A time to plan....

Wow where did December go? It feels like yesterday I was taking out the Christmas decorations and putting up the tree, and now its time to put it all away again for another year. In some senses I'm sad to see this month go - I love the holiday cheer, the traditions, Christmas cards, twinkling lights, and the excitement of all the church events.....but when December ends it means we are ringing in a new year. I love a fresh start - a time to reflect on the last year - all the highs and lows. And a time to plan out the new year! What can I say I love lists, planning, organizing and the start of something new!

SIDE NOTE --- WHY I DIDN'T DO DECEMBER DAILY THIS YEAR ....
December was a crazy month of planning and organizing for Operation CL shoeboxes, getting myself ready for Christmas, getting all the church events together and helping Fred. Then when I was ready to sit back and relax and enjoy my time in Constance Lake I got sick. And I still feel like I'm just finally getting over that cold/flu. With getting sick I had to eliminate things that were causing me to be stressed - including December Daily. I hated to not finish it, I knew December would be documented already with doing Project Life (which sits at being done up to October - my first goal of the new year will include printing the rest of my pictures and finishing that project)

So anyways..... like I said I love to plan the new year .........work, scrapbooking, ministry and life in general. I found this great article on LifeWay's website that lists 31 questions to ask prayerfully in the presence of God as you "Consider your ways". It has great questions to get you focused....some include:

1. What's one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?
2. What's the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?
3. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?
4. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?
5. What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year?
6. What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church?
7. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?
8. What's the most important way you will, by God's grace, try to make this year different from last year?
9. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?
10. What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in 10 years? In eternity?

I want to ponder over these questions in January and really prayerfully consider what God wants to me to do over this coming year of 2012. I love knowing that my small group will continue to run into March or April with our Beth Moore Study - love studying God's word, memorizing it and meeting with other women to discuss it. This was such a high for me this year and excited it continues!

I loved this video from Steven Furtick where he talks about his ministry over the past year and what to look forward to in the next year. And this article that includes what church leaders over the US plan to do in the coming year. It makes me wonder how will my job change this year as Bethel changes and grows and how will the ministries I am apart of grow and change - will there be challenges, will there be things that will need to end, will there be growth.....

And I'm excited about what I could do in terms of scrapbooking over the coming year. I already have set out to do a scrapbook with my mom on her life, but I'm not sure beyond that what I want to do. I have signed up to The Daily Digi to learn more about digital scrapbooking, but I'm not sure what I want to do with that....There are so many projects to do:

- Capture Your 365 or Project 52 documenting everyday or every week through pictures.
- Project Life - continue on maybe digitally?
- Monthly Roundups started by the Scrapbook Lady
- making a goal to complete so many layouts a month/year
- finish Ali Edwards class I purchased over 2 years ago (yikes!)

No matter what projects I decide to do, I want to make sure that I keep documenting our life - from daily stuff to special events I want to keep the camera out and document it all. Thats what I loved about Project Life - it got me excited about my hobby again and reminded me of why I like to scrapbook - it opens up your daily world to so much more - it makes me reflect more, share more and and be more thoughtful on what we are doing and how we spend our time.

So with all of this planning and excitement around the new year I do want to thank 2011 for all its highs and lows - its been a crazy year and one that I will never forget! Cheers to the New Year....what do you have in store for us?

December Daily prompts

I have taken the plunge and decided to do a December Daily album again this year (last time I did this type of album was back in 2008 and a lot has changed in my life including my house and my job!). But the issue I was having in making that decision was that I am doing Project Life already this year and how would there be a need for documenting a month in two different albums. I decided that the DD album will be a journal about the Christmas season and the Project Life album a document of my daily life around the crazy holiday season. Make sense? To start the DD album off I have created the album pages and have a basket ready with supplies to add to the pages with the pictures and journaling. But I also wanted to put together a list of prompts that would help me on a day when maybe there wasn't a Christmas focus already.....and I just want to note that your december daily doesn't have to be just Christmas focused (as Ali Edwards the creator of this idea mentions that she puts in their yearly dentist appointment in her DD album). But for me this year mine will be completely and totally centred around Christmas.

So back to ways to keep me focused/motivated/inspired on documenting the holiday season for a whole month. You would be surprised to find all of the different prompts/free classes/pdf's/blog entires, etc out there.

Ali Edwards lists 25 ideas for what to do for each day

Last year Jessica Sprague did a free Christmas class (she is doing another one this year too) with 31 prompts - with a write, photograph, do or make idea. For example December 1st the prompt included a quote "May your walls know joy, may every room hold laughter, and every window open to great possibility." Mary Anne Radmacher. Write your thoughts about your family's holiday values. Photograph: Take a "Welcome to December!" photo of everyone in your family. Remember: What is your earliest holiday memory?

 25 December Daily Photo Ideas by Katrina Kennedy - Katrina provides a downloadable pdf for inspiration oh what you can document through pictures.

Trixie Scraps has daily prompts to provide inspiration on her blog. So only one more day until the Christmas documenting begins.....look out camera here we go!

Mini book for Constance Lake

Starting to put together ideas for what I want to do for a mini book/journal for when we go to Constance Lake this year. Each time we have gone I have wanted to do something. The first year I was able to do a huge album with many pictures and journaling from each day. But it was a lot of work and overwhelming for people to sit down and look through and takes up a lot of room. My second year I went with the thought to do something similar but didn't really do a lot of journaling and then as September rolled around life got crazy and it just never happened. I have many photos in an album but no journaling to go with them - I'm disappointed with it but also don't know what to do to make it come together - just not feeling it right now. And when we went at Christmas - it was a shorter trip and personal life issues kept me again from really doing any journaling/scrapbooking for it.

So moving forward I'm starting to think about how I want to document this trip, this huge time in my life as I prepare, organize, bring together a team, work alongside my friends and husband and then travel into another culture and learn stories, tell God's story and embrace what God is having me do in this time of my life. Its a lot to document. And yet I know if I don't make it simple and plan ahead I will lose the ambition, the focus, the thoughts to really document it.

So I was thrilled when Ali Edwards put together an affordable online class called "Scrapbook on the Road". Perfect! Sign me up! She provides pdf's and videos to walk you through her process of putting together mini book ahead of time, while travelling and when she gets back. I finally got to start watching those videos and reading through the material this week. WOW! Love all of her ideas. Made me start to think ...

This year will also be the first year we will actually have a team member responsible for taking photos and video. THis always me to be more present with the kids and still have the great photos afterwards. Thrilled! So as I start thinking about this process and knowing that we will have hundreds of photos I'm loving the idea of doing a mini book with some photos, much journaling and a place to include "stuff" from the week. And then also doing a photo book - with the great shots from the week - best of both worlds and allows for others to purchase the books as well. So I'm still in the planning stage but enjoying the process

Inspiration everywhere...

Lately I have actually been feeling like I want to scrapbook ...

...its been a long time since I did anything ... scrapbook wise....creative wise....

Yes I have been doing Project Life and I have been loving it! If you haven't heard about it or seen it (first crawl out of that cave you must have been living in ) and go check it out on Becky Higgins site. Fabulous product that makes scrapbooking very easy and it has gotten me to take more pictures (something I have been struggling to do for some time now).

So that being said though I wasn't doing anything else - nothing really was inspiring me, until..... I was listening to Paperclipping Roundtable one night on the way to Ottawa. In one of their podcasts (LOVE!) they were talking about Get It Scrapped and Masterful Scrapbooking Design and an upcoming event called True Scrap. So I had to check these out....

A few days later I signed up for Masterful Scrapbooking's March edition (and got a free edition as a part of a promo they were doing ). The March issue was all about Inspiration - and just a few days of looking at these new sites, listening to more podcasts I was inspired to sit down and create something! Love that - love listening to creative people be passionate about what they are doing and wanting to encourage others to just get out and create. So it was a simple creation - birthday cards for some April birthdays, but it was something. I also got caught up on Project life, did a few layouts for it and started putting together scripture journals for April and I.

I was excited, I was creating!


(Photo - one of the cards I created)

I found that by listening to the podcasts from Paperclipping Roundtable, Paperclipping Digi, Creative with Jamie, and audio from Masterful scrapbooking I was getting really excited about my hobby again. I even found a way to get my iPod shuffle to work in a set of speakers so I could listen while I was in the shower and getting ready in the morning!

I started looking into the True Scrap event - and was excited to see that it ran in between April and mine birthdays - bonus as we were trying to figure out what to do. So we signed up and created our whole birthday celebreation around this online scrapbooking event from April 7th - 9th. Each day had hour long classes with videos and q&a times and teachings on a variety of subjects including inspiration, journaling, stamping, photography, etc.


(Photo - screen shot from one of the classes)

It was great. It made me think about my own scrapbooking style - what is it? how to figure that out? what do I use to get me inspired? what are my methods? what are my favourite design principles? Lots of great questions!

So I am enjoying this process right now of falling in love with this hobby again - loving the creative flow, the people involved in it and how it can relax me after a stressful or eventful day. I will continue to examine what my style is, where I get my inspiration and how do I go about putting together a page or project. One thing I am starting to try out is an inspiration journal - just a place to put all of my thoughts, quotes, ideas, sketches, techniques, products, etc down in one place.

Looking forward to this time of being creative!

Feb 1st Verse

New month - another verse. In this case I'm picking my 2 verses for the month together - working away at the first verse and adding the second at the middle of the month. However I'm still struggling with memorizing my 2nd verse from January - ugh!

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4: 6

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4: 7

2nd Verse for January

Here it is - my second verse for this month. I am doing well remembering the first one so taking the next step. I was having troubles finding a verse that was really speaking to what I'm going through right now and would really benefit me to memorize .... but I found one while reading this morning

Psalm 37:7 (NIV)
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.

January - Memory Verse

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Books I Read in 2010

As we go into this new year I wanted to recap on what I read over the course of the 2010 year.

- I Quit by Geri Scazzero (great non-fiction book)
- One Perfect Day by Lauraine Snelling (fiction - sad Christmas novel)
- While We're Far Apart by Lyn Austin (fiction)
- House Rules by Jodi Picoult (fiction - very popular book about an autistic boy)
- Blessings in Disguise by Lauraine Snelling (fiction - last in series)
- Tender Mercies by Lauraine Snelling (fiction - series)
- The Reaper's Song by Lauraine Snelling (fiction - series)
- A Land to Call Home by Lauraine Snelling (fiction - series)
- A New Day Rising by Lauraine Snelling (fiction - series)
- An Untamed Land by Lauraine Snelling (fiction - series)
- Choosing to See by Mary Beth Chapman (incredible biography - everyone should read this!)
- So Long Insecurity by Beth Moore (non-fiction book that is incredible and one I will need to read again!)
- Mornings Refrain by Tracie Peterson (fiction - series)
- Dawn's Prelude by Tracie Peterson (fiction - series)
- A Fragile Design by Tracie Peterson (fiction - series)
- Daughter of the Loom by Tracie Peterson (fiction)
- Predator by Terri Blackstock (fiction)
- The Hidden Flame by Davis Bunn & Janette Oke (fiction)
- Sabbath Keeping by Lynne M. Baab (non-fiction)
- The Centurion's Wife by Davis Bunn & Janette Oke (fiction)
- Harry Potter and Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling (fiction)
- Open Heart Open Home by Karen Durton Mains (non-fiction)
- The Trial by Robert Whitlow (fiction)
- Dinner with a Perfect Stranger by David Gregory (great non-fiction)
- Her Mother's Hope by Francine Rivers (best fiction I read this year)
- And the Angels were Silent by Max Lucado (great non-fiction especially as you reflect around the Easter season)
- The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen (fiction)
- Take One by Karen Kingsbury (fiction)
- Double Minds by Terri Blackstock (fiction)
- Tears in a Bottle by Sylvia Bambola (fiction - lots of tears!)
- Not Without My Daughter by Betty Mahmoody (true story - very interesting)
- Thats (not exactly) Amore by Tracey Bateman (fiction)

32 books in total.

Happy New Year - 2011!

Wow as I was typing that title I wanted to type 2010 - but believe you me I am ready for a fresh start in a new year. Just reflecting back yesterday with friends and my hubby on all that went on in our year 2010. Some things I had forgotten (but thanks to my journal was reminded of) and some things I would like to forget.

But 2010 was full of change and challenges:
- moving into our 3rd purchased home in Kingston (since getting married this was our 6th move not counting moves to parents homes) at the end of January (very cold weekend)
- in March I attend a Living Proof Live event with April - hosted by Beth Moore and was pumped for quite some time afterwards - her main msg verse was Isaiah 43:18-19 in the Message translation:
"Forget about what's happened, don't keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand new" which I put in a frame and was constantly reminded of throughout the year
- also in March Fred and I went to the DayStar Summit in Hamilton and were pumped again for another summer of Constance Lake
- struggled with my health battling many serious colds and many trips to the walk in clinic
- I completed another Week in the Life mini album which April and I did together
- in April I turned 29
- Fred and I went to New York City (Manhattan & Queens) for the "Emotionally, Healthy, Spirituality" Conference
- I started a new job at Bethel Church part time
- we took in a University Student for 2 months
- Fred attended another week of schooling in Hamilton
- we went camping in June at the Delta Park with Abby
- Fred did another summer at Camp Iawah
- we planned and ran another successful trip to Constance Lake with a team of 20
- we attended the Grendel family campout at Delta Park
- we had the McCann and Grendel families + friends over on Sept 5th for Fred's 30th birthday
- attended another Beth Moore event (simulcast in Kingston)
- Concerts this year included News Boys(Kingston) and David Crowder Band (Ottawa)
- we celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary in Ottawa
- we started the process of becoming Foster Parents and had a nine year old autistic child with us from Oct 12 to Dec 16th
- Dad struggled with many health issues that became very concerning
- we organized and lead another trip to Constance Lake in Dec with a team of 8 and 288 shoeboxes and many more gifts for the community
- celebrated our first Christmas in our new home and spent New Years Eve there as well with best friends

Reflecting on last years resolutions:
- reading through the bible in a year {failed in March}
- reading more non fiction (and keeping record of all that I read again) {ACCOMPLISHED! I read 7 non-fiction and kept track of all 32 books}
- giving up control of all my time and visiting more with family and friends {failed}
- taking more pictures (I want to try to keep record of each month in some way that I haven't decide yet) and making time to create something each month {barely took any pictures this past year - failed}
- starting and finishing my Ali Edwards scrapbook class I purchased last year {not even close}
- take more walks with Fred and learn to enjoy the outdoors more {I did take more but not enough}

So what do I want to plan to do over the course of 2011 ....
- I would love to read through the bible this year and when/if I fall behind to not get discouraged
- memorize 12 scripture verses this year
- to document 52 weeks of "life" in my Project Life album
- to move more and eat less (go through the CRAVE bible study)
- to finish my Yesterday and Today Ali Edwards class I purchased in 2009
- work on my "I Quits" and my Emotionally Healthy Spirituality
- to continue to read more nonfiction and document all that I have read as well as all I have watched