20 Questions: Reflecting on 2012

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Years! We had a wonderful time visiting my family up in Minnesota. If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you probably are well aware of that...I did post a lot of pictures. 

Before I plunge too far into 2013, I want to take some time to reflect on 2012. I am pretty big on setting goals and looking to the future, but I feel that to properly check myself, I need to remember the good and learn from the not-so-good of the past months. 

I got these great questions from Simple Mom.

1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?

Becoming 100% debt free was definitely the highlight of our year!

2. What was the single most challenging thing that 

happened?

Becoming debt free. For us, that meant that we had to practice a lot of delayed gratification. We had to put a lot of things on hold, and we still do.

3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?

I found a deeper joy in my marriage and in my friendships this year. We have lived in Oklahoma for 2 years now, and sometimes I still feel like we are getting settled, but God has blessed us here. 

4. What was an unexpected obstacle?

Myself! I have realized that I need to change before my circumstances will change. That was ~and still is~ an unexpected obstacle sometimes.

5. Pick three words to describe 2012.

Testing. Stretching. Growth.

6. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe your 2012—don’t ask them; guess based on how you think your spouse sees you. 

I think Jeff would agree with my three words above. Although many good things happened & I learned so much, I wouldn't want to repeat 2012! 

7. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe their 2012—again, without asking.

Motivating. Stretching. Encouraging. 

8. What were the best books you read this year?

Grown-Up Girlfriends - by Erin Smalley & Carrie Oliver

Love & Respect - by Emerson Eggerichs

Finding the Hero in Your Husband - by Julianna Slattery

9. With whom were your most valuable relationships?

My mom - she a wonderful friend & mentor. I love her dearly. I wouldn't have survived this year without her!

Mary Beth - this girl pushes me to grow spiritually, emotionally, physically, & creatively. She is a kindred spirit.  

I'm going to lump this last one up into an entire family: the Ascols. They readily adopted us and made us feel at home here in Oklahoma. What a sweet family! We love them much-ly {I'm coining that word}.

10. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?

I learned that I can lay my worries and hurts at the foot of the cross and leave them there. Sometime I would turn around and pick them right back up, but I learned to give them up more often and leave them there longer. God's grace is sufficient for my hurt, and that is something to marvel at.

11. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?

I learned that my joy does not have to depend on what another person does or does not do to/for me. I still fail miserably at this, but I feel like I grew in this area in 2012.  

12. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?

I felt that I took things to the Lord in prayer a lot quicker than I have in the past. 

13. In what way(s) did you grow physically?

I started running! I have never been a runner, but I decided that I would become one. Jeff and I ran my first 5K in August. And I stopped drinking Diet Coke {regularly anyway}.

14. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others?

Some may beg to differ, but I feel like my relationships are more mature now than they were a year ago. I read that "Grown-Up Girlfriends" book, and I learned so much about what a mature relationship should look like. I have a lot to learn, but I feel like I made some progress. And I feel like my relationship with Jeff has just gotten stronger {it's certainly not perfect, but we are always working on it}. I also felt that I got to connect with so many of my readers here this last year. I absolutely love getting to know you through your blogs or through Facebook & Instagram.

15. What was the most enjoyable part of your work (both professionally and at home)?

Well, I got a new nanny job this last year, and I love it. It is more than what I was hoping for! At home, I have really enjoyed working on little projects around the house and sharing them with you all here on PDR. This blog has been a lot of fun this year! I'm only planning to make it better in 2013...so please stick around :). 

16. What was the most challenging part of your work (both professionally and at home)?

I love the two little girls I nanny full time, and with that care comes a mother-like concern to make the right choices in the day-to-day things. Caring for children is such a special thing, and I do not take my responsibility lightly. At home, the most challenging thing is time - the lack of it. As I am sure most everyone can relate to my sentiments. 

17. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?

To be honest, I let certain people occupy way too much of my time & mental energy. It was quite unhealthy. Time spent on social media would be up there too :)

18. What was the best way you used your time this past year?

We didn't have cable TV this whole last year & I very rarely turned on the radio. I replaced it with listening to the Bible and listening to positive CD's and reading. I tend to have a very negative self-talk, so I put in good things to listen to to shut me up. :) Call me crazy. 

19. What was biggest thing you learned this past year?

Basically the things I mentioned in #11-14, but also, I learned to be happy and confident with how God made me. 

20. Create a phrase or statement that describes 2012 for you.

"God's plans for my life far exceeded the circumstances of my day 2012." {roughly quoted from Louie Giglio}. 

*****

I have been doing a lot of thinking on my goals for 2013. Jeff and I sat down and wrote out a bunch of them on our way home from Minnesota, and it was very good to get them out on paper. What about you? Have you written out your goals {or resolutions} for 2013? It's not too late! 

Have you picked out your One Little Word to focus on this year? I'll be sharing my word {and why I chose it} with you in my next post. Be ready to share yours!  

{connect with Emily here}