Building Your Prayer Journal: Part One

It seems like we all have good intentions when it comes to prayer. We all want to pray for our family, our friends, our church, missionaries, and more. But when its time to actually sit down and pray, if you're anything like me, its easy to draw a blank on exactly what to pray for.

I'm so excited about starting this series! It's been on my heart for a while now, and I'm really looking forward to sharing my prayer journal with you. I've been using it for several years now, but I went through several variations before I found what works best for me. Now I use it almost every day. It has made such a difference for me! It keeps me focused and lets me pray over so many important areas of my life on a regular basis.

I want to spend the the next few weeks helping you build your own prayer journal. Each Monday, I'll post about a different step in making your journal. At the end, I'll host a link-up so everyone can share their finished journal. Ready to start?

The first step is finding the right notebook. It sounds simple, but take a little time on this step, because having the right notebook makes a difference. I've used different sizes and types, but I've found that a Moleskine-style 8 in by 6 inch notebook works best. I like this size and style because I can easily slip it into my Bible and take it with me. Its also large enough to give me plenty of room to write. I found a set of three notebooks made by C.R. Gibson at Walmart for about $8.00. I'm using one for my prayer journal, and another for a journal to record thoughts, quotes, Scriptures that stand out during my quiet time, etc.


Whatever size and style you choose, make sure you have enough pages. You'll need 15-30 sheets (15 for larger journals, 30 for small) for the main part of the journal, then at least 15-30 more pages (I prefer to have a lot more pages left over). You may want to leave your journal as-is, or you might want to get creative. I recently made a fitness journal and had lots of fun with it! I created a collage of inspirational quotes and some Bible verses and covered it with contact paper. You can cover yours with photos, fabric, or whatever you'd like.


THIS WEEK: * Find your journal. * Get creative if you'd like to - decorate and personalize it.

NEXT WEEK: * We'll start building the "bones" of your journal. * I'll share pictures and examples from my journal, plus lots of great resources!

Changing My Perspective

Last week, I shared about starting my fitness journal.  I'm almost three weeks into my journey now.  If I had known what a difference keeping a fitness journal would make, I would have started one a long time ago! 

I jot down notes throughout the day and do a summary at night.  I'm noticing trends and patterns in my behavior that I had never noticed before journaling.  I find myself stopping to check my motives before I grab a snack and pushing myself a little harder with my workouts.  I'm seeing the patterns of how everything fits together - emotions, fitness, sleep, eating habits, and more.

Even though this hasn't been a great week for me fitness wise (I haven't felt too great and have taken it easy the past two days), I know I'm gaining better control of my eating habits.  I'm being more mindful of everything I put in my mouth.  The results (as of Monday) are 1 1/2 pounds that are now GONE.  It's a small victory, but a victory nonetheless.  

It's all tying together for me - emotional, physical, mental and spiritual health.  If one is out of balance, everything is out of balance.  With God's help, I'm changing each aspect and striving for a healthier, stronger life.

Fitness Journaling

It's time to get serious.  A few days ago I was looking at myself in the mirror as I was getting ready for work, and I wanted to cry.  I'm flirting with my highest weight ever.  I don't feel good.  I'm not even close to hitting my fitness goals.  I need a new push, a new challenge, a new direction.

My friend Kristi sent me a couple of great ideas last week.  We were chatting about fitness, our goals, and our need for accountability.  She shared this awesome idea from Pinterest (where all good ideas seem to come from!) for a fitness journal.  It looked like exactly what I needed, so I decided to make my own.  I pulled out a few scrapbook supplies, printed out some of my favorite quotes and Bible verses from Pinterest, and came up with this:

It was so easy to make!  I made it small enough to fit in my purse so I can carry it to work, to the gym, etc.  After just a few days, I can tell that tracking my workouts, how I feel, and my daily calorie intake all in one place will help me see the big picture of my health and fitness.  I can't wait to share my progress and how my journal is helping me along the way.

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It's Official!

It’s official – the dental hygiene class of 2013 has a graduation date: May 10, 2013.  That’s the day all our hard work and sacrifice will pay off, when we can all add three little initials behind our last name – RDH.

It feels surreal already.  Less than a year to go.  It’s going to be 11 months ull of lots of hard work – more classes, more time in clinic, the national board test, the practical test, and more.  I’m sure it will add lots more gray to my hair and make me wonder many more times if I made the right decision.

It’s been quite a journey already, but now let the countdown to graduation begin!

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Letting Go of Pefect

I had an epiphany this week – in Wal-Mart, of all places.  Wal-Mart usually inspires a lot of thoughts, most of which I can’t put on my blog because I’m a pastor’s wife.  But this time was different.

I went in to pick up a couple of things and look for another notebook.  I’ve been struggling to find the perfect notebook – small enough for my purse but big enough to really write and not just take notes, durable enough to get tossed around a lot, cute enough to look cutesy and artsy when I pull it pull out of my bag.  I was getting really frustrated because I just couldn’t find what I was looking for, and I started to walk away. 

Then it hit me, in the aisle between bottled water and office supplies.  ‘Why does it have to be perfect?  Just write.’  I waste so much time waiting for “perfect” – the perfect time, the perfect place, the perfect notebook and everything else.  Why?  Blogging isn’t about being perfect.  It’s about being me.  It’s about finding my unique voice and letting it out.  It’s about sharing my crazy journey through life with all the ups and downs and battles.  It’s about hiding in the bathroom to write this in my notebook because if I leave, everyone will need something right now.  (Please tell me I’m not the only one who has to do this!)

I’ve been thinking and praying and agonizing over creating my “perfect” blog lately.  Now I’m letting go of perfect, and I’m embracing me.  My voice.  My quirky sense of humor. My scattered brain.  My occasional sarcasm.   My mess.  Real, imperfect me.

10 Things for June

I started the summer with a huge list of things I want to accomplish.  Since I start my second (and final) year of dental hygiene school in mid-July, I don't have a lot of time to get them all done.  My June list has some major projects to work on:

1. Clean out our dresser
2. Clean out our master bedroom closet
3. Yard sale!
4. Make a list of specific clothing and accesory items my wardrobe needs
5. Plan a monthly menu for July
6. Read 4 books (including Reshaping It All and Organized Simplicity)
7. Lose 5 pounds (or more)
8. Order my textbooks for summer II and fall
9. Continue working on/tweaking our family and home plans, including a home management notebook
10. Finish putting together my new prayer journal

Hhhmmm....I'm thinking I should stop blogging and start working? ;-)

Mind Mapping?

I found an interesting post on "mind mapping" today on Pinterest (because that's where all good ideas come from!).  I thought it was a great concept for getting thoughts down on paper.  I tend to be a little random...

...and thought this whole mapping concept might help me sort out my thoughts and ideas.  After all, I'm juggling and planning and scheduling time for a husband who is a full-time pastor, two boys, a full-time college program, an almost full time job, a home business, the children's ministry I direct, home, food, and fitness.  Then I started thinking about what my map would look like.  It might be a little scary looking...



Yeah, that sums it up...hmmm, maybe I should stick to a list.