Hey there again y’all! I’m back with another awesome life update, but this time, it’s not just for me! I hope my goals will inspire YOU to make some, because honestly y’all, it’s never too late! (Be aware that I revised some of these halfway through, due to the *ahem* impossible nature of a few of them!)
My December goals were:
Finish Chloe Ting 2019 SHRED Challenge!
This was so unexpected, but so fun! In this post, I talk about my experience, and in this one I provide some few tips for getting off to a great start!
Reading a Bible book every day … (definitely not completed!)
Originally I had wanted to read a Bible book a day, but when I reached the longer books it became too much pressure. Don’t worry … I’ll eventually work up the courage to actually do it! This month I went through 1 Samuel to Esther, and I’m in Job now!! It was awesome! I learned so many new things I’d never heard or understood before, and I’m so excited to read more of the Bible that I have literally never seen before! It’s been such a journey to finally make this goal to read the Bible straight through, from beginning to end, but it has been SO worth it. And I’m only partway through!
Complete Lessons 113-140 in all three of my Grade 10 RPC courses, and catch up on essays up to that point.
I didn’t get anywhere close to 140. I went from 113 to 130, which actually isn’t bad. What I’m really excited about is the fact I caught up on almost all my essays! *throws party* At one point I had a “to write” list of about 12 essays! 😱 Now the tally is down to 4 (plus editing the other ones, and making minor adjustments.)
Play violin daily with the goal of playing on worship team soon.
A friend gave me the Suzuki violin book one this month, and I’ve been noticing some amazing growth in my technique and sight-reading! I’m so excited to go find Book Two so I can continue growing! (No way did I play daily, but I worked slowly through Book One, various scales, songs from memory, and worship songs.)
Complete the Chloe Ting Ab Workout Challenge!
(I completed this challenge in tandem with the 2019 SHRED. It was very fun, and after the first few days it actually got pretty easy!!)
Learn to make salads that taste really good. That includes learning leafy, fruit, veggie mixes, quinoa, cream salads, and smashing some dressing recipes too! (By the way, if you have a fave recipe, please share!)
I didn’t start the month learning much, but I finally made a vinaigrette! Does that count? 😅 I discovered that I can handle spinach almost every day, in salads, green smoothies, and omelets. Work those greens, guys! (I’m going to say I didn’t get this one, but my eating more spinach means I get a B+)
Learn to draw manga freehand, without copying … ?
I got an ironic kick in the pants partway through the month when meeting a young man who drew manga (and was literally so good!) Maybe it’s peer pressure, but since then I’ve been sketching here and there, brainstorming ideas for a comic. (A small one.) It’s been really fun, and I’ve gotten experience as well as improving my hand.
Begin the Chloe Ting 2020 SHRED Challenge!
Yep, I began it! It’ll carry on into January since it lasts two weeks. (Check out my post here, where I discuss some specifics of the program.) Update: I completed the 2020 Challenge!
So there are all my goals from the month of December!! I’ve never had so many goals in one month before and it’s literally flown by so fast! I’m super pumped for January too, though … *peeks at the ever-growing “January Goals” draft in my folder …*
Inspiration from this month:
You’ve gotta dance like there’s nobody watching,
Love like you’ll never be hurt,
Sing like there’s nobody listening,
And live like it’s heaven on earth. – William W. Purkey
“So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” Mathew 17:20-21, NKJV (emphasis mine.)
“I spent some time praying about all this and eventually realised this: my day might not be perfect, and I accept that, so how can I make the most of whatever happens, and what can I do in addition to make sure I’m making the most of each day?” (quoted from This is the day – Part 2 (From Not So Perfect.)
Update On What I’m Studying
Guys!! It was Hanukkah this month!! For those of you who don’t know the roots of Hanukkah, it’s a festival day of remembrance, referenced in the Bible as the “Feast of Rededication”. Jesus remembered it in John 10:22. It’s a festival which commemorates the re-dedication of the altar in the temple in the 2nd century B.C.E. (To see an amazing speaker on Hanukah and the layers of meaning within the word, see Keith Johnson’s speech at this link. To see the entire series (and trust me, these guys are good!) see this link.)
Recently I’ve been feeling the need to rededicate myself … not just the soul that makes me me, but my faith and my actions. I pledged to be a Hanochite – a woman trained, a fighter, someone who stands for what’s right – because that’s who I want to be.
Giving up myself for His Glory means taking breaks from working out hardcore, especially on Shabbat, so that I can glorify Him on the day of rest. I have to give up some of those things I obsess over that keep me from having relationship with Him, or keep me from reading my Bible. I want to go further in school, paying better attention and writing quality essays. I want to look deeper into the Word, praying about a passage I don’t understand rather than looking it up online or merely skipping past it.
Most of all, I want to go wherever he leads me. I want to do whatever he asks of me. My flesh doesn’t want to – but it’s necessary for spiritual growth.
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.” 1 Peter 3:15-16, NKJV
Thanks everyone for coming back to the blog! Stay awesome!
Makayla
What were your December goals? What goals are you excited to start working on this month? Let me know in the comments!
Yah's Girl 