Resolutions/Be it resolved...

The year: 1988. The setting: Speech class. The teacher: Mr. Berghorst. The topic: Parlimentary Procedure. This probably has your attention like studying the bones of the body. Hang with it for a moment.

Speech class was something I took my Sophomore year of high school. Mr. Berghorst was a well liked teacher and was known especially for the Parlimentary Procedure section of the class. He taught us the basics and then we played United Nations. The class each split up into countries and we proposed resolutions and held sessions of the United Nations. It was a lot of fun and a great way to put into practice the things we were learning.

As you may know, formal resolutions require a particular format. It starts with some sort of problem listed with "Whereas..." language. And then after you set the stage with all of those, then comes the resolution. Or if I may, the solution. This was always set with the phrase "Therefore, be it resolved." And there might be one of these or several, but it was the important part of the resolution. It was the part that changed things. It was the part that was voted on by the assembly.

So here we are at the end of one year and the beginning of a new one. And it is customary to set resolutions. Many people say that they want to lose weight or that they want to be a better person. By the end of January, few are still working on their resolutions. And even fewer are still pursuing them by the end of February.

And that is why I would like to take a more formal approach to a New Year's resolution. Here goes...

Whereas, we were appointed missionaries by The Wesleyan Church in February 2007; and
Whereas, we have been team building and fundraising since February 2007; and
Whereas, we have traveled more than 40,000 miles; and
Whereas, we have visited more than 60 churches; and
Whereas, we have received pledges totaling 82% of our annual budget; and
Whereas, our Start-Up Fund is nearly complete; and
Whereas, Aimee has given birth to another baby; now, therefore, be it
Resolved that we continue to call churches and individuals; and be it further
Resolved that we continue to travel and speak as we have opportunity; and be it further
Resolved that we make every preparation we can; and be it further
Resolved that we get David a passport and other travel documents; and be it further
Resolved that in 2009 the Williams family moves to the Czech Republic.

There you have it. This is our resolution for the year. This will be our focus and our goal for the coming days, weeks, months and year. All of our energy will be focused towards this resolution.

I hope you will vote in favor of our resolution for 2009. God bless you and Happy New Year!