Merry Christmas! This Daybook Online Journal may be a bit longer than normal…As I’m still relishing in this Christmas season, I’m looking ahead to the new year; of course I will continue to write about Daily Affirmations, Bible Quotes and Book Club Time, but there are a couple of other things God has placed on my heart to share.
First, I am going to be encouraging you–and myself–to spend more time in the Word of God. We are going to start working on lectio divina and Bible journaling. There was an interesting comment left on a post here recently that made me realize, yet again, we are afraid of our Bibles. Some of us may be afraid of color coding verses using the “wrong” colors. Others may be scared of taking notes or color coding certain topics because they have never seen another Catholic use their Bible that way. And others may be afraid of committing some form of sacrilege. Well, I am here to encourage you to make your Bible your own in 2015!
If you want to have your materials ready for that post and the ones that will follow throughout the year, you will need:
–A Bible
–A Bible Marking Kit
–You can also purchase some Bible Tabs
–A journal.
More to come on this subject…
Next, I’ve been in the practice of choosing a “Word for the Year” since 2010 when I chose “JOY.” I’ve been praying about and keeping my heart and mind open for my word for this year. I decided on my word for 2015 the other day. I’ll share more about that too in an upcoming post…so excited!
Enough of that, let’s get to the Daybook…
Daybook Online Journal
Thanking God for…
::the gift of His Son
::Christmas is a season not just a day
::a husband that makes me laugh
::a spiritual father that makes me laugh
::the good example set by my mother and father in love of parents and grandparents
::talking to my grandpa and grandma the day after Christmas
Praying…
I’m praying for clear answers from the doctors this week as to some discomfort I’ve been having. I’m having a procedure tomorrow y’all and today I have to drink a gallon of stuff to prepare. First, I don’t think I drink a gallon of anything per day, maybe not even in two days time. And second, I think this might be gross. O Lord help me.
I’m also praying for my children and their future spouses, that we can get back on track for school and life after our crazy, messed up Fall, that we can buckle down and get our house paid off this year.
Pondering…
I am pondering God’s Word. I’m considering the deep and dark places I had to go so I could find God in His Word. I’m pondering and praying as to how God can use me. I’m also pondering my word for 2015.
Hearing…
Right now, not much. People are still laying low from being sick with the flu over Christmas.
Reading…
My Bible
Writing in the Margins: Connecting with God on the Pages of Your Bible
Life Management for Busy Women: Living Out God’s Plan with Passion and Purpose
Around the House…
Oh the usual clean up, clean up, everybody do their share…
In the Kitchen…
Well, I had to start a liquid diet Saturday morning and can’t eat until Monday afternoon and then fast again starting at midnight Monday until Tuesday afternoon. I have no idea nor do I really care what goes on in the kitchen as long as they keep it clean and feed the younger ones.
In Our Domestic Church…
I ordered our Epiphany gifts last night. Can’t tell you or show you because my girlies read my blog. In addition to the gifts, I need to figure out what else we will do to celebrate. I also need to start preparing my little Maximilian for First Holy Communion this Spring and Luke and Bridget will make their Total Consecration this year so we need to pick the day and start the prep.
The Week Ahead…
doctors appointments, New Years Eve celebration–my grandparents will be celebrating their 66th Wedding Anniversary!! Holy Day of Obligation, my 43rd birthday is coming up–go me!! school and chores
Hi Jenny! I am sorry to hear that you had to drink so much yuckiness for your procedure. I pray that all goes well for you … I am excited about your Bible journaling series. Count me in! I looked into some of your links, and I had no idea they had special pens for writing in your Bible! So cool!! I also love the Bible you linked to with the margins! Wow, does that make sense! Oh, and I love the idea about a word of the year. I secretly picked hope last year, but I never announced it … I am not sure for this year … Many prayers for your health and for blessings on your family in this New Year!
Merry Christmas Sarah! I hoped you would be joining in with the Bible reading. This year is going to be great a one don’t you think!
Praying for your daughter, and so pleased that you found a lovely dress for her. What base are you near? My DH is retired Army, and we live near Quantico Marine Corps Base.
Thank you Kaethe. My husband is active Army and we live on Joint Base- McGuire, Dix, Lakehurst in New Jersey.
Thanking God for a nice week with my little domestic church.
Praying for spiritual strongholds.
Pondering how God might want me to use what I’ve learned from my dark places in order to help others. I’m contemplating gratitude or surrender as my word of the year.
Hearing the dryer humming along
Slowly finishing up The Way of Serenity. I’m also hoping to finish reading aloud The King of the Golden City.
Around the house: Getting ready for company on the 1st. Suddenly noticing all of the filth, but trying not to stress about it.
In the kitchen I’m making lots of soup. My daughter has taken over the baking THM style and I’m loving it.
The week ahead? Family is coming. I’m making a big pot of Pasta Fagioli. I’m hoping to make homemade stock, but I have Swanson on reserve. Keep it simple is my mantra. Also, I’m going to the seamstress with the absolutely beautiful communion dress we found at the Airman’s Attic for my dear Theresa. It’s a place where service members can take up to 4 bags of stuff for free. I am totally inspired to give back as much as I possibly can gather this week. They also have a little food pantry and some kind hearts make little bags of cookies and treats for shoppers. SO MUCH LOVE OUT THERE!
Theresa will make her first penance and communion in a private ceremony as soon as we are ready. I am eternally grateful for the privilege that this base chapel allows. Unconventional maybe, but fits well with life right now and keeps it real. Will you all pray for my daughter that she is able to truly believe who she is receiving?
Hang tough, Jenny. I had that procedure this year, and while the prep is yucky, the actual event is a walk in the park. At least, it was for me, because I was asleep! My DH set timers to help me get all the stuff drunk down on time.
Can’t wait for you to lead us through lectio divina. My Bible is already marked up — this is one thing we can learn from our protestant sisters. With few exceptions, most of them are trying just as hard as we are to do God’s will and get to heaven. And my (protestant) Bible study friend (We Skype once a week to share our study.) gave me a beautiful journal for Christmas!
It was my dear Protestant friend who inspired me many years ago to make time for the Word first thing in the morning. It ‘s funny, she tried so hard to covert me and I’ll admit to wanting her return to the church of her upbringing. Ultimately, neither was successful, but we did bridge a gap that I am forever grateful for.
Mine was a Biblical counselor who kept asking me scripture questions and I just sat there and looked at him. That “ignorance” along with his knowledge inspired me to start reading the scriptures seriously.
Jenny, I am so excited to hear that you will be bible journaling. I was recently confirmed this past Easter and so excited to finally have found my home in the Catholic church. I am still learning more about this faith and am leary of Protestant bible studies so when you said this; I jumped for joy!!! Thank you so much!!! I ordered my bible just like yours too!
Yay Tina! Welcome home to the Church and I’m so happy to have you here. I’m looking forward to all God has laid on my heart as we study the Scriptures together.
Welcome home Tina. I’m so happy for you and I always love how new converts open my eyes to what I have had all along!
I will be fasting and drinking a gallon of stuff myself at the end of January. I have had this procedure before. It is comforting to read my Bible during the fast and while drinking that “stuff” Hope that helps you a bit.
I always write in my Bible and underline too so no sacrilege here. Although I am one of “those Protestants” that was mentioned in that blog comment a few days back.
I have been pondering my word of the year as well for 2015. I think I have it 🙂 YAY!
Have a good evening!
So happy to have you hear Janet! I will definitely be reading my Bible. As I anticipate drinking the stuff I keep repeating to myself, “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.” Please pray for me.
I can’t wait to hear your word for the year!
I am super excited about journaling and marking in my Bible. Thanks for taking this on.
So happy to hear that Cathy! I fell asleep praying about this and woke up with some great plans for us!