Accountability Week 4, Day 4

Woke up at 6:00 to read Philippians and pray/journal. I’ve been praying over my feelings of anxiety and concern for our world.

Philippians 3:¹⁸ For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. ¹⁹ They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. ²⁰ But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. ²¹ He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.

This will be the last post in this series of accountability. This afternoon we drive off to Alyeska Resort to take in some swimming and skiing to celebrate Gregg’s 49th birthday. (FYI: On January 3, 1959, Alaska, with a land mass larger than Texas, California and Montana combined, became the 49th state in the union.) Maybe the girls and I will upload another vlog from this excursion. Watch for it here: Youtube at Kim Huitt.

So onto the finale with the 31-day Challenge:

1. Becoming emotionally healthy, holding love and tenderness in balance with boundaries. It seems the backdrop to 2020 has been unsettling to me. So many disagreements over issues online and also in my personal life. The “younger me” would want to fix it all and bear the weight on my shoulders. The “being-made-new me” is trusting the Lord to keep and watch over my life wherever I come and go, both now and forever. Jesus said, “Come to me all who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Thank you Jesus!
2. Reading two books a month and not grazing over 2 and never finishing a book. Well it seems I could use some work in this area. I’ll take these two books along with us and see if I can make some progress by the pool.
3. Staying on target with spending plans in time and money. So grateful for the shift in habits. I am wondering if others want to join in with an accountability group to help keep each other motivated with their challenges from the month? I would love to foster more community.

Well it’s time to get packed and ready for the day ahead. I pray that you will be held in perfect peace today. Every moment we breathe in His grace. Let us speak truth as we walk in The Way.

Accountability Week 4, Day 3

Psalm 33:¹ Let the godly sing for joy to the Lord;
    it is fitting for the pure to praise him.
² Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre;
    make music for him on the ten-stringed harp.
³ Sing a new song of praise to him;
    play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy.
⁴ For the word of the Lord holds true,
    and we can trust everything he does.
⁵ He loves whatever is just and good;
    the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth.

⁶ The Lord merely spoke,
    and the heavens were created.
He breathed the word,
    and all the stars were born.
⁷ He assigned the sea its boundaries
    and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs.
⁸ Let the whole world fear the Lord,
    and let everyone stand in awe of him.
⁹ For when he spoke, the world began!
    It appeared at his command.

Have you ever watched a video that shows you the perspective of flying away from earth to the outer reaches of our known universe. Those images leave me in wonder and all my worries melt away. If our Father created all this by speaking, why should I worry. Yet many days I send my throat constricted and my chest feels weighed down. There are some relationships in this life that feel very broken. “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” All through my life I’ve seen His working together. So when I’m feeling like crying or anxiously weighed down by what doesn’t feel “right”, I soak in The Truth of His unfailing Love.

Just a couple days away from this 31-day challenge and I’m thrilled to see some progress.

1. Becoming emotionally healthy, holding love and tenderness in balance with boundaries. Lizzy and I posted a new vlog on Youtube at Kim Huitt. We talk about working together through our days. We both have desires and expectations of course. It’s challenging when those desires seem to be at odds. I’m so thrilled we can share a bit of our story. There are so many inspiring homeschooling families who are doing incredible work. And the options are so diverse. I’ve noticed that each family has it’s own vision which makes sense. Sarah Janisse Brown shares how her family of 15 home educate using interest-led learning. Cindy Rollins home educated using Charlotte Mason’s ideas with her family of 8 sons and 1 daughter and influenced us with her Morning Time. Durenda Wilson had 8 children she home educated using her unhurried style. I’ve learned so much from each of these families and we are able to implement waht works for our unique family. I’d say the biggest piece in common between us all is the dependence on God for direction and His loving favor.
2. Reading two books a month and not grazing over 2 and never finishing a book. Still haven’t finished a book. That’s ok. I keep these two before me and dip in when I have a chance.
3. Staying on target with spending plans in time and money. My personal morning time of prayer/journaling/reading the Word are the anchors to my day. Without this, really none of the other habits matter. Prayer is so powerful. I see people coming to the Lord in droves now to pray and seek Him above all else! So amazing to see the Holy Spirit working so visibly. Keeping up the spending log seems natural now. I’m working on reining in the time by being more intentional. My to-do list is growing! I’ve put some things on the back burner, partly because of my emotions and also partly because of house repairs that recently surfaced. The new dishwasher works extremely well so that is a big win! The kids were getting pretty tired of having to hand wash every dish, pot, cup, and spoon (First World Problems!).

I pray we live in light of the Good News today. We will set our minds on what really matters. Much joy and peace to you.

Accountability Week 3, Day 5

⁴ Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! ⁵ Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

⁸ And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Philippians 4

Paul used these encouraging words after appealing to two ladies to settle their disagreement. I find this so interesting because it’s is the basis for the books I’ve been reading. The Lord is always so good to speak in many ways, through dreams, conversations, nature, music. Remembering that the Lord is coming soon seems to be a very good motivator to think on what is important and pleasing.

Well this morning is slipping away, so quickly. I awoke at 7:30 and it is already 8:30. Spending the morning reading His word and praying/journaling/listening is an amazing practice. I used a wake up to exercise but this is the better option. Because of my schedule I can exercise later in the day. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:8)

So here is the last update in January 2020 of the 31-day Challenge:

1. Becoming emotionally healthy, holding love and tenderness in balance with boundaries. Do you remember the song, “Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling.” He is calling us home, to His arms to find rest.
2. Reading two books a month and not grazing over 2 and never finishing a book. Reading “Boundaries” and “Try Softer” while also slipping in a little listening of “Range”. I’m not finished with these books yet but will continue to glean from them into February. I’m so thankful for these books and for the people who went through their struggles to offer help on the other side of the suffering. “For I, the Lord your God will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not I will help you’.” (Isaiah 41:13)
3. Staying on target with spending plans in time and money. Big happy dance here. I’m so happy for the progess this month to manage these resources in a more reponsible way. Being a good steward is important and important things require tiem and work. It just doens’t happen on its own.

Going to cheer on the players for the basketball game today. I pray that everyone will see that we are considerate in all we do – the parent, coaches, and players. God is so good. He calls us out of my base desires and “He brings me out to a spacious place; he delivered me, for in me he takes delight.” (Psalm 18:19)

University Lake

Accountability Week 2, Day 5

University Lake. Taken at 4:32 p.m. #nofilter

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.

    The world and all its people belong to him.

For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas

    and built it on the ocean depths.

Who may climb the mountain of the Lord?

    Who may stand in his holy place?

Only those whose hands and hearts are pure,

    who do not worship idols

    and never tell lies.

They will receive the Lord’s blessing

    and have a right relationship with God their Savior.

Such people may seek you

    and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob.

Psalm 24:1-6

“Having a right relationship with God their Savior”…that is my prayer for us, our children, our communities, our world. We are His and everything on the earth. This upward focus can lead to a right relationship with our Father and our fellow man. When I know that my children are His, I will esteem them better. When I think about the postal worker who was so rude to our family in light of God’s position, I look at him with compassion. When I think about God’s tender mercies toward every human and creature of this world, I can see His heart that draws all to himself through kindness because He is Love. And love has boundaries. The oceans have boundaries. The earth’s foundations have boundaries. Our atmosphere has boundaries. How does that tie into a God who has no limits? I’m not sure, but I’m keenly aware that He set limits for our benefit.

Again, we went to bed pretty late last night as we were hosting a home group meeting. I’m so happy about these relationships we have been building. It’s been my prayer that we would all have a community of Jesus-loving followers to encourage along the way, like Brother Andrew did while he was being called into ministry by God to share His word behind the iron curtain. I don’t know where my children will go or where we will be after this home educating adventure is over. But wherever they are called, I pray for close friends to help them along the way.

This morning I didn’t wake up until 8:45. I could make excuses like – Lizzy woke up several times last night from bad dreams, we all went to bed around 1 a.m., Fridays are a slower day for us and Gregg has the day off, everyone is tired. But, I won’t let it stop me from doing the next thing which was to get dressed and pray/journal. So hooray, we did it!

1. Becoming emotionally healthy, holding love and tenderness in balance with boundaries. Meeting with Dr. Brock today and we will see where the Spirit leads in the conversation. Having a counselor who says he is not smart enough to figure this all out but inviting the Spirit to lead and show us what lies we are believing is amazing. God really does speak to us. Certainly God speaks to me on my own as well but having another person who is separate from the emotions of the situations helps with clarity.
2. Reading two books a month and not grazing over 2 and never finishing a book. Today is the 24th and I’m only a quarter of the way through each book. I’ve been taking my time note taking and letting things sink in as I read. So if I’m not finished this month I’ll just keep going. No pressure to perform here, just leaning into the insights.
3. Staying on target with spending plans in time and money. Yes! This is going well! It feels so good to see how this year is going in this area. I think using a paper journal has helped me alot. For some reason using a computer software program or excel seemed more tedious so I wouldn’t do it for a week and then felt overwhelmed trying to in put a week’s worth of data. Oh First-World problems! Ha!

Well that is it for today’s blog. It’s later than I care to admit, but I’m thankful for the progress and encouragement to keep going. Morning times on Fridays are different and less intensive. We take the day to watch an episode of “Drive Through History” and we are going through The Gospels. These videos are very engaging, rich in history and the arts.

Keep a goin!

Accountability Week 2, Day 3

So this morning when I finally rolled out of bed at 7:00 – an hour later than I planned but it was a late night. Sitting down at my table with the candles flickering, I felt compelled to read from Isaiah again. Flipped open to Isaiah 40:28 – 31. “God never grows weak or weary, He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless, trusting in Him will give new strength.” Jesus spoke words very similar to Isaiah in Matthew 11:28 – 30. “Come to me all who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. I AM humble and gentle at heart.”

Since today is January 22, I read from Psalm 22. “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” This cry for help culminates in David declaring that “even future generations will head about the wonder of the Lord and His rightenous acts will be told to those not yet born.” Psalm 23 follows and reassures the psalmist of the previous chapter that “The Lord is our sphepherd and we have all that we need.” Jesus spoke the first lines of those psalms at his death. All those in the area who heard him would have known those two son

I love seeing that golden thread woven through thousands of years showing that suffering can lead us to trust in God. These words were spoken by Isaiah, David, Jesus and now flowing through me, then through my children, and someday through their children. These words of praise and trust are an inheritance, a treasure. This rich history reminds us to Trust in The One who made this universe or time and space. Relax into “Tenderness”.

Working on the 31-day challenge and here is the progress:

1. Becoming emotionally healthy, holding love and tenderness in balance with boundaries. Meeting with Dr. Brock this Friday. On a day-to-day basis, I’m recognizing my anger and the need to let some things go. Trying to live a life of “nice little box with a pretty little bow on top” isn’t serving me well. It’s actually an idol. Instead of worshiping Jesus I can end up worshiping peace and calm and flip out when life is not feeling tidied up.

2. Reading two books a month and not grazing over 20 and never finishing a book. This month the books are “Try Softer” by Aundi Kolber and “Boundaries” by Dr. Henry Cloud. These are amazing books. There are also YouTube videos with Dr. Cloud speaking about boundaries. Got a little side tracked – I also picked up reading “Persuasion” by Jane Austin but I also wanted to add some fiction into my life. Reading only non-fiction can make me way too cerebral and not connect to imagination and whimsey.

3. Staying on target with spending plans in time and money. Surprisingly, this area of my life is actually the easiest part of the challenge this month. Maybe because it’s something quite tangible that can give me a sense of control. When I’m stressed or sad I retreat to cleaning and organizing. So keeping a budget and working plans feels comforting to me right now.

Well it’s about time to start breakfast and get this day going. I hope your intentions are helping to lighten your load from heavy distractions and misplaced focus. It’s already the 22nd and it feels good to see progress in 2020!

Accountability Week 2, Day 2

Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness and honor.

Proverbs 21:21

Today is January 21 so I was reading in Proverbs 21. Verse 21 spoke loudly to me so I guess today is the day of 21!

I woke up at 6 a.m., prayer and journaled in the dark of the morning, inspired by candles and hot tea and now some soaking music is awakening the house.

So let’s jump into my three top priorities for this 31-day challenge:

1. Becoming emotionally healthy, holding love and tenderness in balance with boundaries. I’m so thankful this year’s word is “Tenderness”. My usual method of dealing with hard things in life was to create a hard outer shell. Well now I’m being reminded to stay tender and soft. Trust God with my heart and emotions. By the way, made another appointment with my counselor. Good things happen in counseling. I have some new things to cast off and pray through.

2. Reading two books a month and not grazing over 20 and never finishing a book. This month the books are “Try Softer” by Aundi Kolber and “Boundaries” by Dr. Henry Cloud. Again, these books come at an amazing time. When difficult situations come up with other people’s demands of me I was living out of fear of losing love, fear of someone’s anger, fear of loneliness, fear of not being accepted. That is not love. Love is being honest and setting healthy boundaries. Love is also trusting in the only One who brings true Freedom and that is in Christ. Anyone who expects me to keep them happy will be sadly disappointed (and vice versa). And that has happened many times. It used to rip me to shreds and make me think that I was not enough, bad, unworthy. But I’m learning that is putting expectations in the wrong place. I’ve allowed myself to hide for too long. I can actually be honest and fully present and don’t need to fear being abandoned. Because I never will be abandoned. You will never be abandoned. God is love and He is with us.

3. Staying on target with spending plans in time and money. I’ve been recording our expenses each night which actually feels amazing. When I’m tempted with lazy or procrastinating feelings I just recognize it and tell it “No” and go do it! What a relief. As for grocery shopping, it’s been very busy and eratic around here with unexpected visits and holidays. I do have a menu and stop at the store to grab only what is needed for those meals. But I’ve yet to make one big haul for the week. But at least we have a plan and I’m sticking with it. Not having to think about the plan is half the battle. I think I’ll need to go Wednesday night for a thorough grocery visit because tonight the family will be at a basketball game and I’m at CPC.

So there we go! Into the third week of January and actually sticking to some rhythms and habits that I really want to take root this year. Hope you’re January is off to a good start. It’s never too late to start. You can start right now! What habits are you planting?

Accountability Week 2, Day 1

So this weekend was painful. Emotional wreckage is what I’m talking about. It started with a trip to the post office for passports and then climaxed with a phone call to a family member. Searing. Surprising. Ouch.

Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.” Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.

Proverbs 20:22

I think it’s funny that I’m still referring to Proverbs after I shared with the kids this Sunday about Solomon’s short-lived wisdom. Amazingly, before many lessons I listen to Ravi Zacharius and he has something profound to say on the topic of the Sunday lesson. So I shared with the K – 5 grades how the life of Solomon contrasts vividly with the life of William Wilberforce. Solomon squandered his life on distractions whereas the diminutive William used his life to stop slave trade. Amazing. So I’ll still refer to the words of Solomon but pray that our lives reflect more the actions of William.

And that is exactly what I saw playing out this weekend with the trials that came into our lives. We may know the Truth, but do we walk in it? Is the Truth simply swimming around in our heads or did it sink it’s way down into the roots of our soul and heart? I’m so thankful that God brought into my life the book “Boundaries”. He knew what was coming.

Ears to hear and eyes to see – both are gifts from the Lord.

Proverbs 20:12

I’m so excited that today is Martin Luther King, Jr.’s day of remembrance. Not suprising the Lord had me share about William WIlberforce and slavery yesterday. How amazing is His timing? We will watch Dr. King’s speech again today and be inspired by his words. And most importantly we will be inspired to walk in The Way by bringing freedom to all captives, and even captive places within our own hearts.

So onto today’s schedule. I woke up a little later than planned – 7:30. Had my prayer/journaling time and read through Psalm 20 and Proverbs 20 since today in January 20. On our agenda today is morning time, the Paino Man is coming to tune our piano, and the girls are going to a sign language class today.

1. Becoming emotionally healthy, holding love and tenderness in balance with boundaries. After this weekend’s events I’m more raw then ever, and this situations did not only affect me but my sweet children. With this new testing and suffering, I have the choice to remain tender and open or withdraw into a hardened shell. My prayer has been that we will be like Hananiah (Yah is gracious), Mishael (Who is what El is), and Azariah (Yah has helped) who did not even smell of smoke when they were brought out of the fiery furnace.

2. Reading two books a month and not grazing over 20 and never finishing a book. This month the books are “Try Softer” by Aundi Kolber and “Boundaries” by Dr. Henry Cloud. I’m continually grateful for these books in this time of my life. It is truly divine timing.

3. Staying on target with spending plans in time and money. Well, um, I need to work on logging some expenses over the weekend but we did create a menu plan for the week. Today I’ll stop by the grocery store.

Time to get going. I pray that you are finding the will to show up each new day, no matter the trials, and trust God for the outcome. I have to admit I’ve been trying to make excuses why I’m too hurt and sad to keep pressing into this month’s challenge, but look, here it is and I’m still showing up. You can too.

Accountability 2020 – Day 3

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5)

He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. (Proverbs 16:32)

Checking in this morning with thoughts from The Word. I’m learning to “ruleth my spirit” and go to God for His complete wisdom. And I think that learning to manage resources is huge in turning my attention toward Him and considering the big picture of being here on this planet at this point in time. So that being said, roll out of bed at 6 a.m. for an inspiring time of prayer/journaling. I started typing up this blog post at 7 a.m. I’m about to start getting ready for the day, which means reviewing my calender and creating a to do list, fixing my hair, making breakfast, etc.

As for my core values and acting on those beliefs:

1. Becoming emotionally healthy, holding love and tenderness in balance with boundaries. STILL need to call Dr. Brock today to set up my appointment. I don’t know why I keep procrastinating on this one – well, maybe I do know why.

2. Reading through two books a month. This month the books are “Try Softer” by Aundi Kolber and “Boundaries” by Dr. Henry Cloud. Still reading through a few pages a day of each book. These books are so revolutionary to me. It’s as though I knew in my soul that these truths ring true but I needed to see it in writing. Amazing the power of the written word. Is this why God gave us His written word in the Bible because simply hearing it wasn’t enough? I don’t know. Just a question.

3. Staying on target with spending plans in time and money. Updated the fresh new page of the spending log last night. Went through my pockets this morning and realized I had a receipt for an item we purchased in Hawaii that I need to reimburse back to my dad! Oops! So this new system of keeping receipts and logging them in the expense journal each day is proving to be so helpful. As far as time habits – we did get off to a good start yesterday with morning time starting at around 9 a.m. But I see the need to set up a specific block of time for screen time (can become easy to be distracted with YouTube, FB, shopping, searching – how I can expect my children to have healthy habits with responsibility and free time when I do not “ruleth my spirit”?) Morning studies do include online math, foreign language, and watching a Shakespeare play but we are lookng for wisdom and the will to stay off media until our work is finished.

Still need to make that one-week menu plan and shop once a week for it all. I need to see which day of the week has the best deals at our grocery store. Buy-one-get-one-free meat day is always a huge savings for us and I think I usually see that on Monday. But again, I can’t use trying to “get it right” stop me from “getting it done”. Having any plan and doing the shopping will save me much more time and money than doing nothing and just going out to eat or ordering in.

I wonder how you are managing your time this week? Any breakthroughs or challenges you’re working through?

Picture taken my Rachel. One of the stunning sights from below freezing temps.

Got distracted looking up the definition of Hoar Frost and Rime Frost. Apparently we have Hoar Frost on our trees. Maybe? Done with today’s post at 7:30 a.m. Time to get this day rolling!

Accountability in 2020 – Day 2

Oh no! Everything I typed for the last 10 minutes vanished! Well, take 2 of day 2. This will make me be brief for sure!

1. Becoming emotionally healthy, holding love and tenderness in balance with boundaries. Going to call Dr. Brock today to set up my appointment. Along those lines I’m still reading the books mentioned below.

2. Reading two books a month and not grazing over 20 and never finishing a book. This month the books are “Try Softer” by Aundi Kolber and “Boundaries” by Dr. Henry Cloud. Several people have mentioned that they are going to be reading “Boundaries” or have just started it. Apparently the book is free on Kindle right now!

3. Staying on target with spending plans in time and money. Last night I updated my spending log with totals for the midway point of the month. Now I have a good idea of what we have to work with for the remaninder of January.

I was up at 6 a.m. for prayer/journaling, started typing this blog at 7 a.m. and am going to get fully dressed and put together before wake up time at 8 a.m. Still need to come up with a menu plan for the rest of the week. I’ve just been using what’s in the pantry and fridge or going to Subway (wink).

As for today’s schedule, we are going to do our Chemistry 101 course video with homeschool friends, need to mail a package, pick up my son’s suit from the tailor, and grab some books from the library for my middle daughter. Since I was up so early and getting things done I think we might be able to get it all done today!

Hope your day is off to an empowering start! These verses spoke to me today. I wonder what encouraged you this morning?

I waited patiently for the Lord;
And He inclined to me and heard my cry.
He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay,
And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God;
Many will see and fear
And will trust in the Lord.

Psalm 40:1 – 3

Baby it’s cold outside!!!
-15F when this picture was taken last week. Now it’s up to a balmy +0F

Accountability in 2020

A wise woman builds her home,

but a foolish woman tears it down with

her own hands.

Proverbs 14:1

Since the beginning of the year I’ve felt nudges to start an accountability journal – a daily journal that I will post to remind myself of The Plan and the documentation of The Action. I’ve been struggling year after year with great intnetions at the beginning of the year followed by the emotional currents of: “I don’t feel like it, I’m too tired, it doesn’t really matter”. Specifically I’m working on:

1. Becoming emotionally healthy, holding love and tenderness in balance with boundaries.

2. Reading two books a month and not grazing over 20 and never finishing a book. This month the books are “Try Softer” by Aundi Kolber and “Boundaries” by Dr. Henry Cloud.

3. Staying on target with spending plans in time and money. We have had a budget for years and I imagine staying in those borders. I also have a lovely schedule of rhythms for the day but have not set down a specific time to start all those lovely rhythms. And I cannot forget to mention how I get side tracked by beautiful distractions and savoring quiet mornings alone.

So I could get all tied up trying to find the perfect format, perfect place, perfect time but that never seemed to work. So I’ll just show up as I am, here, quietly typing away but feeling a sense of “I can do this and you can too!”

In addition, I’d like to give a shout out to two women – both named Cindy – who have taken the time to mentor women across the world. So these two ladies have been obedient to pray, listen to God and trust Him with their ministries. I’m inspired by their faithfulness and joy in the Lord.

Cindy Rushton is championing a Jumpstart 2020 challenge to get women engaged with their missions in life. It’s time to step out, stretch, challenge ourselves to be fully expectant that God will dream impossible dreams for us and lead us into those paths.

Cindy Rollins is mentoring a group of women through her Patreon site and encourages us with her Saturdays with Cindy sessions as well as educational practices based on the Charlotte Mason approach. We are reading through beautiful poetry and books that help to educate the mom’s heart and mind. Cindy Rollins is also leading a group of ladies to an educational retreat in Ambleside, England in April, which miraculously and through the grace of God I will be able to attend. (God answers prayers – especially the ones He places in our hearts before we even made any plans.) My family will also be joining me and we will turn it into a European vacation. Thank you Father!

Now that I’ve procrastinated long enough, this is the part where I start to squirm – stating what I have done in alignment with the plan. (See how I love to plan but the putting into action has become sticky?)

Wake up and pray/journal: 6 a.m. (I woke up at 7 a.m.)

Start breakfast and start morning time with kids: 8:30 a.m. (It’s already 9!)

Keep a daily log of all expenditures: I’ve done this each day this month and only need to add up the columns. I tried doing this online with excel but going to paper is much eaier for me and I don’t liek the idea of putting my financialy into on a budgeting service site.

Menu plan for the week: I still need to do this and will this evening with my husband and kids.

Becoming emotionally healthy: Well this is a lifelong process but I will be calling to set up an appointment with my counselor, Dr. Brock, and will continue to read the two books on my focused list.

Whew! Well that wasn’t too painful. I think I can do this! And you can too. I wonder what you’d like to plan and take action on this month?

Here is my Vision Board for 2020. My work for the year is Tenderness.