A Complete Three Sixty {5}

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20

I spent over half of last year being "hopeful", setting out with all of my plans to make things better, thinking I could will things to go my way if I wanted them badly enough, but completely overlooking the Lord's timing for HIS plan.  I spent quite a lot of time trying to change other people, knowing that acknowledging my contribution to our problems was more painful to face than trying to change someone else first. I was trying to move a very big mountain with all that was left of my faith at that point (a very small mustard seed in deed), but my faith was misplaced.  I had all but given up my submissiveness to our Father, was praying desperately for what I WANTED to happen rather than what NEEDED to happen in my heart, my home, my marriage.  

Then one day I let go.  Or at least I tried.  And I practiced.  And it was PAINFUL.  I began to look at me, at what has been woven together to make me the woman I am, what I like about me and what I don't like about who I had become.  I decided to let go of a BIG excuse...your circumstances do not define you, your actions however do!  Martha Washington said, “The greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances.” Well ain't that the truth!! Together, Stephen and I have spent the last six months learning about ourselves, focusing our efforts on becoming the best possible version of ourselves that we can be, and finding along the way that we are better partners, better parents, better people all around!  

This blog is my place to focus my efforts this new year on the important things: family, faith, health and HAPPINESS!  I recently read The Happiness Project by Gretchin Rubin and sought out to make my own list.  I understand the way she organized her project, in month by month goals for the purpose of her book...I think it suits me better to make a list and celebrate my little accomplishments as they occur, rather than on a schedule.  So, I am asking for accountability to try my best this year to improve these areas of my life:

• A clean start- cut out all of the additives and preservatives that I strongly believe are killing our bodies and our minds
• Be healthy and strong 
• Waste less, use less, donate more
• Make time for what makes me happy- healthy cooking, yoga, exercise
• Practice patience- with my kiddos, husband, friends and family, and even the morons you speak to when you call Verizon or Well's Fargo
• Raise awareness and give back- continue raising donations for Save a Warrior through the Run for a Warrior project
• Speak up- be my own advocate for what I need
• Save (really, actually save this time) 
• Practice meditation daily
• Be Mindful- fullness of attention, non-distraction, living in the moment
• Cut the clutter, keep it clean, stay organized
• Read more and practice my daily devotions

Well, there you have it...might seem ambitious and you are probably thinking that resolutions are made to be broken.  But the good news is that I've already started!  Run for a Warrior is up and growing, I completed Transcendental Meditation last month, we have already cut about 65% of the artificial foods from our household, our savings account and an allotment are set up.  See, I'm already on my way!  


I promise one thing, this blog will be nothing if not honest, raw and honest.  I spent a really long time pretending that things were all rainbows and unicorns on the outside, when I was crying and crumbling on the inside and I've learned that sharing your story may actually help someone else.  I hope you enjoy reading these posts, maybe learn a good recipe, tip or trick to save at home, share in my struggle with being a patient momma, laugh with me when succeed, pray with me when I fail. 

Wishing everyone a happy and blessed New Year!