Living life with (and without) a purpose

Brandon and I met in college. We had so much fun together. We would talk about anything and nothing and just have the time of our lives. Through our first years of marriage, we sort of continued in that path.

Then, about 10 yrs. ago, we learned about being intentional with our lives and living with a purpose. Finances with a purpose. Parenting with a purpose. Vacations with a purpose.......after several years of living with that mentality, we have realized that now we have a hard time doing nothing. Free time seems like such a waste. Our date nights turned into talking about our goals and plans and all the areas where we feel driven.Serious. Serious. and more serious.

We've realized we need to relax. I don't mean lounge on the couch, but relax the mind. We have gotten so focused on the "purpose" that we don't even enjoy it. It's always looking towards the next goal or the next area where we can improve. It's time to have some F-U-N.

There has to be a balance. I still believe in having vision and goals...but somewhere in there has got to be fun and vacations and relaxation or you will just get burned out (which is what I'm battling right now). We have so many goals and we will continue to try and reach them, but we are wanting to try and enjoy the process.

So, I don't know if any of you can relate to this post. It might have been just one of those that I needed to write for me. But, if you are struggling with striving too much, or constantly trying to be more and do more, then take a break and relax. Let yourself enjoy life.

Life is meant to be lived for a purpose....part of that purpose is to enjoy it!!

~Christi~

Growing (in 2009)

Another area we'd like to see boosted this year is growth! I mean emotional growth (not physical!). We had a long drive home from our trip and we both talked about how we want this year to be about FOCUS!

• We want to prioritize our yes' & no's.
• We want to give 100% to 1 or 2 areas rather than 50% in several
• We want to be able to look back next year and see positive change
• We want to always be striving and seeking to learn
• We want to be present in our kids lives and in each others lives (as well as friends' lives)

We both turned 35 in the last part of 2008. I wouldn't say we are having a mid-life crisis or anything but I think we both did have that moment like "wow, we are on our way to 40!".

Our goal is to make each year count. Make this year count. Where do you want to see growth in your life?

~Christi~

Giving (in 2009)

We went to bag groceries at a local ministry just right before Christmas. Our boys were so excited (we were too). As we were getting ready, Ethan started asking what exactly we were going to go. He then asked "Are we going to get to eat breakfast before we leave?" since it was early in the morning. I assured him that we would. There were 2 things that struck me from this question:

• Our boys understand what it means to "sacrifice" and I love that! In his mind- if we were giving away to the poor that day, then it meant we were fasting in some capacity. This is something that we truly want our boys to understand. True sacrifice is when you give up something you love for someone else.
  

• There are kids out there that wake up and wonder every day..."are we getting to eat today?" "Do we get any kind of breakfast?". That truly saddens my heart. The homeless rate has grown so much over the past few years.There are so many hungry children and families out there!

Find a way you can "sacrifice" this year. Give up something you love, or think you need, for someone else. I know you will feel blessed for doing it and you will touch someone else's life! I am right there with you too. Our family wants to look at this new year and see how we can give more to others. Is there anything in 2009 that you feel "called" to do?? Please share! You might help someone else get an idea of how they can give to others in 2009.

~Christi~