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Saturday, January 2, 2016

Welcoming The New Year

I suppose it's natural to do some reflection at the end/beginning of the year. I've done it time and time again, this year being no different. Our life continues to change but the loss I had been feeling so acutely with our grandchildren moving so far away has mellowed some. I still miss them but, there is face time and visits to look forward to.

There have been years when I had some pretty specific ideas on what I wanted to accomplish in the upcoming year. This year I've been hard pressed to come up with any specific goals. We've been in a holding pattern with a few things so, it's been hard for me to think beyond that.

Some basic things I'm hoping to continue is to clean out and reduce the clutter in our home, it seems to be an ongoing thing. There's some progress that's been made, but we've been in this home for almost twenty years, and that's a lot of time to acquire stuff. I have a full garage as proof of that last statement! Plus we have acquired things from other people and I still have a ton of toys that I would keep for when the grands would come to visit. I've purged about half but I need to do more. My youngest son helped with this process by going through some of HIS boxes that still had a home in an empty bedroom. We ended up eliminating three more rubbermaid containers...hooray! (there are still a few more he has to go through)

I thought about trying out a new Bible Reading Plan, this linked one looked interesting. I will probably only use it as a guide though because we are also doing BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) and that has reading requirements as well. I don't think there's one Bible reading method better than another but I do think it is so important for believers to be saturated in his Word. Now is the time to know what you believe and why.

So basically we are trying to simplify our home, lighten the load as it were, continue to draw near to the Lord as wait to see how some events that have us in this "holding pattern" are going to unfold.

That's what we are looking at doing in the year ahead, what about you, what kind of things are you looking to do in the New Year?

7 comments:

NanaNor's said...

Happy New Year to you! I loved reading about your goals and I've been doing much of the same for the last three days. Once we got our Christmas decorations boxed, we cleaned our basement storage area before moving them all back. I have also purged a lot of my clothes that were old, gotten rid of most of the children's books I had for the beans and also baby toys. We will have everything picked up here in a week. I also went rough my books and got rid if half of them, but I must say I'm exhausted this afternoon so I'm sitting vining other friends. I don't make resolutions, but do ask for a Word for the New Year. Mine is Anticipation-of homes, dreams and prayers fulfilled. Looking forward to a blessed year. Enjoy BSF, I do Betg Moore studies and love them.
Hugs, Noreen

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Dear Maryann ~ May 2016 be a wonderful year for you and your family.

I also am working on getting rid of 'stuff'. Have been in this house for 43 years, that's a lot of household stuff plus DH's workshop and stuff from when we were in business. It can seem overwhelming but with Jesus by my side, being my strength I will make it.

I printed out your Bible reading plan. BSF starts back up for us on the 6th. I am enjoying this study of Revelation.

Love & hugs ~ FlowerLady

Lea @ CiCis Corner said...

Oh, bless you on the going through stuff. I spent the last year and a half doing just that before we moved into our new home this past August. What a task! And, we probably should have downsized but we didn't and I guess one day we'll really have to clean out and get rid of stuff. Can't even think about that right now.

I, too, have missed my daughter so, so much since she moved back to Oklahoma. She was only 3 hours away and now she's 8 1/2 and that's such a big difference. And, it will never change, so I might as well accept it and move on. Ugh!

Blessings abundant my friend!

Debbie said...

I always love blog reading this time of year as I see how others have reflected back and are looking ahead. I too should do some purging over here but I am going to start with my sewing "stash"....goodness it's starting to take over, lol. I am hoping to grow closer to the Lord as well, and spend MUCH more time in His word. MANY blessings to you in the new year!

Camille said...

Good Morning, Maryann ~ I just popped in to read your post and have printed off the Bible reading plan you linked....thank you! I like the idea of reading through chronologically....something I've never done before. I know the Lord will be faithful in this coming year as He has been in the past. Cling to Him....HE holds you! Much Love, Camille

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

No special plans for the new year for us Like you I am always de cluttering. Wishing you the best in the year ahead. :)

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