Resolutions

It is January of the New Year 2016. Can you believe that it has already been 2016 years since the birth of our Savior? Doesn't that seem a little bit crazy. If "Behold I am coming soon" meant something then it sure should mean that much more today!

The beginning of the new year is a time when the vast majority of people find themselves creating "New Years Resolutions," or as I like to call them "Things I wish I had the discipline to accomplish" lists. I among these individuals oft make Things I wish I had the discipline to accomplish lists and inevitably fail at them. Slowly one by one as January turns to February which turns to March my list gets crossed off as "It's too late to START this NOW..." so it goes to the wayside and is forgotten about.

This however has not stopped me from making brand new resolutions this year. I want to give you a look into my life at the beginning of this year as I have thought hard about my resolutions and why they mean so much to me.

1. Read this set of Books.

      Theodore Roosevelt has been a historical icon for me for a very long time. Not necessarily because of his politics (even though I do very much enjoy a good political discussion). But he has been a figure head in my life due to his undeniable character and vigor. He was known as a moralist, a right and wrong thinker, a seer of black and white. I resonate with this perspective and want to diligently adopt it into my worldview.
     This set of books sitting on my desk was a Christmas gift to me. It is a 20 volume Library of Congress 1926 Federal editions of all 35 books authored by Roosevelt himself. It spans his Harvard life, his strenuous life in the Dakotas and the Amazon, even into his administrations and afterwards.
     The best way to learn about how a person thinks is to sit down and have a long discussion over good coffee with them. Since TR is no longer with us on this earth I will have to suffice for reading his own words over that cup of coffee. (If you ever want to talk TR I will talk your ear off)

2. Become proficient at making turned wooden pens.
     My whole life I have been creative and I believe with all honesty my body is built for physical labor. I have done metal working, framing, roofing, etc. But fine woodworking always seemed to evade the realm of possibilities. Until now!
     I recently joined the Appleton Makerspace, which is a large 60,000 sq. ft. workshop filled with tools, equipment, and crafty individuals. They have a wood lathe. (well, technically two but I need to fix the larger one before I attempt bowls or plates, etc.)
     It is a joy of my life to be able to take a piece of the Lord's creation and transform it through the talents, skill,s and artistic mind He provided to me to bring forth something beautiful which t least in part reflects the beauty of the creator. It is not easy to turn a pen on the lathe, there is much nitpicking and refining, but in the end is a writing instrument worthy of the finest penmanship.
     This particular pen I turned from a solid piece of Cocobolo. An exotic hardwood with wonderful dark grain patterns.

3. Use those pens to attain better handwriting.

     Growing up I had great penmanship, this isn't a brag my mom said it. However, after high school and into college I "let myself go" and became lazy in my handwriting to the point of it being illegible even to myself. This is not a great way to communicate.
     I work in a ministry with the sole purpose to to communicate effectively and efficiently. How can I say I am truly committed 100% to that cause if no one can read my handwriting? So I have resolved to remedy this.
     Copperplate also known as "English Roundhand" is what the Declaration of Independence was penned in. It was the standard of writing in England and America until the turn of the 20th century.  At such time it was replaced by Spencerian script created and taught by Platt Rodgers Spencer which became known as "American penmanship." Being the basis of handwriting for centuries it makes sense to study the theories and the practices of these two scripts in attempts to beautify my own handwriting. (I have done far more research about penmanship than this, if you would like to known more please let me know)

4. Reach full financial support for the mission I am working in. 
     Since October 2014 I have been working with an organization called Wycliffe Associates participating in the translation of the Word of God into every language around the world. I am a support raising missionary currently living domestically in Wisconsin. Raising support is a wonderful way to live as it causes one to rely wholly on the Lord, it is also terrifying as you are not responsible for your income; other people are.
     My wife and I ( and newborn in June) have been living on just over 35% of our monthly support goal for the last year+. No one expects a missionary to become wealthy, if you want to be wealthy in ministry let's talk about your career choices. That being said it can and should be expected to be able to pay your bills, put food on the table, and MAYBE be able to save something for rainy day. That seems fair right?
     The difficulty is that we (I) have no control over this number. It is entirely up to YOU. I would love you to join my monthly partnership team and use your generosity to further the reach of the Word of God!
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Thank you for taking the time to read about my life today, I would love to hear about your resolutions and how we could partner together to reach more people with the Bible!

In the Lord,
Andrew J. Belcher

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