29 School Year Resolutions

I've been tagged by Keer...

Ten Questions to Ask at the Start of a New (SCHOOL) Year

I agreed that I'd answer 29... Since I'm staying 29 forever (those of you who are paying attention know that I'm over 30).

1. What's one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?

Be consistent with my prayer journal and Bible reading

2. What's the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?

This

3. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?

Move back in with my husband permanently (those of you paying attention know that my husband has been commuting for eight months between cities)

4. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?

I need help with discipline in general - every type... physical, spiritual, and academic. I think sticking to my guns on question #1 would be the best way to get help in this area.

5. What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year?

The Internet, hands down. I'm going to be moving, unboxing, teaching my two kids, and trying to acclimate to a new city in a short while... so obviously, the Internet will not be as big of a draw.

6. What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church?

I'm in the market for a new church once we move. I want to be more involved wherever we may end up. This past year has been a year of soaking up, and not giving much out... and I want to change that next year.

7. What's the most important way you will, by God's grace, try to make this year different from last year?

Plan ahead.

I've already gotten off to a great start, thanks to God... I planned my general schedule out for the whole school year, and am working on the detailed schedule for the first three months right now.

I am going to pray God gives me the strength to stick to my schedules and accomplish my goals.

9. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?

Make sure to have a set prayer time with the children for school to pray for everyone on our prayer list, to set aside time each day to pray alone, and to be a part of a prayer group at church with other women. I already improved over last year because of the prayer journal I added last year. It has been great to look back over the pages and see how God has answered the prayers.

10. What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in ten years? In eternity?

Teach my children the Bible and to Pray.

11. What's the most important decision you need to make this year?

We need to pick a new church home to serve in.

12. What area of your life most needs simplifying, and what's one way you could simplify in that area?

Record keeping, paper filing, storing the children's school-work.

I am going back to a paper system this year (I used the computer mostly for records, report cards, and grading last year). I tend to do better on paper. I am also going to do a weekly purge on their school work - and make a portfolio that is hole punched by subject so they can HELP with the filing!

13. What's the most important need you feel burdened to meet this year?

I want to read the Bible all the way through again (I have a different version this year - the NKJ), I want to get moved into a new house and unpack (and give things away that we don't need), and I want to get involved in a new church family. I also feel that my children really need to be in more extra curricular activities, so we plan to get involved in groups that meet their scholastic, physical, and social needs where we move. And we are working towards getting completely out of debt.

14. What habit would you most like to establish this year?

A better school routine, eating at home all week instead of eating out, and getting more involved in our church (all while limiting my time on the internet!).

15. Who do you most want to encourage this year?

My husband, My children, My mom, My dad

16. What is your most important financial goal this year, and what is the most important step you can take toward achieving it?

Eliminating debt at all cost. Getting a savings account going.

17. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your work life this year?

Implement my plans for the school year and finish all the units we planned to finish with a BANG (instead of letting them fizzle out).

18. What's one new way you could be a blessing to your pastor (or to another who ministers to you) this year?

Pray for him. Be a friend to his wife.

19. What's one thing you could do this year to enrich the spiritual legacy you will leave to your children and grandchildren?

Include Bible study in our school units, do Bible memory, and serve in my church as a good example for my children.

20. What book, in addition to the Bible, do you most want to read this year?

There are too many to pick from. I have a wish list, but it is spread out in my email box in different emails I have saved. Here is a short list of a few of the top books on my wish list:

• Anything by the Vision Forum
• How to Homeschool, by Gayle Graham
• Homeschooling with a Meek & Quiet Spirit by Teri Maxwell
• Yada Yada Prayer Group by Neta Jackson
• And the Shofar Blew by Francine Rivers
• Suncatchers by Jamie Langston Turner
• The Light and the Glory by Peter Marshall
• Original Intent by David Barton
• Created to be His Helpmeet by Debi Pearl
• Hank the Cowdog Book on Tape Series for the Kids
• Discover Your Children's Gifts: A Parent's Handbook to Recognize and Develop Your Children's God-given Gifts by Don and Katie Fortune
• Beautiful Girlhood Collection
• Daughters of Destiny by Noelle Goforth
• The Basket of Flowers (A Tale of Devotion) by Christoph Von Schmid
• Home-Making by J.R. Miller
• The Sinking of the Titanic and Great Sea Disasters (Training sons to put "Women and Children First") by Marshall Logan
• G. A. Henty Historical Adventures Series
• Jesus Freaks - DC Talk
• The Devil Speaks Latin (not sure of the author, and I can't seem to find it right now since our move)
• Mere Christianity - C.S. Lewis
• The Five Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman
• The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate by Gary Chapman
• Sex and the Supremacy of Christ by John Piper and Justin Taylor

I keep an ongoing list (and a bunch on my bookshelves at home that were packed away until we find a house!) ... plus all of the books we have for each of our school units this year. We tend to check out on average of 20-40 books every two weeks at the library, and we read a thick classic or chapter book for each unit (every 2-4 weeks).

21. What one thing do you most regret about last year, and what will you do about it this year?

Not getting enough of our Konos Volume 1 accomplished, letting Units die a slow whimpering death (rather than doing wrap-ups, parties and field trips to engrain them in memory forever), having to move away from our church, friends and house.

This year, I am planning more (and better), and I am praying God helps me to implement my plans and accomplish them... we are also planning to incorporate more wrap-ups, field trips and parties this year in our schooling... and we are hoping to make new friends, find a new home church family, and make the most of living in a new city this year.

22. What single blessing from God do you want to seek most earnestly this year?

I want God to help me to be more disciplined, focused, simplified, calm, and efficient (and less easily distracted).

23. In what area of your life do you most need growth, and what will you do about it this year?

Prayer, Bible study, Serving at church, Making new friends, and Accomplishing our school-year's goals

24. What's the most important trip you want to take this year?

I would like to save up and actually take a family vacation this year... and possibly a romantic weekend getaway with just my husband. And if we decide it isn't wise to spend the money on trips, I just want to make the most of our move to a new city and get acclimated.

25. What skill do you most want to learn or improve this year?

Implementing Plans (without distraction) - Accomplishing all we set out to get done,...

oh... and Meal Planning consistently!

26. To what need or ministry will you try to give an unprecedented amount this year?

The Victims of Katrina (in addition to our regular ministries we support: Our Church, ICC, EEM, Christian Aid, ACLJ, AFA, Compassion International, Angel Tree, and Feed the Children)

27. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your commute this year?

Get dressed to my shoes (as Fly Lady says)... and have my hair and face done so I'm not taken by surprise when someone rings the door-bell, and I'm ready to walk out the door if we decide to go somewhere. I am also planning to get up reeeeally early and take my husband to work (who has to be there by 6:30am). This is going to be a rough year!

28. What one biblical doctrine do you most want to understand better this year, and what will you do about it?

I kind of think of the entire gospel message (and the entire Bible, really) as a single doctrine. This question is kind of strange. I think the doctrine (ie: teaching) that I could probably improve the most in my life is OBEDIENCE (without delay, without attitude, without doubt, and without complaint). I already understand that it is necessary, and why.

29. If those who know you best gave you one piece of advice, what would they say? Would they be right? What will you do about it?

I asked my husband, and this is what he said (after a few minutes of deep thought), "Eliminate distractions". He's certainly right.

I need to focus first on my family, spend more time with the kids just playing, get school completed and keep on track with our schedule, and spend less time chasing rabbit trails and on the computer (blogging/email, whatever). Great advice.

TAG! You're IT!:
Spunky, Amy, and Gooblink.

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(Copyright © 2003 Donald S. Whitney)