Okay, it's time for all the 7s to become 8s!

You know...everything you're used to writing "2007" on, you'll have to get used to writing "2008" on, and that right quick!



I have a good feeling about this year! The last three-quarters of last year (sounds funny saying that already...) was FABULOUS, so I have a really good feeling about 2008!



I know everyone likes to make a list of goals that they call "resolutions" at this time of year, but I choose not to lie to myself or anyone else, so I choose to call them "proposed objectives" instead. You know why, of course. I KNOW I'm not the only person on the planet who has an electrostatic stair-climber or a "total gym" laundry organizer, so I refuse to make promises that I either cannot or will not keep! Regardless, here are the things I'd like to get accomplished this year:



1. I want to lose 30 pounds and get back to below 200 again;

2. I'd like to get the garage cleaned out and finish getting it organized;

3. I want to build a storage building in the back so I can get #2 accomplished;

4. I want to love MDB more at the end of 08 than I do now (this is gonna be a tough one; I don't know if its POSSIBLE to love someone more than I love her right now!!!);

5. I want to put it a garden and grow a lot of our own vegetables;

6. I want to find a buyer for my house and buy a lot somewhere close for a boat storage facility;

7. I want to plan and execute the best anniversary (6-7), birthday (8-27), and Christmas EVER! MDB TOTALLY surprised me for my birthday! She bought Rockets tickets and took me out to dinner, so the bar's been set pretty high!

8. I'd like my kids to know that I love them and I'd like nothing more than to have a close relationship with them.



There are other things I'd like to do as well, but I think it would be a pretty successful year if I can get these things done!



Let's start it with a prayer:



Father God,



You alone are holy, Lord! You are the most high God, the One who spoke the universe into existence and the One who upholds it by the power of His Word! Father, I fall before your presence as dust and ashes! Lord, You said that by the imputed righteousness of Jesus that we could come boldly before Your throne to let our petitions known. Lord God, I trust Your Word and I call on Your promise now as I ask for these things. Father, first and foremost, I thank You for bringing Kim into my life! I know that this is Your doing because You are perfect and all good things come from You! Lord, I ask You to watch over her and protect her! Lord, I ask You to guide her and give her Your strength and Your wisdom, and I ask you to heal her of her infirmities both now and in the future. Father, You know what things trouble her, but she needs healing of her upper respiratory tract right now and healing in her left knee, Father. Lord, You know also that she suffers from fibromyalgia; I ask for Your healing of this ailment as well, Father!

Lord, I've got a number of things I'd like to see happen this year, but none of them can be accomplished without You, Father. Lord, I need you to send someone to buy my house. Lord, I know it's not the Taj Mahal, but it would make some young couple a good place to start their family! Please, God! Send someone to buy my house! Lord, I need Your will to be done in my life and I need the strength of Your will as I try to lose weight and accomplish my other goals! Lord, guide me and protect me! Watch over me and lead me, Father! Lord, help me to be more like Jesus every day and help me to be an example You would be proud of for those You entrust to me! Lord, I cannot do these things in my own power; I need Your power and the strength of Your will to accomplish these things! Lord, grant me these requests I pray, asking it in the name of Jesus!

Father God, You are AWESOME, Lord! You said that we have not because we ask not! You said that You would never give us a stone when we ask for bread or a snake in place of fish! You said that it is Your good pleasure to give us the things that we need! Lord, You said that anything we ask in the name of Jesus would be granted Lord, I ask for all of these things in the name of Jesus! - Amen