I have a tradition of making an ornament at the end of each year. I have one side for news events and one side for things in my own life. A few years past, I had a side with hopes for the new year and a side for personal life. Current events were added during the pandemic since the news had a huge impact on my life.
Here is the current events side of this year’s ornament.
I have prayed for world peace just as I suspect most everyone else has too. I have tried to pray for everyone involved but I can’t seem to pray for Hamas or the people in Russia who are leading the war effort. Every time I try, I end up asking God to change their minds and/or hearts. That feels like a prayer against them rather than for them. While I know what outcome I want, I don’t know God’s will. My dream outcome would be Ukraine kicking Russia back to their own country and Israel destroying Hamas with very few civilian deaths. Yet, I can’t see how Israel can fight in such a small densely populated area with lots of poverty. Since Hamas controlled the area, they were able to put their meeting areas, weapons stashes and hide outs anywhere in the Gaza strip. I just saw a video of people running after a relief truck. Palestinians are suffering and dying. How can we stop it? I want Palestinians to survive and be ruled by a non-terrorist organization that they support.
Here is my personal life side.
My cat, Puffers, died in February and I moved into a nicer apartment in August. I had hoped to move into a nicer apartment sometime this year. So, I feel like this year is close to what I had hoped for at this time last year.
I had hoped I’d eat healthier, exercise more and lose weight. I have made some progress on my Spanish studies on Duolingo but I haven’t tried speaking it to others yet. I know some co-workers who speak Spanish.
What were your hopes for this year?
How did they turn out?
What are your hopes for next year?