Goals for 2014

I've really been recognizing the importance of being intentional, of writing down my goals, talking about my goals, and even praying about my goals. 2014 has the potential to be a very big year for Mr. Fantastik and I. A BUSY, big year. So, in order to not let the hustle and bustle overtake us we've been talking about what we want to see happen this year.

1. Adoption. This is ultimately on the Lord's time-table, but we need to be devoting a certain amount of time per week to this endeavor. We believe we are called to care for the orphan through adoption and despite our best intentions if we don't keep this focus other things will crowd in and take over. We're committed to praying about, talking about, doing paperwork, fundraising, saving etc etc this year. Ultimately we'd like to spend a minimum of 2-3 hours each week focusing our undivided attention on our adoption. Some weeks there will be less paperwork. Other weeks we may be praying around the clock.

2. Save. save. save. I am SO thankful for a husband who is committed to living debt-free. That said, we know in order to continue to do so we also need to save. Somewhere down the line both of us will need a new car and some new household appliances. In order to offset these costs we need to be saving now. We continue to save anything I make from nannying, teaching, Jamberry, selling items on Ebay or Craigslist to go towards our adoption, but we'd like to be saving even more towards that.

3. Education. Nick is looking into some continuing education. We're both taking an 18 week parenting class through our church. I need to brush up on learn Spanish in preparation for adopting from Latin America, not to mention the ministry opportunities even here in our city.

4. Read. This could really go along with education as I want to read to grow, learn, and change this year. Yes, I still enjoy fiction, but I want this to be a year I read some very meaningful books. Here are just a few that have made my list:

Choosing Gratitude was given to me almost 4 years ago by a very generous friend during what has been one of the HARDEST seasons of my life. It was a good read then and I need a refresher these days. I seem to be in a season of wrestling with God over some things and need to choose to be thankful no matter what.








Nick gave me a leather bound edition of Mansfield Park when we were dating. It was supposed to be for Valentine's Day, but I got an antique book of poetry that had been in his family for years (yeah, that carried a lot of weight when we had only been dating officially one month). I have yet to read it and that is a MUST for this year.

The Connected Child has been suggested by multiple people connected in some way to adoption. I need to get my hands on a copy and pour through it, allowing it to challenge my thinking.







I have The Excellent Wife and need to get through it, but a friend suggested this one and I really like the emphasis on memorization and application this book has in its daily readings.

One of my all-time favorite pastors is Rick Holland. 
He is responsible for the most growth and edification in my life apart from my own pastors through the years. I've started this one, but never made it through due to the craziness a season of dating and engagement brought. I've started it over and already know it is going to be one of my favorites this year.






5. Grow in discipline. We are about to get much busier than we've been since getting married. Small group, Saturday morning men's study, accountability meetings, continuing education, parenting class, covering a maternity leave, nanny job, being self-employed, walking through the adoption paperwork, appointments, phone calls, fundraising, and much more. I get tired just thinking about all the new things we are biting off this year. Yet, this is a year I want to learn to slow down and focus on what is important or at least be disciplined enough to make it happen. I want to pray and pray well. I want to be better about praying specifically for others. I want to be better at asking in faith and believing God will answer.


2014 has already started off with a 'bang', bringing multiple reasons to grieve and 'wrestle' with God, as well as reasons to rejoice. I have a sense this is going to be a very growing year which admittedly can make me a bit anxious as I anticipate how God is going to achieve that. Ultimately I rest in knowing His love for us and take comfort that both the sun and the rain come from Him.

What are your goals for 2014?

From Where I Stand {2013 in Review}

As Nick and I were driving to Costco the other day (yes, this qualifies as a date in our household-- we enjoy Costco so much) we were discussing some of the stand-out moments of 2013. As we talked it became clear this year was one God continued to show Himself sovereign over every detail, hard and good. The realization came that hard can also be good. Stretching. Growing... Even if we don't like it at the time.

After buying our house, we decided it was time to put down roots in the local community and find a local church. It was very hard to leave our previous church where I had been a member for several years before we were married. What a wonderful family we had there!! Thankfully God led us to our new church home this year. Nick especially has been super encouraged by a men's group that meets every Saturday morning at 6 a.m.! (Yes, you read that correctly). We've joined a small group and will soon be starting a parenting class for 'soon' to-be and current parents. We know we are biting off a lot as first time parents with thinking we'll be bringing home more than one kiddo, most likely between the ages of 3 and 7, and think now is a good time to glean wisdom and think through how we will parent in the future.

I was able to nanny for a 2.5 year old during the first several months of the year. She is a complete and utter doll- probably the cutest little girl on the face of the planet (and I'm not exaggerating hehe). We got to hang out 4 days a week. I miss her lots, but she is loving her new preschool and I'm thankful for the friendship I have developed with her mom. We still grab coffee (tea for me) and I get to see Olivia some, especially during the summer when we can play at the local park. Their friendship is such an encouragement to me!

Having long-distance friends come to visit is always fun. Renae and I were roommates on a summer project in Traverse City with Cru waaay back in 2005. I find myself incredibly thankful for her friendship through the years. We got married the same year and were in each other's weddings. Since then, she and Samuel have had a little guy. He is THE cutest little thing ever and we became buddies. Samuel competes in the sheep shearing contest at the Indiana State Fair and we just love hosting them and having fun with like-minded friends!

Our biggest news was announced in October, right after we had celebrated our 2nd anniversary (have I mentioned how blessed I am?). In case you missed it, we're adopting! The plan right now is a sibling pair from Latin America. God knows what He is doing and we are along for this wild, crazy ride. Talk about growing our faith! We saw God graciously provide when we were at the Together for Adoption conference in Louisville by allowing us to meet another young couple who is walking a similar adoption road and who just happen to live in our area. We met some other friends there that we are blessed by and hope that we will see again even if they are several states south.

Adoption is crazy expensive and we are committed to doing this without going into debt. So, one way we decided to raise funds was through selling Jamberry. This has been a bigger blessing than I would have ever imagined, even beyond the financial benefits. I enjoy using my organization and communication skills it requires, meeting new friends and re-kindling old friendships, and of course, it goes without saying that I REALLY enjoy having my nails done in a cute, budget-friendly way!

Another highlight of the year was reading. Nick and I bonded over our love of reading in the early days of our relationship. As we talked in 2012 we decided we wanted to be intentional about reading in 2013. We know life just has a way of getting busier and busier, especially with adoption paperwork. My goal was to read 100 books. I read 70. Not sure what my goal for next year is in regards to reading. Suggestions are welcome!!

Overall, we'd say the theme of 2013 was a year of firsts, not all good, and yet hard can often lead to good. We hope that 2014 will be an even better year, but ultimately know the Lord is sovereign and this is what we cling to.

Be sure and check out my friend Julia's year in review: www.richardandjuliarudolph.blogspot.com