2012 - The Year I Go Back To Basics

2011 - The Year of Wonder.

It was just that! It was a whirl wind!! I neglected this blog quite a bit! But I have plans to turn that around.

So what was accomplished this year? I ran two half marathons. I got to go to Guatemala for a month this summer. I found my niche in teaching - 4th grade ESL! I paid off my credit card debt! ON TO THE STUDENT LOANS! The traditions we have as a family were totally awesome this year! It's like we all craved it and made sure it happened...right down to the punch with sherbet at Christmas!! :o)

I didn't accomplish weight training or braces...there was NO PLAN! And my 30 before 30 list is pretty much out the window...again no plan. But perhaps I'll do a daring 40 before 40 list. HAHAHA...10 years to accomplish WORLD PEACE!

This was the best year EVER! This coming year I'm turning 30 and I have a feeling it will be even better!! I really can't wait!! 30 is going to be my new 25! I loved 25.

So...moving along to the NEW YEAR!

HAPPY 2012! The Year of Going Back to Basics!

It seems like the older I get the more time flies. And the more I think I should simply. I also think a lot about how important it is to declare that Jesus is my life more publicly. Sure, everyone that knows me knows this about me. What you may not know is that sometimes I really struggle with even going to church...or reading my bible...or praying. It SUCKS! Because as much as it is a struggle, I know that JESUS is my TRUE source of JOY in my life. Maybe I'll share my testimony some time on this Delightful Surprises...

This year, rather than thinking about simplifying and prioritizing, the plan is to actually DO IT! So what does that mean or even look like? I'm not 100 percent sure, but I have some things in mind.

Here's what I have to set the tone for the year...

THEME VERSE for 2012:

Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.

-Hebrews 12:1-2

THEME PICTURE for 2012:

THEME SONG for 2012:



GOALS for 2012:

1. Read my Bible daily. Okay, so I've had this app on my phone for a while, but I HAD NO IDEA that it has different plans to read the Bible in various ways (like reading in 90 days or a year). So, as you read following one of these plans, it shows your progress on this little bar...I'm so excited, because not only do I want to read my Bible, but I also like progress. So not only will I have intangible rewards, I'll also have a little bar that will say: "Mims, you're making progress!" :o)
   On a serious note, I think one of the problems I have is that my LOVE for literature often has me overlook the BOOK. I'm missing out on the perspective, direction, guidance it gives.
   Does this mean that I won't be reading other books for fun? Absolutely not. It just means that I want to make sure to read my Bible...INTENTIONALLY!
2. Less time on Facebook and Pinterest. This is HUGE. Like ENORMOUSLY huge. I've noticed that I am not as creative as I know that I can be. And I've also noticed my absorption to FB and Pinterest...almost to the point of neglecting the people I have around me. Not to mention wasting lots of time. In order to accomplish this, I deactivated my FB account and removed both the FB and Pinterest apps from my phone. COLD TURKEY! So I suppose this is to be more intentional with my time, things and people around me rather than checking status updates and things I could possibly do instead of actually doing them.
3. This one is something I used to do...that I miss. And you may laugh. It's kind of silly...But here it is...I want to make my bed every morning. (insert bashful face) There's a discipline that I've lost along the way. I'm not sure why? Maybe waking up too late and rushing out the door? Like I said...I'm going back to BASICS!
4. I would like to run one half-marathon. I haven't been running very much. I don't know if it's possible to go back, but I want to do it. I have a race in mind, but I'll reserve the date for later.
5. Lay off the lists. I love lists! I do, but sometimes I like them so much that they paralyze me. I want to be a bit more spontaneous.
6. Significantly decrease the Student Loan Debt. I really wanted to finish by my 30th birthday, but it'll probably happen for my 31st which is just fine. I really can't wait!!
7. Braces? I'm such a wimp when it comes to pain....and I hear this hurts!!

That's all folks. I hope you've had a great start to the year!

2011 - The Year of Wonder

2010 Recap- It was the year of conquering and while I don't feel like I did much conquering per se, I know that there's been a lot of progress. For instance, I went from being jobless, to working at the mall and being a substitute teacher, to working as an elementary school teacher! Is that progress or what?

I went from a complete inability to run (okay - I could run for only 3 minutes when I first started - it should count for something!!) to run the entire loop at Memorial Park, plus some with the right pacing. That progress to me is kind of unbelievable!! Me - run? Never!

And I went from wanting to go to Casa Bernabe to actually GOING to Casa Bernabe!!

There's plenty more, for sure, but these are my favorites!! Why? Because I did none of it on my own. All of these big accomplishments remind me of really special people in my life. They remind me of how blessed BEYOND measure I am. My cup runneth over!

Moving on to 2011....

2011: THE YEAR OF WONDER!!

I don't know if it's just life and you get busy or jaded or both...but it's easy to stop to looking at people, things and situations - the amazing things God has created and done - in wonder. For instance, the fact that I'm moving my fingers to type this in itself is seriously wonderful! My legs are crossed and my right foot is bobbing up and down without even paying 2 bits of attention to it while I'm typing - Incredible right? So that's what I'm talking about - I want to deliberately enjoy every scent, every sight, every sound, every TASTE (I LOVE FOOD!!), and every EVERYTHING life has to offer! Yes - and even when it hurts, I want to feel it on purpose knowing that my God is sovereign!

Theme Verse for 2011:

Many, LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done,
the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
were I to speak and tell of your deeds,

they would be too many to declare.

Psalm 40:5

Theme Picture for 2011:

I watched Tangled with my cousins and I think I seriously gasped whenever the lanterns were all around her! This captured this year's theme: WONDER!

Theme Song for 2011:

Go Outside, Robbie Seay Band

I seriously love this song!! I've been listening to it for over a year...still not old!

Goals for 2011:

1. Read at least one book a month. I'm currently reading Pastor Gregg's book!
2. Run at least 2 half-marathons. Maybe more? Running is something I'm going to keep up with regardless of whether I sign up for races or not. I never thought I would love it this much! Feel like you're getting into a funk - GO RUN!
3. Pick up weight training...or rock climbing! (I hate weight training!!)
4. Make it back to Guatemala. I'm planning on going for ~5 weeks this summer. I'll tell you more about it. Be praying about this - please!
5. Get braces. Stuff like this is supposed to happen when you're a teen not when you're practically 30 years old. But whatever - I think I'm going for it for my 29th birthday. If not my birthday - I'll kick of the summer with several visits to the orthodontist!

2010 - The Year of Conquering Continued

At the end of every year, I like to set goals for the next and LOOOOOVE to pick out a theme scripture, song, and a sorta cheesy picture that all go along with what I hope the year will bring.

I just wanted to come back and say that I've picked a theme song for 2010, practically 4 months into the year. It hasn't been too terribly long ago that I've shared this song with you, but when I sing it...I SING MY HEART OUT!! Because it reminds me of how much grace has been extended to us by the One who loves more than we could ever comprehend. And it's Easter...and there was a great sacrifice that has allowed my soul to feel its worth!

My ultimate goal in life is to share beauty, even in the midst of ashes, that only God Himself brings to such a messy time on earth.

So here again is the song:

2010 - The Year of Conquering

The year of the Learning Curve (2009) was just that...A lot of learning and starting from ZERO! But it's been amazing nonetheless and 2010 can only get better!! I'm VERY excited about start of this new year. Excitement ABOUNDS!!

Theme verse for 2010:
"...in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."
Romans 8:37

Theme picture for 2010:
(yes...Aslan!!)
Theme song for 2010: I haven't picked one. ;o)
(2009 was Jon Foreman's Your Love is Strong)

Goals for 2010:

1. Continue Reading
   I love it! I remember having a conversation YEARS AGO with someone about books. I told her that I really like them, but never seemed to have time for them. She answered, "Well, we all have 24 hours in a day and I read every night. You make time for it." And I am thankful she said that because back then I didn't think it was that easy. It's true for a lot of things!
   
2. Teach
   I'm really close I can taste it. I have LOVED every minute of the time I've had off. I can't say it enough. You couldn't pay me to go back to where I was. I'm in a much happier, healthier state and I'm more than ready to teach!!
3. Geocache
   Back in August, I saw a group of boy scouts geocaching and I loved it. I said I'd do it but I haven't. So I promised a cousin of mine that I'd go on a bear hunt once a month and keep my geocaching profile updated.
   
4. Go on a Mission Trip
   My dreams have always been to teach and use the summers for mission trips. So, why not start this year. I'll have more information on this soon.
   
5. Lose Weight
   It's on "the list" every year...and I wouldn't have it any other way! I've recently made some progress and hope to continue into the next. I feel GREAT!! Thanks to the Wii Fit Plus, I am tracking the progress daily and it's ADDICTING!!