who they are if they don't allow Jesus to transform them. To change is really a supernatural event, in my opinion. Yes, we can make new habits, and yes, we can change how we act in front of certain people or in certain situations. We have some control over that. But to actually change, like a caterpillar changes into a butterfly, must happen on the inside as a result of a supernatural transformation. As my Pastor said just yesterday, "We are not sinners because we sin. We sin because we are sinners. It's who we are. It's in our nature."

Okay, I'm caught up for the first week in January. The true test is if I can come back tomorrow and do #8...

If you're going to try this, would you comment with a link to your blog? I'd love to read along!