Over the past month, I've been incredibly inspired by a lot of women who are setting intentional goals for their lives. I'm a big list person, but I've never been much of a goal-setter. Normally, I just have the big picture in mind, and I go for it. But the past two years, I feel like I've lost a bit of my vision. It's so easy to get wrapped up in every day things that I feel like I'm constantly playing catch up and not focusing on what really matters.

2014 is going to hold some big changes for us - a new baby, my transition from working to stay-at-home mom, and probably moving back to the States in the fall. I want to keep Jesus at the center of my focus and to use my time and skills for the tasks I feel he is calling me to. So in 2014, I want to start being more intentional in my personal life, my relationships, and my outlets and ministry {like blogging!}. I know that reaching these goals doesn't make me more acceptable to God or necessarily a better person. But I do see them as tools to help me focus my time on the priorities God has laid on my heart.

I consider December a warm-up month - a way to put down some goals in different areas and also give the reason why I think they're important {thanks, Danielle, for the reminder that why is as important as what!}.

Here they are!

• Personal: continue spending time in the mornings focused on studying God's word, meditating on it, praying, and journaling - even if it's just for ten minutes.
• This habit has really helped my heart become centered at the beginning of the day. If I don't do it first thing, it doesn't get done - I allow myself to get too distracted too easily. I'm currently studying the Psalms and Matthew. I hope to finish Matthew by the end of the month, as I've been in it for a loooong time so far! I've also started reading the Advent series from SheReadsTruth.com, which will hopefully help me remember the sacred season we're in. That can be really hard to do living in Poipet {more on that in a future post!}

• Marriage: be intentional about encouraging my husband through written notes and words.
• I've realized lately how much I take Andrew for granted. I was sick this weekend and spent most of Saturday laying around the house sleeping. He took care of cleaning, doing errands, and making sure I was comfortable. That's just one example of how much he takes care of me, and I know I don't tell him or show him enough how much I appreciate him.

• Pregnancy: Start a shopping list for baby stuff & exercise at least five days a week for 30 minutes {even if it's just walking in the neighborhood}; read one book on natural birth.
• Um, hello third trimester next week?! This baby boy will be here before we know it, and I have done about 1% of the prep I need to! It's really hard for me to get out and exercise when I'm tired from working or being busy all day, but I know it's important. I have also done zero reading on natural birth, so I need to get on the ball if I expect to pull it off.

• Relationships: spend time with two of my friends who will be leaving Poipet at the end of the month, encouraging them in some huge life transitions happening soon.
• Because the past few months have been incredibly hectic for all of us, I haven't hung out with these two ladies more than a couple of times. I want to take advantage of the remaining time we have left and make some good memories with them, as well as encouraging them however they need it.

• Blogging: Blog 3-4 times per week and take 1-2 Influence Network classes.
• I've downloaded tons of resources lately on creating a vision for blogging and tools for getting organized {like Kat Lee's How They Blog Planning Kit and Hayley Morgan's The No Brainer Blog} and they've been super helpful. I want to focus on becoming a consistent, thoughtful writer and creating content that is helpful and encouraging to y'all who read this. I've also joined the Influence Network, which has monthly classes on faith, writing, design, blogging, etc. that I think will be challenging and inspiring for me. So stick around - it's just going to get better around here...

• Books: You know I have to have a separate section for books, right? Here are the books I'm hoping to tackle in December:
• Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands by Paul Tripp - a book my home church uses in lay counseling to help every believer understand how God can use them to bring about change in their own lives and in the lives of others.
• Redeeming Childbirth: Experiencing His Presence in Pregnancy, Labor, Childbirth, and Beyond by Angie Tolpin - this book sounds like a great start for thinking about this life transition from a Christian perspective and will hopefully help fulfill my goal above about starting research on natural childbirth.
• Bread & Wine: A Love Letter to Life Around the Table by Shauna Niequist - I bought this book on my Kindle ages ago when it was on sale and haven't started it yet. I think it will provide some entertainment reading that will also make me think about relationships and how to use my love of cooking to connect with others {and hopefully give me some good recipes, too!}.