Category: Learning

A New Year = A New Start

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded” (2 Chron 15:7).

The new year is one of my favorite times. All the chatter about goals and productivity and self-improvement fills me up. I carve out time to evaluate my progress on the previous year’s goals, and I use that information to set new goals.

What I learned when looking at 2019 was that I had veered off track on my writing goals, and unfortunately, I didn’t meet a single one.

Even so, 2019 held some valuable lessons. I took a good, hard look at the year: what worked, what didn’t, and more importantly, why. With that information in mind, I set new goals for 2020. Continue reading “A New Year = A New Start” →

Renew: My Word of the Year

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Mt 11:28-30 NIV).

It’s been many years since I created New Year’s resolutions. Instead, through much prayer and research, I choose a word for the year. Over the years, I’ve chosen words such as “trust,” “focus,” and “compassion.” For the last two years, my word was “bold.” I kept a journal of instances where I could see God moving boldly in my life. Throughout it all, he used the word to push me out of my comfort zone so that I depended more on him and less on others. Continue reading “Renew: My Word of the Year” →

2019 – A Review

Posted on by Staci Mauney

For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. (Ps 33:4)

It’s hard to believe another year is coming to a close. My blog posts serve as a reminder of things that have happened in my life this past year, and I believe reviewing them is helpful. I can see areas in which I’ve grown and where I still need to do more work. I note lessons I’ve learned and common themes among those lessons. I’m encouraged by God’s faithfulness, which increases my faith and trust in him. Continue reading “2019 – A Review” →

Back to School

Posted on by Staci Mauney

Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning. (Prov 9:9)

When fall approaches, I start thinking about going back to school. I always enjoyed school, from learning new things to seeing my friends to joining clubs.

Even as I got older, I continued my love of learning. I studied English literature and writing as an undergrad and secondary education as a graduate student. Sometimes, I think about going back to get my Master of Fine Arts or maybe even my doctorate. Continue reading “Back to School” →