New Years Resolutions

Every time January 1st rolls around, I want to start fresh. Change something in my life or make something better. Here are some past resolutions of mine:

1-Make up my bed every day
2-No chocolate on week days
3-Going out to eat only once a week
4-Clean my bathroom every Sunday
5-Go to the gym every day
6-No more Diet Coke
7-Do not cry for a whole year

Now, if you know me well, you know that 1 and 4 were great resolutions for me and I DID in fact stick to them. But, if you also know me, you know that 2, 3, 5 (yeah, me or that rule didn't work out), or 6 didn't have a chance and number 7 DEFINITELY DID NOT HAPPEN. This year though, I want to do things differently. Maybe not change anything in my life or change who I am but maybe time to BETTER things. Move things around just a tad. Improve, if you will, who I was this year. So...here are my resolutions:

1-Enjoy my life more
2-Learn to not stress as much by balancing work with fun
3-Get through the whole Bible
4-Maybe only cry once a week? (that's aiming high)

1 and 2 kind of go hand in hand. School this semester took over my life at times. Though I will say I improved throughout the fall, I did regress during some busy and stressful weeks. I want to take steps these next two semesters of this year to not stress--meaning studying earlier, not making good grades the desire of my heart, enjoying time with the Lord and friends more than my books etc. Life is precious and I'm being told college is the best years of your life--why am I letting it pass before my eyes?! I have so much to be excited about and joyful over--why not be? The Lord tells us to delight in Him, that what He created is perfect and great and we are to enjoy it and to not worry/be thankful. In 2012, I will enjoy the life He has given me more by living solely for Him. When the Lord is my delight, my whole world will become enhanced, as He promises. How awesome?! I am excited for this next year of delight :)

Number 3 is pretty dear to me. Over the last week, I have been reading Authentic Beauty by Leslie Ludy. (Girls, please go out and get you a copy! Or ask me for mine :)) Authentic Beauty is a book leading us into a deeper relationship with the true lover of our soul, Jesus Christ. It teaches us women in Christ to learn to depend on the Lord first and foremost and allow Him to be your Prince Charming instead of finding satisfaction and love in an average Joe guy. It's great. But, anyways, the Lord has spoke to me through this reading that I am to build my life around Him, not fit Him in. By getting through all of His Word, I will be starting my day, enduring it and ending my nights by getting to know Him more and more (yes, I know, reading is only a small part of building my life AROUND Christ, but that quiet time is essential). I have planned out my year in how I will spend time each day in His Word by using The M'Cheyne Reading Plan (found here: http://www.edginet.org/mcheyne/) and I created a cute and personalized calendar for it (you're welcome to use mine, if you want it, email me at jlh0053@auburn.edu)! I will be reading fourish books a day and going through the New Testament as well as Psalms twice. I am so excited for this and cannot wait to see the amazing ways in which the Lord speaks to me!!

Okay, and my last resolution is kind of a joke. I'm sensitive, tender-hearted and cry a lot. I've started to embrace it more as I see that it is how God created me to be. He was smart in doing this because I have learned that He is the only one who will always comfort me, dry my tears and love me more than anyone. He has created me to need a little more love than most and has taught me through this that He will always be more than willing to provide that love. He has also helped me to see who my friends need to be: friends who will comfort me, love me and be less emotional than me. God is so cool in that way, huh? But...bottom line, I do cry a LOT. It'd be cool if I limited it down to once a week. I'll let ya know how that goes...

PASSION 2012 IS IN WHAT IS NOW 2 DAYS. Words cannot describe how excited I am. I am a little unsure of what to expect next week but I CAN expect that the Lord will move in UH-MAZING ways. I cannot wait to see the way He molds my heart more and more into Him. I cannot wait to then share with y'all! I ask now that you'll please be praying for me, my friends, students and the leaders this week--just that our hearts are open to the Lord and that we are willing. ALSO, I ask for prayer in donations. We have been asked to bring towels and socks for ATL shelters and money to donate in order to end modern day slavery. There is so much sex trafficking going on in the world but the good news is is that there are organizations willing to fight this. Passion 2012's goal is $1 million. Please pray that we are willing and open to bring offering (if you can't make it to Passion but want to help in some way too please email or call me!)!! Thank you for your prayers, friends! I love you prayer warriors :)

I guess that is all for now! Cannot wait to share how God moved next week! I hope everyone has a happy and safe New Year! Good luck on your resolutions and War Eagle! :)

"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." -Psalm 37:4

"In all things I (Paul) have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" -Acts 20:35

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:6-7