New Year's Eve. The day when most people solidify and ready for their newly proclaimed resolutions, and reminisce on the year that is fading.
My resolutions are generally predictable and unchanging ~ get a handle on my weight and health, read a different translation of the Bible, gain more control over my finances, and the like. For 2012, the only change is my commitment to return to school. Class begins in 4 days.
Reflecting on 2011, I see, like most people, that I fell short on some of my resolutions. I stuck with my goal to fast once a month until June, which I think is longer than most people would have hung in. But when vacation time rolled around, all sensible eating went by the way of the Dodo. I did manage to lose 10 of the 20 pounds I had gained the year before, though holiday eating never helps.
The one goal I usually conquer is reading my Bible through. The religion of my youth used exclusively the old King James, but as an adult I have also read NIV and NLT. A few years ago I made the commitment to read a different translation each year, allowing me to receive the Word from many angles. For 2011 it was the Message. This is the translation my teenager, and many who are young not only in years but also in faith, reads and studies from. Since it is what my son reads, I wanted to familiarize myself with this translation. As a person who has already read the more "grown-up" translations, this one left me wanting. Yet, I can see why it is so popular among young people and young Christians ~ it is a wonderful, common language introduction to the Word of God. On the flip side, just as a baby eventually graduates to solid food, there needs to come a time in a person's spiritual growth that demands less-watered-down sustenance. The goal for 2012 ~ The Books of the Bible (chronologically), NIV. No, it is not a different translation than one I have read before, but it is a different layout, still giving me a different perspective.
2011 was an odd year for our family in that we were able to take a real vacation for the first time in 6 years. A long-time patient of mine gifted our family with the use of a timeshare anywhere we wanted to go. Josh was a strong advocate for the beach. I have been to the beach. I wanted to go somewhere I had not been before, and might not have this kind of opportunity to visit again. So, we went to Colonial Williamsburg and the Historic Triangle. And it was awesome!! At least for me. I knew each of the boys enjoyed aspects that interested them individually, and the pool at the resort was worth the stay. On the heels of that trip, we also got to visit Washington DC with another family. Considering that we are not a vacationing family overall, I think we have all had our fill of travel for while. The goal for 2012 ~ I have relented to Josh and am planning a long weekend for just the 2 of us at an oceanfront campground. Also, we are tentatively planning a trip to Philly with the family that invited us to DC.
In most other ways, 2011 was an unremarkable year. Josh and I continue our work with our current employers and for the greater Kingdom. The Boyz are a year older, though I cannot vouch for a year wiser. As happens in life, we have said farewell to some relationships and hello to others. We seem to have a better handle on our finances, though there is still plenty of recovery still to take place. All in all, our lives move forward with the hope of betterment still to come.
