Hitting the ground running!

Okay... eek! Diving into this blog. I have had the idea of this blog for a long time... fear has held me back. I've really only posted just a few things I wrote for other purposes (feel free to take a gander). But no more fear! That said I am still learning this whole thing so I am open to edifying critiquing, but please don't call me names or point and laugh.

Well, maybe a little snickering is okay.

I have so much I'd like to write about.  Tonight's post is on goals.  We all have them, we all like to chase after them, and we all love to achieve them.  Making goals can be good and even healthy.  Yet there is a downside to goals, bucket lists, to-do lists, or whatever other standards we want to measure up to.  This includes the  "American Dream". GASP!   We can so easily find our identity in achieving or not achieving our goals and dreams. Often times when we reach them we experience pride, happiness, excitement, and well when don't... we fret and experience stress, worry, shame, sadness and so on. It's very easy to trust in our goals and self-efforts.  Yet there comes a time when we are smacked with the need for a Savior.  Our goals can't help us. We hunger and thirst.  Our identity should never be located in our goals but rather in Christ. God's own Son is our bread of life.  Jesus is the way the, the truth, and the life.  He's so much more than our goals ever can be.  God's Word promises that we will be sustained, protected, forgiven, and granted salvation.  These are things our goals just can't do.  Our goals and efforts can't bring us to God.  In Christ God comes to us, reconciles us through death and resurrection. Jesus calls us his own and sets us on His path. Our goals are no longer our own. In Christ, we are called, given purpose, and free.  Free to love and serve our neighbor.  As God's children we are free to make goals, take up a challenge, use our talents, do hard things, and rejoice when things get tough, all while knowing whose we are! We are blessed to be a blessing and so it is with joy and peace that we take up our vocations.

Sooo!! Dum Dum Dum!! Drum roll... here are some of the goals I've made.
(Yeah I know Facebook peeps this is an encore for you, but hey there is a little bit of extrapolation.)

Okay so it has been a season of planning, dreaming, and re-planning (well it kind of always is that way). So because I didn't get the job I wanted, I've been thinking a lot about what to do with myself. Many thoughts go back to my primary vocation as wife and mommy and supporting that. Beyond that here are a few things: 

1) I would really like to find a part-time job, during the day while my kids are at school. I'm going to start the process of applying to substitute teach in the public schools, it takes a while I hear... sooo...I've got my eyes peeled for better opportunities! I also still pray for a job in ministry if that be God's will.

2) I think I am going to finally get up the guts to blog! I've had the blog page up for over a year, but fear has held me back. Crazy... I know. So why is it called "Under The Fig Tree"? Fig Trees are all over scripture and serve as a very good illustration of life under the cross.  Stay tuned for a future blog on this. 3) I need to be more creative. I've let this "well dry up". This includes being musical... maybe making more music as a family. Art!! I love art! It's time find a decent piano (and hope it doesn't break the floor) and pull out the hymnal at home.  I really love to play and sing hymns.

4) I'd also really like to find a way to serve the community more. Just don't ask me to use a hammer.  I suck at that and it's just dangerous for all involved.

5) I want to do a better job with planning meals for my family. This means coupons...delightful coupons, and trips to the farmers market. I cook often, but I'd like to make more things from scratch, it's time to take cooking to the next level, bake some bread, make some jelly, smoke some bacon (yum),  Seriously, I need to make my own granola. It's just a no brainier.  No more blue boxes for us. My oldest is the only one who really likes that stuff anyway.

6) I also am going to plan for more school. Education, creative writing, more theology?  I'm like a kid in a candy store when it comes to this.  What will I be when I grow up?  Honestly, I want to write Bible study curriculum for kids at some point.  The gaps in this area are so huge and it's hurting our children.    

Ah... I'm tired of counting so let's just jog through some other stuff I want to do: 

- Read more (classics and perhaps one of those trendy dystopia series people are drooling over lately).
- Use that gym membership, I don't have weight loss goals. Ah,  who am I kidding I do have the dream weight I'd like to get to. But really I should not be so concerned about a number and just focus on being healthy, and the gym is a fun place to make some new friends.  
- Continue to teach my kids life. In other words assign more chores.
- Enjoy all these chaotic crazy moments of family life. 
- Learn the craft of wine-making
- Enjoy the beach! 
- Tell more jokes, laugh, sing, play, remember to feed the dogs (j/k) 
- Listen more when my husband talks about sports :) 
I am sure there is so much more... I can ramble on and on.
So finally God's has triumphed gloriously.  For he has been merciful to me a sinning, failing goal maker.  His Word is a light unto my path, It's life, I will gladly hear and learn it, pray praise and give thanks! To God be the glory! 

So what are your goals, ambitions, or fun bucket list things? And... Go!