I tend to not make specific New Year's Resolutions or Goals, but I always have areas in which I am trying to improve. The turn of the year is a good time to look back, reflect and evaluate.
The pictures have nothing to do with the words; they are just pretty. Stephen managed to capture another sunset.
My long term goals are the following:
1. Focus on the Word "Sanctuary" throughout the year. This is a word that I have been coming across lately. I've been reading the blog Home Sanctuary, and I want my home to be a sanctuary for my family. I want to be more intentional in the decisions that I make for our home. Starting in a new house is a good time to do that.
As part of this, I am going to try to do the "small things" on the blog mentioned above. I started reading it this summer and fall, but couldn't really participate while traveling for months on end.
I'm also going to write down various quotes or verses that pertain to Sanctuary in my journal.
I also have been thinking about the word "sanctuary" while we deal with the situation here. Being in a potential crisis makes you think about our true sanctuary- God.
I want the hospital here to be a sanctuary for the hurting, whether they be refugees, war wounded, or just ordinary people hurting in some way. (Side note: War wounded is what I am calling the rebels. It helps me to remember that they are people that God loves in spite of what they may have done.)
2. I want to try to blog two times per week on this blog and at least once a week on our mission blog. I have some ideas of things that I want to put on our mission blog, it is just a matter of implementing them.
I'm hoping we can stay in one place for a year-- no moving, no excessive traveling. (I'm being hopeful, yet practical. Our evacuation bags remain packed!)
3. Read the Bible through this year. I borrowed a one year study Bible and I am working on reading it in English, and then reading the corresponding passages (from the NT and Psalms) in French. I want to get a Bible in Lingala and add that in as well.
4. Work on my French and Lingala. I can't say that I will become fluent in both by the end of the year, but I would like to make significant progress. I am taking Lingala lessons once a week, but I still have trouble working on it outside of the lessons.
My short term goals are the following:
1. Set up a working budget. We have a general budget, but I am working on tracking our daily expenses and making sure the budget that we have is realistic. I also want to be aware if there are areas where we can reduce spending.
2. Raise chickens. We have a chicken coop behind our house, it just needs to be cleaned out. I think that our cook will be able to help me with the logistics.
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