Happy New Year

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)

Yesterday, we ate ham and black eyed peas as my grandmother instructed me to do on New Year’s. Eating a certain food will not bring me luck, but it is a fun tradition. It was a cloudy gloomy day so we went to the movies. First, I took the opportunity to glance back over my shoulder, and then look ahead to the future. Some people make New Year’s resolutions; I prefer to call them goals. I had five for 2007, and the only one I can truly say I reached was to write a novel. That lack has not stopped me from choosing five more goals for 2008. I want to find an agent or a publisher for my novel and begin a second one that will be a sequel. I need to make sure I stay in better contact with my parents. Though they live next door, days go by without talking to them. I want to run or walk the 5K Jingle Jog next December. I have a training schedule set up to add a mile each quarter so that by September, I will have reached three miles which is just shy of a 5K. I HATE running, but youngest son wants me to do this with him, so perhaps he will be my motivator. The fifth goal will require the most stretching for me. I hope to be teaching one college history class at our local community college or university by next fall. I love teaching, but don’t get to do it anymore. I hope that this will fill that void. The opportunity is there, but I have not been in a college class in many years. I will be auditing an introduction to American History class at the university this spring to see what college classes are like these days as well as review the subject in preparation. That is a lot to accomplish in one year. Especially since I have my family to care for, a full time job and church responsibilities as well. Even more important than these earthly goals I have set, is my desire to glorify God in all I do. In the long run, it will not matter if I publish my book or run a 5K, but it will matter whether others can see Jesus in me. I want to keep that the main thing this year. I also recognize that in order to accomplish all of this and have some time with my family, I must keep some balance in my life. Therefore, in 2008, you may not see a post here every day. Check back periodically to see what is going on, but if you don’t see anything for long periods, know that I am in training for the 5K, talking to an agent, in school, researching my next novel or at my parents’ house! I hope you have some dreams as well and are figuring out how with God’s help to reach them. Happy New Year!