A lot of things have been stewing around in my mind these past few days. 2008 is already over, and 2009 is beginning.

When I was younger, the passing of time seemed so slow, it frustrated me. Christmas seemed to come only once in a lifetime, summer lasted for ages, and being told that something was a year or more away caused the event to be filed in a fantasy, ‘that-will-never-happen-so-I-might-as-well-forget-about-it’ area in the back of my mind. Things like vacations, holidays, special events, and being ‘a grown-up.’

All of a sudden, I’m staring life in the face, wondering what happened to my careless childhood years. I always wanted to be older, cherished every birthday, looked eagerly forward to the next one. My mother used to tell me to wish to be nothing more than a little girl. She told me that I would be an adult for most of my life, to enjoy childhood, it is fleeting. Of course, being young and naive as I was, I heard, but I didn’t listen.

This year, I have come across a realization. I will never again be eight years old. Does this mean, perhaps, that I will also never again be eighteen years old? That the next three months will be the last three months that I will ever be the age that I am now? 2009 will pass just as quickly as 2008 did. Perhaps faster. My mother also tells me that time flies at a greater speed with each passing year. With this in mind, my most significant resolution this year is to waste no time.

I want every moment of every day in 2009 to be spent in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. I want to make sure that I waste no opportunity to further His kingdom. I shan’t squander the days away, not investing in the lives around me, keeping to myself, for my own selfish gain. I resolve to be an encourager, gentle, helpful, and industrious.

I don’t know how many years the Lord has for me on this earth, and I don’t know how long I will be a stay at home daughter, but I’m determined to use this season of my life to it’s fullest advantage.

I am so grateful to God for His bounteous blessings! I marvel at His goodness. No matter what 2009 holds, my hope and strength is in Him.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

That being said, I do have a few other, specific, and slightly more trivial resolutions for 2009.

• Become a proficient seamstress

This is because I have a new sewing machine now, and I have tons and tons of projects I want to try. Plus, I think it would be very handy to be able to sew anything I’d like.

• Get more involved with my community, and church

I feel a need to reach out to those in my community and church family, if the opportunity arises. This might include volunteering at a nursing home, making dinners for families who are sick or have a new baby, jumping in and helping plan events, volunteering to play the piano during church services, or typing up a document for the pastor. Helping people in whatever needs arise. In the past I would tend to be a bit of an introvert, allowing others to take initiative in these matters, but I’m determined to do things differently.

• Become a successful beekeeper

I define success as keeping bees throughout the entire spring and summer without freaking out, getting stung numerous times, or my colony swarming away. Oh, and a little honey wouldn’t be too terrible.

• Help my mother by learning to ‘work deals’

My family tries to be very frugal, and my mom uses coupons and her CVS card to get lots of free items, and deals. I help her a lot, but I know it would be very nice if I were to take over this task for her.

• Read at least one meaningful book a month

I got this great idea from the Headmistress, over at The Common Room. I love to read, so this one shouldn’t be too hard. I do tend to read about things that I find interesting, and I visit the biography and ‘how-to’ sections of the library entirely too much, so this year, I want to complete several really tough books. I haven’t made my entire list out yet, but I want to include some history, theology, and other such topics. I’m open to suggestions!

• Help with the family project: A great big vegetable garden and fruit trees

Won’t that be fun? Quite ingenious, I must say. I wasn’t the one who thought of it. I’m very excited by the idea that my honey bees will help with the garden’s productivity.

• Stay more organized and on top of my ‘jurisdictions’

I have to make sure to keep the laundry caught up and organized, otherwise I may end up like the residents of Pompeii. I’m also going to take on a new task: Planning and cooking dinner. Another big help to my family. This will go hand-in-hand with my next resolution…

• Learn to cook and bake more difficult things

Also, I must find out why 1 out of 4 batches of bread I bake either turns out hard as a rock, or doesn’t rise. Only two things will help me find the cause: Investigation and experimentation.

• Become a better writer

Last, but not least. I’ll use this blog as my means. You’ll let me know by the end of the year if I’ve accomplished this one, won’t you?

Now. I’d love to hear your resolutions. Go ahead.