Well, its that time of year again. The time when people make resolutions they’ll only make again next year. No matter how hard we try it seems that resolutions turn into yesterday’s good ideas. However, I think the key to resolutions is taking things one step at a time. At some points, it might be one day at a time and at others it will be one hour or even one minute at a time. Resolutions are in my opinion much like fasting. We [should] fast in order to make changes in our lives for good not to simply pick up the habit again after the fast is over. So, while our resolutions are those which we’ve both made before, the best we can do is to not only take things step by step but also to support each other in all that we do and know that at the end of the day we have in fact done the best that we can. We were just talking last night about supporting one another and I think that another aspect of this should be challenging one another as well. That being said, here are our resolutions for the year [and hopefully for a lifetime]:

1. Lose weight but more importantly gain a healthier lifestyle.

[Loman & B]

The word diet has plagued me my whole life. It seems like such a great idea but at the same time so temporary. However when considered in terms of a whole new diet and lifestyle, things make more sense. A diet doesn’t necessarily have to be something you do to lose weight but rather it can simply consist of what you eat. We will be trying out an old weight loss program called the Doctors’ Clinic 30 Program–look out for updates! This taken into account with early morning workouts and just a overall change in my lifestyle will hopefully help us to obtain the results we’re seeking. After all we’ve got to look great on our big day…whenever that is 🙂

 2. Cease the Nail Biting

[Loman]

This one is pretty self-explanatory. He’s been doing it his whole life. In fact, one of the ladies at ExtraordNAILry yelled at him for doing it! Hopefully this was a bit of a wake up call. 🙂

 3. Watching our words

[Loman & B]

Regardless of who we’re speaking to, we’ve both recognized the power of our words and the impact that they can have. We want our words to be uplifting rather than debilitating. Sarcastic by nature, we’re not sacrificing our sense of humor, but we are taking precautions to make sure that we think about what we say before the words leave our mouths.

Proverbs 18:20-21
From the fruit of his mouth a man’s stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Ephesians 4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Colossians 3:8
But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

James 1:19-20
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

James 1:26
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.

James 3:5
Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.

James 3:6
The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

4. Enjoy every moment of teaching & learning

[B]

At this point in my life, I’m taking the time to enjoy being with my family and  friends as there are drastic changes coming in the next couple of months. However, I also think that I must make sure to enjoy, learn from, and relish in every moment I spend in the classroom as this is the beginning of my career. Some verses of encouragment:

Titus 2:7-8
In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.

Jeremiah 17:8
“They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes,
and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit.” (NRSV)