Personal – Goal 1 – This month is Valentine’s day.  With that in mind, I will hand write 8 personal notes to people on my heart and send them via snail mail.  That’s keeping it personal and something that I’ve been wanting to incorporate for a long time.

{UPDATE}  I did it…dropped the last card in the mail today!!  I enjoyed doing this.  I will not make this a goal on-going but I will be mindful of doing it when I feel compelled.  It blesses others and it brings me joy.

Professional – Goal 2 – I will write one “longer” blog weekly and post it every Wednesday this month, that’s the day! February 2, 9, 16, 23

{UPDATE}  I was 50/50 on this one, not so bad for flying by the seat of my pants.  Last week I wrote about “friends” – the word gets thrown around so loosely these days…you can check it out by clicking HERE .

Emotional – Goal 3 – I will read my vision identity statement every day.  This gives me strength and helps me focus.

{UPDATE}  Thanks to the comments of encouragement and I ideas I received from last weeks update, I read this a few more time.  Not everyday, but several – I’ve got it saved on my iPhone now so it’s easily accessible.  I will continue to tap into this statement; it’s truth, it’s encouraging, it keeps me grounded and focused on my audience of One.

Looking forward now to March’s “bite-sized” chunks.  Here are the 3 goals I am sharing…

Personal – Goal 1 – Write Daily.  I have a new deadline for the book, a new publication date with the publisher.  My desire is to meet this deadline, to accomplish that, I need to carve out time everyday to write.  I can do THIS!

Relationships – Goal 2 – “Seek to understand, rather than to be understood.”  That is what I want to focus in all my relationships, especially with my husband and my boys.  Understanding.

Emotional – Goal 3 - Finish reading The Me I Want to Be – by John Ortberg <– loving it…almost done.  And finish reading Fearless – by Max Lucado <– started it…loving it!  I’ve got these two books going, I want to finish them – they ecourage, empower, educate.

March means to walk with deliberation, advance, to go forward, proceed; step.

I want to move forward. grow.  Bring on March!

Personal - Goal 1 – This month is Valentine’s day.  With that in mind, I will hand write 8 personal notes to people on my heart and send them via snail mail.  That’s keeping it personal and something that I’ve been wanting to incorporate for a long time.

{UPDATE}  I have the cards purchased, but I have not written in them or sent them.  Thank goodness I’ve got more days left in this month to accomplish this goal.

Professional – Goal 2 – I will write one “longer” blog weekly and post it every Wednesday this month, that’s the day! February 2, 9, 16, 23

{UPDATE}  I’ve met 1 of these dates so far for the month, February 2.  You can check it out here –> Two Ears, One Mouth

Emotional - Goal 3 – I will read my vision identity statement every day.  This gives me strength and helps me focus.

{UPDATE}  This should’ve been the easiest one of all, but I’ve only read this a couple of times so far.  That will change!

Tomorrow is a new day!  I’m reflecting on what I have accomplished instead of what I have not.  We moved this month, that was a major undertaking.  I am grateful that everything went well, we are getting settled, our family is healthy, happy, and thrilled to make the new house our home.  That was my set back, not my excuse just my set back.  I choose to move forward and start fresh tomorrow.  I will plan and take action.  I am encouraged and will leave you with this to encourage you…

“Count your blessings. Once you realize how valuable you are and how much you have going for you, the smiles will return, the sun will break out, the music will play, and you will finally be able to move forward the life that God intended for you with grace, strength, courage, and confidence.” ~ Og Mandino

Wrapping up this first month of 2011, I have two words that describe how I feel:  WOW and EXHAUSTED  I have stretched, grown, been challenged, and refined.  Here’s my update:

Personal – Goal 1 – Review and Write Daily to meet the deadline. I will eliminate distractions for 8 hours each weekday up to the 14th, go to my quiet comfy office and write.

{UPDATE}  I’ve not picked this up since I missed the deadline and I feel o.k. about it.  I’ve surrendered my will and my timeline.  I’m praying about how to move forward and know that a new timeline is coming soon.  In the meantime, I will incorporate edits that I’ve received back and when {if} I feel compelled to write, I will.  Otherwise, March is on my radar for the book.  =)

Professional – Goal 2 – I will write one “longer” blog weekly and post it every Thursday, that’s the day! January 6, 13, 20, 27 (26th)

{UPDATE}  DONE!  A day early this week, Wednesday instead of Thursday.  You can read it  HERE <—— Persevere!!

Health and Wellness – Goal 3 – I will wake up at 5:00am M-F and have my ME time. Read, pray, exercise, drink coffee, reflect, plan.

{UPDATE}  I had my coffee and quiet time with God every day!  priceless.

Looking forward now to February’s “bite-sized” chunks.  Here are the 3 goals I am sharing…

Personal – Goal 1 – This month is Valentine’s day.  With that in mind, I will hand write 8 personal notes to people on my heart and send them via snail mail.  That’s keeping it personal and something that I’ve been wanting to incorporate for a long time.

Professional – Goal 2 – I will write one “longer” blog weekly and post it every Wednesday this month, that’s the day! February 2, 9, 16, 23

Emotional – Goal 3 – I will read my vision identity statement every day.  This gives me strength and helps me focus.

Once again, of course, I have several other goals this month that I am working on.  I’m excited to see what God has in store for me this month.  I continue to be grateful for His blessings, gifts, opportunities, and the amazing people he’s brought into my life.

Moving forward, that is what this is all about, right?  Whether our move is BIG or small the fact that we are pressing on, moving ahead is what matters.  Here is my update……

Personal – Goal 1 – Review and Write Daily to meet the deadline. I will eliminate distractions for 8 hours each weekday up to the 14th, go to my quiet comfy office and write.

{UPDATE}  Frankly, I would really like to throw this goal out the window.  NOT because I don’t want to finish what I’ve started, but because I don’t like seeing the date that I missed.  =(  This week I didn’t move forward on this goal as much as I would’ve liked to; maybe it’s because I worked on it so intense last week that I’m a little burnt out.  Anyway, it’s not done, but I’m making baby steps.  I have not established a new deadline yet as the next couple of weeks for me are full, full, full!  Not sure how much time I will be able to dedicate to this…….

Professional – Goal 2 – I will write one “longer” blog weekly and post it every Thursday, that’s the day! January 6, 13, 20, 27

{UPDATE}  DONE!  Read it  HERE <—— how are your chain of thoughts impacting you?

Health and Wellness – Goal 3 – I will wake up at 5:00am M-F and have my ME time. Read, pray, exercise, drink coffee, reflect, plan.

{UPDATE}  The 5:00am wake up didn’t happen every day this week, BUT I had a good productive week.

As I’m writing this, I realize these are just 3 of my goals.  I’m reflecting on the progress I’ve made this week as I have many goals that I work on everyday; progress!  There are big, life changing, things happening in my world that I am working through; I’ve been looking for an easy button and can’t find one. =)    I’m happy to be moving forward, not stuck or idle, and not slipping backwards.  God continues to amaze me as I see Him moving and working in my life and in those around me.  BIG or small, I PRESS ON and leave you with the verse that carried me this week…..

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9

My “bite-sized” Chunks weren’t feeling so “bite-sized” – ugh!  Reflecting on the week, this is what comes to mind:  Surrender; Your will, NOT mine!  This week was very tough, but I am not quitting!  Here is my update……

Personal – Goal 1 – Review and Write Daily to meet the deadline. I will eliminate distractions for 8 hours each weekday up to the 14th, go to my quiet comfy office and write.

{UPDATE}  Last week I developed a plan to meet this goal, I hopped on a plane to escape from my life ‘distractions’ for a few days.  I focused, I worked hard, I can honestly say I did my best.  However, I did not meet my deadline. <– key word my.  I’ve submitted 3 chapters to my “editing peeps” and I continue to press on.  I will establish a new deadline with the publisher and again readjust my goal.

Professional - Goal 2 – I will write one “longer” blog weekly and post it every Thursday, that’s the day! January 6, 13, 20, 27

{UPDATE}  DONE!  Read it  HERE <—— a glimpse into my heart; my stumbling block with goal 1

Health and Wellness – Goal 3 – I will wake up at 5:00am M-F and have my ME time. Read, pray, exercise, drink coffee, reflect, plan.

{UPDATE} Did it!  BUT, because it was such an emotional week, it felt a little distant, distracted; kind of like going through the motions.

I continue to be grateful for this accountability and for the way God has revealed Himself to me as I journey.  He knows how the pieces of the puzzle will come together, my role; surrender {easier said than done, right?}  Until next week – I will PRESS ON and leave you with this quote…..

“Failure is not falling down but refusing to get up.” ~ Chinese Proverbs

“bite-sized” Chunks that’s what I’m calling these.  Overall?  The week went well; here’s my update:

Personal – Goal 1 – Review and Write Daily to meet the deadline. I will eliminate distractions for 8 hours each weekday up to the 14th, go to my quiet comfy office and write.

{UPDATE}  This didn’t happen because life DID!  So, I had to readjust my goal.  I wrote as much as I could this week, BUT what I’ve decided is that I need to get away; lock myself up away from distractions in order to make this deadline.  That’s what I’m going to do!  I’ve developed a plan.  =)

Professional - Goal 2 – I will write one “longer” blog weekly and post it every Thursday, that’s the day! January 6, 13, 20, 27

{UPDATE}  DONE!  Read it  HERE

Health and Wellness - Goal 3 – I will wake up at 5:00am M-F and have my ME time. Read, pray, exercise, drink coffee, reflect, plan.

{UPDATE} DONE!  Feel great. connected. healthy. energized!

So glad I decided it join in on the 3 in 30 challenge. (not familiar with this challenge? you can find out more here!)  Until next week – I will PRESS ON and leave you with this quote…..

“Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough.”                - Og Mandino

Anyway, I saw this tweet come through my timeline on twitter:  @leighgray: Do u have ur year verse for 2011 yet? If not, ask Him for it. He will provide! He is good like that!

I loved this tweet!  I re-tweeted it so others who follow my tweets could see it.  What a GREAT idea, a year verse for 2011!  I’m sure this idea isn’t new for some of you, BUT for me?  It is!  I’m not a fan of declaring New Year’s resolutions, but a verse for 2011?  This got me thinking; what could mine be?  What could I use as my anchor?  What truth could I refer back to as I journey through 2011?

As I reflected back over the past year it hit me that I did have an “anchor” for 2010.  Something that kept me grounded, allowed me to move forward when I was stuck, and helped strengthen me when I was weak.  I just hadn’t given it a name like “anchor” nor did I declare it for 2010.  It wasn’t a verse, it was simply this:  When I am willing, He is able.

I constantly rely upon this simple statement to help me maintain an attitude of willingness.  I will keep the reminder handy as I continue to grow, it has been essential for me, but moving into the New Year I’m going to change it up.  I’m choosing a verse to be my anchor; my place to rest upon for 2011:

“Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.” Daniel 11:35

I stumble; I will continue to stumble.  I make mistakes; I will continue to make mistakes.  I am not perfect; I will never be perfect.  When I start to tell myself that I’m not measuring up, If I start to feel that I’m not good enough, when I mess up – I will ground myself in Daniel 11:35.

What will be your anchor for 2011?  Do you have a verse, a quote, a saying that keeps you grounded?  Maybe you have one that stays consistent through the years?  If not, I challenge you to find something and when you do, SHARE it – with ME!!  (I would LOVE to know!)  If you choose to do this and get stuck, remember what @leighgray said in her tweet…….ask Him for it.  He will provide!  He is good like that!

He is!

By the way, if you’re a tweeter my twitter name is @keepitpersonal – connect with me there! =)

If you heard about our partnership today on the radio and you’re stopping by to check us out ~ WELCOME!

Our mission is to be a daily reminder for people to keep it real by keeping it personal. Through sharing our experiences and our stories online, we hope to inspire you to keep it personal as you connect with your community and others around you.  You can read more about what we are up to by following this link.

We invite you to KIP with US!  Be challenged, encouraged, and inspired by receiving your Daily KIP one of the following ways:  Bookmark this page, sign up to get the Daily KIP in your email inbox, join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

ALSO, we invite you to join us as we KIP with God.  Take this journey with us as we DIG into God’s Word.  Follow this link to learn more.

We look forward to interacting and sharing with you daily!

Keeping it Personal,

Teri & Leah

I felt God tugging at my soul, He said, “Draw near to me!  I have some things I want to share with you!”  I responded to the tug…..I made the decision to discover for my self what His plan was for me.  THE BEST decision I ever made!  Through God’s Word, I am seeing first hand how amazingly cool He IS!  My life was changed in just 30 short days, it continues to change as my journey through His Word continues.  Since I started keeping it personal with God daily, I’ve had the opportunity to share what I’m doing with several friends.  They too have made the decision to DIG into the Word and their lives are changed.  SUPER EXCITING!!

So, now?  As I continue on this amazing life changing path, I’m being called to ‘replicate’ ~ and share it with you!  Let me ask you a couple of questions:

Do you have the desire to establish a closer relationship with God and discover what His plan is for your life?

Are you struggling with life’s challenges and burnt out of carrying all the weight on your shoulders?

Are you looking for answers and direction for your life?

If your answer to any or ALL of these questions is YES,  consider joining us on a daily journey as we KIP with God.

“Come near to God, and God will come near to you….”  James 4:8

We want to encourage you to do just that, draw near to God.  He will meet you right where you are at!  As we get to know Him, draw near to him by reading His Word, He will reveal Himself to us and work in our lives to remove ANYTHING that blocks us from Him.

Not only do we want to encourage you to dig into God’s Word daily, we want to take this one step further, create accountability.  One thing that MOST people lack and DON’T seek out is accountability.  We invite you to tap into a weekly 30 minute accountability call.  On this call we will simply talk about what we are learning, encourage each other, and share what God is doing.

We’ve chosen this scripture as the foundation for this area of ministry, KIP with God through Keeping it Personal, “By yourself you’re unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A three-stranded rope isn’t easily snapped.” ~Ecclesiastes 4:12 (Msg)  This is accountability, we can be the ‘friend’ ~  our hope is that you too, at some point, will be inspired to replicate, share what’s happening in our life and ’round up a third.’

If this is something that you’re interested in learning more about, we would love to connect with you!!  Please contact us by following this link ~ send us a message and we will be in touch with you! We would love for you to join us on our KIP with God Journey!

My mind is racing about this simple question, prompted by my experience tonight……..If I say YES when I really mean NO, am I being dishonest?  Looking back in my life I can identify MANY times where I said YES but meant NO.  The outcome of most of those situations didn’t turn out so good, for a lot of reasons.

Don’t get me wrong, I believe that we are often presented with things that we don’t really “feel” like doing.  Things that make us feel uncomfortable, push our limits physically or mentally, or get us to step out of our comfort zone.  Often times these things allow us to grow, experience new things and develop character.

I would consider myself to be an honest person, but as I answer this question I realize that I’m being dishonest.  UGH!  What I see God showing me is that this character trait NEEDS some work.  I need to be honest with myself – I believe that this is what it is really about.

When I’m confronted with the question from a friend who says, “I know that we were supposed to meet at noon for lunch, but can we change it to 12:30?” IF 12:30 doesn’t work for me I need to say NO, not YES.  This is a real life example, I’m embarrassed to admit it.  I said YES and then I was upset.  I’m pretty sure that when I got to lunch I wasn’t the best company to her because I was resentful.  Why?  Well, let me tell you ALL the reasons – 12:30 didn’t work for me, didn’t she understand that I’ve got a busy day?  I was checking my phone the whole time looking at the clock because I was pressed for time, I was impatient and distracted – BAD FRIEND!!  Why hadn’t I been honest?  I know this seems like a simple thing, what in the world was I doing – come on!  She didn’t deserve that.

The experiences similar to this in my life are many.  Another area where I’ve been dishonest is with volunteering of my time.  Oh the poor people who have to be around me when I’m doing something that I don’t want to be doing.  I’ve been told that my anger displays itself LOUDLY!  Isn’t that nice?!?!?  I don’t think so – UGH!  What I’ve found is that MY dishonesty leads to resentments, unproductiveness, procrastination, damaged relationships, and impatience.  ALL from a simple little answer and by not saying what I really meant to say.

Who set the ball in motion, and who am I to blame but myself?  As I peel back the layers, dig really deep, this little “white” lie, this smudge of dishonesty stems from fear and insecurity.  Maybe you ask yourself the same questions from time to time……..What will others think of me?  Will I be accepted?  Will I end up alone if I don’t do this?  Will I be loved if I don’t do that?……..When I’m operating out of fear, where is God?  If I’m insecure and pleasing people, then I’m NOT trusting God to meet my needs.  Either God IS or he IS NOT – He is NOT both.  In the end, when I am dishonest with myself, my life becomes unmanageable.  I’m over committed, sleep deprived, unhappy, and miserable.

Even though this is ALL pretty ugly, I’m taking it head on.  I’m hopeful that I will improve in this area of being honest with myself which in turn allows me to be honest with others.  I’m hopeful that more often than not my YES will mean YES, my NO will mean NO, and my motives will be selfless.