• Intentional Living: Weekly Goals

    I made some progress last week on my goals!  Thankful for the opportunity move forward on my goals despite a busy 2012 first quarter.  Since I have a conference for part of the week the list will be shorter.

    Here is the update on last weeks goals:

    Family Goals

    1. Spend 1-on-1 time with each child everyday
    2. Read a book to the girls everyday
    3. Have each girl read 1 book to myself or Jake 5 days this week – the girls were sick this week
    4. Go on my Date Night with Jake (we got free movie tickets so excited to enjoy some time away together) – We gave away our free movie tickets because we had to cancel our Date Night, the kiddos got sick.  🙁 I am hoping to get it rescheduled soon.
    5. Get the girls Birthday Party Details Started

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week – I did it again (victory dance).  It has helped give me more energy throughout my days too!
    2. Go to bed by 10:30 pm or earlier Monday to Thursday – was bad about this one, it was after 1 am one night
    3. Finish reading Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuk – still working on it
    4. Read and listen to the next section of  Desiring God: Finding Complete Satisfaction and Joy in God by John Piper (our church Community Group is going through this book together).
    5. Get my Travel Visa Application Sent

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu planned and written by Monday
    3. Spend 30 minutes every day picking up / cleaning the house
    4. Dinner ready by 5:30 PM (Monday through Thursday) – it was closer to 6 pm a couple of days
    5. Spend time re-organizing and de-cluttering the office
    6. Update Family & Friends Contact Information – glad to have this information updated 🙂

    Business Goals

    1. Pay all bills that come in the mail this week
    2. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    3. Spend 10 minutes a day cleaning and organizing my desk
    4. Plan new implementations for blog
    5. Start working on 2011 business taxes – gathered the information and paperwork but nothing more yet

    Ministry Goals

    1. Email our weekly Community Group update including upcoming events on the calendar, praises, and prayer requests
    2. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
    2. Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses – moving forward on this goal
    3. Start working on our personal 2011 taxes

    Here are my goals for the upcoming week:

    Family Goals

    1. Spend 1-on-1 time with each child everyday
    2. Read a book to the girls everyday
    3. Spend some time with extended family

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week
    2. Read and listen to the next section of  Desiring God: Finding Complete Satisfaction and Joy in God by John Piper (our church Community Group is going through this book together).

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu planned and written by Monday

    Business Goals

    1. Attend the Pro Ag Conference
    2. Pay all bills that come in the mail this week

    Ministry Goals

    1. Email our weekly Community Group update including upcoming events on the calendar, praises, and prayer requests
    2. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
    2. Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses

    I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us.  I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true.  When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals.  Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick).  Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.

    Why Share My Goals?

    • To keep me accountable
    • To share a piece of my life with you as I strive to be a better Child of God, Wife, Mom, Friend, Homemaker, Entrepreneur and the many other roles I have each week
    • To have my goals consistently written down so I can gauge progress more accurately
    • Create healthy habits in my life
    • To encourage you to share your goals with me as you continue to grown and learn

    How did you do this week on your goals?  Feel free to share or link to your list of weekly goals.

    The picture above is one that I created for my own purposes, however, The “SMART” acronym was originally coined 30 years ago by Peter Drucker in his classic work, Management by Results

  • Book: “Made to Crave” by Lysa Terkeurst

    I recently attended a Ladies Bible Study at our church and we went through Lysa Terkeurst’s book and study guide “Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deepest Desire with God, Not Food”  It was great reading a book that redirected our focus off food or other objects that we turn to when we want comfort or for celebration and turning our focus onto God.  The book isn’t a diet or healthy eating plan.  It is more of a guide to help you get your priorities in place.  If you are looking to eat healthier it gives you steps on how to set up a plan, find an accountability partner, and scripture to encourage you.  It was a refreshing yet challenging book to read.  I enjoyed going through the book and study with friends as well.  It was neat hearing their thoughts about the lessons and their own journeys as well.

    While I was going through the Bible Study I had the opportunity to attend the Extraordinary Women’s Conference at the Bi-Lo Center in Greenville, SC.  I was able to hear Lysa speak during that weekend and meet her in person.  It was really neat to meet the author of the book I was currently reading, I even got her to sign my two books that I had of hers!  The other amazing blessing about that weekend is I was able to spend some extra time with some girlfriends while my husband took care of the girls.  Having some time learning and celebrating with friends was a real treasure.  Thankful for a man who gave me the opportunity to go!

  • Heart Reflections: Extraordinary Women Conference

    I had the opportunity to attend the Extraordinary Women Conference this past weekend with a group of girlfriends.  It was great getting a chance to get away for awhile.  I am thankful for Jake being willing to watch the girls so I could go with friends.  The neat part is I have heard several songs from the musicians but had the privilege to see them in person and meet them.  I was familiar with most of the speakers because I had either read some of their books or seen them on TV.  The theme of the conference was “HOPE”!  Each speaker and musician centered their message around the theme.

    Here are some of the pictures from our weekend adventures:

    Michael O'Brien leading worship!

    Michael O’Brien lead the worship and singing several times throughout the weekend.  He used to be the lead singer for Newsong and now has a band of his own.  He has written several songs and did a wonderful job leading the group in worship.

     

    Conference Host - Julie Clinton

    Julie Clinton is EWomen’s president and host.  She did a great job coordinating the speakers, musicians, and attendees.  Her daughter was able to attend the conference this weekend with her.

     

    Thelma Wells (AKA Momma T) was our Friday evening speaker.

    Thelma is turning 70 this week and Michael had everyone sing her “Happy Birthday” when she first got up on stage.  This is a picture of her right after the song.

     

    Casting Crowns in Concert!

    We got to hear Casting Crowns in concert at the conference.  I was fascinated by the group, they are all youth pastors or workers during the week at their local churches.  Several of their songs were created from life experiences they had through ministry at church and with their families.

     

    Speaker - Jennifer Rothschild

    Jennifer’s testimony was amazing.  She became legally blind at the age of 15 yet she continues to make an impact on the lives of people around her.  Jennifer shared some of the struggles and adjustments she had to make with the blindness.  She encouraged the group that we do have hope in Christ and he never gives you more than you can bare.  Great testimony!

     

    Speaker & Arthur - Lysa Terkeurst

    It was wonderful hearing Lysa speak after reading a couple of her books.  She was genuine and it was neat to hear what God brought her through before getting her attention and using her gift of writing to make an impact on many people.    “The Messiah can take my mess and turn it into a message of hope to share with others”  Notice Messiah, Mess, and Message all have the letters “Mess” in them.

     

    Speaker - Candace Cameron Blure (AKA "DJ" from the TV SHow "Full House")!

    We were able to hear Candace give her testimony at the conference.  It was very neat hearing how she developed her relationship with Christ and was able to see her husband get saved as well.  Glad to hear that Christians have a voice in TV industry.  She gave a very clear salvation message at the conference.

     

    Our picture with Lysa Terkeurst!

    Lysa was the only arthur and speaker that was allowing “posed” photo’s.  Thrilled that a group of us were able to get our pictures taken with her.  I was able to get my books signed by her too!  Over the weekend I was able to meet all the speakers and musicians as well as  get all the books / cds I already had signed.

     

    Comedian - Chonda Pierce

    Chonda was a hoot!  Loved listening to her sing and speak!  She was the very last speaker at the conference but the time flew by while listening to her.  It was great to laugh!

    I was able to soak in some amazing information and was encouraged by the testimonies of so many people in attendance.  The biggest phrase that stuck in my mind throughout the whole weekend was said by Lysa Terkeurst – “The Messiah can take my mess and turn it into a message of hope to share with others”  My life isn’t perfect and I make mistakes daily, however, God uses me despite all the those failures.  He can make an impact on many lives through me. All the speakers and musicians had so many wonderful messages to share.  I am thankful for the privilege to attend the conference.

    The weekend was busy but it was a great experience and refreshing time of fellowship!  I thoroughly enjoyed the conference!  Although I was ready to come home and spend some time with my family by the end of the day on Saturday.  So very thankful for the opportunity to go and hear the musicians and speakers testimonies.  Awesome weekend away with friends!