First day of the new year and focused

I hope everyone has a wonderful first day of the New Year in 2009. I myself look forward to new faces, new places, and hope that many of my goals and dreams come true. I would love to meet new people, travel to see new interesting places, and achieve many of the goals that I have set before me. One of my goals is to loose weight and become healthier overall. Another one of my goals is to make exercise a daily part of my life where I hate the way that I feel without exercise and that pushes me to want to do it more. I also want to pay off some bills and get our finances in order so that we are more ready to move from here sometime after Richie graduates in December of 2009. Last but definitely my most important goal in my life is to make Christ the center of my life and to live fully and completely for Him. I want to focus my eyes on Him in all circumstances and allow Him to be the Lord of my life. I want to rest in His arms and allow Him to work in my life, which means worrying less. This is something that I have a difficult time with. It has always been easy for me to just take things on and worry about it. I don't want to do that anymore as it is not good for my health. I need to let go and surrender completely to Him and I am going to accomplish this in 2009. In Phil 1:20 The apostle Paul wrote, “To me, to live is Christ and to die is gain”. Lord help me to die to my self so that I am may live for you and glorify you. I am available and want to be a vessel that you work through.

With this new year comes new challenges as well. I will begin my graduate studies Monday January 5th. I am looking forward to it but have those little butterflies that are lingering around. I want to do this and I feel that I am very ready but at the same time I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. I was an excellent student during my undergraduate studies but I've been told that my graduate studies will be a whole different ballgame. I personally think that I will like my graduate studies much better because they will be in my chosen field of study. We'll see! Please remember me in your prayers as I begin my studies. I will keep you all updated!

God bless you all and may this year be filled with many blessings!!! May you achieve your goals, always reach for your dreams, and live fully for Him!

In His Grip,

~Lori Fender