Three To-Dos

On what would have been travel-home day of my Gethsemani week (see previous post), 

my husband and I spent a couple of hours at Barnes and Noble. 

 I settled in with a stack of magazines, my journal and four-colored fine-tipped pen.  

I ended up taking a few photos which I've already posted on another blog

 and recorded three (yes, only three) "to-dos" in my journal.

Placing this bird on this stump was one of the three--

the only one accomplished so far.

In commenting on my prior post, Terra thanked me for my honesty about following
and not following my plan. To this I replied:

"Had I made no plans, I probably would have never lit a candle,

would have pigged out on sweets, prayed and journaled less than I did etc."

While I hope to get to the other two items I jotted down at Barnes and Noble,

I'm ahead of myself just by having accomplished ONE of the three!

At least that's the way I look at it.
Reminder to self:  Don't be discouraged by not accomplishing EVERYTHING on my lists.
***

Oh, and while I was out there placing the bird on the stump,

I pulled a bunch of weeds and called in the reinforcement (that would be my husband)

to cut off some branches that had been damaged by the storm the night before!

Commit your work to the Lord,
    and your plans will be established.

Proverbs 16:3

It's a New Year!

This is a picture of my father delivering his annual state-of-the-heart address to children, grandchildren and great-grand-children gathered for a couple of days of fellowship, food, and festivities last weekend.  Many, many memories are created; songs are sung; words of encouragement exchanged. 

And almost before I said good-bye to 2012, here it is!  A New Year.  My focus all morning was spent trying to set up and initiate a new "smart phone" -- a first for me.  And CLEARLY, I'm not as smart as my phone!

I've had little time to think of any New Year's resolutions, but two have been strong in my mind.  First, I will write a Scripture song every week for a total of 52 in 2013.  I already have a Moleskine music book waiting for notations, so no more equipment is necessary.  Second, I will keep my weight below 140#.  I worked hard in 2012 to lose 45 pounds and do not want to have to go through that again!  All the other things I "resolve" are on-going.  Necessary, but not new.

As for my "word" for the year, I have decided to stay with the one from last year.  Graciousness.  I am dissatisfied with my progress in that department and want to improve.  OH!  How I want to improve!

I shall look forward to hearing how YOU have prepared for 2013 and what desires God has placed in your heart.

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desires.  Psalm 37:4

Ready for Take-Off!

Ready for take off *

Bite off more than you can chew, 

then chew it. 

Plan more than you can do,

then do it.  (Anonymous)

These words popped off the page at me when I read them.  I don't think they're for everybody.  Some people are already energetically involved with life--engaged in service for Jesus.  I, on the other hand for whatever reason, had been "stuck" for awhile.  Good habits of prayer and planning had weakened.   I have confessed it and am in the process of repenting - which means doing a "180".  

 

One tool I am using is my journal.  Its blank pages remind me of the demise of my commitment in the past, while each fresh entry reinforces and records my current commitment and progress.  I didn't wait until January 1st to begin.  

 

I'm still praying and waiting to see if there is "a word" to focus on in the coming year.  I have narrowed it down to two, I believe.  

Can you tell I love "new beginnings"?  

Can I tell you I am confident that

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"?  

(Or as J. B. Philips translates Philippians 4:13:  

"I am ready for anything 

through the strength of the one who lives within me.")

Do YOU have a "word" for 2012?

Do you get into new beginnings?

Are YOU ready for Take-Off?  

*The plane was constructed by a friend of ours.  We asked him to make it for one of our grandsons.  It's to RIDE on!  My husband painted the seat, prop and stripes and sealed the wood. 

Fail to Plan? Plan to Fail!

Love the doilies.....my Aunt Gladys could crochet like that, but I just make plain round circles. 

Did you notice in the second picture how the blue thread ran out in the center? 

I wonder what the crafter was thinking!  

 So observed Mrs. Mobunny in comment form to my previous post.

I need a monthly calendar as well as daily pages...

I went back and took a look. Sure enough!  The blue thread DID run out in the center! What WAS she thinking?  (Or maybe the question is: WAS she thinking.)  

I've always attempted to be a good planner.  My efforts have taken many shapes as the seasons of my life have come and gone.  Currently, this is the primary planning tool I use.

It's small enough to be quite portable but large enough to jot down details.  I've also improvised to make it store odds and ends.

Daily pages and odds and ends

  

The thing I DON'T like about it is that it runs from August of one year through December of the next.

Awkward!  

WalMart - $3.99 plus tax.

Anyhow, yesterday I purchased my bright and shiny 2012 model.  I will spend the rest of this month transferring information.  I'll also give titles to some of the blank pages of at least July and August 2011 and use them for such things as recipes, gift ideas, places to visit, quotes, books to read etc. Every year I tweak "the system" just a little bit!

That's the way I roll (as Janie Fox would say)!

Luke 14:28 says, "But don't begin until you count the cost. 

For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost

to see if there is enough money to finish it?"

Wow!  The principle is a great one - whether crocheting a doily, 

preparing a recipe, organizing an event, or starting a new calender year!

Do you keep/carry a planner?  What's your favorite format?

The Circle of Blogging

Thanks to my newest "follower" Betty (I dislike that "follower" tag but that's what we're stuck with)  I "discovered" Jeanette!   That's what happens!  I go to Betty's blog--read several posts, check out her sidebar, see who SHE reads, and discover Jeanette.  Thus, the "circle of blogging".  I'm sure YOU've done it, too.

The link I did to Jeanette's blog will take you to a most interesting way of planning a week.  I had never heard of her method before, but think I may try it for a month or so.  It makes a lot of sense.  I'm a list-maker and goal-setter like her.

Somewhere in the circle, I came across another woman's way of observing Lent. (Unfortunately I didn't make a note of where I found her and can't reconstruct the circle.)  It's too late for me THIS year, but I sure want to remember it for next year.  Even if I make great progress in getting rid of stuff before then, the idea of bagging up a bag a day (for a total of 40) of unwanted items to give away or throw away makes a lot of sense!

What have YOU learned recently while in the circle of blogging?