The best thing that happened to me this year was the birth of Charles. The second best thing that happened was the job Greg landed, allowing him to work from home a lot of the time. There are so many “third best things” that I can’t decide what should go first: our health, our peace, our having enough and more, our children’s hearts that are still so impressionable.

Like every year before, I’d like to read more good books, lose 10 pounds, and love Jesus more. Not much changes. Dave Barry says, “…you need to make some New Year’s resolutions so that you can become a better you — a more-attractive you, an organized you, a you that is … well, less like you.” Ain’t that the truth.

However, it does no good to make a resolution that doesn’t have a concrete plan-of-action attached to it. For example, if I want to read more great books, there are a couple obstacles that need some tackling. So I made a plan.

The first thing I did was find out what the good books are by doing a Google search. I found all the “expert” lists and realized that out of the TOP 100 BOOKS OF ALL TIME, I’ve only already read two of them. I’m on my way.

The second thing I did was order some of them.

The third thing I will do is convert my Bible reading to King James so that I can be more familiar with sound and cadence of Old English. A lot of the good books are in Old English. Exercise the mind and you will exercise the soul. (You can quote me on that.) Just to ease into things, I’m starting with Dr. Suess’ Green Eggs and Ham.

In closing, I guess I’m with Dave Barry again, “…I wish you the best of luck with your New Year’s resolutions, and I will do my best to keep my own resolution, which is to give you, every single week, the most useful, informative and accurate columns I possibly can. Starting next year.”

Happy new year, family and friends alike!

Green Eggs and Ham

During these busy years while you take care of small children and give yourself to being a godly wife and mother, lay the firm footing on which good writing must be built. Read great books if you have time to read anything at all. Get rid of the junk that comes in the mail, eschew all magazines and newspapers if your reading time is limited, and by “hearing” the really great authors, learn the sound and cadence of good English.
~Our favorite tell-it-like-it-is lady, Elisabeth Elliot