Stone Soup for Five: {2019 Week Review} My Word for 2019, books, and goal check

{2019 Week Review} My Word for 2019, books, and goal check



My Word(s) for the year:
After thinking about and praying about what my focus should be for 2019, I decided my word(s) for the year are "Love Well."  God has been working on me to love when I don't feel like it.  I need to learn to love Him well, love others well, love my body well, love my home well, love discipline well.  So, needless to say this will be an interesting year.

Quote of the week: 
"Bow my will to the will of Christ."  -Matthew Henry A Method for Prayer


Goal check:

I started my Chronological Bible reading plan a few days early knowing I'd need grace days closer to the summer. Nope. I needed them already.  I am currently up to date, but need to build the habit of reading on Saturday and Sunday too.
TIP:  There are free audio read-alouds to every book and a bunch of versions of the Bible on BibleGateway.com
IDEA: Use a specific colored pen for the year to underline and add notes in your Bible.  Make a mark in the front of your Bible with that color of pen and write the year.  This year, I know any markings or underlines in orange are from 2019.

Habit: 
I'm trying to develop the habit of doing one hard thing each day.  Because of that, I've made our tax appointment, my mammogram appointment, and when I called to make my dental appointment, they had an opening that day and I got right in. Good news is that my chipped tooth is fine (not cracked and no need for a crown...yet) but, I had an eager young hygienist who was super energetic with the teeth cleaning.  Quite a few times I wondered if I could just tell her to stop and walk out.  But I endured and took two Advil before bed because my gums STILL hurt. 


Best opening line of a book: 
"There was a boy called Eustace Clarene Scrubb, and he almost deserved it."
 -C.S. Lewis, Voyage of the Dawn Treader.


A call for help:


Guys, I really need your prayers.  I have I Will Meditate Volume Four ready (with the most beautiful cover yet, taken by my friend Kendra Harvey--follow her on Instagram @ledbystillwaters),  but unfortunately, Createspace (who I used to make all my books on Amazon) was changed over to a new program called Kindle Direct Publishing.  KDP is so much more difficult to work with and kicks everything out with no helpful reason why.  Please, please pray for me to figure this out.  I am so frustrated!  If you or anyone you know has had success on KDP, have them send me an email please, and in the meantime, please be praying!


Learning: 

This week I continue to be reminded of how willful and rebellious I am (especially in the area of food and overeating).  The Taste for Truth Bible study has been wonderful and painful, and as I was reading through Hebrews, God brightly spotlighted a small section of 13:9 for me this week too:  "...for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods..."  Ouch.  

Using: 
I am using BibleMemory.com to work on Bible memory.  I use the online version on my computer in the mornings and the app on my phone throughout the day (I don't have any games or social media on my phone, so if I want to fill blank spaces of time on my phone, I work on my scripture memory!)

Speaking of learning God's word, my friend Kristen has a brand new series called Scripture Scribes that is so amazing if you have elementary to middle school (or older!) children.  Each day they write out a section of scripture, what they are praying for and what they are thankful for.  On the facing page there is a page to color, doodle, or verse to color in.  It is an enjoyable and easy way to get your kids into the Word.  The first one, This is our God, has specific verses to learn more about who God is.



Bullet Journal:

printable habit tracker from atiliay.com

Reading:

I just finished The Gospel Comes with a House Key.  It was an interesting book, that I originally did NOT like.  But if you power through the first four chapters or so it'll be well worth it. I ended up really loving the book in the later chapters and now that I feel like I "know" the author after reading the whole thing, I think I'll re-read the first chapters.  I'll leave a full review on Goodreads.

I also started Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis, book 5 in the Narnia series.  We never did get to this book as a read aloud when we read the first four of the Narnia books with the boys, so I'm going to finish the series on my own.  So far, so good!

2019 Empty Shelf challenge as of 1/18/2019

Working on:
And since I never want anyone to think I have it all together, the reality of life for me (and everyone) is there are always areas that need work.  I am learning to not beat myself up but rather take a step back and honestly evaluate and make a plan for the next week.

I am currently struggling (read: not doing) the couch to 5k or any sort of meaningful exercise.  I've been sticking to my boundaries so far on food, but exercise is really hard in the winter.

I am also not keeping up on FLYlady zone cleaning and homeschool co-op class prep.

BUT! next week is a new week.  I'll think this weekend about what I could do to make these areas a little easier to hit and go from there.


What about you?
Any updates from any of you?  Since I'm no longer on social media, this is where we can get to know each other and build community.  Share what you're doing in the comments.  Also, if there are any blog posts you'd like to see from me this year, let me know!

31 comments:

  1. Yay for your 4th book I will Meditate. Adding to my prayers that the new publisher will be easier to work with and you can get your book out soon.

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  2. I really like your idea to use a specific color pen to underline and keep notes for each year.
    My study Bible is on my phone and iPad which sync with each other. I am able to give each highlight and underline color I use its own label. Your idea was the missing piece I needed.
    Thank you for sharing.

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    1. Yes! Perfect! I love that you can do that digitally!

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    2. I like this idea too. I think I will adapt it to use with specific group studies/challenges. I use colored pencils and a black micron for my personal studies.

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  3. Good for you on going to the dentist! I hate going! I would rather have a gyn exam where you know exactly how long it’ll be - with the dentist cleaning they can say time & time again ‘just a little more’ ‘just a little more’ - urggg! I too at times, have almost gotten up & left.

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    1. Yup. If I get her again, I will do like another reader said and ask her to be gentle with me. I hate dentist trips too!

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  4. Hi Kari! I decided to pick a word this year too. I chose disciple. I want to be a better disciple for Christ this year, to mature and to share the word... I tend to get shy. My reading goal was to read more fiction but I realized I love nonfiction too much to give it up so I’m in the middle of With Christ in the School of Prayer by Andrew Murray. I’m following you on Goodreads...you have good books. Keeping up with the M’Cheyne plan on YouVersion which also has audio ability. And I’m doing a bible study on Psalms. A month in and I don’t feel overwhelmed yet. But I know I will down the road so just trying to build good habits for now.

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    1. I love that word, and awesome job on keeping up and just focusing on building good habits!

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  5. I’m reading Trusting God by Jerry Bridges and my Word of the year is Joy. At church we are doing a Grace Study and living in the fruits of the spirit.

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    1. I have yet to read anything by Jerry Bridges, but know want to!

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  6. I absolutely love your weekly blog update! I love hearing about what you're reading, studying, etc. It spurs ideas in me. And I agree with you that it seems more personal than a FaceBook post. I have had a similar problem with the dental cleanings so I just let her know up front that her normal method of cleaning hurts me and could she please be more gentle. She did a great job! Now I watch TV while she does it and I look forward to teeth cleaning time as relaxing HGTV time! I am currently reading SEVERAL books at once! They are mostly daily devotionals so I use them as springboards to my conversation with God each day. I am really loving each & every one of them: Ever Faithful, Waiting on God, A Year With C.S. Lewis, Encountering the Holy Spirit in Every Book of the Bible, Handbook to Scripture - Integrating the Bible into Everyday Life, and Face to Face - Praying the Scriptures of Intimate Worship. In addition to this reading/conversing/listening time I am also enjoying a few studies: Armor of God, Soul Nourishment, and Ephesians (in-depth, my way). Can you tell I recently retired? :)

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    1. I LOVE that you are using your retirement to read some great books! I saw that C.S. Lewis one on Amazon and wondered about it. Let me know what you think as you go on!

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  7. I love these weekly updates. Your honesty has always made me feel like I'm not alone in this whole wife, mother, writer, friend, introverted-extrovert world I live in! Remember what FlyLady says: "You are not behind! Just jump in where we are." I've been using her system since 2007 and I'm still not "done." :) Keep writing. Keep doodling. Keep inspiring us.

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    1. I think we started FLYlady about the same time! Thank you for your encouragement! It means a lot... as I'm sure you know writing and mothering etc can seem very lonely at times!

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  8. I need to get your I will meditate books once my husband returns back to work. This government shutdown has really opened up our eyes to how unready we were financially and mentally. It has taken it's toll on us both but God has been very gracious to us.

    Loving your weekly updates. Makes me strive to be more disciplined in my every day life. Even though my kids are grown and have children of their own, I can still implement some of this to my life. My 2019 word is Hope. I still need to sill down and write the scriptures for this word. Looking forward to the changes to come.

    Disciplining myself has been the hardest thing I have tried to do. I still struggle with it each day but I keep moving forward and striving to do better each day.

    Thank you for your honesty and openness in how you and what you are doing. I look forward to your next update.

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    1. I am so sorry you are struggling with the government shutdown. I've heard from others how it has taught them that even what was considered one of the most stable jobs in the US, is unstable. Glad you are focusing on HOPE through this time and where to find true hope. (That's my focus the first half of the year too, as I'm writing a topical Bible study on it, and man, has it been eyeopening!)

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  9. I had the same response to "The Gospel Comes with a Housekey." I had issues early on but then came to really appreciate the book as I got further in.

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    1. Oh good! It has definitely earned re-read status on my bookshelf!

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  10. Hello, this is my 1st time to comment. I am working on putting together a Bible Study at church. It is going to be for women and there has not been anyone doing a Women's Group in awhile. 1st I need prayer. I felt led to start the group with prayer. If course the sinners prayer is 1st. But while researching I started going off track and have been working all week off subject. I am bipolar so I have trouble staying on 1 track normally. Even on meds. Does anyone have any advice on how to help me stay focused? I am so excited to be doing this Study!!!! I love reading this blog and feel blessed to be brave enough to finally post.

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    1. Thanks for posting! Glad you had the courage! I haven't struggled with bipolar, so all my thoughts might be for nothing, but I have struggled (still do!) with focus. The best thing I can do is break my focus periods into 25 min chunks with 5 minute breaks (The Pomodoro Technique--research that online if you want to know more). That way, even if I'm off track, I'm usually only off track for 25 minutes, not hours. The 5 minute reset definitely helps get blood flowing again, and get re-focused. Also, I've been trying to be sure to pray before I start my day and off and on throughout the day for focus. And then you just gotta do the grind of practicing over and over and over again. Thanks for posting!

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    2. Thank you for the helpful reply. I had not thought about taking timely breaks. That's great !!!!!!!! I generally get very discouraged and mad at myself. Then go away frustrated. Thank you. I will definitely try this.

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  11. I don’t know if this already posted, but I entered a comment and it disappeared! I want you to know, your blog and Bible Studies really make a difference for me. The Ephesians Study is the first tI have ever actually finished! I love all your studies and you’ve got me following Barb Raveling and Thin Within as well. My goal for this year is to get healthy and learn to follow my boundaries. I am working through the Emotional Eating Study by Barb and have her book you are reading on my dresser. I have been eating healthier, though not following my boundaries yet and not exercising yet. Like you said though, Next week is a new week. I think I need to start saying the next moment is a new moment though! LOL. Anyway, thank you for what you do and God Bless You!

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    1. Exactly. A new week to try yet again. So thankful for His unending grace! Go get em!

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  12. Just read your post. If you are still looking for help with KDP, please contact me. I just published two books with KDP and working on another one.

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  13. My Word is Seek. I am seeking the Word of the Lord, A More healthy life, and Financial Independence. I am doing best in seeking the Word of the Lord because it is tied to my journal writing. My worst area is healthy life. I just can't stay away from sugar. I am doing better with saying no to unneeded purchases. I am reading Un off-end-able by Brant Hansen. This is a lesson I needed. I am keeping up with saving some time to be creative two or three times a week. I am not doing well with my goal to communicate with family members. Mine are all long distance. This is probably because I have to work my time schedule into theirs in order to phone. If I leave a text I can't tell if they have read it because they don't answer. I may switch to letter writing. I can be creative and communicate at the same time. So I will try to continue week by week to improve. I didn't shut off social media, but I gave it a five min./five people time limit. That is working as long as I keep up with it every day..

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    1. Love your word! We both need to just keep plugging along and thanking God for a new day. Keep going!

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  14. Thanks to maymay helms, I have found you.. I love the way you put things. i have glimpsed at a few of your videos.. and have been praying for others who are taking this journey. and i am grateful to see its not all together..and there is a direction. you are right exercise and winter are not the best of friends. i am recovering from a surgery that has cleared me of cancer.. praise god .. and will go beck to work monday.. so the father in his infinite wisdom has directed me to you. I am preparing the first journey through ephesians.. and hope to continue and opening up to the holy spirit and being led where to go..

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    1. So excited you found me through Maymay! Praise God for healing you of cancer! I pray you are blessed by the study!

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  15. I so love that Narnia line! Thanks so much for sharing your weekly updates here...it is very encouraging to see the "dailiness" of someone else's life, and inspires me to get going on some of my own goals and projects. Plus, the added bonus of reminders like, "oh yeah, I need to schedule a dentist appt. too!" :)

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  16. I love seeing your pages in your bullet journal. I'm off to read why your not on social media anymore.

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