Project 365 - Week #3

Sunday, April 26
Loving the Springtime Weather



Monday, April 27

No pic today - FAIL!

Tuesday, April 28
The Remains of the Day

Wednesday, April 29
Chocolate Flowers



Thursday, April 30
Wii!!!

Friday, May 1
Friday Feature

Saturday, May 2
Women of Faith

65. April Month in Review - Project 365

66. Project 365 - Week #2

Sunday, April 19
Drive into town



Monday, April 20
The Interviews

Tuesday, April 21
Deconstruction Begins

Wednesday, April 22
Springtime is Coming!!!



Thursday, April 23
Beautiful!

Friday, April 24
Hard-workin' Hubby Man

Saturday, April 25
Rainy Day Craft Project

4. 24 Scriptures in 12 Months ~ Memory Monday Tuesday

4. Do 24 Scriptures in 12 Months with Beth Moore



My April 15-30 passage is Lamentations 3:21-24

from memory:

Yet this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion,
therefore I will wait for him."

66. Project 365

Sunday, April 12, 2009
While You Were Out, Part 1



Monday, April 13, 2009
Beautiful Iowa Springtime

Tuesday, April 14, 2009
While You Were Out, Part 2

Wednesday, April 15, 2009
While You Were Out, Part 3



Thursday, April 16, 2009
Hunnybear's Home

Friday, April 17, 2009
Clean Sweep

Saturday, April 18, 2009
Poor Sicky Hubby

95. Daily Moments :)

95. Document (at least) one happy moment every day

Saturday, April 18, 2009
~ Lovin on sicky hubby :S
~ Talking to my dad!

Friday, April 17, 2009
~ Cleaning away!
~ Bubble bath! :)

Thursday, April 16, 2009
~ {Private!} :)

Wednesday, April 15, 2009
~ DNP Day
~ Finished hanging the rest of the art!
~ Austin's home!!!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009
~ Art hung!!!
~ First Bible study!

Monday, April 13, 2009
~ Laundry room counter & shelf in!

Sunday, April 12, 2009
~ He is Risen!!!! Praise the Lord!
~ Mmmmmm Chicken Cordon Bleu for lunch with Bryce & Thelma
~ Austin hung our doorbell!!!
~ Ottumwa Menard's run
~ Easter supper with Gma Riley, & Bryce & Thelma

Saturday, April 11, 2009
~ Shopping in Des Moines all day!
~ Funny cramped ride home!
~ Pizza supper with Bryce & Thelma

Friday, April 10, 2009
~ Good Friday - no work!!!
~ Piecing pink skirt

Thursday, April 9, 2009
~ Miraculously made it to our meeting on time!

Wednesday, April 8, 2009
~ Lunch with the Bible Study crew
~ Ashley & Thelma surprised me by cleaning our house
~ More curb shopping - Anna's along this time!
~ Austin's home!!!

Tuesday, April 7, 2009
~ Supper @ Gma Riley's - mmmmm ham balls!

Monday, April 6, 2009
~ Curb shopping!
~ TON of new clothes!!! Awesome!!!
~ Clothes-trying-on-party with Thelma & Ashley

Sunday, April 5, 2009
~ Supper at Anna's
~ Looking at prom pics!
~ Putting Nathanael to sleep
~ Amazing turtle pie! :)

Saturday, April 4, 2009
~ Hanging out with Ashley & the in-laws!
~ Whole clan (Austin included) curb shopping!

Friday, April 3, 2009

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Wednesay, April 1, 2009
~ Hangin at the Van Zomerens!
~ New clothes! (Thanks Carly!)

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Monday, March 30, 2009

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Saturday, March 28, 2009
~ Iowa City with Michael & Wendy
~ Penguin's Comedy Club

Friday, March 27, 2009
~ Hanging out with Anna!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Monday, March 23, 2009

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Saturday, March 21, 2009
~ Tyler & Emma's Wedding!!!

Friday, March 20, 2009

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Tuesday, March 17, 2009,

Monday, March 16, 2009

Sunday, March 15, 2009
~ "My Husband Rocks" convo w/ the Delta staff
~ Getting home safe and sound
~ Catching up on American Idol
~ Sleeping in our own bed

Saturday, March 14, 2009
~ Canadian friends conversation on the beach
~ Chatting with the pilot in the airport
~ Travelling buddies
~ Hoss putting Aquaphilic on my sunburn

Friday, March 13, 2009
~ Beach volleyball!
~ Shopping in town - found a beautiful Cozumel charm!!!

Thursday, March 12, 2009
~ SCUBA diving!!!
~ Fancy dinner at the Cafe Paraiso

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Monday, March 9, 2009

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Friday, March 6, 2009

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Monday, March 2, 2009

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Saturday, February 28, 2009
~ Jaarsma - yummmm!
~ Shoe shopping w/ my hubby!
~ Hangin' w/ the VW fam :)

Friday, February 27, 2009
~ Hanging out with Tom & Ash!
~ Found swagbucks!

Thursday, February 26, 2009
~ Lunch with the work ladies!!!
~ Yummy Doc Salami's!

Wednesday, February 25, 2009
~ Very productive day at work!

Tuesday, February 24, 2009
~ {Private} :)
~ Wearing new clothes always makes for a great day!

Monday, February 23, 2009
~ Started packing for Mexico!!! Woot, woot!

Sunday, February 22, 2009
~ Movies & 6-pack and a pound w/ my hunny bear!

Saturday, February 21, 2009
~ Hoss taking such good care of my sicky butt

Friday, February 20, 2009
~ Rice & Lentils w/ Hoss & Doug!
~ Bananagrams!

Thursday, February 19, 2009
~ More cheap clothes at JCP!!! Gotta love it!
~ Dinner @ Gma Riley's w/ Hoss, Bryce & Thelma

Wednesday, February 18, 2009
~ JCPenny killer sale! $5 pants rock my socks off!

Tuesday, February 17, 2009
~ American Idol! What, what!

Monday, February 16, 2009
~ 2 years ago today we got engaged!
~ MMMmmmmmm Fondue for supper

Sunday, February 15, 2009
~ Sleeping in
~ Salad & Parmesan Chicken!

Saturday, February 14, 2009
~ Dinner & dancing with Hoss and Michael & Kelly

Friday, February 13, 2009
~ Austin's home!!!
~ Chilling with my hubby!

Thursday, February 12, 2009
~ Hearing that my hubby misses me as much as I miss him

Wednesday, February 11, 2009
~ Left work early : )
~ Digital camera came!!!!
~ Yummy popcorn Valentine’s Day package from my parents.
~ Delicious supper with Mom & Dad Van Wyk

Tuesday, February 10, 2009
~ Supper w/ Craig & Austin

Monday, February 9, 2009
~ {Private} :)

Sunday, February 8, 2009
~ Mi Ranchito w/ all the parents
~ Movie night with my hubby

Saturday, February 7, 2009
~ My office is finally clean!!!
~ Fun day shopping and eating and organizing with Mom & Dad

Friday, February 6, 2009
~ Left work early! : )
~ Supper with Mom & Dad
~ Delicious Crepes Suzette – love new recipes!

Thursday, February 5, 2009
~ Ch-ch-ch-chilling w/ my hubby and my pupper dog : )

Wednesday, February 4, 2009
~ Bikini Girl OFF of American Idol!!!

Tuesday, February 3, 2009
~ American Idol Hollywood Week begins!!!
~ Diddy's bathtime!

Monday, February 2, 2009
~ Applying for my PASSPORT!!!

Sunday, February 1, 2009
~ Pizza Ranch w/ Bryce, Thelma & Gma Riley
~ Watching the Super Bowl w/ Hoss

Saturday, January 31, 2009
~ Hardee's Thickburgers!
~ Booking tickets to Mexico!!!
~ Wii Fit Hula Hoop competition w/ Hoss at Bryce & Thelma's
~ Wal Mart trip for < $100!

Friday, January 30, 2009
~ Lunch with Carol.
~ Finishing A Passion Most Pure.
~ Running 1 mile without stopping!

Thursday, January 29, 2009
~ Reading A Passion Most Pure in our new breakroom over my lunch hour

Wednesday, January 28, 2009
~ Cheesy beefy melt
~ Hanging loose w/ Hoss
~ Dreaming about our vacation

Tuesday, January 27, 2009
~ Running 3/4 mile without stopping
~ Bubble bath!
~ Getting our Guitar Hero World Tour on with Chris & Shalawna

Monday, January 26, 2009
~ Leaving earlier than expected from work
~ Feeling organized at work
~ Bubble bath!

Sunday, January 25, 2009
~ Finished our movies with Hoss!
~ Dreaming about Cancun trip!!!

Saturday, January 24, 2009
~ LOTS of laundry done!
~ Harry Potter marathon with Hoss!
~ The dog slept through the night in our bedroom without her kennel!

Friday, January 23, 2009
~ New organization at work!
~ Seeing Flo at Dr. Salami's
~ Supper out with Bryce, Thelma, Michael & Austin! :)

Thursday, January 22, 2009
~ First full day in the new office!
~ Ran a mile and 1/2!
~ Love my hard-working husband!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009
~ Moving my stuff to the new office
~ Ran a mile!!!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009
~ Time-Management training session
~ Leaving work an hour early
~ Finally getting Christmas decor put away!

Monday, January 19, 2009
~ "My Best Friend's Girl" w/ Hoss!
~ Spaghetti & cheesesticks for supper - yummm :)

Sunday, January 18, 2009
~ Going "home" to Fellowship
~ Watching movies w/ my hunnybear!

Saturday, January 17, 2009
~ New Escape!!! :)
~ Hoss finding a Wii fit in Ottumwa!
~ Playing Wii and then Wii Fit with Austin, Bryce, and Thelma
~ Finding out we're getting a new camera!

Friday, January 16, 2009
~ Hitting 150 participants in MHR Fridays!!! Woot woot!
~ Dinner w/ the fam at Bryce & Thelma's
~ Talking w/ Thelma until 2 in the morning! :)

Thursday, January 15, 2009
~ Dinner at Grandma Riley's house
~ Working out with Hoss

Wednesday, January 14, 2009
~ Playing scrabble on Facebook
~ Chatting w/ Austin & Craig
~ Baking a cake for Bryce's birthday

Tuesday, January 13, 2009
~ Talking to Mom & Dad on the phone
~ Setting up our "gym" w/ Hoss
~ Running for the second day in a row - for longer than I did yesterday!
~ Feeling the soreness in my abs - that means it's working!!!

Monday, January 12, 2009
~ Crepes au Nutella for dessert! :)
~ Picking my next 24 in 12 passage

Sunday, January 11, 2009
~ "We're training for a marathon" convo @ church
~ Vegging w/ Austin in the afternoon

Saturday, January 10, 2009
~ New jeans for Hoss!

Friday, January 9, 2009
~ Picked up my bridesmaid's dress from Emma
~ Fun morning w/ Michele and Brenda

Thursday, January 8, 2009
~ New sheet music for the piano!
~ Great phone conversation with my dad!
~ Beth Moore's Scripture Memorization Mini-Tutorial

Wednesday, January 7, 2009
~ Austin home early! Got to spend the whole evening together!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009
~ I got SOOOOOO much done at work today!
~ {Private} :)

Monday, January 5, 2009
~ Cleaning out e-mail inbox :)
~ Working on awards post

Sunday, January 4, 2009
~ House is so clean! :)
~ Watching P.S. I Love You w/ Hoss <3>

Saturday, January 3, 2009
~ QT w/ Hoss
~ Finishing up Thank You notes for Christmas gifts

Friday, January 2, 2009
~ Relaxing and reading on the couch
~ When Austin got home from work!

Thursday, January 1, 2009
~ Sleeping in.
~ Giving Diddy a bath with Austin.
~ Enjoying our Hardee's supper in the car in our driveway :)
~ Vegging out with Austin & catching up on Burn Notice!

Wednesday, December 31, 2008
~ Seeing Craig in his Little Richard Costume
~ Creating our 50's costumes for the New Year's Eve Party
~ The countdown!

Tuesday, December 30, 2008
~ Talking to Mona at Total Choice :)
~ Great phone convo w/ Aunt Geri!

Monday, December 29, 2008
~ Looking at Mommer's pictures of Christmas weekend
~ Watching this on YouTube
~ Long, fun phone call w/ my mom!

66. February Month in Review - Project 365

66. Do Project 365

Broken camera for most of the month means that I'm starting over on my Project 356 on March 1st!!! :)

4. 24 Scriptures in 12 Months ~ Memory Monday Tuesday

4. Do 24 Scriptures in 12 Months with Beth Moore



I finished Psalm 19 (a couple days late) which was my Feb 1-15 passage (from memory):

Psalm 19
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.

There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.

Their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the end of the world.

In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,
which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his
pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is hidden from its heat.

The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous.

They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold.
They are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.

By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.

Who can discern his errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.

Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.

Then I will be blameless;
innocent of great transgression.

May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

My passage for Feb 15-28 is 1 Peter 1:1-12

For this week, I have verses 1-3 (from memory):

1 Peter 1:1-3
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Asia, and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood:

Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4. 24 Scriptures in 12 Months ~ Memory Monday Tuesday

4. Do 24 Scriptures in 12 Months with Beth Moore



The passage that I'm using for February 1-15 is Psalm 19. Admittedly, I started a few days early (on the 28th), but I think that I will be done with it before the end of the week! Right now I think I have veres 1-13a pretty well memorized, but we shall see:

Psalm 19:1-13a

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.

There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.

Their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the end of the world.

In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,
which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his
pavillion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit
to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.

The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure,
and altogether righteous.
They re more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.

By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.

Who can discern his errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.

Keep your servant also from willful sins:
may they not rule over me.

Drat! Put a comma where I should have put a semicolon! :)

90. My Shelfari "I Plan to Read" Shelf

90. Read at least 30 books from my "I Plan To Read" Shelf

1. A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers (completed 12/29/08)
2. An Echo in the Darkness by Francine Rivers (completed 12/31/08)
3. As Sure as the Dawn by Francine Rivers (completed 1/2/09)
4. A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lessman (completed 2/1/09)

90. A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lessman from my Shelfari "I Plan to Read" Shelf

90. Read at least 30 books from my "I Plan To Read" Shelf



I just finished this book, I believe it is Julie Lessman's first novel, and it was phenomenal. I don't have any excerpts from this one because it was a library book, and I have already returned it.

I would also highly recommended this book. It is a beautiful portrayal of God's perfect plan for love and marriage, and the perils of living outside of that plan. Also, set during WWI with part of the action taking place in Ireland - a place that I would love to visit - the characters are very relateable and their struggles and triumphs an dlove for each other is portrayed so grippingly and so realistically that I could not put it down! I am looking forward to reading the next installment in the Daughters of Boston series!

66. January Month in Review - Project 365

I did not succeed in taking pictures every day of the month of January. Our camera was unfortunatley broken on New Year's Eve (after the below pic was taken), so I will be starting my Project 365 over as soon as the new one arrives! :)

4. 24 Scriptures in 12 Months ~ Memory Monday

4. Do 24 Scriptures in 12 Months with Beth Moore



Colossians 3:1-22

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. bBut now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with one another and forgive whatever grievances you may have against each one other. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.

Well, I had a couple little punctuation errors, and said each when I should have said one in one place, but all in all not bad :) - For next week I'll work on finishing the chapter + 4:1, then move on to something else - yet to be determined :)

31. Construct a workable housekeeping plan

31. Construct a workable housekeeping plan and stick to it for 3 consecutive weeks.

Here's my first attempt at a new housekeeping plan. I'm scheduled to start this TODAY! I sure hope this works! This may seem very basic, but I am just not naturally good at this housekeeping stuff, so I hope that I can find something that works!

Week #1
Sunday: Mud Room
Monday: Family Room
Tuesday: Downstairs Bath
Wednesday: Laundry Room
Thursday: Dining Room
Friday: Library
Saturday: Living Room

Week #2
Sunday: Entryway
Monday: Stairs & Hallway
Tuesday: Blue Bedroom
Wednesday: Green Bedroom
Thursday: Upstairs Bath
Friday: Master Suite
Saturday: Office


Every Week

Monday:
1. Vacuum Family Room floor and furniture
2. Clean out fridge
3. Wipe countertops

Tuesday:
1. Brush Diddy
2. Straighten Family Room
3. Paper Sweep - Downstairs
4. Mop Kitchen

Wednesday:
1. Correspondance
2. Vacuum Family Room floor and furniture
3. Dust
4. Wipe appliances

Thursday:
1. Brush Diddy
2. Straighten Bedroom
3. Paper Sweep - Upstairs
4. Straighten pantry shelves

Friday:
1. Vacuum Family Room floor and furniture
2. Necessities Inventory

83. Marathon Training Update

83. Participate in a marathon, and finish.

Just thought I'd pop in to give y'all a little update on our training. We've worked ourselves up to 2 miles every night we train. Our goal is to be running 5 miles/training session by Valentine's Day. We will progressively increase our mileage from that point, then in June we will participate in a half marathon, which is 13.1 miles. After that point, we will continue to increase our mileage until we are able to run the full 26.2 miles of the marathon on October 18th. :)

4. 24 Scriptures in 12 Months ~ Memory Monday

My passage for this week was Job 23:10-12:

But he knows the way that I take;
when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

My feet have closely followed his steps;
I have kept to his way without turning aside.

I have not departed from the commands of his lips;
I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.

AWESOME!!! This is the first time that I have been able to memorize scriptures so quickly and retain them!!! If you haven't, I would highly recommend checking out Beth Moore's Scripture Memorization Mini-Tutorial on her blog!!! It's fantastic!

4. 24 Scriptures in 12 Months ~ January 15-31

4. Do 24 Scriptures in 12 Months with Beth Moore

Job 23:10-12 (NIV)

10 But he knows the way that I take;
when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

11 My feet have closely followed his steps;
I have kept to his way without turning aside.

12 I have not departed from the commands of his lips;
I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.

83. Participate in a marathon, and finish.

source

Yep, that's right! You heard it here first ladies and gentlemen: Austin and I have decided that we are going to train for, and subsequently participate in, the IMT Des Moines Marathon on October 18, 2009.

Anyone who knows me in real life is probably laughing hysterically right about now, but we're serious. We're going to do it, and finish - I know I have no dream of placing, but if I start at the starting line and cross the finish line within the alotted 10 hours, I will be sufficiently proud of myself :)

To that end, we have converted one of our spare bedrroms into our own little mini-gym and had our first workout session last night! It was fun, and I hope the novelty doesn't wear off! :)

4. 24 Scriptures in 12 Months Memory Monday Wednesday!

I'm a little late this week because I just now put two and two together that I should work on my 24 in 12 by participating in the Memory Monday Game! :) Sometimes I'm a dork.

Here goes:

I desire to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart.

I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips,
as you know, O Lord.

I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
I do not conceal your love and your truth
from the great assembly.

Psalm 40:8-10 (NIV)

Woohoo! Only missing 1 comma! (My line ending was a little off, too, but that's hard to show on here.)

I will be working on Job 23:10-12 for next week! :)

4. 24 Scriptures in 12 Months ~ January 1-15th

4. Do 24 Scriptures in 12 Months with Beth Moore

Psalm 40:8-10

8 I desire to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart."

9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips,
as you know, O LORD.

10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
I do not conceal your love and your truth
from the great assembly.

4. 24 Scriptures in 12 Months

4. Do 24 Scriptures in 12 Months with Beth Moore

I have been a sporadic reader of the LPM (Living Proof Ministries) blog for several months, and have enjoyed a couple of Beth Moore's Bible studies in the past; however, thanks to the lovely Janell of the 5:16 club, I found this challenge for 2009.

Not only has Beth encouraged us to memorize 2 scriptures this year, she has also provided a very helpful tutorial on memorization!

I'm so excited about this, I've moved a couple of things around on my list, and added it as #4! :)

28 & 101. Correspondance

28. Send each family member a birthday card.
and
101. Write thank you notes for every gift we receive.


Here's my first stack of letters! Thank you notes for Christmas cards, and all the January Birthday cards! :) Yay!

90. As Sure as the Dawn by Francine Rivers from My Shelfari "I Plan to Read" Shelf

90. Read at least 30 books from my "I Plan To Read" Shelf



The third and final installment of Francine Rivers's Mark of the Lion series was everything I expected and more! It was very, very different from the other two as it was set mostly in barbaric Germania as opposed to the facade of civility of early Rome. As Sure as the Dawn follows the story of former gladiator Atretes through his battle against his bitterness and the pain and anger of his past. This entire series is a definite must-read for any Christian! I have seen faith, and love, and forgiveness, and hunger for the Word in an entirely new and exciting light! Rivers deftly communicates the depth of human depravity juxtaposed agains the absolute faithfulness of God! Truly a powerful and transforming read which I would highly recommend!

As always, a few of my favorite excerpts:

". . . 'What is more beautiful than the innocence of a child?' John said, smiling down at Caleb. 'I remember how children flocked around Jesus as we traveled through townships.' He shook his head. 'At first we'd try to shoo them away, thinking of them as no more than a swarm of pseky flies,' he said with a soft laugh, 'and Jesus would gather them to him and bless them one by one. He told us unless we become like children, we will not enter the kingdom of heaven.'

Rizpah smiled tenderly. 'Humble and helpless.'

'And completely open to the love and truth of God,' John added, smiling. . ."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

". . . She looked at John. 'I'm sorry,' she said. 'I always speak before I think better of it.' So many thoughts rushed through her head.

'You're not alone in having a tongue of fire, Rizpah.' His mouth tipped. 'Jesus called me and James Boanerges. Sons of Thunder.'

She laughed. 'You? Well, perhaps there's hope for me after all.'

'You've given your life to CHrist, and rest assured, he will mold and make you into the vessel best designed to his purposes.'

'Yes, but I wish I knew what that purpose was.'

'You do know. God's will isn't hidden away like the myths and philosophies and knowledge of the world. Jesus told us openly and daily what his will for us is. Love one another. Love one another.'

'But how? You can't even imagine the kind of man Atretes is.'

'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. In God we live and move and have our being. In God, we can love one another.' . . ."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

". . . 'We're the same way. We're learing to walk with Christ. It's a process, not a finished act. We make a decision for the Lord and are saved, but it doesn't end there. We ahv eto apply ourselves diligently to our own sanctification. What Scripture I know, I'll give to you. You apply God's Word in day-to-day practical living. The truth itself will witness to these people.' . . ."

65. Project 365 - The beginning

I have started on my "Project 365!" I'm posting my pictures in my photoblog!

90. An Echo in the Darkness by Francine Rivers from My Shelfari "I Plan to Read" Shelf

90. Read at least 30 books from my "I Plan To Read" Shelf



The second installment in Francine Rivers' Mark of the Lion series did not disappoint! Strong, conflicted characters, and a gripping plot make for another powerful read! Although these books are set in first millenium Roman culture, so much of the drama could easily have been played out today. As usual, Rivers does a phenomenal job of weaving timeless truth into a compelling narrative.

Here are a few of my favorite lines:

". . . And so Marcus did as he was asked. He gave in to his dep need to speak of Hadassah. And all the while he talked of her, he failed to see the irony in what he was doing. For as he told the story of a simple Judean slave girl, Marcus Lucianus Valerian, a Roman who didn't believe in anything, proclaimed the gospel of Jesus Christ . . ."

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". . . He felt her withdrawal. 'I'm sorry,' he said, shutting his eyes. 'It's nt you I'm angry with. God asks too much.'

'Does he? Jesus forgave the men who drove the nails into his hands and feet. He forgave the people who mocked him as he hung on the cross. He even forgave the disciples for deserting him. Aren't we all like that, Marcus? Fallible. Afraid. Weak in our faith. And still Jesus loves us and points the way to real freedom and what it means' . . ."

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SPOILER ALERT! THE FOLLOWING QUOTE MAY GIVE AWAY CRUCIAL PLOT POINTS, BUT IT WAS JUST TOO GOOD TO NOT ADD HERE!

". . . 'Do you remember when Hadassah first came to us? She was a pathetic, skinny little thing with eyes too big for her face and her hair growing back in tatters. Yous aid she was ugly, and your father and Julia shared the same opinion. I didn't know what it was about her then that made me so sure she was right for Julia. I just knew. Now I know God works in our lives even before we believe. He sets his plan in motion and fulfills it in his time."

She approached her son and put a comforting h and on his arm. "I believed her about Jesus, Marcus. Your father believed at the end. You went to curse God for taking her life and returned praising him. And Julia, our rebellious, beloved Julia, stubborn to the last moment, is now with the Lord. Each one of us as come to know Christ because we saw him at work in Hadassah's life. She was God's gift to us' . . . "

41. Create a Master Bill Paying Schedule/List

Woohoo!!! Thanks to my rocking awesome husband, I have my first officially completed item on my 100 things in 1001 days list! This morning he made me a master schedule for all of the bills that we have!!! What a great guy! :)