Monday Meanderings - Sept. 22

Bible Study... A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George and Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst. Plus I've been praying thru the Psalms each morning with the A.C.T.S. format and it's so fulfilling.

Memory Verse...  Psalm 16:11

"You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me join in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."

Husband Encouragement...

♥ Make sure we're stocked with work foods he can take in

♥ Make him breakfast when he gets up. 

♥ Organize and tidy the house. 

Train Them Up...

* Homework routine--math and spelling each night, without interruption-ha!

* Evening reading time--loving what we're reading right now and the kids are really into it. (a biography about missionary Amy Carmichael) 

* Hannah--we're dealing with selfishness right now

* Eli--quality time and conversation with him. 

* Carter--obedience and respecting other people's space. also working on handwriting

* Schedules -- continually choosing what to be involved in and what to pass. We're trying something new with gymnastics this year... picked the same day as AWANA and gonna try out having multiple things in one night vs having things multiple nights every week. We like to be home and stay home once kids are out of school for the day. >>there's a new gymnastics time slot opening up and we COULD switch days but I'm actually liking having gymnastics and AWANA on the same night and being "forced" to have a picnic once a week--kinda cool cuz we love picnics and it turns out that 30 minutes is PLENTY of time to eat a sandwich dinner especially when the church is just 3 blocks away.

* Church time - I've been experimenting with different notes worksheets lately. (love these and seeing how well Eli especially fills these out and afterward going over questions they have). But Carter has been sitting in church with us the last few months and is a distraction and I'm working with them all about sitting quietly, still, and hands in their own space. Soo frustrating!!

Personal Goals...

* be careful of what and when I'm eating. =S

New Habit of the Month...  {september}

daytime routine and tackling household projects!

MUST Do... 

* return borrowed books

* sell DVDS

* take things to basement that I've sorted out

* make babysitter arrangements for in 1.5 weeks

Zone(s)... office and living room. Hannah's "creations" take over everywhere.

Menu - 

M - marinated chicken

T - spinach quiche, peaches

W - sandwiches 

Th - creamy pesto pasta with chicken

F - one-pot mac & cheese chili

S - appetizer night - Italian crescent ring

FUN THINGS!

* Bible study adventures this week

* driving a friend to an out-of-town appointment tomorrow

* gonna try to get kids in bed early tomorrow night so I can participate in the IF:Gathering online. I've never done this before but have always been intrigued!

* Volleyball Thursday morning--one of my favorite things ever!

* possibly attend a varsity volleyball game at the school--we've never done this and Eli's been asking

3 things I'm thankful for today...
1. Our school. They really emphasize reading, healthy habits, good character, and parent involvement. Each year they're always re-evaluating and making changes, always toward the better! 

2. Feels like everything's been falling into place this year--new opportunities to utilize my schooltime hours yet still have an unhurried schedule.

3. Accountability and conversations with friends as we go thru Bible study together. Thankful to have those special people in my life that I can be real with and share my questions.

Praying through Psalms

I used to spend most of my time reading the New Testament because it's so easily applicable. I practically have all of Romans thru 1 John underlined because so many of those verses speak to me in their various ways. They are excellent reminders, powerful encouragements, direct guidance and truths, and easy to find when I need to recall them. But the fact was that I would read these verses with the attitude of "needing to get better at ______" (patience, gentleness, forgiveness, godliness, etc). And I spent little time PRAYING, that was always my weakness. And I was failing, frustratingly so, at the more patience thing, and everything else.

So in reality, I was spending all this Bible time with myself, and not directly with God Himself.

I think His Word is amazing, all the answers are right there. The values and what godliness looks like, what Christ looks like, the stories of how God works and who He IS, and how we can show all this to our neighbors. It's all amazing.

But as of late, I've been spending time specifically in Psalms. Actually praying. And primarily meditating on GOD'S character, not my character. And ya know what I'm finding?  The more I look at God and who HE IS and His goodness and faithfulness and love and redemption, the easier it is (for me anyway) to have a full heart. Simply put, the more I fill myself with HIM, the more I can display His fruits: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) All the very things I was trying to "get better at". I always knew that these are the fruits of the Spirit and not of me, but I guess I never really realized that I wasn't actually spending time with HIM.  I wasn't praying or looking to God, I was only reflecting on what God WANTS. And failing because I was, without realizing it, depending upon myself and my own attitudes. I'm still not perfect, I still flip out, but overall I finally feel like I'm getting a grip. But mostly I'm finally feeling like I'm getting to know God and growing to be more like Him. After all, isn't that our continual life journey?

So. All that said, I thought I would explain a little bit what I mean each week when I say in "Monday Meanderings" that I'm praying through the Psalms following the A.C.T.S format.  So here it is:
The A.C.T.S. format is praying Adoration (praise), Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication (requests), and in that order. It takes a chunk of time, and several pages in my journal, to do this thoroughly but it is sooo fulfilling and an amazing start to my day.  Like I said before, I've never been good at prayer. So for me, it's helpful to pray the scriptures, to find verses that apply to each element. I used to hop all over the Psalms finding a scripture for each part, but now I'm trying to move through the Psalms in order each day and find appropriate scriptures all from the same chapter or neighboring chapters, and then moving on the next day to the next couple chapters in Psalms. So here's an example from yesterday:

ADORATION -- Psalm 138:6-8
"Though the Lord is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me. The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever--do not abandon the work of your hands."
>>Truths from this passage:
* Though the Lord is on high, He looks on me.
* God will preserve my life in troubles.
* God has a purpose for me and will fulfill it.
* God loves me. Forever.

CONFESSION -- Psalm 139:23-24
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
>>You know my heart and my intentions. Forgive me for my sin. Search me and mold me in the areas that need work. Call attention to my sin and weaknesses. And make me more like You every day.

THANKSGIVING -- Psalm 139:14
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
(and then I write a thankful list for the day) * uplifting Bible verses * opportunities to set an example in the hard parts of life * opportunities to still grow and be challenged * walking days with friends * rain * yummy farm eggs * eternal healing for a friend's dad * being a SAHM and not living a hurried, stressful life * Eli's interest in Boxcar books * not having a leaky dishwasher in awhile . . . 

SUPPLICATION -- Psalm 138:3
"When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted."
(and then I write down various prayer requests-- specifics requests and general according to category)
* church...
* marriage...
* kids (sometimes whole pages of general requests and sometimes individually per child)
* pregnant friends...
* struggling friends...
* myself...

* missionary friends...

So there ya have it. My prayer routine I've been trying out. Now, studying the Bible doesn't stop there. I've been moved in many ways lately and actually want to start dissecting the Gospels. But the Psalms are a great place to meet and spend time with God Himself.

"Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul."
Psalm 86:4

Monday Meanderings - Sept 8

A day late!! But still here! =)

Bible Study... just starting A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George and Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst. Plus I've been praying thru the Psalms each morning with the A.C.T.S. format and it's so fulfilling.

Memory Verse...  Philippians 4:8

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

Husband Encouragement...

♥ It's a busy work week so be a helper and let him relax when home

♥ Organize and tidy the house. 

Train Them Up...

* Homework routine--math and spelling each night, without interruption-ha!

* Evening reading time--loving what we're reading right now and the kids are really into it. (a biography about missionary Amy Carmichael) 

* Hannah--we're dealing with selfishness right now

* Eli--quality time and conversation with him. 

* Carter--obedience and respecting other people's space

* Schedules -- continually choosing what to be involved in and what to pass. We're trying something new with gymnastics this year... picked the same day as AWANA and gonna try out having multiple things in one night vs having things multiple nights every week. We like to be home and stay home once kids are out of school for the day. 

Personal Goals...

* start a new book  =)

New Habit of the Month...  {september}

daytime routine and tackling household projects!

MUST Do... 

* possibly another tire repair

* purchase Bible study book

Zone(s)... playroom and living room

Menu - lots of new recipes this week!

M - chicken broccoli quinoa bake

T - meatless spinach lasagna (trying to incorporate at least 1 meatless meal each week)

W - sandwiches 

Th - one-skillet beans and rice

F - homecoming grillout

S - appetizer night - pimento dip, chicken fingers

FUN THINGS!

* Bible study x2 this week!

* Helping at Eli's classroom Thursday afternoon -- his teacher was so EXCITED when I offered this

* Gymnastics starts on Wednesday

* Dinner with friends Wednesday night 

* Homecoming on Friday! Which means the ONE football game we attend for the year. (hehe) And other fun activities

3 things I'm thankful for today...
1. The calm after a storm. Figuratively speaking.

2. Relaxed days. Even with the kids gone at school, there is still much to get done during the day, and I'm so thankful that I can do this unhurried and stress-free.

3. Walking partners. I walk with friends a couple mornings a week, and it's multipurposeful and enjoyable. =)

Monday Meanderings - Sept 1

Bible Study... just finished Interrupted by Jen Hatmaker (another life changer, sheesh!), The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace

Memory Verse...  1 Corinthians 13:4-8

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." 

Husband Encouragement...

♥ Provide lunch stuff for this week's work schedule

♥ Organize and tidy the house. 

Train Them Up...

* Homework routine--math and spelling each night, without interruption-ha!

* Evening reading time--loving what we're reading right now and the kids are really into it. (a biography about missionary Amy Carmichael) 

* Hannah--we're dealing with brattyness right now (basically ungrateful fits because something isn't good enough.)

* Eli--quality time and conversation with him. 

* Carter--obedience and respecting other people's space, being nice to E & H's babydolls--for some reason he likes to pound them and it doesn't seem right. 

Personal Goals...

* starting workout routine! 

* schedule times to help in the kids' classrooms at school

New Habit of the Month...  {september}

chore routine and tackling household projects!

MUST Do... 

* clean out the fridge --excessive condiments are taking over!!

* take delivery to Project Response

Zone(s)... laundry

Menu - TBD

FUN THINGS!

* day off from school today. and a sick kids means I'm staying home from music tonight too. the restful day has been appreciated

* nothing going on this week! 

3 things I'm thankful for today...
1. An excellent weekend visiting family/cousins! Relaxing, fun, and good conversation!

2. Last week was busy and nerve wracking planning and preparing for a church event. I'm thankful this week is much more relaxed!

3. God working in me. And good friends that understand and listen to my processing.