32 things I am hoping for this year!

So here I am working on a paper three hours before the 32nd anniversary of my birth. Not a big deal this year, other than the fact that in recent days I have been able to reflect very specifically on the things I would like for God to accomplish in my life. With age comes a greater longing for heaven and an urgent desire to be united with my precious Jesus. So here is a list of 32 things that I would like to either experience or see God do in my life this year. I hesitate to publish it because then I become more accountable to it, but hey, sometimes that is the best way to be motivated toward the goal.

1. Finish my thesis and graduate with my master of arts in biblical counseling
2. Tell my niece and nephew more about Christ and all that He is for us and all that He delivers us from
3. Become a more compassionate counselor to the young women God has placed in my life
4. Study Christ every single day and seek to become more and more like Him
5. Meet my husband
6. Gain more control over my emotions and learn true forgiveness
7. Intentionally disciple the young children God has providentially placed in my life, always pointing them to the only salvation that can redeem them from their black hearts
8. Be selfless! Die to my desires, wishes, demands and expectations
9. Go on another mission trip - school has consumed me the past two years and I long to go once again to Africa or Romania or anywhere to share what Christ has done in me
10. Love my pastors and church leaders more diligently, pray for them more intentionally and serve them more sacrificially
11. Use my conversations with friends as a way to build up and encourage the cause of Christ, drawing us into sweet fellowship with Him that supersedes our own inward motivations of wanting to be liked and appreciated
12. See my sin more clearly in the very moment it appears - and even more so, to identify the motives behind it
13. Pursue humility - look for ways to be anonymous and unknown in my ministries
14. To know my heart more clearly and to examine the drives behind every word that is said and every thought that is contemplated
15. Write more
16. Pray more diligently for Addy, Rory, Kiersten, Kalli, Baby boy Clayton, Autumn, Noah, Payton, Daniel, Elizabeth, Joshua - for their redemption!
17. Stop looking at myself and look more closely at others, seeking opportunities to bless, provide for needs, uplift with words of life, provide pleasant communion
18. Get back to hospitality and keeping my home better, in spite of all the demands of my schooling
19. Plant a garden and maintain it
20. Counsel women in crisis situations, maybe volunteer at the local crisis pregnancy center
21. Read for fun instead of just for school
22. Save $500
23. Give away more stuff to others instead of hoarding everything for myself - and to give away things that are of significant value to me, not merely things I no longer care about
24. Speak out as much as possible about the principles of biblical counseling in the local church (ALL believers are called to counsel in some way or another)
25. Spend a day with my Mom doing something completely relaxing and indulgent
26. Guard my tongue more diligently, speaking only what is TRUE, KIND and NECESSARY
27. See lost family members who are in denial about their sin come to repentance and find Christ most satisfying and worthy of all honor and praise
28. Help some sweet young ladies plan and enjoy a most beautiful and joyous wedding day, while at all times pointing to the value of Christ and His bride, the Church
29. Overlook small offenses that I so quickly pick up and carry around
30. Rejoice in the opportunities God has given me to serve Him in lowly positions and to be grateful for the provisions He has given in them
31. To show my parents that I love them more faithfully and consistently
32. Love Christ and value Him above any earthly thing - laying aside any single thing or person that might cause me to take my eyes off of Him even for one moment