Reflection 2014

The wife and child both fell asleep and here I am. 

Happy New Year whenever the clock dings! I'll probably be sleeping.

I just checked up on my goals and update for the year. 

The short list:

1. Make a list

2. Keep reading

3. Write

4. Exercise

5. Be proactive creating memories with family

6. Serve

I made some progress on Goal #2 in the first quarter of 2014. The irony is I didn't realize that happened this year. I had to double check the date on my update post. Honestly. I guess that's why I write stuff down (or type and upload it to be literal). 

Three days after the update my principal scheduled me for a meeting. The next day he told me I was de-staffed. I went from deciding on attempting National Board Certification to job hunting in a sentence.

I did not think much about my blog goals from that point on. Or at least I don't remember thinking about them. Life got busy! 

I prepped; I interviewed; I got a new job. I finished the school year and then journeyed to PA for Ryan and Kim's wedding. I worked ESY and then flew to Bermuda over summer. The new school year came. I got the hang of it and then started to coach wrestling and *POOF* here I am.

And that's only the short list of what happened to me. Carrie went through her own job search and landed in a toxic spot. She's looked for a new job since October or November. She finally quit in December, but no new job has materialized...in this county or elsewhere. Carrie and I have had many discussions about moving as of late.

Shane's been Shane, too. I don't always see the changes day to day, but I am shocked whenever I look at his old pictures. He's grown so much.

Busy, busy, busy.

My progress on reading from the beginning of the year will have to carry the rest of the year. I did finish The Lord of the Rings trilogy and read Name the Wind. I've managed some daily Bible reading throughout, so it's not a total wash. 

Writing progress is limited to the blog. I sketched out an outline for a skit/joke once, but never followed up. 

Exercise is happening. I'm a coach! I don't work out nearly as much as the kids and I wouldn't call myself in shape, but I'm not a complete sluggard nowadays. Long dormant wrestling techniques and memories have begun to work their way into my mind and muscles. I can still tilt like a pro. 

I have many good memories of time spent with my loved ones this year. I am a present father and husband. There are plenty of blogs and pictures for proof, too! Old and new friendships have grown over the past year. 

I did not do as much on goal six as I would have liked. I can't help, but think of what Jesus said to Martha. However, I'm not sure it would have worked out any other way. To do my job well, it takes time and effort. I chose my career, because I thought it would be a service. I needed to earn a living, I wanted to serve, why not teach and do both? I've never desired to be filthy rich. 

I hope to do more with Goal #6 as Shane gets older. I plan to drag him along. Turn things in to a learning/enrichment experience. 

TL;DR - It's been such an eventful year, I thought some of it happened long, long ago in a year further away. I didn't hit all my goals, but a lot of meaningful stuff happened.

Thank you, God, for the past year and I pray that I will continue to love and to grow. Guide me through this next year, too. I suspect it's going to be another eventful one. Help me to appreciate that life sure isn't boring!

Here's looking to next year!