I've been consistently impressed by Bullet Journals and those who make it, along with the art of handwriting. I've really wanted a project just for me that I can work on my handwriting skill, since these days I'm not writing as much as I used to, and this has always been in the back of my mind. I would be lying if making this wasn't scary for me, I wanted so badly for it to be good, but it's mine and I did it for me, and it's amazing. Yes, I had shaky hands when writing at times, and ink smeared which annoyed me, but those "flaws" make it beautiful. I'm excited to use this journal as a reflection and meditation for myself and as a place to organize this month. Summer is almost over and to save I'm excited for pumpkins and fall weather would be an understatement. I'm ready to try this journaling thing out, improve my handwriting/calligraphy and maybe even find a place of balance in my life. Each page is dedicated to a specific area, from tracking my daily habits to writing down recommendations for books and movies, even an area dedicated to my spending and adventures I take over the course of August. I'm excited to see how this journal helps me to grow as an individual this next month. I'm excited to use different writing instruments in this journal and making this uniquely my own.
Do you keep a journal to track your life? What do you put in it? Let me know in the comments below if you journal or if journaling helps you, what would you put in your journal?
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A Faith JourneyA little over two years ago I decided to do something that was incredibly out of my comfort zone. I rode in a car with a bunch of people I barely knew, I spent a week without my sister, and I went to the beaches of Florida to "evangelize". However, this trip brought a new light on my religion and made me want to become a better Christian. This has been difficult. I always feel isolated from religious groups, in college I felt like I wasn't enough in one sense or I didn't believe similarly to some in another sense and I wasn't going to feel like I belonged. This has continued as I struggle to find some footing at my home church, being in a small age category where I only have my sister to connect with, it's hard. It's hard to feel so disconnected from a place and a group of people, to feel almost ignored in some sense, and like you won't ever fit in or belong.
But this past Sunday something happened, and I feel less alone, less ignored, and maybe I'm not as isolated in my faith journey as I thought. To set the scene: Sunday mornings I am tired. I am not functioning at least until I eat my breakfast at church. Even sometimes after that. Normally the only times any one ever talks to me at church is when they're cornering me trying to find out information in which I give vague answers because i need my space. This was different as a woman came up to me and asked if I had "The Good News on Wednesday." Me, being confused did not respond and probably looked more confused at her, because I could not remember what happened on Wednesday, nor if there was "Good News". Then she mentioned a Bible, and it hit me. I had been using a Good News translation of a Bible for Wednesday night Bible Study. She then handed me a Study Bible, a new Study Bible New International Version. I don't even think I said thank you at the time because I didn't realize what she was giving me. The Good News Bible I had been using was a replica of the Bible I got from my grandfather. The Bible from my grandpa sits next to my bed. As I grew in deeper faith I decided I wanted to get a Bible to mark up, to study the word further in, but I got OVERWHELMED. There are so many translations, and designs of Bibles, Bible journals with space to doodle and write notes, and so much more. Study Bible directed and different age groups and genders and so much. I decided to stick with something I knew and got this Good News Bible at a thrift store with the hopes to mark it up accordingly. However, I continued to write notes in a little notebook. This is a Study Bible was a gift that I had wanted for awhile now. Something I had thought about getting, but was to overwhelmed by the decision. I know that there is no way for me to adequately say thank you for this gift. I haven't even gone into it and I already know I have such deep appreciation for it. The pages are so clean and blank. The pages glitter and shine on the edge. I don't know where to begin with this Bible and yet I am filled with endless possibilities. I am eternally grateful, someone felt so called to go out a purchase a Bible for me. Or even just to see a Bible and think "they need this" or "I should get this for them". I don't know. But I'm so filled with emotion to be able to have this. I'm excited to delve into it, to read, and learn. But more importantly to grow in my faith. This blog post may contain affiliate links. Other Information Finally the end of July.
Some of you might have noticed I've been MIA for the last month. I've been really busy! The beginning of the month was probably the busiest. I was volunteering at DCI events and in-between all of that I went with my family to Frankfort, IN to lay my grandma to rest with her husband. It's been crazy, and to say that I've been overwhelmed by everything is an understatement. With my attempt at making this blog amazing, I also got overwhelmed by all the work I thought I needed to put into it. My expectations for myself posting every single day exhausted me and I was worn out once June concluded. This is something that often happens. I try to do something and I fall more and more behind and I end up not even trying to complete it. My friends could tell you about 10 different books I started, but never finished. I have tons of movies I purchased and have yet to watch. This doesn't even include the amount of TV series I've started, but never been able to complete. I just abandon things far to often. Maybe this has something to do with ending things, and not be able to say goodbye. I have a REALLLY tough goodbye coming up on Sunday. I'm not prepared for it AT ALL. I'm worried. It's probably one of the hardest goodbyes I've had since graduating. The good news is it's not goodbye forever, the bad news is that it is goodbye for awhile. My pastor has been "promoted" in a sense and is become the General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). I'm excited for this new journey, but also sad it means leaving us. Now I've been processing this emotion for awhile, but I found out Sunday the kiddos at church didn't realize she wasn't coming back after her "Last Sunday". I'm worried for them and what this change will bring to them because I remember what it was like when my pastor retired and all the stress and sadness that still lingers with that. However, that brings me to the next update which will hopefully wrap this whole post together in a pretty little bow, and that is my next blog series. So in trying to enrich my life spiritually I stumbled upon a company called "Proverbs 31" and this summer they had a Bible Study series surrounding the book "Me, Myself & Lies: what to say when you talk to yourself" by Jennifer Rothschild. I signed up and got the book late, which meant I was behind the group who were studying this book. Which also meant I was loosing the drive to read and participate because I was always at least a week behind. So three weeks in and I couldn't keep up. I wasn't getting anything out of the book or the study and I felt defeated. But then I had an idea. I would go through the book at my own pace and time with all of you readers. So throughout the month of August I will be reflecting on each chapter, probably at least once a week. There are about 11 Chapters, and at the end of each Chapter are "Soul-Talk Questions to Ponder". I plan on pondering these questions with all of you. Now if you'd like to read a long in this book with me, which I recommend, here is an Amazon link to purchase the book: http://amzn.to/2f1LdGm So I'm excited about this new series. Hopefully y'all will join me. If there is something you think I would be interested in reading or writing about please let me know in the comments below! :D |
AuthorHello! I'm Tamara, but my friends call me Tammy. I love crafting and making people smile. Follow all the exciting adventures and stories I have. Archives
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