What Works For Me Wednesday

My Bible Study Table...

Here's what works for me (so far):

1. My Bible. I love the ESV translation, but I also keep an NIV and The Message nearby for comparison. 
2. A Pen. I am one of those people who can.not. write in my Bible so I always keep notes in (see 4.)
3. The current study I'm working on: Cultivating Contentment by Luci Swindoll 
4. My big note book lives at the study table. I use a 5 subject-notebook with a system similar to the one Courtney at Women Living Well shared. (check out her site today for a great Bible reading e-resource for free!). I am using it to record my answers to my study each day. I think better when I write. That's just how I roll :p 
5. The Power of  Praying Wife by Stormie Omartin. I've written about this book before. I think God has really used this book as the inspiration for prayer that He has answered over the last two years, changing my heart towards my husband and the way i pray for others. I heart this book. (Don't worry - not more than I heart the Bible :p). I pray through one of the prayers in this book for Awesome each day). 
6. The Daily Reading Bible: Volume One - I am reading this concurrently with some others in my church and finding it a great resource. It deserves to be studied on its own really. Maybe it will become my number 3 when I finish that one... right now I'm just reading through to keep up with the others. 
7. My gratitude journal. Just a simple notebook where I just number the next line as I go and pour out some gratitude. God is so good. There is never a day where there is nothing to be grateful for, even though its hard to find things some times. 
8. It's hard to see, but this tiny pocket calendar has room for some sticky dots I bought at the $2 shop to be tucked in the cover. I pop a dot on each day I complete my quiet time. It helps me stay on track. I'm a dangling carrot kinda gal sometimes... 
9. I pull my diary out of my handbag after my quiet time, and sync my wall calendar, online calendar and diary before the day begins (yes, I need all three!)
10. (not shown) I have started carrying a notebook in my handbag... its important. More on that one tomorrow ;) 

I had all this stuff at home. Including the pretty box for the pens and stickers. But before the pretty box was a plain cardboard one. That's ok too. You don't need to spend a fortune to get started. Just use what you have and what works!

It works for me. What works for you?

Power of A Praying Wife Challenge!

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Yesterday I met up with two of the most amazing women in my life to just, ya know, hang.

We are going to take the opportunity to commit together to one month of solid, intentional prayer for our husbands and for each others' marriages.

Wanna join in a bit?

We are using Power of A Praying Wife, by Stormie Omartin, which I have kindly reviewed for you here.  Gets it. It is gooood.

If you are praying with us, leave a note in the comments. We'll encourage you as we go along. We start today with Chapter One: His Wife!

Join Up Below if you have a blog of your own! (I've never used this before so let me know if it doesn't work!).

Be Still...

and know that I am God. 

                                   ~Psalm 46:10

Thanks for being my best friend Mr. Awesome. 

I love you :)

A Reminder For the Peace

Taking Peacetime in the Christmas Season

My Sister-In-Law and Cousin

Take some peace time today. 

Sit and watch God's creation and wonder at the love of three-is-one that sent the Son to die for us fallen ones. 

 ⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” ~ Luke 2: 8-11

May God bring you a sense of peace in the busyness today. 

Thanksgiving Tuesday: The Lists

Counting One Thousand Blessings...

For inspiration and information on the Gratitude Community, please click here.

• One to Twenty
• Twenty one to Fifty 
• Fifty one to Ninety
• Ninety one to One Hundred and Twenty
• One Hundred and Twenty One to One Hundred and Fifty Three
• One Hundred and Fifty Four to One Hundred and Eighty Four

Thanksgiving Tuesday-January 2010 List

Photo: The Fijian Island of Malolo Lailai

185. Quietness that breeds gratitude
186. Being wise in decisions
187. Contentment in chaos
189. Abundance of food and resources
190. Team hands to help
191. Old books read anew
192. Clear vision and focus
193. A child's eye contact
194. A mother who loves
195. Quiet beauty of a garden
196. Warm breeze
197. Stillness
198. Time to rest with your Word
199. Your timing
200. Ducks
201. The ability to write
202. Summer sounds in the air
203. A new year and fresh start
204. Hungary tummy
205. Beauty in creation
206. Time away with friends
207. Tropical warm water
208. Cold orange juice
209. Warm gritty sand

Its funny, but as I read back over these lists, suddenly I can remember all the things we were doing and even how I was feeling at the time. And I'm thankful all over again.

Its worth doing, this giving back in gratitude...

Thanksgiving Tuesday-January 2010 List

154. Flies!
155. Common ties of blood
156. Meaningful time together with family
157. Relaxing by the quiet river
158. The inspiration of a friend
159. Christian accountability
160. Challenging marriage message through film
161. Time by myself to unwind
162. Brothers spending time together
163. Technological marvels... mobiles!
164. Setting goals for 2010
165. Memorising the Word
166. Being strong in conviction
167. Friends who share the faith
168. The passion of fledgling faith
169. Well loved resources lent to friend
170. Loving, devoted family
171. Your Word changing my family
172. Writing old fashioned letters by hand
173. Love letters
174. 10 minute oven cookies
175. % off after Christmas sales
180. Husband's unwavering love
181. Getting to know church family
182. The challenge and joy of serving
183. Email reminders from thoughtful friends
184. Music ministry

Thanksgiving Tuesday - December 2009 List

121. Inquiring minds focused on God's plan
122. Faith that God works through all things to His glory
123. Sweet Christmas foods
124. Thoughtful encouragement from a Pastor
125. A reliable car
126. Cooling summer rain
127.Wonderful friends at church
128. Satisfaction in knowing God is at work
128. Bosciola chips!
129. Nacho pizza
130. Date night with my boy
131. Wise decisions from my husband
132. Prayers committed to faith in God's plan
133. Sleepless nights
134. Early nights
135. Wisdom of older women
136. Soft spikiness of his cheek
137. Firm touch of his hand
138. Dinner date night
139. Chilled out music
140. Moisturiser for dry hands
141. The will to study the Word
142. Made-up bed
143. Wonderful moments to treasure
144. Lifetime friends who know
145. Thousands crowding for carols
146. Candle light in the night air
147. Bat silhouettes
148. Clothes that still fit
149. Deep kisses
150. That last deep breath before their tears stop
151. Time to explain
152. Family loudness
153. Quiet fishing

Admiring Mr. Awesome!

This week's Completing Him Challenge is to admire your husband. It is so easy for me to focus on all the things that didn't go my way, or to pick apart the tiniest of flaws.  Today I'm going to be counter-cultural and tell you some things I admire about my husband. 


Things I think are Awesome about Mr. Awesome!


His maniacal laugh, his faith, his gentleness, his serving nature, the way he just gets on and gets the job done, his jokes, the way he would do anything to see me smile, his independent spirit, the way that he supports me in anything I choose to do, his BBQ skills!, his patience, his sense of humour, his hugs, the sense of deep loyalty he has for those around him, the way her perseveres when things get tough, his sense of determination and the strength with which he undertakes hard tasks, the warmth he has in his eyes when he sees me, his amazing intelligence, his practicality, the way he grins... 


Mr. Awesome... I love you!

Demonstrating how to be a red STOP light man. 

Thanksgiving Tuesday - November/December 2009 List

91. Back pain
92. Chiropractors
93. Family-in-law
94. Natural healing and health
95. Time to pray
96. A husband who leads
97. Packed lunch
98. Bathroom scales
99. Intimacy
100. Two souls becoming one flesh
101. Drops of water on glass
102. Wedding ceremony
103. Sister bridesmaid's tears of joy
104. Hair curls
105. Exhausted husband snoring
106. Chipped nail polish
107. Wedding dances
108. Wedding speeches
109. Declarations of love
110. Early mornings
111. Season of advent
112. Surprise Bible study!
113. Quick freezer food
114. Fellowship with friends
115. Tired laughter
116. God's provision of food
117. Singing God's praises as a family
118. Challenging words from 1 John
119. An interesting drive time conversation
120. An inspired husband

By today's count I am at 334. Just 1/3 of my way to thanking God for 1000 gifts.

Thanksgiving Tuesday- November 2009 List

51. Birthday messages
52. Thai dinners
53. Birthday cuddles
54. Movies that make you laugh
55. Sunflowers
56. Air conditioning on hot days
57. Birthday cards from loving aunts
58. Team members who try to see positives
59. Alarm clocks with soft music
60. Hungry tummies that tell us when to eat
61. Opportunities to serve
62. Dirty dishes in the sink
63. Job interviews
64. Unfinished to-do lists
65. Fading flowers
66. Empty lunch box on bench each day
67. Piles of bills to be paid
68. Unmade bed
69. Hungry bellies who love breakfast
70. Tired mind
71. Unfolded laundry
72. Busy schedule
73. Dancing with friends
74. Singning
75. Husband at church
76. Newborn babies safe arrival
77. A gift of new pyjamas
78. Hotel rooms with city views
79. Trains to come home on
80. A brother to rely on
81. Sore feet
82. Tired muscles
83. Lightning
84. Going to the gym
85. The motivation of dresses that don't fit!
86. Making luch for my husband
87. Sleeping next to my best friend
88. Leaking taps
89. Vegemite toast
90. Job interviews

Thanksgiving Tuesday

www.livecertifiedorganic.com

Counting the Blessings - October 2009

21. Cuddles

22. Cool air

23. Water to drink

24. Time to study the word

25. The sound of birds in the morning

26. Time for waiting

27. Warm hot chocolate

28. Quiet moments

29. Sewing needles

30. Rain on parched ground

31. Kisses

32. Answered prayers

33. Challenging words

34. A wonderful earthly father

35. Baby grins

36. Forehead rubs

37. Laughter

38. Growing vegetables in a borrowed garden

39. Children learning to respect nature

40. Coordinating stationery

41. Freesias, a vase of joy

42. Intimacy

43. Found items

44. Time with friends

45. Moments of realisation

46. Vacuums that make cleaning easy

47. Tidy, organised rooms

48. Friends who pray

49. Friends who love

50. Friends who share

For more insight into One Thousand Gifts

It started with BBQs...

In our house, we love a good BBQ. Mr. Awesome does the BBQ, and he is very good at it - not a burnt anything yet! I always smile when I see him cooking the BBQ, because I consider this God's first signal to me to keep an eye on this man who would one day be my husband...

It was January 2005 and one of my best friends and I had just returned from the mandatory post-University whirlwind trip around Europe. Still a bit jet-lagged, another of my best friends, Miss. S invited me to join her for a BBQ on the "North Side" where her boyfriend lived, with some of his mates. So we traveled the hour it took to cross the city and met with her boyfriend and his friends. I noticed this guy cooking the BBQ and my first thought was "OK, here is a guy who is comfortable with serving and who cooks a mean BBQ!"
But nothing further eventuated and we went our separate ways.

I moved into a rental house with Miss S and would occasionally see her boyfriends mates, including BBQ Guy at parties and church functions. I was mentally cataloging him - opinionated, loud, pretty obnoxious and this huge, almost maniacal laugh, which was mostly heard when laughing at his own jokes! Nope, not the guy for me, I decided. And time went on.

Still, he was around a lot, and he helped us move when Miss S's now-finance (Mr. J) asked him to... and every gathering we had he would come with Mr. J and cook the BBQ (and it really impressed me that they always cleaned up completely afterward)... and some how he was at my birthday parties two years in a row and he was nice enough and he was actually funny when he didn't laugh at his own joke before he finished it and....

Oh, I think I might actually like him. In the I-want-to-pull-your-hair-so-your-don't-know-I-like-you-way.

So now I have a problem. Because Miss S, and Mr. J are getting married, and I'm Maid of Honour, and BBQ Guy is Best Man.

And we have to dance. And if anyone looks at my face they will know straight away that I like him... So I better do some more verbal "hair pulling" because then no one will know.

I think I was more nervous than the bride that morning! And when it came time to walk down the aisle I found myself looking for the best man... and he was grinning at me. Like really grinning at me.  And I grinned back (there are some hideous photos of me to prove it!). And I kind of realised I wasn't going to be able to hide it any more...

So when he asked me out the day after the wedding I said yes!

We spent two years commuting across the city to see each other on weekends. There was the nervous first date where I dug my hands in my pockets so he couldn't try to hold them, the Thai restaurant where I accidentally put a whole dried chilli in my mouth then tried to spit it out without him noticing, the cards and letters and emails sent to bridge the gap each week, lots and lots of BBQs, and the figuring out that behind the loud, opinionated, obnoxious laugh was a wonderful, caring, loyal, and romantic man who loves God and amazingly... loves me!

Mr. Awesome has always been an excellent listener and an eager supporter of anything I want to do or try. He always encourages me to take on every challenge and give it a go.  When we were dating, he spent literally hours on the phone with me, gradually coaxing me to open up, to see myself the way others saw me and to believe in myself as a worthwhile person. He was (and still is) always encouraging me with notes and little presents to be the person I really wanted to be.

This season, I want to focus on being the wife that he needs me to be; supportive, organised, a good listener and a respectful encourager. Just how am I going to do that?  Well, that I am going to think about this week - I'll keep you updated on my progress!

This post is linked up for the Completing Him Challenge at Women Living Well and Marriage Mondays at Come Have a Peace

Thanksgiving Tuesday

I am officially joining the Gratitude Community.

I have been keeping a private thanksgiving journal since October 2009, encouraged to meet Ann Voskamp's 1000 Gifts challenge. I am finally ready to start sharing and hopefully encourage you to do the same!

I have found it to be such a wonderful practice - even on days when I'm feeling low, sick, hurt... there is still something to be thankful for!  I am currently in the 300's but I thought I would start publishing my list from the beginning. The Gratitude Community blogs on Mondays in US time, but seeing as its already Tuesday here by then - I thought I'd go for Thanksgiving Tuesday - care to join me?

Here are some of my October 2009 thank yous

1. Little girls in party dresses
2. Slow Sunday mornings
3. Twirling
4. Pancakes
5. Folded laundry
6. Married love
7. The harbour at night
8. Caring friends
9. Faithful slippers
10. New life
11. Sunrise
12. Warm bed
13. Morning hugs
14. Church family
15. Sleep
16. Hearing our prayers
17. Brothers by blood and marriage
18. Choc Chip Cookies
19. Christian women who inspire
20. Sick days at home

What are you thankful for today?