This post comes a bit late (read: 8+ months late), as I had originally intended to post this in the beginning of the year in Jaunary. when I missed that point, i decided that I might just post it in June for a “mid-year eval” of my 2019 resolutions. but now it’s almost september. Oops!
Although some people feel that the act of making resolutions is a bit-outdated, I actually really love making resolutions every year. Even if I fail to meet most/all of my previous year’s resolutions, it never deters me from writing new ones each year (not sure if that’s a good thing..). I think part of it is that I love making lists in general, but also - I love that in the act of writing resolutions, it provides opportunity to reflect, evaluate and look forward to the ways I want to grow in the year ahead. Also, who doesn’t like a fresh start?
However, this year - I kept my resolutions reaslistic. practical. attainable. and intentional. (I usually have 20 crazy, random and completely unrealistic resolutions, lol!) I looked deep and examined what my overarching “goals” were for 2019 and what were the areas and ways in which I hoped to grow - then I built my resolutions around them! I also wrote these in February (better late than never!) So here they are — my 2019 resolutions!
1. Read at least 10 books
This was definitely the most ambitious of all my goals. I wanted to give myself a measurable goal and 10 is a pretty number. Reading has never been my “thing”, although I do enjoy books, I never really found the time and place in my life for them. However, I commited to reading 15 minutes a day every night before I go to sleep (in place of my scrolling through the never-ending video reel on facebook aka the pit of no return).
It has been surprisingly easy to commit to and very attainable. We purged most of our physical books last year, so I read most of my books on the kindle app on my phone so much of my reading is done in bed before I sleep. I made a list of books I wanted to read or have been intending to read and started with those. I’ll share my list in another post (hopefully..)
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Progress Report: I’ve finished 7 books so far (the most I’ve ever read in one year!), and currently reading 2.
2. Start incorporating school/structure at home
This is the resolution that I have made the least amount of visible progress in.
This year was busy because I ran a small mommy-and-me preschool for a group of kids at my church, so incorporating more school structure at home was hard to do. However, running that small preschool of 8-10 kids gave me more confidence in my ability to do it at home (since I only have to teach one kid now!) and also gave me an idea of how to best teach and engage this age-group so hoping that I can work on this more next year as Asher enters preschool. (He starts next week!)
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Progress report: currently in the process of collecting supplies and curriculum and books, but no formal structure yet! Just been enjoying playing and reading and being silly at home!
3. Memorize more scripture!
This resolution always ends up on my list every year, and yet my efforts in this wax and wane throughout the year. However, since becoming a mom - I’ve learned how absolutely essential it is for me to be “armed” with God’s word and to have verses stored in my heart to draw from when I'm stretched and in need of reminders and encouragement (which is ON. THE. DAILY). Recently I’ve been very convicted by Psalm 1 and the imagery of a tree that is planted by streams of water. I’ve come to learn (in both understanding and by experience) that there is truly nothing that nourishes and strengthens me than the way God’s living and active Word can.
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”
Psalms 1:1-3 ESV
I really wanted to commit myself to systematically memorizing through whole chapters or books of the bible and I’ve been tremendously blessed through the process. Of course as a mom with 2 little kids demanding constant attention and a brain capacity of 13%, this is not an easy thing! But PTL for technology because the immediate and constant access I have to the bible on my phone (via the Bible App) and my new favorite app (search “Bible Memory”) has made this a very attainable goal.
Practically, I try and set aside a few minutes every day but it's definitely still a challenge! I've been trying to redeem idle time (i.e. when I'm waiting for my drink at Starbucks, or for the microwave to finish heating up my food, etc!) and I’m realizing more and more that I just need to integrate scripture memorization into the fabric of my daily life. Truly worth the effort! (One of the books I read this year — a super short one, was “an approach to Extended Memorization of Scripture” by Dr. Andrew Davis and I found it helpful!
Practically, I try and set aside a few minutes every day but it's definitely still a challenge! I've been trying to redeem idle time (i.e. when I'm waiting for my drink at Starbucks, or for the microwave to finish heating up my food, etc!) and I’m realizing more and more that I just need to integrate scripture memorization into the fabric of my daily life. Truly worth the effort! (One of the books I read this year — a super short one, was “an approach to Extended Memorization of Scripture” by Dr. Andrew Davis and I found it helpful!
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Progress report: memorized through James this year with my church and currently working through Philippians and Psalm 139 (my current favorite Psalm). Also trying to spend some time each week to review through verses I’ve memorized in the past.
4. Finish the Bible Reading Plan!
Last year, our church’s family ministry started a 2-year bible reading plan. Prior to starting this reading plan, I had never once completed a bible reading plan in my life (lots of excuses and not enough discipline on my end...) Also, in the 12 years that I have been a Christian, I had never once read through the entire bible from cover-to-cover. Eugene and I both decided to sign up for this 2-year reading plan and I am so thankful and happy to say that we have persevered through it thus far! We are currently on day 242 of our second year and it has been so awesome! This is also the first time in our whole marriage that Eugene and I have read the same thing at the same time, and this awesome app makes it easy for us to keep each other accountable (note: the “E” and the “S” on the picture below. Once we complete our reading for the day, a checkmark appears next to our letter and there is also a place where we can share or chat about it (under “talk it over”, which we rarely use..hehe. But Yay! So thankful and so excited to finish strong and be able to get to the end!
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Progress Report: Day 242 and the end is nigh! So excited. Currently reading through Ezekiel for the first time!
5. Healthy lifestyle change (eating + active!)
Please note that my resolution doesn't say, "lose weight" or "eat healthy" or "go to the gym X amount of times". I wanted to change my perspective on this and focus less on trying to set specific goals and just focus more on changing our lifestyle as a whole! It's been great thus far (although I feel like there is not much progress outwardly or on the scale..), I can confidently say that our lives are healthier today than last year! Also, having an apple watch has helped me track my exercise and its been a great source of accountability!
At home, we've been trying to eat better (more real food and less processed, more veggies/fruit, less carbs) and incorporate more physical activity in our day-to-day life as a family! Eugene is signed up to run a half-marathon in a few months (AMAZING!)
Maybe next year I will try to muster up enough strength to decrease my liquid calories (creamy and sweet coffees + boba, you are my vice) and my spicy ramen intake... but one thing at a time yall.
Maybe next year I will try to muster up enough strength to decrease my liquid calories (creamy and sweet coffees + boba, you are my vice) and my spicy ramen intake... but one thing at a time yall.
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Progress report: Good!
6. Learn how to play the guitar and practice piano/ukulele
I've always wanted to learn how to play the guitar. Every year, something will motivate me (usually watching a movie, or a performance of some sort..) and I'll pick up Eugene's guitar and try and learn a few chords. I think I've attempted this every year for the last 6 years. It never lasted more than a day. However, this year we started incorporating family worship into our home life and it gave me a new motivation to learn. I commited this time - I paid $14.99 for the guitar "Tabs" app even though all my friends who played guitar told me it's not worth (LOL) and committed to practicing every week. I practiced enough to convince Eugene to let me buy my own (I wanted a smaller one!) so was able to buy a hand-me-down one from a dear friend and have been practicing a few times a week. I can play songs now! It's really exciting. I am still really bad at strumming and have to cut my nails every 4 days (IYKYK) but i'm so thankful for the opportunities to sing songs and worship God (both solo and with my family) as I continue to practice!
Everyone asks me how I have time to do this, but honestly it hasn't been too bad! I usually try to practice during my kids bath times, so I plop them in the tub and I bring my guitar in the bathroom with me (read: #acoustics) and I just sit on the toilet seat and practice my songs haha.
(look how cute my guitar is!)
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Progress Report: I can play C, G, F (sometimes), Am, Em and a few other chords aka I can play most worship songs but no promises that you will be able to sing in that key because its pretty low (LOL)
7. Go on a family trip! (Spend more quality time as a family!)
Growing up, I used to go on a lot of family trips. They didnt have to be fancy (we weren't making it rain, so we just kept it simple!) or extravagant or long - but my parents were always intentional about spending time as a family. by retreating away at any opportunity (read: MLK weekend, or any random holiday we had days off from school). Now as an adult with a family of my own, I see how these trips really helped to grow and nurture my relationship with my parents and siblings, even into adulthood and am so grateful for the memories that I share with them. Hoping to foster this, I asked Eugene if we could try to take at least one family trip this year!
We never really traveled as a family before kids because Eugene was always in school or working.. and we are both homebodies and Eugene is not a huge fan of traveling in general. However, he agreed and we were able to enjoy a lot of great quality time as a family this year!
Progress report: A+++
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family retreat with our church in Palm Springs!
Family trip to San Diego in July (and lots of trips to the Safari and Zoo!!)
Family trip to San Diego in July (and lots of trips to the Safari and Zoo!!)
Making fun memories, even at home! Cow day at CFA!
Big bear trip with my whole family
(First time going on a trip with my parents + siblings since getting married 8 years ago!)
Asher and I went kayaking!
Fun weekend trip to SD with our friends!
8. Be better about budgeting!
This is also a resolution that shows up on my list every year. We've attempted to use multiple apps and websites and excel sheets to try and track our spending, but what this year we've come back to the first app we ever used as a married couple: YNAB (You Need a Budget)
Its been great but still learning how to spend less and spend smarter. I have more to say on this but it definitely needs its own post so stay tuned!
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I seriously CAN'T believe its almost September. This year is going by so fast and I know it will go by even faster once Asher starts school next week (*TEARS!!*)
Praying that all that I share and that my life as a whole (with resolutions or not) would magnify Christ above all.
<3
3 more months of 2019!
Cheers to finishing strong, to the glory of God!
