My 8 in 2008 recap!

We haven't done this in a while, but when I start something I have to finish it out, otherwise I cannot move forward! Odd I know, but I wanted to recap my year. Partly to finish out what I started and partly to encourage and spur me on in this new year, so here goes:

MY 8 IN 2008!

1. To learn to wait on God

I learned alot this year, but God isn't finished with me yet. What he is showing me now, and was probably showing me throughout the year, but I wasn't LOOKIN' is that I need to "Be Still" before him in order to hear and see what he is saying and doing, and to follow Him in that way. Just this morning I was looking at my index cards of scripture and this was the first one I saw:

Isaiah 30:21

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying :This is the way, walk in it"

So this is what I must continue to learn through 2009 and beyond!

2. To practice better hospitality

I think I have gotten better here. I am trying to be better at sending cards when prompted, but it still continues to be a struggle. Not because I don't want to do it, but because I don't remember to do it.

3. To speak truth in love and to stop gossip before it begins

I believe I have improved here. I guess I would have to get my close friends opinions on this though. They are the ones I suppose I would do both of the above too. I desire to always build people up in the Lord and not tear them down. I hope that that thought guides my tongue.

4. To pray for others more. To pray for the salvation of my family (extended)

I don't think I did very well with this in 2008, but I have a renewed desire to pray for my brothers and sisters, so I continue in this as well!

5. To take better care of God's temple

I have NOT done a good job taking care of God's temple. My health has not been as good lately and that is partly due to what I put in my body on a daily basis. I am ashamed and saddened by this, but I am also motivated by how bad I have been feeling to make the proper changes. We are starting a Biggest Loser at church, and I am joining there to get support, and wonderful dietary help from 2 awesome ladies at church. I so want to be healthier for my sake and my familys. There is so much we like to do outside and lately I am just to winded to do it well.

6. To study 8 books of the Bible

I think I got my 8 in. I started with Acts, Galatians, Ephesians, Phillipians,Colossians, Nehemiah, Malachi, Jude. I am currently studying Ezekiel. I think I've study a couple more, but can't remember, but at least I got my 8 in.

7. To memorize 8 verses

As I look back over the verses I have memorized I realized I didn't stick with it, but here are the ones that I did memorize: Isaiah 30:21, Philippians 1:9; Eph 6:10; Isaiah 26:3

Romans 12:13; Psalms 5:3; Psalms 27:14 this is one on waiting; and so is this one Psalms 40:1

On the LPM blog Beth is doing a challenge for 2009 to memorize 24 verses in the year. I am considering do that to spur me on.

8. To organize all the closets, bookshelves and storage areas in my house.

Well I clean out my bookshelf, bathroom closet, spare bedroom closet, 2 hallway closets, the storage room down stairs; my laundry room cupboards, and my spice area. Now ask me if they are all still immaculate and tidy!!!! I dare you, ask me!!!!

So there you have it! My final 8 in 2008 post! I will not be discouraged by where I failed, but will continue to trust in the Lord to help me grow closer to him in all things!

Have a wonderful and safe 2009! Here is are some verses that I think we should all do for each other:

Hebrews 10:23-25

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

My 8 in 2008!

MY 8 IN 2008!

1. To learn to wait on God
Through alot of circumstances God is teaching me to wait on him! I am amazed to see what he is doing and I only hope to be a better student as I grow closer to Him!

2. To practice better hospitality

If helping my daughter with her bake sale to buy Bibles for people in Haiti count, then I think I did good!

3. To speak truth in love and to stop gossip before it begins

A little bit, but I think I may have needed truth spoke in love to me a couple of times this month!

4. To pray for others more. To pray for the salvation of my family (extended)
Doing better here!

5. To take better care of God's temple
I bought a book called "Never say diet" by Chantel Hobbs. She's a women that lost over 200lbs. Also except for this week because Steve and Jeremiah are gone I have been walking every morning with the mutt, and of course riding my bike all over A-town!!!
6. To study 8 books of the Bible
Still working on Philippians and Titus
7. To memorize 8 verses
One that I have memorized this month is Philippians 1:9 - and this is my prayer: That your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight..... I have begun putting this verse in the kids birthday cards at church.
8. To organize all the closets, bookshelves and storage areas in my house.
Here I feel pretty good! Our storage room downstairs is clean. Our spare bedroom is on it's way, and if I had a camera (Steve took both for him and Jeremiah) I would show you my new spice rack idea. It came off of Mari's blog here. I couldn't afford that one, so I improvised. I take a picture later!

My 8 in 2008!

1. To learn to wait on God

I am learning much for God this year on waiting. Sometimes I'm loving it other times not so much! But he is good all the time, and the end result is being closer to him so it's a win!
2. To practice better hospitality

I find myself thinking about hospitality to others more now. It's more on the forefront of my mind. I see opportunities more! Still know I need to do more!

3. To speak truth in love and to stop gossip before it begins

hummm.... I don't think I've cross the line, but that line is pretty small.

4. To pray for others more. To pray for the salvation of my family (extended)

Finding myself stopping and praying for others. It's not always a verbal prayer for my family, but they are definately on my heart!

5. To take better care of God's temple

I do not want to even touch this one this month!

6. To study 8 books of the Bible

I have studied Ephesians and I am now studying Philippians. I think our home group is studying Titus.

7. To memorize 8 verses

Did not do well here this month. I have added more verses to my list! Mostly from Philippians.

8. To organize all the closets, bookshelves and storage areas in my house.

O.K. does get every Garage Sale item out?! Right now if stands pretty messy, but after we get back from the conference grounds I am going to tackle it better.

There you have it! The good, the bad, and the ugly! Check out the other ladies that are living intentionally at Extravagant Grace!

Can it be April - 8 in 2008?!

Oh my goodness, time does just speed on by doesn't it! I wish I could slllloooowww ttthhhiiinnngggsss ddddoooowwwwnnnn! I choose to go back to "Little house on the Prairie" Day's! They seened to have so much time didn't they!

Oh well time marches on! Time to be accountable for my month of intentional living in 2008!

• To learn to wait on God - This is a wonderful work in progress! God has me in a hold position of sorts right now because I don't know why he has me going to the Precepts training which is this weekend. Sometimes I try to figure out what he's going to do. Well you know where that goes! He alone knows the future and I like that!
• To practice better hospitality - humm.... I am trying to get better at sending out cards. I haven't gone to the Nursing home yet with Bekah. I really want to do that!
• To speak truth in love and to stop gossip before it happens - Truth in love has taken a hard hit. This deals with issues that I have always had a hard time with. Currently there is an "elephant in the room" in a very close relationship of mine. What is hard is finding the time to sit and talk it out. That is another thing I've never really learned successfully how to talk things out. I also don't want to do it over the phone. So I sit and wait for the appropriate time.
• To pray for others more. To pray for the salvation of my family (extended) - I think this is about the same as last month. I'm not going backwards.
• To take better care of God's temple - I'm feeling better in this area. I joined the accountability group over at CWO-Living Well. The women are all so encouraging and supportive. Steve and I have started walking again. I am journaling (somewhat). I've never been really good at that, but I must keep trying. I am focusing more on God and what he wants for me. So all in all even with some set backs I march forward.
• To study 8 books of the bible - I just finished my study of the book of Acts. It was great! I received so much instead into Paul, but also saw how God sometimes chooses to work. Here are just a couple of things that stand out in my mind:
• Persecution will happen when you follow Christ.
• The gospel is spread through persecuted people.
• Edit: I just wanted to explain a little more about this. Not that anyone has said anything against it, but I feel I need to. God works through all his people, but I noticed in the book of Acts that the gospel was spread through persecuted people scattering to other areas and speaking about Christ. I don't want anyone to think that the gospel is only spread through persecution.
• God has a plan for each one of us that he will accomplish in His time.
• You cannot forever "kick against the goads".
• God's plan will advance. He will get you to where he wants you. I love how he could've just told Paul to go to Rome, but instead Paul had to go through alot of hard situations before getting there. God says to Ananisis in Acts 9:15-16 But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name." Isn't that cool! The thing is too Paul knew that he would suffer and went willingly, even desiring to suffer for Christ! WOW! Needless to say I so enjoyed my time in Acts. Now I am studying Malachi (with our small group) and Galatians.
• To memorize 8 verses - This is going well. I am involved in Evangelism Explosion so I am re-memorizing verses from my youth there.
• Last but not least To Organize all the closets, bookshelves ans storage areas in my house. It took me until just last week, but I finally cleaned out my bathroom closet! (no picture sorry). It was in major disarray. It looks so nice and neat now. Right now I am working on our storage room down stairs. It is a mess! My sister and I are having a garage sale on May 1st or 2nd, so I am down there pulling everything out that we will be selling. Then it's on to the bedroom closets starting with mine and Steve's.
• Well that is the full report. It's funny I love structure, so this so keeps me in line. I don't know if that's good or bad, but it's effective!
• Come see others who are being intentional and cheer them on over at Extravagant Grace!
• Have an Awesome April!

Intentional Living! 8 in 2008!

Intention-

a determination to act in a certain way!

It's that time again to look over my list and see how far I have come in my determination this month! I'm always amazed that I start out going gangbusters, then, well I don't know what happens!!! Time to evaluate!

1. To learn to WAIT on God! I really love what God is showing me here! He is teaching me so much! He is opening my eyes to opportunities because of waiting on Him! There are many questions I have, but I know that all will be answered in time! I'm finding I have more peace also!
2. To practice better hospitality! Each month God shows me and encourages me in ways to be more hospitable! Baby Steps! I still haven't gone to the Nursing Home like I want to. I've gotta grab Mari or Melissa at church to talk about some questions I have. Guys if you see me tomorrow and I'm not running around like a chicken with my head cut off, can we talk?


3. To speak truth in love and stop gossip where it starts! Ya know this one is hard to gauge. I feel like I need others to tell me how I'm doing, but since no one is here right now I guess I'll have to. I have fail a little at this. I did speak truth, but I was not all that happy when I did, and the air was a bit thick in the room! Not good timing or attitude! Gossip (hummm), I think I'm O.K., I try so hard to examine my conversations! If any of you that I talk to see me doing or saying something that is gossip, please feel free to correct me!


4. To pray for others more. To pray for the salvation of my family (extended)! Again Baby Steps! We have a wonderful Prayer e-mail list that comes through from our church, and I find I am stopping more to pray instead of going "I'll have to pray later"


5. To take better care of God's temple! Failing miserably!!!!! I feel there are so many reasons behind this, but probably number one is my love of food, lack of self-control, and not giving complete control to God. I have to say I am worried about my health! To many young (relatively) people I know have died recently and I so want to be here for my family! Much prayer needed!


6. To study 8 books of the Bible! I will be finishing up my study on Acts this week! I have so enjoyed it! I have loved getting to know Paul better, and really getting into his missionary journeys. I am so torn on what books to do next! I want to do them all, but I have to choose! I think maybe I'll try an OT book, like Nehemiah and maybe a NT book from Paul's Journeys. I also want to do a study of the letters to the 7 churches! Oh, I can't decide!!!!!!!


7. To memorize 8 verses! I have memorized two! Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you" and Romans 12:13 "Share with God's people who are in need, practice hospitality" I am also having to memorize for EE so that will help.


8. To organize all the closets, bookshelves and storage areas in my house! OK this I'm really proud of. We have this bookshelf by our computer that cannot really be seen because of the computer cabinet. I would just drop things there and never really look at it. It was a mess! I should have taken a before and after shot, but forgot to. I have to say again, it was a complete mess! Now here is the after shot!
   Thanks for stopping by and keeping me accountable! Check out the other ladies at Extravagant Grace who are seeking to be intentional this year!