Goals for 2011

On Sunday, I went to my mom's church, which was also the church where I spent most of my elementary and junior high years. Only now, it's about 3-4 times the size it was then. I'll admit, it's taken me awhile to warm up to it again. They scored major brownie points by singing Glory to God that day, too.:) Anyways, the pastor encouraged us to write down some goals for 2011. I hate new year's resolutions, they are always things that you never stick to. Over the years, I have become a goal oriented person. Maybe it's all the goal setting you do in teaching? I need something to reach for, or I won't be motivated.

Did you know only 5% of Americans write down their goals? These 5% are also the Americans with the highest salary. Not that that is why I'm doing it, just a random, interesting fact. :)

Here's some goals I'd like to reach in 2011:

1) Be in the Word, daily. Get up 30 min earlier to do so.

2) Pray for the Middle East.

3) Meet around 5 new people, a month.

4) Get closer to my goal weight.

5) Work out at least 5 times a week.

6) Stick to a monthly budget.

7) Be better about sending cards, letters, aka keeping in touch

8) Work LESS.

Feel free to ask me how these things are going this year! Happy New Year!

Heartbreaking

I'm not usually one to write super serious blogs, but as I read the newspaper today(skipping over the horrible articles about the Chargers), I came upon an article about something that happened in Egypt, this morning. This article gives a pretty detailed account. I'll be the first to admit that I'm horrible at keeping up on current events. I just don't make time for it. Lately, I have been feeling convicted about it. How can I be praying for things, if I don't know they're happening? I have a huge heart for missions and for other countries, in general. This year, I want to be better about keeping up on events that are affecting people's daily lives, in other countries.

That being said, my first reaction was, why did the Christians attack the muslims? As if Christians don't already have a bad reputation with those things. The "Christian-y" thing to do would have been to go on and show them they didn't shake you. BUT as I thought longer, I wondered what I would have done if one of my loved ones was one of the 21 who was killed by yet another suicide bomber. I can't say I would have reacted in any other way. As I continued reading, I realized how heartbroken I was over this.

I'm saddened that Egyptian Christians had to cancel their Christmas celebrations because they were afraid of terrorists. It breaks my heart that some extremist Muslims believe this is the way to please their god. At some point, the Islamic leaders will have to condemn these attacks, or they will continue. I fear that that will never happen.

Even though the terror of 9/11 is not as visible in America anymore, it is more than real in other places. I don't really like New Years resolutions, because they are generally things you can't keep. After reading this, I did decide that in 2011, I am going to try to be more aware of what is going on in the world, so that I can be praying for God to change it. He is the greatest hope we have.