Sublime in 09: One Little Word Challenge

In addition to writing my own blog, I also read A LOT of blogs! Many times when I am short on time I simply upload my Google Reader and catch up on my reading on a long car trip or when I have a little time before bed. I love Google Reader because it can be used offline.

Anyway, as I was reading this week, a particular blogger grabbed my attention with a "challenge" of sorts... Ali over at Ali Edwards challenged her readers to identify a "word" that sums up what they want for themselves in 2009. It is the "One Little Word" 2009 challenge.

To quote Ali, "A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow."

Intrigued? I was/am... read more of what Ali had to say...

It can be something tangible or intangible. It could be a thought or a feeling or an emotion. It can be singular or plural. The key is to find something that has personal meaning for you. This is not your mother's word or your spouse's word or your child's word - this is YOUR word. One little word can have big meaning in your life if you allow yourself to be open to the possibilities. And here's one thing that is totally interesting: sometimes a word will pop into your brain and it will not make any sense to you right now. Give it some time. Let it percolate a bit. I have often found that our hearts speak to us in very unique ways. Maybe this is a word you need to hear but just aren't ready for it yet. Again, be open to the possibilities.

Well, I accepted the challenge and I chose my word for 2009... It is the word "create..." A little later, I even plan on purchasing a sweet little "reminder" of my word at Lisa Leonard Online.
The "Word of the Year" Necklace displays your word to inspire you throughout the year and wear it close to your heart.

My word will find its way in various forms all over my home and in my life... as a reminder... I even looked up the "proper" definition which I plan to display in my home office...

Create....

1. to cause to come into being, as something unique that would not naturally evolve or that is not made by ordinary processes.
2. to evolve from one's own thought or imagination, as a work of art or an invention.
3. to perform (a role) for the first time
4. to make by investing
5. to be the cause or occasion of; give rise to:
6. to cause to happen; bring about; arrange, as by intention or design: to create a revolution; to create an opportunity to ask for a raise.

I have quoted Mark Batterson many times here at Destiny Driven. One of my favorite quotes can be found in the Lion Chaser's Manifesto, "Criticize by creating." Interestingly enough, I have realized that every area of my life, my ministry, my present, my future, etc., is affected by "creating." And particularly, in the areas that warrant improvement (see previous post) "criticizing by creating" is exactly the mantra I need! It is so easy to criticize by complaining and wishing things were different... but criticize by CREATING will change my life in every area (spiritually, emotionally, physically), my family, my ministry, my work and those I encounter!

I want to challenge everyone who stops by Destiny Driven to take part in the "One Little Word" campaign. What word will be instrumental in your life this year? How will it propel you?

After you decide, if you don't mind sharing, leave a comment below with your word and a sentence describing why or how... and then come back from time to time to see how "one little word" is changing my life... I'll be checking in with you!

Sublime in 09

Every year I sit down and assess the year that is ending. Last year, I mapped out a ridiculously long list of goals and initiatives that I knew I would never be able to complete however my thought was, "Aim high Tara... and see what you can accomplish." Well, I aimed high and I did indeed accomplish about 50% of my list. Great, right?

Instead though, as I ponder the year I find myself reflecting on feelings of extreme dissatisfaction. There are things that are lacking in my life. I am feeling so far from satisfied and further away from content. Although I had crossed off many of the items on my list, there are areas in my life, in my family that are lacking. So, I began to seek God. As I did, He began to speak to me and direct me. As I listened, He began to give me crystal clear direction concerning, not a to do list, instead a way to see long term improvement in some areas that had been overlooked, or not focused on enough.

First, He asked me, "Tara, what three areas are lacking the most?" After actually very little thought and meditation, I had my three. Order in my Household, Release of Intense of Fire of God in Me, and Writing Unleashed at a New Level.

I poured them out to the Lord and He then spoke again. Simply, yet firmly He showed me how each of these tings would feed into the other. Where order was concerned, priority, organization, discipline and consistency would be required. With order conquered, I would be able to focus even more on seeking the face of God and fanning His fire in my life which would pour out through the ministry He does through me so I can set the world on fire for Him! With order and the Fire of God on my life, the anointing to write on a new level would undoubtedly be released!

I began to thank the Lord for pouring out HIS blueprint for my own personal growth in 2009. I am diligently working on a plan to track the progress of these three areas throughout the year. Without a doubt, as I pray, obey and focus on HIS blueprint (through HIS Word and HIS words to me!) MY LATTER (what is to come in '09 and beyond) WILL BE GREATER THAN MY PAST! OVERFLOW in MY LIFE!

There is also a HUGE God ordained focus Craig and I will zone in on in '09 as well, a new ministry! However, I can also see how all three of my personal growth goals will add and fuel our new assignment.

What three areas of your life does God desire to zero in on in 2009? Have you been feeling pulled to focus on a particular area? Seek Him, He will direct you and give you a blueprint to a better YOU for HIM and those He has placed in your LIFE in 2009! I declare to you that your latter will be MUCH greater than your past!

There is a "Part 2" to "Sublime in 09"... I will be challenging YOU to do something! Stay tuned!

Haley's New Year's Post

My Haley has her own blog... and I was blown away by her 11 year old words of wisdom in her New Year's post... Yes, I am a proud mother... but I think you'll agree with me! Read it here...

New Year

Don't you love new year? Its a new chance to start all over. And make new challenges to take on this year. I am very excited for new year . Because it feels good to start over and complete new challenges. Some people would just think of 2009 as another year but those people would be wrong because tons of people around the world are now getting ready to count down to a new year! Kids are asking there parents if they can stay up till 12:00 parents are throwing party's to celebrate and some people are waiting for that crystal ball to drop in new york square! I am one of those people. I have had many successful years through my life and i have been taking on my challenges and completing some and some still working on. But you have to accept the offer why its here don't just wait for next year! Don't waste your time waiting for 2010! Set your resolutions now! So get ready to start counting down to 2009 a new year to start fresh!

Happy New Year & Other Stuff

Christmas has come and gone. Ours was great, very quiet, but nice. I woke up with a migraine so after opening gifts and breakfast, Craig and Kaitlyn took on Christmas dinner and sent me upstairs to rest. THAT was nice! After dinner, we cleaned up and took the family to see Marley and Me.

The rest of the weekend I purged and packed in preparation for our move. Friday and Saturday brought on temps in the 50's and a major rainstorm which melted the five inches of snow that had accumulated! I love working indoors while it rains so I accomplished a great deal. Our entire home office, plus both mine and Craig's church office stuff has been purged and packed. I left out on family computer, but the rest is ready to go! On Saturday night I went to bed with another migraine which lasted overnight. It finally lifted Sunday afternoon. I think I found the culprit. Our room was getting really hot from our furnace and it caused the air to be dry, so I decided to crack open a window about half way and it seems to be working! No more migraines!

New Years will be a different story. For the first time in our 17 years of marriage, Craig and I won't be together for New Years. He left at 4 am this morning to catch a red eye to Jacksonville where he will be ministering at Destiny People Worship Center's (Pastors Dave & Jennifer Ragan) New Years Celebration. I hate that I will miss it but right now circumstances warrant that I should be at home with the girls and I am having to work as well. Many of our friends and family will be attending the event tonight. The girls and I will celebrate together at home. We have some fun planned for the evening, although I am certain we'll all end up in my bed falling asleep before midnight!

Craig will also be ministering in Valdosta, GA at The Winner's Church (Pastors Billy & Shelisa Hull). I hate that I'll be missing this too! It has been too long since I saw the Hull's! One thing is for sure, I am excited that our move to Alabama will bring us within a few hours of each other. Shelisa is one of my sistas!

After he leaves there, Craig will head to Alabama for a week. While there he'll take care of securing things for our move. He'll get to spend time with some of our staff and dear friends, Daniel & Christy Jones. They are also having a get together with several other families who are interested in the launch of Freedom House! Again, ugh! I really wish I could be there!!! Pray for him while he is there, for favor, wisdom, and to complete all of the tasks he needs to complete!

From Alabama, Craig will head to South Florida where he will be ministering at Christ Central (Pastors Shannon & Niki Craft). Labelle is right next to Clewiston, our old stomping grounds. Craig is really excited about spending some time with Pastor Shannon and his team!

On the 12th, Craig will head back to Chicago. That is 13 days! We'll sure miss him! However, the girls and I will be fine. I know this drill and while it can be overwhelming at times, with virtually everything on me... getting up at 5:30 am, running Kaitlyn to Lane at 6:45 am (in Chicago this four mile trip each way takes an hour!), then running Isabella to the sitter, then I run home do final touches on the other three girls, make sure they have backpacks, lunches and I have my briefcase, computer, and purse.. then I drop them at school at 8:30 am and head to work by 9 am. I pick up the girls (if the weather is bad) in the afternoon at 2:40 or if Kelsea & Haley have afterschool stuff, then leave work at 4:45, pick up Isabella, go home, homework with Lexi, check the other girls homework, get dinner on the table, make sure everything is ready for the next day (uniforms, lunches, backpacks, etc.), do a little work (I have to check in nightly), then hit the sack! All of that plus the everyday stuff...

It blows my mind how I used to do it with three kids, working full time, and going to Bible college (and I was pregnant with #4!) when Craig traveled while we lived in Clewiston. But there I had a huge support system of family and friends and a small town. We don't have that in Chicago... so, I just have to rise to the challenge! And I don't let myself think about it too much... I just suck it up and go...! And pray A LOT!

Well, this has gotten LONG... so I'll close and wish everyone a Happy New Year! I am SO ready for 2009... new beginnings, new opportunities, and wide open doors!

50 Things I Learned in 2008

My friend Pastor Deanna decided to blog on the fifty things she learned this year, and I decided to do the same. I know for a fact that just like me, PD has learned many more than 5o things this year, but these are some highlights.

1.) There's NO place like home.
2.) My girls are much wiser than I ever imagined.
3.) The grass isn't necessarily greener on the other side of the fence.
4.) I love my husband more than I would have ever imagined.
5.) It is okay for stand up for yourself.
6.) I don't always have to be right.
7.) Money isn't everything, but it does help.
8.) I REALLY love the south.
9.) The importance of covenant relationships in my life.
10.) God means it when He says He'll never leave nor forsake me! "When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him and put him to flight" Is 59:19
11.) Writing is a passion that will never be squelched in me.
12.) People will disappoint and I will disappoint people.
13.) The importance and freedom of forgiveness.
14.) The importance and freedom in being forgiven.
15.) Perfection is something I will never achieve, but excellence is always within my grasp.
16.) Order and organization are necessities in my life.
17.) Cherry Coke Zero is my caffeine of choice.
18.) Some arguments just aren't worth the fight.
19.) It is okay to agree to disagree.
20.) Weight Watchers is really the best program for getting healthy.
21.) Prayer is a staple that I cannot live without.
22.) For some people "settling" is enough and they are happy, although I will never understand it.
23.) There ARE times when it is (and will be) necessary for me to pull off my high heels and earrings to throw down for family &/or a friend (spiritually and otherwise). :)
24.) Freedom is something to NEVER take lightly!
25.) My daughter Kaitlyn is becoming a very good cook!
26.) Listening is a learned and acquired skill that every person could benefit from.
27.) How much I LOVE a lazy Sunday afternoon with Craig and our girls watching a movie and snuggling.
28.) “Organizations that destroy the status quo win.” (Tribes, S. Godin)
29.) "Inspiration is the momentary cessation of stupidity..."
30.) "This generation of Christians is responsible for this generation of souls on the earth!" -- Keith Green
31.) "God provides the men and women needed for each generation." -Mildred Cable
32.) There is truth in the saying, "Show me your friends and I'll show you your future."
33.) "When you are in a lion's den, don't curse the lions or they will eat you! Find a way to co-exist until you are released." John Kilpatrick
34.) The truth in this scripture... "What a God! His road stretches straight and smooth. Every God-direction is road-tested. Everyone who runs toward Him makes it."Ps:18:30msg
35.) Multi-tasking is a God given talent!
36.) Culture has the strong willed ability to trump vision.
37.) I am a make it happen kind of gal!
38.) Divine appointments are set ups by the Lord for unimaginable opportunity!
39.) A spa pedicure &/or massage can turn a bad day around!
40.) Never get your brows or upper lip waxed by an angry Asian woman. (Seriously, don't... even if she is not angry with you... trust me on this...)
41.) Snow is seriously over rated.
42.) It never hurts to ask.
43.) I have really missed my family and friends... A LOT!
44.) I have five of the BEST kids in the world!
45.) Freedom House is going to ROCK for the Kingdom of God!
46.) You can go back home.
47.) Be careful what you ask for... you just might get it!
48.) I will never stop learning, being taught or educated!
49.) Super Walmart is a blessing!
50.) I am ready for 2009!