Make Every Effort

First, I want to say I am not a poet or really a great writer, so prepare yourself for some random thoughts, some run on sentences and just some blabbering, but this is something I want to come back to at the end of the year, so here it goes!  (first run on sentence-CHECK!)

This past summer our pastor went on a 3 month sabbatical.  The week before he left he preached about making every effort-whether it was a spiritual journey, physical, educational or even just the day to day.  It has really stuck with me through the rest of the year and I want it to be my focus for this year!  So here is where my efforts will be focused!

I don't know much about the below devotional, but I found it and plan to use it as a guide as Ryan and I work through the Bible together this year.  

As Ryan and I have expanded our family we have found that we are easily distracted from each other and that our time together before kids was always seemingly carefree.  Now, don't get me wrong, we LOVE our kids and are so thankful for what they have added to our family.  This year I plan to Make Every Effort to focus on Ryan, to pray for him every day and often throughout the day.  I plan to do little things here and there to make him know how much I love him, and I am excited for some of the fun things we already have planned for just the two of us!

Uncle Stephen is living with us right now and will be with us for the foreseeable future.  I plan to make every effort to care for him (not that he thinks he needs caring for), encourage him, pray for him and love him daily!  We are so thankful that he is with us and are also excited to be part of the beginning of a new chapter of his life!

I plan to make every effort to do something new and fun with these two 3 times a week.  It may be as simple as coloring in a new coloring book or as extravagant as going to Raleigh to a new museum.  I want to really do new things with them that allow them to explore fun activities, stretch their imaginations and grow their character!

Finally we want to make every effort to make our home a place that is open to college students.  We have been praying for the past semester how to do that and we are excited to start a new chapter in our own lives where we are able to minister to college students.  We still don't know exactly how this will look, but we are excited to see how it happens and what the Lord does with our desires!

So, there you have it!  Some of my resolutions to make every effort this year!  Please feel free to ask me  about any or all of the adventures whenever you think of it!  I know that I will need encouragement throughout the year to keep up my tasks!!!  We at the Powell house hope you have a very wonderful 2013 and that you make every effort to accomplish your goals this year!