Changes for 2008
As some of you may know, Sean and I don't really make New Year resolutions. However, we happen to be making a lot of changes lately, just as the New Year is beginning. We are evaluating our lives, which is something we try to do several times each year, to make sure we are being the best people we can be in relation to God and others. Over the months that Sean was in Iraq, we both read some books that impacted us, and we have been sharing those new ideas with eachother now that he is home.
We began by checking on eachother's spiritual health. This was something new for us (an idea from one of our books), and it was pretty cool. We had some really good discussions which helped us be more in-tune to how to help and understand eachother spiritually, and to see areas where we needed to have our own hearts be more open.
Now, we are discussing how we can live our lives in a way that is not harmful to God's creation. For us, this includes everything from how we treat others, to what we purchase with our money. We see how some of these choices can support a system that takes advantage of the poor and neglected or potentially harms the earth, and we want to avoid making choices that would do that as much as possible.
One of the biggest changes, is that we are now a one-vehicle family! Of course, we had some selfish reasons for this decision. With Sean going back to get his Masters in May, he will not have time to deal with the unwelcome distraction of car problems. And, since both of our vehicles had just run out their warranty coverage and had reached the 60,000 mile mark, we decided the best option for our upcoming situation, was to sell both vehicles, and to lease a new one. This made sense particularly because we won't really need two cars when we move to the D.C. area, since we'll be utilizing the metro there. Plus, we chose a small car with good gas mileage. So, there are benefits all around. We've put a few pictures of our new car below. . .
Anyway, these changes are happening all at once for us. And, they really mean a lot to us. I guess we just had a lot to catch up on since Sean was gone for four months!
We began by checking on eachother's spiritual health. This was something new for us (an idea from one of our books), and it was pretty cool. We had some really good discussions which helped us be more in-tune to how to help and understand eachother spiritually, and to see areas where we needed to have our own hearts be more open.
Now, we are discussing how we can live our lives in a way that is not harmful to God's creation. For us, this includes everything from how we treat others, to what we purchase with our money. We see how some of these choices can support a system that takes advantage of the poor and neglected or potentially harms the earth, and we want to avoid making choices that would do that as much as possible.
One of the biggest changes, is that we are now a one-vehicle family! Of course, we had some selfish reasons for this decision. With Sean going back to get his Masters in May, he will not have time to deal with the unwelcome distraction of car problems. And, since both of our vehicles had just run out their warranty coverage and had reached the 60,000 mile mark, we decided the best option for our upcoming situation, was to sell both vehicles, and to lease a new one. This made sense particularly because we won't really need two cars when we move to the D.C. area, since we'll be utilizing the metro there. Plus, we chose a small car with good gas mileage. So, there are benefits all around. We've put a few pictures of our new car below. . .
Anyway, these changes are happening all at once for us. And, they really mean a lot to us. I guess we just had a lot to catch up on since Sean was gone for four months!
posted by Danielle | 1:14 PM
4 Comments:
Sounds like you two really have your heads screwed on straight! We are very proud of you for doing the spiritual evaluation putting the most important thing first! I'm sure God will honor your commitment to Him and to each other.
Getting down to one car is an idea that Daddy has been batting around too since we are both retired and rarely go anywhere without the other one. Sounds like a very wise move!
Love and hugs to you both! xo Mom
Smart decisions that show good stewardship of your own resources and the earth's resources.
Let us know more about your upcoming move when you have more details.
Love you both,
Melinda
P.S. Has nothing to do with the previous, other than involves evaluation. Our primary is Tuesday, and after evaluating the candiates, thanks to your input, Danielle, the input of others, and all I've been reading, I'm voting for Ron Paul. (Melinda)
I liked what Ron Paul had to say in the debate in January. However, what he said was in such a different dimension than what the other candidates were saying, that I'm not sure anyone caught on that his ideas were good ones. I did not disagree with what he said, but I think the country as a whole would be unable to adjust to his ideas if he were President.
Personally, I liked Kucinich. But again, his ideas were also that which the country as a whole would not be able to swallow.
It's sad that their ideas seem to be held by such a minority. . .or at least get distracted from so easily. To me values like peace, caring for the poor, sound monetary policies and keeping to the Constitution should be fundamental to our nation.
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