The last six months have been some of the most-stretching, faith-building months of my entire life. I’ve jumped farther out of my comfort zone than I ever thought I would.
I recorded an audiobook, released a book, spoke in front of thousands of people (cumulatively — not all at once, gratefully!), traveled to the Dominican Republic with Compassion International, appeared on national television, did dozens and dozens of radio interviews, faced some of my greatest lifelong fears, and saw God come through in big and powerful ways on my behalf.
All of these are things I would have never dreamed I was capable of — and I wasn’t, in my own strength. But it has been a truly awesome experience to experience God’s power in my weakness, and His strength shining through a once very shy and insecure person like me. I’m living proof that, with God, all things are possible!
While I’ve loved {almost!} every minute of the last six months and am so thankful for my husband constantly cheerleading me and encouraging me to do things that are far outside my comfort zone, I’m very ready to step back and have a few weeks to just enjoy some quiet, relaxed days at home for the next few weeks.
Last week’s goals:
Family/Mothering Goals
1. Read five chapters each ofQuest for Truth:Takenand Thomas A Edison: Young Inventor aloud to the children.
2. Start reading a book individually with each child.3. Write a love note to Jesse.
4. Family trip to Joplin, MO.Personal Goals
5. Finish reading The Three R’s, Remembering You, and Read for the Heart.
6. Run at least five times.
7. Start listening to The Little Big Things8. Write and send two handwritten notes.
Home Management
9. Follow my Freezer Cooking plan and blog about it.Business Goals
10. Prep for my speaking engagement in Joplin, MO on Saturday.
This week’s goals:
Family/Mothering Goals
1. Finish reading Quest for Truth:Taken aloud to the children. Start reading Spy for the Night Riders.
2. Spend at least 30 minutes everyday doing something fun together as a family.
3. Write a love note to Jesse.
Personal Goals
4. Finish reading Escape from Saddam. Start The Referral Engine.
5. Run at least five times.
6. Listen to 2 hours of The Little Big Things.
7. Write and send two handwritten notes.
8. Sleep for at least 7.5 hours every night.
Home Management
8. Follow my Freezer Cooking plan and blog about it.
Business Goals
9. Get my “to answer” email file all cleaned out.
How did you do on last week’s goals? What are your goals for this week? I’d love to have you share your progress on last week’s goals and your goals for this coming week in the comments. Of, if you’ve blogged about it, leave your direct link below. Let’s cheer each other on to live purposeful and productive lives!
You can download a free customizable weekly goal-planning sheet here.
Beth says
Got mine linked! So nice to see that one of your goals this week is to get enough sleep! I had made that one of mine, as well! Great minds must think alike! 🙂
Amanda Nix says
Crystal,
How do you choose your read-aloud chapter books each week? Is this part of your homeschool curriculum or is there a reccommended list you follow?
Thanks!
Crystal says
We went through the recommended list from My Father’s World and now we’re working through a list I’ve put together from book recommendations I’ve collected from various places.
Amanda says
Thank you…I will look at My Father’s World. I’ve heard a lot of good things about this program!
Michelle Zielicke Murphy says
Thanks for keeping us accountable and motivated Crystal!
Katie says
Your goals have encouraged me to read more. I’ve read 15 books so far this year (which is really good for me!). I just finished a great one called “Choosing Gratitude” by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I highly recommend it and I think it would be one that you’d enjoy!
Crystal says
Thanks so much for the recommendation!
Jodi says
I love that one of your goals is to sleep 7.5 hours a night! I have a 7 month old who hasn’t figured this one out yet, so this would be a goal for me, lol!
Debora A. Acevedo says
Four years ago, my husband and I found ourselves with our son wanting to pursue a college education. We were thrilled but very scared because we did not have any money saved up for college. We wanted to help as much as we could. This week we will making our last payment of our son’s college tuition. In total, we paid approximately $41K, all paid in cash. My son worked part-time and paid for his textbooks, parking decal (not cheap), gas, car maintanance and other personal needs. I feel so very blessed that we were able to gift the start of his young adult life debt-free.
Carol@simple_catholic says
I’ve said this before, but you are such an inspiration Crystal. Allowing the Lord to work in your life is an encouragement and gift to all of us.
God bless.
Karla says
Got mine linked up! I have missed a few weeks but I have still been making lists & keeping goals on paper!
Crystal - Crystal's Ramblings says
Hope you have a great week. Thank you for always posting these. They help me so much. I have no idea how you do all you do!
Crystal - Crystal's Ramblings says
Hope you have a great week. Thank you for always posting these. They help me so much. I have no idea how you do all you do!
Lea Stormhammer says
Love this goal setting stuff! Never did get around to posting my follow-ups the last two weeks (or the actual list last week either!), but it’s helped me do much better at actually accomplishings. First time in forever that I’ve managed to stay caught up on my grading for my classes! Whoot!
Thanks for the inspiration and the “push”, Crystal!
Lea
Lydia says
Last week was a pretty good week, not to make this week better. Trying to find motivation even right now!
Kelly Logan says
I guess I am going to jump on the writing your goals for the week on your blog bandwagon…lol =)
Habakkuk 2:2
And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
Jody Susan says
This song by the Peasall Sisters has sort of become my mantra lately to remind me to slow down:
“Your Rushin’ Around Today”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y98Qv0JauU8
Goals for the week:
Do what is asked of me without allowing myself to get anxious
Finish formatting my Riding the Train ebook
Learn how to make yucca soap
Jen says
You are such an encouragement to me! I have to admit that sometimes I compare myself to you, and think you really are supermom, and Im not quite measuring up. When I hear you talk about your weaknesses( that we all have) it makes me feel like maybe there is hope for me :)) I hope to one day overcome some of my big fears like you have, congrats Im so proud of you 🙂
Crystal says
Can I just encourage you to step out and face your fears? I’m learning that the more I step out and do things that seem so hard, the easier they become. And I also get to see God’s faithfulness evidenced in big ways — I’m learning that I truly can do *all* things, through HIM!
Diane says
We are all human and can only do our best with what God has given us, which is probably a lot more than you’re thinking. I really do benefit from a written routine (and got a template from Crystal’s site) and also love having a list of things to do even if it’s not a bunch on it, it does help my productivity.
Shirley@motivatedmommyoftwo says
I had a pretty busy weekend, but still managed to accomplish some goals. What was not accomplished last week just got moved for this week.
I have linked up to my blog post.
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Coupons says
We are putting my dog down this week (we found out last week she has severe bone cancer that has almost eaten completely through her front left leg), so my whole family is taking this week easy, playing with her, taking pictures, and afterwards, spending quiet time with friends to help us grieve. But I did a goals list for this week anyway. 🙂
Crystal says
{Hugs!} I am SO sorry. 🙁
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Coupons says
Thank you! We had a wonderful 11 years with her. She was a rescue, and I think she helped us more than we helped her. 🙂
Jody Susan says
I am sorry about your dog. She looks so cute. 🙁
I wanted to say that I really like the name of your blog.
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Coupons says
Thank you for the sympathy and the compliment. 🙂
Megan says
I’m so sorry, too. It’s so heartbreaking to lose a beloved pet. 🙁
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Coupons says
Thank you for your sympathy. We will miss her, but we had a wonderful 11 years with her. She is our family’s angel.
Carol@simple_catholic says
So sorry about about your dog. I will pray for you and your family.
God bless.
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Coupons says
Thank you! You all are wonderful. I am so thankful for your support, and especially your prayers. Crystal has the best readers. 🙂
The Prudent Homemaker says
This week’s goals:
Cut out and sew a dress for my 5-year-old.
Harvest the peaches from our tree.
Pull out bolted chard and other bolted plants from the garden.
Plant more squash seeds.
Take family pictures.
Work on another sewing project or two.
Spend some time everyday reorganizing my walk-in pantry (30-60 minutes a day).
Put up new recipes on the site 🙂
Jen says
Thanks for the encouragement of your testimony of God’s faithfulness in stretching you beyond your comfort zone. What an amazing 6 months you have had!
Mackenzie says
One of my goals this month is to exercise more. I’ve already exercised 4 times so far in May and it’s only the 7th! I hope to keep the momentum going!! 🙂
Crystal says
Woot! Way to go! I’m proud of you!
Betsy @ Romance on a Dime says
Yes, you do deserve a much needed break!! Congrats on being stretched so much!! I linked up my goals for this week. (Last week I posted about my goals for the month of May – I excited May is here!)
Victoria @Snail Pace Transformations says
I have noticed that you have been really consistent with your running lately. Way to go! especially with all that you have going on. I don’t think I ever could have managed all you do when my kids were that little. You have amazing energy.
Crystal says
I was thinking of you and your amazing marathon when I thought I was going to throw-up on the treadmill this morning — and I made myself keep going even though I really, really wanted to quit. And I made my time goal — woot!!!
Shelly @ Frugal Family Home says
I got many of my goals accomplished last week. This week since we are supposed to have good weather I am hoping to get some gardening done with the kids. I am also following along with your 4 weeks freezer cooking.
I am amazed at how much you get done each week.