#2023 Planning Party ~ 2023 Goals and Dreams

I love planning, parties and a new year, so when I saw Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl was hosting a #2023 Planning Party I couldn't resist joining in!

I started working outside the home in August and feel like my life has been a blur since.  Now that I'm getting settled in my new job, I feel like I can set some goals for 2023.  In no particular order, here they are:

1.  Daily Devotional Time ~ This year I'm going to be reading a devotional along with my Mom and my Aunt Donna.  One evening each week, we get together to discuss what we've read and go over any notes we may have taken. We're going to be using "A Little God Time for Women" as a guide for 2023.  My plan is to stay current and up-to-date to the very best of my ability!  I already have a notebook picked out for my notes and am excited to get started on January 1st!

2.  Every year I make plans to  exercise and lose weight.  In 2023, I'd really like to be intentional about making this plan a reality.  I'm going to try to post my weekly results and stats here on Colletta's Kitchen Sink.  If anyone would like to join along, I'd love some accountability partner(s)!

3.  Speaking of blog posts, my next plan is to get back on a blogging schedule.  The second half of 2022 has been really HIT and MISS with my blog.  I'm currently working on a schedule so if there's anything you'd like to see, let me know!

4.  Kate's 15 minutes to Stitch 2023 is the PERFECT inspiration to get back into creating! I enjoy crocheting, sewing, quilting (especially hand-quilting) and have so many projects started.  I'm not going to list them here but I'd like to get the majority of my WIPS finished in 2023.  (I really have no idea how many there are so maybe I should set a goal to organize my projects!)

5.  I only read 16 books in 2022.  To some that might seem like a lot but there were years long ago when I would read at least 3 books per week and wanted to devour even more!  As my spare time has dwindled, I've gotten more selective in my reading.  Maybe I need to branch out.  I don't know what I'll be reading but my plan is to read at least 12 books in 2023.  I'll start with a low number and up it if and when I would read more than that.  I think I'll borrow the 15 minute habit and try to read at least 15 minutes a day.

6.  We've got some milestone birthdays coming up in 2023!  Laken will be turning 16 on 2/2; I'll be turning 45 (yikes) on 3/24 and the Hubby will be turning 55!!!!! on 6/9.  I'm not sure of exact plans (better get a move on Laken's bday plans) but we're going to CELEBRATE!

I think that is it for now!  Those are the main plans, anyway.  I look forward to reading some of the other party participants' plans and maybe adding a few more to my list as I get motivated :)

Thanks for hosting, Yvonne!

Colletta

Book Review ~ All Things by Kim Kirby

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Title:   All Things (Finding God in Ordinary Life) by Kim Kirby

Series:  

Pages:  232

Date Published: November 13, 2019 

Publisher:  21st Century Christian Inc.

 Blurb:

Can we really live our whole lives for God? We know we bring God glory when we study our Bibles, sing in church, or serve others. But what about all of those in-between moments that make up the bulk of our lives? What about the moments when we're getting ready for the day, sitting in traffic, preparing meals, or even going on vacation? What about the ordinary moments of our lives? Can they, too, connect us to God and bring Him glory? 

"My days involved normal things, like going to grad school, doing laundry, helping my husband with his youth ministry work. I could see how the youth ministry fit into the picture of the Christian life, but what about reading the novels required for my graduate English class? What about mopping the floor of the parsonage in which we lived? What about paying bills and shopping for clothes? Did those mundane, unspiritual activities fit into my Christian life? Did God care about them at all?" 

The teaching of Scripture tells us that our whole lives are meant to be lived in God and for God. We are to love Him with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind, and we are to do all things to His glory. In this six-week study, Kim Kirby explores what a life lived fully for God looks like, even in the ordinary moments of our lives. In studying the Scriptures and imagining how they might apply to the most mundane moments of our lives, we will begin to unlock the exciting truth that every moment can indeed bring us closer to God. 

My Thoughts:

This 6 week Bible Study was my daily devotional for a few weeks before "I'll Start Again Monday" took place and then I picked it back up to finish.

It posed a question the very first week:  "Can We Do All Things for God?"  Some of the "All Things" verses were Psalm 119:91, John 1:3, Romans 8:28, Romans 11:33-36.

Throughout the study we learned how we can do "All Things" for God in work, body, relationships, spare moments and leisure.

I learned so much about how I can incorporate God into EVERYTHING that I do.

I enjoyed every topic but I especially learned so much about relationships and how we are to encourage one another and build one another up.  This is an area that I need to work on, especially with those closest to me.  I tend to take out my frustrations on them instead of having an encouraging attitude.  I also am looking at strangers in a whole new light!

This Bible Study was very enlightening, encouraging and informative.  I enjoyed Kim Kirby's writing style.  This was the first study I've done by Kim Kirby but I would definitely look for more :)

The next study I'll be doing is "Fighting Words" by Ellie Holcomb with Proverbs 31 Online Bible Study.  It starts My 31st so there is still time to sign up and get the book!

Onto the next book :)

Fighting Words by Ellie Holcomb ~ Proverbs 31 Online Bible Study

Proverbs 31 has announced their Summer Online Bible Study which will be starting May 31!

Here is the video announcing the study.

I really enjoyed "I'll Start Again Monday" and am looking forward to "Fighting Words"!

Hope to see you join in :)

Colletta

Book Review ~ Devotions from the Kitchen Table by Stacy Edwards

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Title:  Devotions from the Kitchen Table by Stacy Edwards

Series: Devotional 

Pages:  224

Date Published:  April 11, 2017

Publisher:  Thomas Nelson

 Blurb:

Taste and see God’s goodness from the heart of your home—the kitchen table.

A simple meal shared around a table. A fresh cup of coffee and God’s Word in the quiet hours of the morning. The joy of laughing with friends and family.

Devotions from the Kitchen Table invites you to slow down and appreciate the gifts that are right in front of you. These ninety devotions will inspire you to sit in God’s presence, nourish your soul, and cherish the people who grace your kitchen table.Take a seat at the table and reflect on the extraordinary blessings that are wrapped up in the most ordinary moments at home.    

My Thoughts:

It has been a really long time since I was actually sad to finish a book.  I mean REALLY sad!

I received this devotional in a Christmas Swap and have been using it as my daily devotional ever since.  It seemed like each day was exactly what I needed to read.

The Kitchen was the theme throughout in the devotional illustrations which I adored.  My swap partner, Patti, knew what she was doing when she sent me this book!

The photography was absolutely AMAZING and made it such a joy to turn the page each new day.  The photos were absolutely breath-taking!  

Thankfully, there are more devotionals in this series.  I've already ordered "Devotions from the Front Porch" and "Devotions from the Garden" from www.christianbooks.com .  I might have to wait a few weeks to receive it due to their distribution center being closed because of COVID 19 but it will be worth the wait!

Colletta

A Simple Woman's Daybook ~ 3/4/20

Looking out my window:

I'm writing this at 7:30am on Tuesday morning.  The sun hasn't started to shine yet.  I'll have to check the weather and see if we are in for some rain or just a cloudy day.

I am thinking:

I am thinking about all I have to do today.  I didn't go grocery shopping yesterday as I had a doctor's appointment so getting groceries is my main ticket item for the day as we are running low on EVERYTHING!

I am thankful:

I am thankful that Laken and I were able to chase the bus down this morning!  The bus driver was early and we were just getting in the car to drive to the bus stop when she flew by!  We caught up to her at the next stop and Laken got on with some of the kids that live up the road.

One of my favorite things:

One of my favorite things is blogging!  I truly enjoy writing and reading blog posts.

I am creating:

I am still....

"I am creating a Prayer Shawl for my "Angel".  I've been working on it for what feels like weeks and am on the home stretch!  I'm using Red Heart Ombre in Scuba."

I am wearing:

My warm, fuzzy PJ's.

I am reading (read) /watching (watched) / listening to:

I am reading "A Dangerous Legacy" by Elizabeth Camden.  I love everything I read by Elizabeth Camden and so far this book is not different.  It is about early 1900's newspapers and Morse Code.  So interesting!

I am hoping:

I am hoping to be able to relax a few more minutes this morning before heading off for groceries.

I am learning:

I am learning about the evil woman Athaliah from 2 Chronicles 22 in my "Really Bad Girls of the Bible" class.  We're on the second half of the lesson and this woman was truly evil.  It turns out that her parent were Jezebel and Ahab, so no wonder she turned out so to be so wicked!

In my kitchen:

Sun:  Church Potluck

Mon:  Pizza and Wings

Tues:  Fish and Fries

Wed:  Ham Pot Pie

Thurs:Chinese, Rice

Fri:  Chicken Parm and Noodles

Sat:  Grilled Cheese, Soup

Shared Quote:

"If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me."

Jeremiah 29:13 NLT

A moment from my day:

Kona, our chocolate/silver lab who loves attention and giving kisses :)

Have a Blessed Day!

Colletta

September 2019 ~ Goals Update

I know I just posted my September Goals last week (a bit late) but I wanted to let you know how I did.

~ Have a Daily Devotion Time

For the most part this has been a success.  I started using a daily devotional journal from Janice Thompson called "From God's Word to a Woman's Heart" and have been enjoying it.  It is just the right length each day to fit my schedule but still feel like I've done a devotional time.  I would like to add in more Scripture reading each day and will be working on that.

~ Lose 8.4 lbs for the 3% Challenge

I don't want to call this a fail because I did lose 6.4 lbs in September.  BUT... I didn't hit my goal of 8.4 lbs.  2 lbs short :(  Onto October's 3% Challenge!

~ Celebrate our 19th Anniversary

We celebrated our 19th Anniversary with a date!  Just the two of us!  We went to Applebee's and had a very nice time together :)

~ Finish Brian and Rachel's Wedding Afghan

I didn't get Brian and Rachel's Wedding Afghan done in time for the actual Wedding on September 7th, so I set my goal to get it finished by the time they got back from their Honeymoon.  Success!  I finished it up while they were still away and had it ready to give them when they got back.  I was so anxious to give it to them that I forgot to get a picture of the finished afghan!  I'll have to have Rachel take a picture for me so that I can document it.

~ Finish Layna Bee's Baby Blanket

I finally finished Layna Bee's Blanket!  She's already 3 months old so I'm just a bit behind.  I used the Beautiful Shells pattern and think it turned out lovely!

 

~ Make an appt for an Eye Exam and get new contacts

Done.  Pretty straightforward :)  In fact, my eyes didn't change very much at all this year and I've stayed with the same prescription in both contacts and glasses.

~ Start growing hair out

I have a pretty short pixie-ish cut but want to grow my hair out to at least the length of this picture.  I met with our new stylist, Corinne, and told her what I wanted to do.  I got the tiniest bit of trim on the back of my hair with a plan to grow it out.  I'm exited to get some length to the sides so I can start wearing it curly again.

~ Get a new Planner

I wanted to get a new planner because (as much as I can't believe it)  I've started making appointments for the year 2020 and wanted to be able to keep track of everything.  I found this planner at Wal-Mart and absolutely love it!  It has a prayer and Bible verse each week that I really enjoy and it was only around $8.00!

Overall, I'm pleased with my progress this month.  I'll be posting my October goals tomorrow, so stay tuned :)


Colletta

Book Review ~ Now by Sarah Coller ~ 1/12/17

 

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Blurb:

 

 Do you have big goals that seem impossible? Are you ready to step out into fulfilling your dreams but everything seems so overwhelming? In Now: Purposeful Steps Toward a More Abundant Life, Sarah Coller shares practical steps for living a fulfilling life, no matter your life circumstances. This simple devotional offers readers a place to journal thoughts and prayers and is excellent for both individual and small group study.    

My Thoughts:

 

I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

 

And my honest opinion is:

 

I want more!

 

This was such a great little devotional for helping to set goals and act on them.  (Something I really need help with even though I am getting better, I think!)

 

As it progresses, the book helps to define your goals, set time apart for your goals, and chips away at them until your goals are a reality.

 

The study question were thought provoking and very applicable.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the author a bit through her own life stories and experiences.

 

I look forward to reading more from this author :)

 

 

 Thanks for stopping by!  Please leave a comment with a link so I can return the visit!

  

Linking up to:  Share Your Cup;  Grandma Ideas, Literacy Musings and Saturday Situation, Booknificent. Party at My Place , Saturday Review of Book , Book Nook