Hopes & Dreams for 2014

Mom always has a good reminder that is centered in our kitchen for us to remember:

First off let me tell you how blessed I truly am. I have a place to call home, not just my apartment although it is very cozy and makes me not want to leave it as often as I do, but my parents home, the families that I am so deeply connected to both in the cities, fargo and other states and even countries. I am so grateful to not just have one place to call home but the many places and people that are more like family than friends to me. I am grateful for such loving and caring people in my life that although sometimes I will admit I don't want to hear their input they give it to me straight and make me really think about my life and what it may hold. I am grateful for parents who really have trusted in God for everything, they continue to hold Him number one in everything they do and it is such testimonies to what God can and has done in their lives. 

Things that I have a plan on accomplishing in 2014 are and no this is not all concrete but they are things that have been on my mind for quite some time and I really am focused on accomplishing them all by the end of this next year, because really we have a whole 365 days and to put it on a better view 8,760 hours to complete it in! 

- Make more time for myself, reading, studying God's Word, Digging deeper in my relationship with Him and making sure that I become more of the woman Christ wants and less of a woman that the devil wants.

-Go on a missions trip, It doesn't have to be half way around the world, even though I would gladly go, but even down to the cities and do something there or another state. As long as I am able to serve God, and show others Christ's love. 

- Learn how to(I know I will sound like an old lady now) but knit, sew, crochet, read more, and I would LOVE to make my first quilt this year as well. 

- Complete two more semesters of school with all A's.

- Road trip out to Hamilton, Montana to see where my dad has been living, working and where the family will reside. 

- Road trip or fly to my Grandpa and Grandma Smith's house, because let's face it they aren't getting any younger and the time literally does fly when you get older. I want to spend as much time with them as possible and being able to see 11 cousins I haven't seen since 2009 will be nice too! :)

- Go to GERMANY the end of June to see some of my closest friends from Capernwray, finally live my dream of driving on the Audubon, seeing the gorgeous castles, where my friends live, what they do for fun and of course have that delicious German food! 

- Get a car that I can not worry about the windows staying down in the frigid weather, or not starting when I am supposed to be on my way to work and it WILL have an Auto start, because in -50 degree weather everyone should have one. 

- Complete my Modules for work. Everyone who works with me or has worked with me at friendship is probably laughing at this one, but I honestly only have 1 1/2 pages of my last practicum to complete.

- Complete a half marathon and maybe even a full one by the end of this year.

- Attend one of my best friends weddings in Seattle(Chelsea S.) to the love of her life who is also another good friend of mine while also visiting two of my best friends Brittany and Seth in Spokane.

- Of course I would LOVE to lose 30 pounds or more, but I am finally at the point where I am confident in who I am, although that doesn't mean that I just stop working out, because guaranteed I am FAR from that. But I know that God made my body as a temple and I should honor Him by working out, and being as healthy and in the best shape that I can be, no not skinny minny but def. not where I am now either. I am overweight and I am grateful that I love to run and working out isn't that hard for me because I love to do. I encourage you all, to start if you haven't, get some good tunes and do some simple sit ups during commercial breaks, because that is one thing you won't regret. :) 

- Make sure that I am able to not just work at my two job(s), complete schoolwork but find time to bless others more than myself and to ensure that I do it in such a way that I am not the one who gets the credit but all the credit goes towards God. 

I know this list is a little long, and it will be expensive, but I know God will help me in the long run with all the finances to what he sees fit. I am grateful that I have good jobs that pay well, and that God continues to show me His grace, and mercy when I fail. I am thankful for a God who continues to provide for my very need and than on top of that some of my wants as well. I can't tell you enough how grateful I am for my family and all of you as my friends who are def. more like one big extended family. I hope you all have a wonderful start to 2014.