the "expansion project"...

....it's how i've decided to embrace my "word of the year". as part of my "expansion" in 2011, i want to measure my development by exposing my self-revelations, lessons, and experiences in fuller detail...to openly express my passions, goals and desires...and to candidly confess my struggles, insecurities and weaknesses to you (whoever you are). i am calling this my "expansion project" because this year calls for such specific personal change, requires much action from me and most of all, gives testimony to God's undertaking of my future and growth.
although this "expansion project" is my method of measuring change and transformation in my life, it is my hope that as i "weigh in" each week or month this project somehow inspires you, encourages you and launches a desire to seek fresh direction in your life or perhaps even establish your own life project (that you'll share with me!).

so, stay with me...the project has taken off, His plan is in place and soon i will be...

stepping on the scales.

first blog of the year begins...

with my word of the year; expand. definition - to stretch out; unfold; to express in fuller form or greater detail; develop...accompanied by my verse of the year; isaiah 40:31, "those that wait upon God will get fresh strength. they spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind."
i believe that 2011 is my year to soar. i don't even know what that looks like yet...the word is prophetic and it's only january. in spite of that, i can already see it taking shape. i can see God strategically putting me in situations that are and will expand my social network, my communication skills, my knowledge, relationships and exposure.

this year some of my goals are simple;

• make more eye contact (i just don't do this enough!)
• initiate more conversations with classmates, cashiers and "strangers" in general (i tend to just keep to myself!)
• identify and rely on a mentor or mentors

some of my goals are obvious;

• consciously maintain a healthy balance between home, school and work
• maintain and improve my performance and duties at work
• make all "a's" in school
• intentionally "making memories" with my family and friends
• maintain a healthy lifestyle with good foods and exercise
• passionately live out spiritual disciplines

my main goal however is to pay attention and take advantage of every opportunity to expand. if it feels out of my comfort zone, i'm doing it. if it makes me feel uncomfortable and vulnerable, i'm doing it. if it challenges me and makes me stronger, i'm doing it.

He's spreading my wings...

...it's about my word of the year

a video blog....because i said i would

pushing the boundaries...

...my boundaries, anyway.
looking back at 2009, i had a great year overall. a lot of fun times and making memories moments. it's almost like i took the year off just to play. it was exactly what i needed but in 2010 i want to take my life to a new dimension of living.

• physically - getting serious about my health; eating and exercise. setting hard goals and pushing the limits...
• spiritually - stop putting off Bible Study and reading materials and spending quality time praying and fasting. i want to make these things a priority and challenge myself to mature in my relationship with God.
• relationships - i really like having just a few close friends that i trust and play with...but i also want to allow the friends i don't get to spend a lot of time with to get to know me in a new and different way. so, i am going to begin video blogs. i am still trying to figure out what that will look like but i only have a couple days if i want to start the year out doing it, so it may be a trial and error kind of thing...
• education and future - going back to school is going to be hard. i want to be careful not to let the challenge and difficulty deter me but instead manage my time and push through it and work hard to accomplish and finish it.
• financially - i just want to be a good steward of what God gives me.
• work - i love working behind the scenes but i want to get out of my comfort zone and teach more and be in front of groups more often.

i want to stop saying "i can't" or "that's just not me". i want to push MY boundaries and change my world...!

looking back...

before moving into 2010, i thought i would look back at my 2009 goals...

• go deep sea fishing; yes, in june during my family's summer vacation. the video and pics are posted on my facebook.


• take 1 spontaneous road trip every month; not every month but i did take several; charleston, charlotte, jekyll island, atlanta, greenville, myrtle beach, maggie's valley...


• save $; yes, but then i spent it


• spend more time with family; i think so, but i should've been more specific in order to measure this.


• smile more; i don't know...i think so.


• parachute from a plane; on hold for now. waiting for my fun friend...


• cook more; eat less fast food; uh, nope


• exercise more; again, should've been more specific in order to measure this, but i'd say no i didn't excerise more but i did exercise.


• write a song; there are some lyrics in my head, but the song is still unwritten.


• journal or blog once a week; not one blog all year, but i facebooked ALL the time.


• relax more; i don't know...


• return to china; yes, in october with my dad and daughter and 4 others.


• try something new at least once a month; possibly, but not likely. didn't remember to make note...


• buy new bedroom furniture; no


• redecorate the living room; yes, well i started anyway. still in process of finishing.


• give up soft drinks; at least 3 times...


• lead my girls and their best friends through 2 bible studies; no, but thankful they are both involved in small group bible studies at church.


• sing karaoke; too scared


• participate in the marine corps ultimate challenge 2009 mud run; nope, my friend dissed me...


• take more pictures/video; most definitely


• continue to build off of last year lessons...developing my gifts and sticking to the things i do well; yes, but it got a little boring...so in 2010, i am...

PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES

2009

i am happy and excited to welcome a new year! as a whole i want to concentrate on my family and friendships...but some personal goals for my year include:

• go deep sea fishing
• take 1 spontaneous road trip every month
• save $
• spend more time with family
• smile more
• parachute from a plane
• cook more; eat less fast food
• exercise more
• write a song
• journal or blog once a week
• relax more
• return to china
• try something new at least once a month
• buy new bedroom furniture
• redecorate the living room
• give up soft drinks
• lead my girls and their best friends through 2 bible studies
• sing karaoke
• participate in the marine corps ultimate challenge 2009 mud run
• take more pictures/video
• continue to build off of last year lessons...developing my gifts and sticking to the things i do well
• my verse for this year is proverbs 16:9 (message); "We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it." 
• my word of the year; able