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New Blue Folder

I Know it's a bit late to say Happy New Year" but I'm really only just feeling ready to start a new year! We had a great break - a nice mixture of full-on extended family time, and times when it was "just us". We got away for a few days over new year to stay with old friends in Norfolk - our dog Nemo loved the waves at Southwold! Then we were all back at school and work last Tuesday - Jacob even had exams poor thing!
So this last week has been a bit of a mixture - early starts, work clothes, school uniforms, packed lunches, back in routine. But we've also had the Christmas tree still up, and the outside lights twinkling, the candles and the Christmas drinks and food still in the house  "anyone for a piece of Christmas cake with your cup of coffee?"
All of that contributes to me not really feeling like I'm starting the new year with a bang! But two things have happened - first, I've released myself from the pressure of a "perfect start to the new year" and second, all those Christmassy bits have now gone back in the cupboard, the tree's been recycled, I'm giving away any sweets we have left (I'll still be enjoying my mum's Christmas cake with my coffee this week though). And yesterday we took Zak back to Uni....
I've also  bought this lovely new blue folder for all my REAL thoughts and documents. I find that new stationary can make all the difference - I'm ready now!

So I've read lots of other people's new year thoughts, and a couple stand out for me, and they might inspire you too, especially if you've had a slower start to 2012.

The first is to think of One Word for 2012 - a word to focus on, to ask God to challenge you with, a word that, with the Holy Spirit's help you want to work on your character this year. I've got one, and I'll blog about it later. Have you got a One Word?

The other challenge is to take the time to write out 11 things you are thankful for in 2011, and 12 hopes/desires/dreams you have for 2012.

"Because we know that this extraordinary day is just ahead, we pray for you all the time—pray that our God will make you fit for what he's called you to be, pray that he'll fill your good ideas and acts of faith with his own energy so that it all amounts to something. If your life honors the name of Jesus, he will honor you. Grace is behind and through all of this, our God giving himself freely, the Master, Jesus Christ, giving himself freely."
I Thessalonians :11-12 (The Message)

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