New Years Resolution

Wow, 2013 feels like a wisp. It's hard to believe this past year has come and gone so quickly. It has been a year full of change for the Olsons. Here is a list of some of the main events in our lives this past year:
January: Finding out I was pregnant with Carrie!
February: Making the BIG decision to move back to Grand Rapids.
March: Lyddi's first birthday! Announcing to our Jarvis friends we were leaving- very tough. Announcing to our GR family and friends we were returning- very exciting.
April: Many farewell cookouts and time spent with our friends in Jarvis.
May: Preparing mentally and physically for another move- our 4th one in 4 years.
June: Moving in with Kasey's parents and then a wonderful 10 day trip in Hawaii with Kasey's family! Then Zach began his new job and we entered into our new church family.
July: House-hunting…ugh. Finding our new home and moving in while 7 months pregnant and with a one year old- whew!
August: Transitioning. Many doctors appointments, re-connecting with family/friends and unpacking.
September: Transitioning. Carrie is born, a beautiful and healthy girl!
October: Transitioning. A blur of sleepless nights as well as some tough baby blues. Zach and I finding our rhythm with 2 girls under the age of 2.
November: Transitioning. Zach and I going on our first "post-Carrie's-birth" date night to see "Hunger Games Catching Fire" - so good. Carrie's baptism!
December: Transitioning. Celebrating our Savior's birth! Carrie slept through the night! (It was only 1 night but we'll take it!)

This past year has brought deep joy and great blessings as well some unexpected challenges. As I now reflect on the year I'm able to see more clearly God's faithfulness- even if I don't see all His purposes. It's quite amazing how quickly life can completely change. A good reminder to be grateful for each day and the many blessings He provides. Blessings like: meaningful conversations, genuine encouragement, phones to talk to dear friends far away, enough food for each day, health!, warm towels out of the dryer, God's promises, laughter!, delighting in children, hot showers, toothpaste, new opportunities…just to name a few.

I'm not a big New Years resolution person, but this year I'm doing it. And I'm telling you about it because I want the accountability. I feel like I am continually working at disciplining myself in regard to my time with God. I need it. I want it. Yet so often I let my pride and the excuse of being busy replace that time with Him. And so often my time with Him is spent in small windows throughout the day in prayer and trying to read a quick devotional and have a quick quiet time. Not that that is a bad thing…with 2 young kids it's reality some days. But I still want to keep working on it.

I was thinking about what book I wanted to focus on and Psalms jumped into my mind. I thought the book of Psalms would be a great book to study, since David cries out to God with every possible emotion throughout it…kind of like parenting huh?!  :-) My goal is to study the first 12 chapters, one each month. I want to read them thoroughly, meditate on them daily, memorize portions of them, and grow through them. So that's my resolution. Please ask me about it. Keep me accountable. I am really looking forward to seeing how God will speak to me and grow me through this goal.
I hope you have a great New Years celebration and are looking forward to the year with energy and joy! God is good- always. I hope you find that truth in your lives this year.