This past year has been incredibly mixed with depths of grief, loss, life changes, new beginnings, accomplishments and joy. It is hard to reflect on 2023 and not look back at my goals I set for the year back on January 1, 2023.

My word I chose to focus on for 2023 was simple: abide. I wanted to abide in Christ, and keep a focus on learning and growing more mature. I set out to read the Bible in a year, a feat I had attempted many times but never finished. I also wanted to complete my licensure process, run an ultramarathon, and continue to grow my practice. Each day I would read scripture and journal a verse or 2 in a notebook that stuck out to me with a prayer for that day. It became a great nightly routine that I am happy to say, I completed. As I wrap up this year finishing out the last few chapters of Revelation I am in awe of all I have learned by being in the Word daily.

I feel a renewed sense of the Lord’s presence within my heart. I had no idea how important that daily reading would become. How when I was going through some of my deepest heartbreak this spring, the Psalms would be a timely place to seek comfort. As we went through 3 miscarriages, how the book of Lamentations would provide the words I could not say. The past few months being anxious for all of our life changes, how the Gospels and seeing the words in red that Jesus spoke over the people would calm my storms within. How reading Paul’s letters to the churches would be a comfort as we continue to work together in our family to piece together changes.

If you have not taken the time to read the Bible cover to cover I cannot recommend it enough! It is something I intend to do each year. Which brings me to my plans for 2024! I am excited to be reading through the Bible chronologically with a focus on studying in depth more of the history and context of events as they occurred. I will be using this Bible:

I am looking forward to studying in this format! There are tons of chronological plans out there, some included even in You Version. I plan to again journal each day as I read and reflect on things I am learning. If you are unsure about how to get started please reach out!

My other goals this year will include some mental and physical health goals. I need to get into a better rhythm for my exercise and morning routines. The past few months as our roles in the home have switched I have taken on full time running a practice as a mental health counselor, and that has left me more tired and making less time for things I did before. So as I close out this year I am looking forward to establishing a new morning routine that includes a workout and devotion time with our children before I head into my office to work for the day. I would like to hike more 4,000 NH mountains later this summer, so I am making a weight lifting and running plan for myself to get there. I have decided against planning any more ultra marathons for 2024.

This year I turned 40 and I ran 40 miles for my birthday. It was fun, but also hard. Training for ultras has always been a joy of mine. But with our current family configurations and me working full time something has to give and I feel in my heart this year ultras will not fit. I would love to run a half marathon in the fall of 2024 fast, and just focus on health and fitness but not huge mileage. That feels hard to write, being a marathoner and ultramarathoner is something I have been focused on for 12 years! But there is also a freedom in writing it and committing to giving myself grace and space.

As a mother I want to focus on spending quality time with my children away from screens and distractions. I want us to spend more time outdoors, on board games, and reading together as a family. This will require some stricter guidelines on social media and my phone. I am in the process of establishing things but my goals are about 20 minutes per day for socials, and to spend more time reading and listening to books. I also want to write more, so hopefully that means more blog posts!

Finally, I want to spend more quality time with my husband. He has had a hard year along side me, and I have seen how the Lord is working in both of us and drawing us closer as a result. I am so thankful for that. 2024 will bring us to our 10th wedding anniversary, God willing, and I am looking forward to us working more together as we continue to grow our businesses that are centered on serving others, and helping Christians grow.

As I reflect on my goals the word I am choosing to focus on in 2024 is: presence. Presence is defined by being close or in company of another.

This scripture is one I intend to focus on this year. “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11 Biblically speaking presence implies a close and personal encounter with the Lord. I want to focus on allowing the Lords presence to continue to be within me, and carry that into my interactions with others. I yearn to be intentional and present. And that piece of that scripture, in your presence there is fullness of joy, I hope to have more of that simple joy that comes from being in the Lord’s presence.