goodbye march // hello april {goals]

HAPPY APRIL! 
I am very excited for this month! Spring weather is still inching it's way forward and I am loving the cherry blossoms blooming in the city. 

It's time to say "goodbye" to March. Overall, it was a very productive month! February was a bit chaotic and went by too fast, but I seemed to get my feet back on steady ground in March and was able to get through almost all of my goals! 
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March Goals
++ Read 1-2 books: I am 2/3 done with Desiring God [by John Piper] and have just started Open Your Eyes [Jake Olson].
RESULT: YAY! FINISHED WHISPERS OF HOPE [DEVO BY BETH MOORE; SEE HERE FOR REVIEW] AND AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF HUDSON TAYLOR. I AM NEARLY DONE WITH OPEN YOUR EYES.
++ Finish taxes
RESULT: YES! I HAD TO PAY A PRETTY HEFTY AMOUNT THIS YEAR RATHER THAN GETTING A REFUND, BUT ALAS, IT IS DONE WITH! AND I ENDED UP DOING 3 SIBLINGS' TAXES TOO! FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS A FEAR OF FINANCES, I PUNCHED TAXES IN THE FACE THIS MONTH!
++ Meet with my "little sister" that I mentor.
RESULT: YES! WE HAD LUNCH AT ONE OF MY FAVORITES, A LEBANESE RESTAURANT CALLED YA HALA
++ Plant flowers on my balcony
RESULT: YES! I PLANTED A HANGING BASKET OF VARIOUS BLOOMS AS WELL AS STARTED A SMALL POT OF BASIL! PHOTOS COMING SOON!
++ Take my sewing machine out of the box and actually use it!
RESULT: NOPE. HOPE TO DO THIS SOON!
++ Learn at least 2 new crock-pot recipes
RESULT: YES! I MADE A RED LENTIL CHILI AND A THREE BEAN MOLE CHILI, PLUS I HAVE BEEN MAKING LOTS OF PALEO AND GLUTEN FREE DISHES THAT I WILL BE SHARING SOON [MY FAVORITE: A DELICIOUS KALE/AVOCADO SALAD]
++ Start a new series on stories behind well-known hymns
RESULT: YES! SEE HERE FOR THE SERIES! AND STAY TUNED IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS FOR THE NEXT POST!
++ Get back into posting at least twice a week. I slacked last month.
RESULT: YES! I HAVE BEEN POSTING 2-3X/WEEK. #BOOMSHAKALAKA!
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April Goals
++ spend 1/2 hour each week reviewing journal articles and notes on nursing-related education
++ learn 3 new recipes this month
++ finish Open Your Eyes, start (and finish??) a new book (thinking of The Explicit Gospel by Matt Chandler), and read 2 chapters of Desiring God by John Piper
++  Take my sewing machine out of the box and actually use it!
++ memorize 3 verses in the next month using this plan  {5 down, 19 to go}
++ get off phone and computer by 11pm & no electronics in bed
++ journal at least 3 gifts/blessings every night
++ meet with the "little sister" I mentor
++ choose a day each week to pray for the clinic I work at.

Comments

  1. I love your goals (and the flower by your bookshelf!) Way to go on achieving these things that you have set for yourself! :) i love the no electronics in bed rule. it's a good thing to think about that I can do as well. just last night I set a goal that I have to *force* myself to sleep before 12md no matter what. lol :)

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    1. That's a good goal! I need to be more persistent too! Some months are better than others, but my body definitely feels it when I am not sleeping well!

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  2. I have the book Desiring God, but I haven't read it yet. Right now I'm reading Eat the Yolks, Anne of Green Gables, and the new book that's out called Mrs. Poe. It's a rough life when you can't choose which book to read, huh? haha!

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    1. Oooh, I haven't heard of Eat the Yolks and Mrs. Poe. Do you recommend them?

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  3. can't wait to read about these paleo/gluten free dishes! and LOVING the april goals! i need to make "monthly goals"

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    1. Thanks dear! I need to start a series on paleo. I have been cooking and baking lots of paleo and GF dishes but I am always so intense in trying to follow the recipe, that I forget to take photos along the way for blogging later on. I'll do it soon hopefully because I have stumbled upon some yummy things!

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  4. I just made goals for April and I have to say, yours are inspiring! I could definitely keep adding to mine, but I don't want to be too overwhelmed or disappointed when I don't accomplish them. ha!

    That Three Bean Mole Chili sounds really good! Hope you will share some more of those recipes. They sound great!

    I have the book Desiring God and started it a long, long time ago and still haven't finished it! I really need to get on that. Read at least 2 books AND finish them is on my list for April, that needs to be one of them.

    I would definitely love to add scripture memorization to my list. I remember seeing about that plan before and thought about joining in. I might use those same verses, but start now!

    Great list! :)

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    1. Jess, you brighten my day with your sweet and heartfelt comments!
      I agree about not adding too many goals to not be overwhelmed and disappointed. I need to remember to pray before setting my goals because I tend to overreach and expect too much and then get disheartened when I was not able to meet all the goals.

      Yes, the chili was good! it was my first time cooking with mole! I was hesitant to trust anything with the name "mole" but it was a success :-)

      Yes, Desiring God is a great read, but very heavy so I can only read a few chapters every month or so.

      Memorizing scripture has been a big encouragement for me! It makes such a difference in the peace in my heart to have different verses pop in my head when I am stressed.

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  5. This is a great list & I love how you followed up on your goals! Great way to keep yourself in check :)

    I'm reading Resolution for Women right now and it's AMAZING. Definitely should check it out!

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    1. Thanks, Amanda! I'll have to look into that book!! Thanks for the recommendation!

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  6. I'll have to send you one of my all-time favorite summer recipes here soon that's loaded with Basel! Hope you're enjoying Piper's "Desiring God!" It's a favorite of mine =)

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Elle Alice