2013 Goals

This is the first year I've really put a lot of thought into the goals I'd like to achieve.  Maybe it has something to do with my upcoming birthday and turning the big 3 0 this year or maybe it's maturity or maybe is that I've realized that my life is so much more than just about me.  Maybe it's because I want to glorify God in all that I do.  Maybe it's because I now realize that I'm here on this earth for so much more of a purpose than I can even imagine for myself.     This year I've put together a list of goals I'm going to work hard to accomplish in 2013.  Some are definitely more important than others but all have meaning and will help me feel like I'm on my way to becoming the best me I can be.    My Goals for 2013:   ~ Lose weight and start on the road to a healthier Me - I've discussed this here and here.  I've made it through the first week of eating healthy and really focusing on this aspect of my life and I'd consider it a success so far.  I'll post an update soon.   ~ Read 12 books - I really enjoy reading.  I tend to get lost in books and fall in love with the characters.  This is just a goal I've set for myself because I tend to let other things get in the way of my time with the Kindle!  I've already started the first book of the year and I have a couple others lined up.  Any suggestions?   ~ Pray more and deepen my relationship with Jesus - 2012 was the year I found Jesus and started my relationship with Him.  I've always believed in God but this whole relationship with Him and living my life to glorify Him is new.  I want to explore it more, learn to trust Him more, pray more and live and love like Him more.  2013 is the year to jump into my new found faith and see what He has in store for me.   ~ Participate in Secret Prayer Sisters - at my church our Sunday School group created secret prayer sisters.  You're given a name of another woman in our group and you pray for them, surprise them with little presents throughout the year and in turn they do the same for someone else.  It gives you a chance to give a receive prayer and thoughtful gifts.  Since I'm fairly new to the church I'm looking forward to this to help build relationships with some of the awesome woman that attend my church.   ~ Go on at least 5 dates with my husband - like I mentioned before my husband and I don't go on too many dates.  We hadn't been out together alone in quite some time and I know that to ensure a strong marriage and be the best parents to Olivia we need to make sure that our relationship remains a priority.  Now that I have a reliable babysitter we're on the right path to ensure at least 5 dates during 2013!   ~ Attend a worship concert - the music at church and listening to Christian music really helps me understand God and His goodness.  I love the fellowship that a worship concert seems to have and the idea of worshiping Jesus through song with other believers seems so special.   ~ Be baptized! - I've also talked about this before and my hesitation when it comes to this part of my faith journey but I'm proud to say that I've resolved this within myself and will be baptized soon!   ~ Begin paying down debt - because of irresponsible choices as a young adult my husband and I have a bit of debt we have acquired over the years.  Getting credit cards when you're young, single and don't have a family and other important responsibilities tends to make it difficult to keep up with all the payments when you have other more important bills.  We're currently on the right track and so far we've been blessed by God and have already been able to pay 17 accounts down to a ZERO BALANCE!  I can't even express the amount of joy I feel typing that sentence!  God truly knows the desires of my heart and has answered my prayers and made a path for us to achieve this goal.  The things we've paid include medical bills, credit card bills, money owed to my parents and taxes.  A huge weight has been lifted off our shoulders and starting out the year on the right financial foot feels awesome!