It's Monday. It wasn't too long ago that I would post my gratitude list every Monday, but I haven't done that in a while. Maybe you noticed. :)
Instead of continuing my blog gratitude silence in silence, I thought I'd just let you know that I am still recording my blessings from God in my gratitude journal. And I think I will return to posting my gratitude list on this blog - maybe not weekly, but at some regular schedule (maybe monthly).
Right now, I feel that I need to keep my gratitude between me and God in order to really get to the heart of why I'm keeping a gratitude journal at all - to acknowledge God's everyday grace in my life. Because there have been many times when I thought a little more about other people viewing my list than I did about what I was truly thankful for. I'm not okay with that. I want my gratitude to be genuine.
So, please excuse my lack of gratitude posts on Mondays...I'm going to be recording my gratitude in silence for a little while.
January 31, 2011
January 27, 2011
Learning to listen for God's plans
One year ago, Brendan, Charlotte and I boarded a plane headed to Madrid.
My plans for this evening included writing a post reflecting back on our past year of being expatriates.
God's plan was for me to hold my 15-month old daughter when she woke up crying from her sleep because way too many nasty teeth are coming in at one time...and that hurts. :(
So, we held her and brought her all her favorite things to help her calm down - milk, cold grapes, and of course, music. Charlotte just loves listening to music these days (especially this). And she eventually calmed down enough to go back to sleep.
God has been speaking to Brendan and I a lot recently about listening to Him and seeking Him for direction to our days. So, tonight I'll put off writing about living abroad in exchange for being a mommy-always-on-call....because that was God's plan.
I'm so grateful I was listening.
My plans for this evening included writing a post reflecting back on our past year of being expatriates.
God's plan was for me to hold my 15-month old daughter when she woke up crying from her sleep because way too many nasty teeth are coming in at one time...and that hurts. :(
So, we held her and brought her all her favorite things to help her calm down - milk, cold grapes, and of course, music. Charlotte just loves listening to music these days (especially this). And she eventually calmed down enough to go back to sleep.
God has been speaking to Brendan and I a lot recently about listening to Him and seeking Him for direction to our days. So, tonight I'll put off writing about living abroad in exchange for being a mommy-always-on-call....because that was God's plan.
I'm so grateful I was listening.
January 23, 2011
Want to read a book with me?
January has been busy for us - receiving our "stuff" via shipment from Spain, buying more stuff so that we can organize & store the stuff in our shipment :), and then getting settled into our apartment, plus Brendan's very busy work schedule.
During all this time, I was feeling very stressed. I wanted to get my life more organized and begin working towards my goals for 2011, but I completely did not take into consideration that I just moved - internationally! God's released me from that stress, showing me that I need to take time to settle into a routine here in Hong Kong before I begin working on some of those goals.
One of my goals for 2011 is to read 20 books that will enrich my life and faith in different ways. I am so thankful that I have time to read - I may not know how to get started on some of my other goals, but it's pretty easy to pick up a book! Yay for books! :)
One book on my list is Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts. I am SO excited about reading this book! I have been following Ann's blog - A Holy Experience - since last winter, shortly after we moved to Spain. [If you have not checked out her blog, you really MUST.] It was through Ann's writing on her blog that I started to see how important intentional gratitude is in my relationship with the Lord.
So, I'd like to invite you to read One Thousand Gifts with me! Well, me and probably hundreds or thousands of other women (and men too :)) on the (in)courage blog. Click here to find out more about the logistics of how (in)courage will be coordinating this web-sized book club. The online discussions begin on February 6th so you have plenty of time to pick up this book and read along - whether you join the web discussions or not.
To be honest, I don't know how involved I'll get in the online discussions, but I think its a great opportunity to hear what God's doing in the hearts of His people through Ann's writing. Plus, there will be videos each Sunday from Ann sharing more about the week's reading.
If you decide to read One Thousand Gifts along with me, will you leave a comment or send me an email at annekinne(at)hotmail(dot)com? I'd love to know that you're reading along with me, and who knows, maybe it will spark some discussion among friends!
I love you, sweet friends and family who follow this blog! I hope you are seeing God's blessings in all things in this new year!
January 6, 2011
What I Want to Accomplish in 2011
What is the due date for New Year's resolutions? I have no idea, but I hope I'm not too late. :)
My friend Lily posted her New Year's resolutions this week and asked people to share their resolutions as well. Hmmm, I thought "I've had all these goals for the coming year bouncing around in my head. Why don't I write them down (or use my new iPad as a note-taker!) and keep myself more accountable to achieving those goals?".
These aren't necessarily your typical New Year's resolutions, which for me normally means trying to change something and once I fail, I give up completely. Instead of resolutions, these are goals for 2011 - things I would like to see myself accomplish in the coming year.
I'm excited about having goals for the year because I think it will help me filter what is important and not-so-important to include in my life right now. Example: I am considering doing X activity, but it doesn't really fit in with any of my goals for the year. Well then, I say "no" to that activity and have time for things that DO help me achieve these goals.
Goals for 2011
1. Keep in touch with family and friends better than I did while in Spain, and use different means of communication (written cards, letters, packages; Facebook & blogging; Skype dates; and email).
2. Become a better organized homemaker and mommy. Create a motherhood mission statement, a homemaking binder, and add structure to my day so that I don't wander along aimlessly.
3. Create a warm, welcoming, and peaceful home out of our new 675 sq.ft. apartment in HKG.
4. Find community in HKG and a place to serve in our church.
5. I SO desire to be more patient and less angry...especially with Charlotte and Brendan.
6. Read 20 books that help enrich my faith and roles of wife, mother, and homemaker, and are pertinent to my current life situation.
7. Wake early enough to have morning devotion/quiet time (prayer & Bible reading) and get myself ready for the day.
8. Pray consistently for family.
9. Encourage Brendan more. Become more understanding of who he is, his struggles, his work, etc.
10. Prepare/plan activities for Charlotte that are fun, engaging, and mindful of her personality. Learn more about homeschooling.
11. Blogging goals - more consistent, more planning, learn more about technical aspects, and begin Charlotte's blog (more about that another day). :)
My friend Lily posted her New Year's resolutions this week and asked people to share their resolutions as well. Hmmm, I thought "I've had all these goals for the coming year bouncing around in my head. Why don't I write them down (or use my new iPad as a note-taker!) and keep myself more accountable to achieving those goals?".
These aren't necessarily your typical New Year's resolutions, which for me normally means trying to change something and once I fail, I give up completely. Instead of resolutions, these are goals for 2011 - things I would like to see myself accomplish in the coming year.
I'm excited about having goals for the year because I think it will help me filter what is important and not-so-important to include in my life right now. Example: I am considering doing X activity, but it doesn't really fit in with any of my goals for the year. Well then, I say "no" to that activity and have time for things that DO help me achieve these goals.
Goals for 2011
1. Keep in touch with family and friends better than I did while in Spain, and use different means of communication (written cards, letters, packages; Facebook & blogging; Skype dates; and email).
2. Become a better organized homemaker and mommy. Create a motherhood mission statement, a homemaking binder, and add structure to my day so that I don't wander along aimlessly.
3. Create a warm, welcoming, and peaceful home out of our new 675 sq.ft. apartment in HKG.
4. Find community in HKG and a place to serve in our church.
5. I SO desire to be more patient and less angry...especially with Charlotte and Brendan.
6. Read 20 books that help enrich my faith and roles of wife, mother, and homemaker, and are pertinent to my current life situation.
7. Wake early enough to have morning devotion/quiet time (prayer & Bible reading) and get myself ready for the day.
8. Pray consistently for family.
9. Encourage Brendan more. Become more understanding of who he is, his struggles, his work, etc.
10. Prepare/plan activities for Charlotte that are fun, engaging, and mindful of her personality. Learn more about homeschooling.
11. Blogging goals - more consistent, more planning, learn more about technical aspects, and begin Charlotte's blog (more about that another day). :)
January 2, 2011
My Reading List 2011
It is with great excitement that I have been putting together my reading list for the coming year!
I have always been a bookworm, and I think my daughter is taking after me...
As I've grown into my role as a stay-at-home mother and homemaker, I've found that I do indeed have time to read, but that I need to read with purpose. I've ran across many book titles in recent months that I would love to read, but I thought it would be best to comprise a list of 20 (non-fiction) books so that I have direction for my reading.
While making my list I also thought about what the coming year would look like for me. My baby is now a toddler, so discipline and potty-training are looming in the distance. We have just moved to Hong Kong, and I'd like to learn more about the history and culture of this city as well as learning about Buddhism and how to approach Buddhists with the gospel of Jesus. Then there are faith issues that God has been laying on my heart, and of course my roles as wife, mother, and homemaker.
I also know that my life will change over the year, so my reading list is a guide only.
I'm going to post my reading list here for accountability. When I finish a book, I plan to come back here to mark it off my list and also give reviews from time to time because I find that very helpful to me as I seek out books to read.
(These are all non-fiction titles. I LOVE novels - and have a personal list of ones I'd like to read - but will read them as I have time instead of trying to get through a specific amount during the year.)
Reading List 2011
Shepherding a Child's Heart (continue reading w/Brendan) - Tedd Tripp
Sacred Parenting (continue) - Gary Thomas [I was very challenged by Sacred Influence, and this one is going the same way. My perspective on marriage and parenting is really changing!]
Sacred Pathways - Gary Thomas
Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy - Eric Metaxas
Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith in Community - Dietrich Bonhoeffer [I decided to read a book written by Bonhoeffer as well as a biography of him.]
First Family: Abigail & John Adams - Joseph J. Ellis
One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are - Ann Voskamp
For the Children's Sake: Foundations of Education for Home & School - Susan Schaeffer Macauley [a title for me to explore as we consider ways of educating our child]
The Hidden Art of Homemaking - Edith Schaeffer
So What's the Difference? - Fritz Ridenour
Jesus Among Other Gods - Ravi Zacharias
The Mission-Minded Family - Ann Dunagan
Treasuring God in Our Traditions - Noel Piper
The Misson of Motherhood - Sally Clarkson
The No-Cry Potty Training Solution - Elizabeth Pantley
Love & Respect: The Love She Most Desires, The Respect He Desperately Needs - Dr. Emerson Eggerichs
Practicing Hospitality: The Joy of Serving Others - Lisa Tatlock
No Other Gods: Confronting Our Modern-Day Idols - Kelly Minter
(2) Books on Hong Kong History/Culture (will pick up here in bookstores)
*I also want to be more purposeful about my Bible reading. I've seen many different Bible reading plans with different time-frames and approaches - I just haven't decided which is right for me right now.
I hope you are also able to find time to read good books that will enrich your life and faith this year. If you have any suggestions of books - fiction or non-fiction - that I should pick up, let me know!
I have always been a bookworm, and I think my daughter is taking after me...
 |
| Can you tell that the book is up-side down? :) |
As I've grown into my role as a stay-at-home mother and homemaker, I've found that I do indeed have time to read, but that I need to read with purpose. I've ran across many book titles in recent months that I would love to read, but I thought it would be best to comprise a list of 20 (non-fiction) books so that I have direction for my reading.
While making my list I also thought about what the coming year would look like for me. My baby is now a toddler, so discipline and potty-training are looming in the distance. We have just moved to Hong Kong, and I'd like to learn more about the history and culture of this city as well as learning about Buddhism and how to approach Buddhists with the gospel of Jesus. Then there are faith issues that God has been laying on my heart, and of course my roles as wife, mother, and homemaker.
I also know that my life will change over the year, so my reading list is a guide only.
I'm going to post my reading list here for accountability. When I finish a book, I plan to come back here to mark it off my list and also give reviews from time to time because I find that very helpful to me as I seek out books to read.
(These are all non-fiction titles. I LOVE novels - and have a personal list of ones I'd like to read - but will read them as I have time instead of trying to get through a specific amount during the year.)
Reading List 2011
Shepherding a Child's Heart (continue reading w/Brendan) - Tedd Tripp
Sacred Pathways - Gary Thomas
Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith in Community - Dietrich Bonhoeffer [I decided to read a book written by Bonhoeffer as well as a biography of him.]
First Family: Abigail & John Adams - Joseph J. Ellis
One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are - Ann Voskamp
For the Children's Sake: Foundations of Education for Home & School - Susan Schaeffer Macauley [a title for me to explore as we consider ways of educating our child]
The Hidden Art of Homemaking - Edith Schaeffer
Jesus Among Other Gods - Ravi Zacharias
The Mission-Minded Family - Ann Dunagan
Treasuring God in Our Traditions - Noel Piper
The Misson of Motherhood - Sally Clarkson
The No-Cry Potty Training Solution - Elizabeth Pantley
Love & Respect: The Love She Most Desires, The Respect He Desperately Needs - Dr. Emerson Eggerichs
Practicing Hospitality: The Joy of Serving Others - Lisa Tatlock
No Other Gods: Confronting Our Modern-Day Idols - Kelly Minter
(2) Books on Hong Kong History/Culture (will pick up here in bookstores)
*I also want to be more purposeful about my Bible reading. I've seen many different Bible reading plans with different time-frames and approaches - I just haven't decided which is right for me right now.
I hope you are also able to find time to read good books that will enrich your life and faith this year. If you have any suggestions of books - fiction or non-fiction - that I should pick up, let me know!
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