2016 Goals

Each year I try and set goals that I attempt to obtain throughout the year.  These goals range from reading, writing, eating, fitness, spiritual growth, and even character traits. So after thinking about it throughout the end of last year, I would love to share with you my 2016 goals. 

1.  Facebook and Tweet a bible verse and quote or saying for each day of the year.
2.  Write a blog post every day of the year.
3.  Read a daily devotional every day - This years chosen devotional is Wrecked By Tana Miller (so far I am getting wrecked and can't wait to see how God uses this book to change my life this year.)
4.  Read 26 books adult books this year from fiction romance stories, to leadership books, to autobiographies.
5.  Go to the gym 3-5 times a week.
6.  Only eat the food that I take with me to work and not the snacks that are out in the break room.  (I am going to try this for a month to start)
7.  Learn more about the game of basketball
8.  Demonstrate self discipline and self control in the decisions that I make.
9.  Grow in my skills when it comes to my job.
10. Pay off some debts.
11. Increase my faith, take some risks, and Dream Big.

One thing I love about goals is that they can be changed.  We are almost one week into the New Year and I have done a decent job with my goals, but know that it will take everything in me to accomplish them.  I look forward to the challenge.

I encourage everybody to set goals, even if you struggle in keeping them.  It is always good to set your eyes on something and try to go after it.  Just remember to keep them obtainable and reasonable and you will succeed.  Keep up the good work if you have already started reaching your goals.  We can do it.

T~Money

Nothing's Impossible, No Doubt No Fear

The subject for this post is the domain name for my blog.  Nothing's Impossible, No Doubt, No Fear.  This is a quote from a Disney movie that I enjoyed watching last year called Cloud 9.  The movie is about a girl who thinks she is good at snowboarding, but finds out that everybody has just been passing her along because she is the daughter of the resort owner.  She then has to go and prove herself to everybody that she can do it, be the best at snowboarding.  This was a great family friendly movie for all.

The main character quoted a line before making a dangerous run down a mountain to prove a point.  That line was "Nothing's Impossible, No Doubt, No Fear".  Ever since I watched that movie, that line has stuck with me.  I use it to motivate me to conquer my goals and dreams, but I also use it to motivate others in whatever they want to accomplish.  My basketball players would say that it was part of our pregame chats.  I use it quite often then and I still use it today.

This saying goes along with a bible verse in which Jesus quotes, "All things are possible with God."  I use this to remind myself that I can do anything that is set before me.  No matter the circumstance, I can do anything because God is on my side and takes me through any situation that I walk through.

So I will encourage you that All things are possible with Jesus.  So don't have any doubt or any fear, just trust and have faith that He knows what He is doing.

T~Money

Decluttering My Life, and Stuff

After all of the blessings that I have received this Christmas season in the form of material things, it made me think that it was time to get rid of some old things and donate the things that can be used by somebody else.  So that is my chore for this coming week.  I do pray that when I go through this process and all my stuff that God will show me other places in my life that I need to clean out.  For some reason I just have this urgency to get rid of things in all areas of my life.

I will say this all started when my parents asked my brothers and I to go through our "boxes" of things that they had saved when we were kids growing up.  When my brothers were here for the holidays, we did there boxes and had a great time going down memory lane.  Then just after they left, I went through my own boxes and had a great time doing it, going through my own memories and clearing things out.  It was a great experience, but so much more things to go through.  I look forward to enjoying the ride.

So I will end this post with a thought provoking question for us all.  Are there things in your own life that you need decluttering or clearing out?

Happy New Years!!!

T~Money

2015 Christmas Letter/Year Review

Christmas 2015

Dearest Family and Friends,

This may be the shortest Christmas letter I will ever write, but I wanted to give you some highlights from this year. First off, let me say this has been a year of transition and leaning on God no matter the circumstance. He is always there and faithful in everything.

2015 Highlights Include:

-Completed and received my Master's Degree in Sports & Athletic Administration from Gonzaga University.

-Changed churches after attending the same church for 29 plus years.

-Started a new job as an Inventory Control Clerk at URM Stores, Inc. The best description of my job is I count product and play hide and seek.

-Not coaching basketball at any school due to a crazy schedule, but putting my two cents in whenever possible.

-Still doing the books for my dad's business.

-As always, huge Gonzaga Women's Basketball Fan.

-Continuing on my weight loss goals (an ongoing battle for me).

-An avid book reader and aspiring writer when time is available.

-Turned the big 30 this year. Looking forward to the next decade of my life.

Through all of my transition, I have truly been blessed. God is truly an awesome God in everything. My prayer is that we always remember that Jesus, the reason for the season, is with us no matter where we are in life.

Merry Christmas, 

Trinity aka T~Money 

     

Personal Themes For 2016

About 4 years ago I heard a friend of mine shared that she had chosen a word for that particular year and wanted the Lord to show her everything about that theme word in His word.  That really caught my attention and I decided in that moment that I wanted to do the same thing.  So for the year 2016 I have actually chosen two words that go hand in hand and they are Self Discipline and Self Control. 

Definition of Self Control: control or restraint of oneself or one's actions, feelings, etc.

Definition of Self Discipline: discipline and training of oneself, usually for improvement.

Another thing that I do is tag on a theme bible verse for the year which is 1st. Cor. 9:24-27.

1 Cor. 9:24-27 states:

²⁴ Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize. ²⁵ Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. However, they do it to receive a crown that will fade away, but we a crown that will never fade away. ²⁶ Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air. ²⁷ Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

This is one of my many prayers for 2016 that I will live a life that is of self discipline and self control and not let temptation rule over me.  I now I can do it with the right motivation and Jesus by my side.

Well there you have it peeps.  Hope 2016 has started off strong for all of you.

T~Money

 

Happy New Year!!!

It is hard to believe that as I sit on my couch, listening to amazing music that it is already the year 2016.  To be completely honest, I am in awe at how fast the years just keep clicking by.  Most importantly, I am amazed at the faithfulness that God continues to show me on a daily basis even as I still sin against Him regularly.  I am truly thankful for the Savior's Love.

This is a short post for now.  I will give you a sneak peek at one of my goals for 2016 and that is to write a blog post every single day of the year.  It will kind of be like my online journal for the year.  I plan on writing about a bunch of different topics.  So stay tuned.

May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face shine bright upon you in the year 2016.

T~Money

Dancing Through Life

About a month or so ago, I decided to step out of my comfort zone just a little bit.  I decided to join a closed group on Facebook to help promote the new book of one of my favorite actresses and authors.  The actress/author is Candace Cameron Bure and the book, Dancing Through Life.  Candace decided to write a book on her experience doing the reality TV show Dancing With The Stars.  I have been able to read her book and know that it is a must read for everybody.  It is a great testimony to all that God is doing through her life, but also a challenging book that will grow the person who is reading it.

Besides the fact that Candace Cameron Bure wrote this book, I was drawn to it because it had to do with courage and conviction.  For me personally, conviction plays a huge role in my life.  From an early age, I set my convictions, values, and morals to what I wanted them to be from what I saw in others and what I had heard or learned about.  Just like Candace, I am also a Christian so my convictions are close to what hers are.  Candace described conviction as, "the thing that keeps me grounded in my faith." When I read that statement, I felt uplifted and inspired.   I know personally that the convictions I have placed in my life keep me grounded in my faith, just like Candace.

I would love to tell you guys about the convictions that I have on my life.  As a Christian, I have made my convictions biblical convictions.  I live a life with Christlike character, I don't see rated R movies, I don't use swear words, I put Christ first in all that I do, I watch family friendly programs, I don't listen to music that has swear words in it or is derogatory towards people, I try not to judge others, and these are just a few.  These are convictions that I can't be moved on.  I literally stand firm on them, just like Candace does in her convictions.  When I made my convictions, I knew that it would be tough to keep them and that the world would tempt me to go against them.  I know that with Jesus Christ by my side, that I can keep my convictions.  He is the reason I stay true to who I am because He molded me and crafted me into the person I am today.

I love that Candace decided to write a book about her experience on Dancing With The Stars.  I love this show as well, but a person's convictions can be tested.  I am glad that Candace stood firm on what she believes and wrote about it.  This book can be a tool for other celebrities that have the same convictions as Candace to know that you can still keep your beliefs and be on this type of show.  Also, this book shows that doing a show like Dancing with the Stars will bring lots of hard work, struggles, challenges and fun times all in one adventure.  The truth is that a person with biblical values and conviction can do a show like this and show others who they really are.

With all of this said, I 100% recommend Dancing Through Life by Candace Cameron Bure.  It is a great read.  A book that will change your life for the better.  It is well worth the money you spend on it.  My prayer for those that do read it, is that God's power will shine through Candace's story into your life.  May the Lord bless you all.

Trinity McLaughlin aka T~Money