Happy New Year!

I have spent the last few days, as I am sure many others have, reviewing 2010 and thinking about goals, hopes and dreams for 2011 and beyond. Below are a few of my reflections...


Review of Last Year
In 2010 I...

• graduated from the Master of Nonprofit Administration program at the University of Notre Dame
• turned 30
• rode a mechanical bull
• went on 4 retreats
• lost 40 pounds by staying abstinent of sugar, flour, wheat and caffeine one day at at time (started July 14th, 2010)
• rang in the New Year in style with amazing new friends! 
• traveled to California, Oregon, Idaho and Arizona
• celebrated the 10 year anniversary of Maggie's Place, the one year anniversary of The Zechariah House, and the first annual MP9K in Ohio
• posted pictures from my trip to the Holy Land (finally!) - link
• celebrated one year of sobriety
• grew in my ability to live One Day at a Time
• continued to grow in my relationship with God and to rely on his grace and providence 

There were many challenging parts of 2010, but from each of them I learned a great deal and am becoming more of the person God wants me to be. In 2010 I am grateful to have...

• celebrated the birth of dozens of babies into the world with the moms at Maggie's Place and friends around the country
• photographed a dear friend's wedding 
• been surrounded by people who love me through the good, bad and the ugly
• experienced how God works on and removes our faults and shortcomings in his timing when we surrender and Him for help
• developed many new friendships
• witnessed lives being transformed and hope being renewed through Maggie's Place, AA and FAA

Goals for Next Year 
In 2011 I hope to...

• complete an Olympic triathlon (Goal: Greater Cleveland Triathlon - August 8, 2011)
• travel to a state and foreign country I have never been to (Top Contenders: Tennessee and Italy)
• celebrate another year of sobriety and a year abstinent from sugar, flour, wheat and caffeine
• maintain my current weight
• ask that God would use my life, my time & my finances in ways that challenge me
• start and complete several prerequisite courses for nursing school
• attend several retreats (an 8 day Ignatian (silent) retreat is on the top of the list)
• try my hand at new craft projects (knitting and sewing related) 
• to grow in love for and patience with (did I just pray for patience?) those I live and work with
• continue to walk with people as they allow God to transform and renew their lives
• continue to be open to God's will for my life

101 in 1001 
To see more of my goals for 2011 and the years ahead check out the 101 in 1001 page (link). I have listed 101 of my hopes, goals and dreams that I hope to achieve and realize in the next 1001 days. I plan to update the list and blog regularly with my 101 in 1001 adventures.I got the idea to create this list when browsing photography blogs. I have created a list before, but have never published it or share it with other. It is a great exercise to do to help you put your goals, hope and dreams down and to be grateful for all that you have accomplished and been blessed to experience. 


Thanks for reading my inaugural post! Wishing you and yours many blessings in 2011!