2008 Report Card

Happy New Year everyone. I just know it is going to be another great year. But before we get to my resolution and plans for 2009, I wanted to quickly go over 2008 and see how I did.

Ok let start with my 2008 resolution. Who remembers what that was? Anyone, anyone anyone, It had to do with reading the.....anyone, anyone, anyone, The Bible from cover to.....anyone anyone, anyone, that's right it was to read the Bible from cover to cover in 2008. Well if you have been with me that long, and I am very happy to say that some of you have, then you may also remember that early in the year, I amended that resolution. Early on, I realized that I am a really slow reader and I wanted to slow down even more to let the meaning soak in. So how far did I get you ask? Well I finished the Old Testament and I am up to reading the book of John. I think that is a great accomplishment and I would say that this was the first resolution that I actually stuck with.

On to the report card:

Since I started with the Bible, let me continue with 2008 spirituality. In addition to reading the Bible all year, our family found a Church that we all enjoy and we continued to attend it all year. Now we didn't attend every week but we did go most weeks and we got a lot out of the sermons. We also discuss the weekly messages and I really feel great about where we are heading.

I would have to give myself an A- on this one. Pretty good but I could have done a little better.

I have to say that financially, we are about the same as we were last year. But wait, there is a plus side. With the state of the economy, just maintaining is a great accomplishment. But wait there is more. In the latter part of the year, we made some lifestyle changes and we are now living a simpler life and a less expensive one. Because of this, we are actually stretching our money further so in essence, we are better off. We have new goals and with God's grace, we will continue to improve in this area.

Financially, I would have to give myself a B+.

I am feeling pretty good this morning. I didn't over do it last night. I started a number of diets during the year. Most of them didn't work but the one I am on now seems to be. I lost 14 lbs since Thanksgiving and I am going into 2009 in the losing mode. Our family has resolved to eat better and I really believe that we will all be living a healthier life this year. My wife has lost too but I am forbidden to post those results but I will say that she has lost more than me. Hopefully, you will be seeing less of me this year.

I think I should get an B- in Health for 2008.

We attended a great party last night and I met a lot of new people. The sad part is that many of them are our neighbors and we have simply never met before. The party was at the "Horse owners" house (That was the horse from an earlier post) and we had a great time. We made some new friends that I am hoping will continue to be friends through the year. In addition, I made lots and lots of Blogger friends in 2008. I feel like I know some of you and I hope those friendships continue as well. Lastly I met a bunch of new friends down at the Market and I am sure some of those people will stay in my life. So 2008 was definitely a friendship kind of year.

I give myself an A+ in Friendship.

So lets get down to the biggie. "Inner peace". Have you heard that saying, when life gives you lemons make lemonade? Well I am here to say a great big WRONG. Well unless you really want lemonade that is. I prefer to think if it this way. When life gives you lemons, just be thankful that you got lemons and didn't get spiders. It doesn't mean that you have to do anything with them or make anything with them, it just means that you now have lemons. For some reason a lot of people think that everything negative must be turned into positive or you life is over. They spend a lot of time trying to correct mistakes and trying to change what has already been done. Well you can't do that. So why try. Why waste your precious time and energy trying to make lemonade out of lemons. Why not just forget about the lemons and go on with your life. Besides, all that sugar isn't good for you. To wrap this up since I am probably losing blogging friends by the minute, here is what I learned in 2008;

Life is way bigger than anything I can comprehend. I don't know why life gives me lemons but it does from time to time and I was spending way too much time trying to make lemonade. By doing so, I missed out on a lot of other great things that were happening around me. There I was stuck in the kitchen making lemonade while outside the sun was shining and the birds were singing and life was moving on. In the latter part of 2008, I finally realized that I can't do it all. No matter how I try, I can make lemonade from sunup to sundown and even in my sleep but the next morning, that lemon pile is still there and sometimes even bigger.

There is someone out there that is an expert on making good things out of bad things. It is His specialty. He knows the best way to do it and in fact He wants to do it. So from now on, when life hands me lemons, I am not going to get bogged down trying to make something with them. I won't complain about having the lemons. I won't try to push them off onto someone else. And I won't sit and worry about the lemons. From now on, when life gives me lemons, I am simply going to say; I don't know why you handed these to me so help me out God. Please handle these. I'll be outside if you need me.

In life I give myself a big A+

Thanks everyone for being my friend in 2008.
Have a great 2009.

Greg

Comments

Robin Lambright said…
I put a big smiley faces on all my DD report cards, so consider yourself gifted of a big red smiley face and maybe even a few gold stars thrown in for good measure. Great report card. You deserve a big certificate with gold filigree around the edges.

Blessings
Robin
Sharon said…
You got a great report card Greg! I really appreciated your view of lemons. It's nice to hear someone say we don't always have to turn everything around in life. I'm wishing you all the best in the new year to come. I hope you reach all of your goals and continue to make the grade ;)

God bless you and your family!
Sharon
Melanie said…
Way to go on reaching your goals in 2008!
Melanie@Bella~Mella
Anonymous said…
awesome post! That's a report card you can be proud of!

And I would love to know how your wife lost "more than you" because that's one of my resolutions.
Jeannie said…
Happy New Year. I go to a school that doesn't give report cards.
Good for you, my friend! I am especially proud of you for sticking to your reading/planting of God's Word in your heart. I know He is too.

:-)

I would like to know what kinds of changes you made that promoted a simpler lifestyle and saving money...and losing 14 lbs. over the holidays.....!!

That deserves a medal if you ask me. Happy New Year!
Scarlet said…
I give you an A+ for your first post of 2009. I love the lemonade part ("you don't need all that sugar anyway..."). I LOVE that! ;)

You're so right, my friend. Let go and let God...He knows what to do with the lemons.

Btw, I forgot to mention "finding a good church home" in my resolutions list, although it's been on my mind for a long time, and this post reminded me to keep searching.

Have a wonderful New Year's Day, Greg!! I'm glad 2008 brought you into my life as well. :)
Great report card!! Kudos to you for your Bible reading....great accomplishment!!
Kelly said…
I loved your lemon analogy! That is so awesome. I was thinking, you should buy a big clear vase and when life gives you lemons, throw them in the vase and you get a mighty fine centerpiece - no assembly required. LOL!!

Great job on your goals! I am starting the 1 yr bible, and even if I don't finish it, I hope I do as well as you have.

Happy New Year, Greg and blessing to you & your family for 2009.
Greg, this is one of my favorite posts of yours. Well-said, and you made me think about the lemons thing. BTW--what in the world diet are you doing?
Wanda said…
A great Report Card, and I would add one more A+ for bring a smile and enrichment to my life in 2008 with your wit and humor and honest comentaries on life.

You are the Best!!

Looking forward to much more from you in 2009...

Love and Hugs
Wanda
Marla said…
I never have any doubts that your posts are boring- good post and good for you for accomplishing your goals. I read the bible put I just chose a book and read, I jump around alot. I don't know if that's the right way or wrong. Happy New Year to you!
Lori said…
Happy New Year! Way to go on the Bible reading and finding a good church for your family to attend last year.

I think I'm going to have to go back and see what I was going to work on last year.

Lori
Edie said…
Great accomplishments and great outlook Greg. I don't mess too much with the lemons either unless I have to.

So glad to have met you. Happy New Year to you my friend!
My ADHD Me said…
Happy New Year!
Your report card looks great, and I LOVE the lemon/lemonade lesson. It makes sense and after all, when you bite into a lemon it makes you want to smile.
Becky said…
Happy New Year! I am so glad to have stumbled on to your blog ( thanks to ISWYS) :-D I admire how far you got with your Bible reading. I read the Bible cover to cover too... the children's Bible counts right?
sailorcross said…
A great post to start the New Year!!

And I give you an A+ on your report card for this post!!

Love the lemon/lemonade analogy--sometimes we just can't make lemonade--can't see the way through on how to even begin to make it out of those lemons.

One of my goals for this year is learn to go to God quickly--very quickly--instead of trying to muddle my way through for a little while on my own. Why do I even think I can do that??

Beth
Beverlydru said…
You lost 17 pounds since Thanksgiving and you are giving yourself a B-??!! I'm thinking you are not giving yourself enough credit.

I carefully put Rudolph in a box until next year. We enjoyed your gift - he was a new greeter by our front door. Thanks again.
Susan Skitt said…
What fun reviewing your report card Greg! Awesome!!! And about those lemons - great thoughts! In fact, God's the best lemonade maker around and there's no extra calories or sugar involved :)

P.S. Your snoman video below cracked me up - no snomen were hurt in the making of this video - LOL!!!
SusanD said…
Hey Greg, Thanks for visiting my little spot. What a great post and reflection on your 2008 accomplishments. Great analogy on the lemons/lemonades. I like that alot. BTW, your snowman video was priceless! Blessings in 2009. Susan
sandy said…
Wow, love your report card and it was fun to read of your progress and such....good for you! You always make things funny. Enjoyed your philosophy too. will look forward to another year of your posts.
Heaven said…
Love the lemon/lemonade thing. Great job on the Bible reading and the losing weight and the new friendships and (breathe) cutting down financially and and and and everything else.:) I really need to take more time to focus on the progress I've made instead of the mountains I still need to climb. Thanks for the inspiration for my next post:) Blessings to both you and your wife! Heaven
Angie said…
I'm a teacher and am happy to put my stamp of approval on this post. Attaboy.

Signed with a smiley face,
Angie
Monogram Queen said…
You made me laugh because you are the only person I have ever heard turn the "make lemonade" analogy into some NEGATIVE!
but funny-negative.
Ahem. I digress.

Happy 2009 to you and I believe you did pretty good on your report card!
I've read the Bible through twice in my lifetime so far. Perhaps it's time to start again....

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