— Character Development, Life Lessons —

Dream List for 2013

January 3, 2013

I have a “dream list” for 2013…

It’s different from my one resolution, which I wrote about in this post.

When it comes down to the practical, every day “I’d like to’s” of life,  I have a few things I’d like to accomplish within the realm of God’s time and allowance. Putting my list “out there” is sort of an almost scary motivation to actually achieve!  It’s a way of pushing aside the myriad of ideas that make up a cloud in my brain…a cloud that holds all of the things I’d like to do during my lifetime. Each year calls for the prioritizing of tasks, and the decisions of ‘which ones can I practically do this year, and which ones can wait?’   Of course we all know that life interrupts life, and often plans get changed or even ditched for something more workable. God always has plenty of surprises in store for us, which is where surrender comes in….

But from the human and prayerful standpoint where I stand on this brink of 2013, here is my dream list (not in any particular order):

1. Resume master of music (pedagogy) studies: take Harmony course and exam. We live just 30 minutes from what was voted the best music college in all of Canada, and I have an amazing instructor! I took a semester off, and I feel that it’s time to jump back in while the opportunity is so close by.

2. Publish ebook. Last summer, I did the bulk of the writing for my ebook “Expecting Grace.”  I stuffed it into a filing cabinet and marked it with the label “someday.” In the last few months, I’ve pulled it back out and have been editing and finishing up the writing. God has answered prayer and has been opening doors for this book in some pretty neat ways. As of last week I have an editor, so my manuscript will soon be sent off for official editing. I’m pretty excited about this dream that has been a long time in coming! God’s timing is absolutely perfect.

3. Sharpen piano playing skills for church music specifically. Every year, I choose a small area of  musical skill to enhance. Last year I hammered hard at sight reading, and saw progress. This year I’m working on something that may seem small, but it will be significant in the long run. I have never been able to talk or sing while I play, and I want to be able to multi-task in this area. I’ve already been practicing singing while I play for congregational hymns, and have found that I am so blessed to be playing and letting the words sink into my heart at the same time. Reading music, reading words, keeping track of verse numbers and watching the song leader all at the same time….it takes a lot of coordination, but I’m gonna do it one song at a time!

4. Grow blog and incorporate creative ideas. I’d like to do at least one 13 or 30 day series this year, and I’d love to attend a blog conference. I’ve got my eye on a ticket to Allume…it’s just under a year away. I think it would be fabulous to meet in person some of the sweet bloggers I’ve interacted with over the past few years, and to re-connect with some girls I went to college with who are also bloggers!

5. Keep clutter reduced in our home. I’ve worked hard at purging over the past few weeks, and am loving the simplicity that it brings. Our home feels less cluttered and much more practical. Fewer possessions mean less time needed to maintenance those possessions! It pays off in the short run and in the long run!  Even Small Son and Tiny Daughter are catching on to my craze, and actually volunteer often to give some of their toys away. What’s to lose?

6. Make budget changes. My husband and I are using Dave Ramsey’s cash envelope system, and are working harder at putting our money towards what we value, and at cutting out unnecessary spending. My husband is even saying ‘no’ to his Tim Horton’s! (gasp!) We’re impressed at how God is already blessing our re-doubled efforts to save and to be even more frugal than last year.

So there you have it- my dream list. Somewhere in between goals for husband-caring, homeschooling, child-rearing, and pastor’s-wifing, I’ll be taking baby steps to see progress toward my personal goals!

What’s your perspective on the new year? Share in the comments! Did you blog about your thoughts for 2013? Feel free to link up your post in the comment section!

19 thoughts on “Dream List for 2013”

  2. I’ve been very much enjoying your blog, Leah. It’s nice to connect with you this way. It makes me long to make an inspiring, God-blessing, sweet, smart blog too. Unfortunately, mine never sound that way, so generally I drop them about a year after I start them. Mine generally take on a family stories and events kind of thing.

    I haven’t made any concrete plans or even a wish list for 2013 yet. I should. I need one. I seem to procrastinate when I don’t have one. Maybe I’ll make one tomorrow ;).

    Meanwhile, I’ll go and read more of your blog.

    1. Your comment made me smile. 🙂 Regarding blogging, it’s taken me several years of writing to find my “niche.” Family stories and events aren’t all that bad, you know?!
      Enjoy making your 2013 list…tomorrow. 😉
      I’m thankful that my blog is a blessing. That is what I pray for.

  3. How exciting Leah! I’m especially excited about your ebook. What an accomplishment that will be and I know the words you write will be an encouragement! I hope I get to go to Allume this year. If so, I’d love to meet you! Blessings friend!

    1. I would LOVE to meet you at Allume! I’m planning to be there, Lord willing. I’ll be a newbie, so I’m kind of hoping there will be a few ladies I know there. 🙂

  4. SAYING NO TO TIM HORTONS?!?! THE WORLD MUST HAVE ENDED…oh wait… it did.

    No seriously, GREAT goals/dreams…every single one! So excited about the ebook!

    1. Haha…yeah, he’s gonna have withdrawal soon. But he’s still making coffee at home or the office, just not paying so much for it!
      I’m excited about my book too…and scared. That’s normal I guess. 🙂

  5. Sight reading…I have gotten so lazy with that. I much prefer to just improvise – which is fine with hymns and offertories…not so fine with choir arrangements! Kudos to you on honing your skills!

  6. Well, what forced me into more sight reading was all of the Christmas cantatas I’ve had to play for. I decided I didn’t want to spend 3 months of the end of every year in panic mode….lol!

  7. love your goals. you have some good ones too. Now if we can just keep them and get them done!

    Still considering Allume. would you stay at the hotel if you went or with friends in town? anyone else going that I know? I don’t even follow a lot of the Allume speakers or team – need to do that.

    1. I’d love to go and have a lot of family in Greenville, but I have to be in a wedding in October so I’m not sure if I’ll be able to afford both. We aren’t sure even where we will be living at the time.

    2. Christina, I know a lot of people in Greenville, but maybe not well enough to just crash at their place, you know? And my parents live only an hour away, but I’m not sure how long that will be so. They are thinking about moving now that my Grandmother has passed away. The hotel is probably better for meeting other girls and connecting…I’m kind of scared to go alone, but I guess I have to start somewhere, eh?

      1. Don’t let being scared of going alone be the only thing that keeps you from going. Sometimes going alone can be the most fun. You will be amazed at how brave and un-shy you can become when you don’t have any other options. When I look at the girl I was in high school and college I barely recognize her…I was soooooo shy and scared to talk to anyone. But being an Army wife and being totally alone thousands of miles from anyone I knew really changed that. I just determined to make friends anyway and multiple times met up with complete strangers for coffee and stuff. It helps that in the blogging/FB/twitter world, people are used to meeting up with “strangers” who have become friends. Maybe just google “allume” and see if you can find some bloggers you like who are blogging about and try to connect with them on a more personal level through comments and emails. Try to make some friends before you go.

        1. Aprille, I used to be pretty shy and scared, but not anymore! Being a pastor’s wife, I’m pretty used to putting myself out there and being outgoing even though I’m really an introvert! lol It’s more the volume of people at the conference that makes me hesitant.

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