What I Accomplished in January

Did you catch my post last week explaining my “Because of Grace List”? If not, please take a second to read it so you understand the purpose of this post. In short, I issued a challenge to take some time at the end of each month to focus on what I did accomplish rather than letting my focus be on what I didn’t get done.

So here’s my list! I really want to read yours, too!

1. I kept up with my Bible reading plan. I admit that I took on too many goals when it comes to reading this year. I started an in-depth Bible study, began reading through the Bible in a year, and planned to read 2 books per month. I found myself stressed about halfway through the month because I felt like I was spending every spare minute reading. That may sound good, but the fun was dying quickly. Spare minutes come in small doses with two young kids needing my attention, and I have other goals to accomplish besides reading. The one thing I have been able to keep up with is my reading the Bible through plan app on my phone. It works for me because I can read it in small doses throughout the day.

2. I wrote 13,950 words. The original goal was to write 500 words per day. Between this and my reading goals, I was beginning to feel like a full-time student trying to do my job on the side. Something had to give, so I gave myself grace and decided to not get upset when I didn’t write every single day. Even so, I have made writing a more regular part of my life, and I’m finding a lot of joy in that. I consider the official word count for the month a great success because I overcame some major hurdles in this area.

3. I completed 12 pages in my Project Life scrapbook. Okay, every single woman who loves to scrapbook but has no time to do it, have you heard of this?!? Becky Higgins created this streamlined way of scrap booking called Project Life, thus proving that she is a genius. Several of my friends have taken to it over the last few years, and I decided that this is my year. Did I mention I completed 12 pages? It doesn’t require a lot of materials or space either, and if you have a Hobby Lobby or Michaels near you, you can purchase the items there with the ever-available 40% of coupon. I also just saw that Amazon is having a blow-out sale on several items right now. You can get started with a year’s worth of sheet protectors, binder, and paper core kit for roughly $50. This was one of my favorite Christmas presents this year!

4. I had two successful freezer cooking sessions. I’ve been wanting to get more into freezer cooking for a while now, but I decided to make this my year. It’s been great! I don’t complete every meal for a month in one day, but I have been getting my meat for a couple of weeks prepared all at once, and the big thing for me is getting breakfast options planned out and made in advance. I feel like I am cooking all day long on some days otherwise. The days I don’t have a plan for dinner in place aren’t nearly as pleasant as the ones where I get my half-ready meal out of the freezer in the morning. Starting small is making it such a pleasant experience rather than a daunting one.

5. I got my 2014 household/bills binder organized. Not especially fun or glamorous, but it made me feel so good to get it put in order.

6. We organized the kitchen. I say “we” because my fantabulous husband played a big part in this.

7. I organized 2 more closets.