Bringing in the New Year 2011

I can hardly believe it is already 2011.

I remember when it was the turn of the century and very exciting.

I had Madi Grace in 2000, a baby at the turn of the century.

I thought that would be very neat for her as she grows old one day.

I hear some people say 1-1-11 for the date and others say 1-1-2011.

For the first few years it sounded funny to me but now I say '11.

It makes you think back to the 1900's.  You wonder what they say but none of us thought anything about saying '89 or whatever.  I think it's just getting used to a new century.  I think it is neat to have lived in 2 centuries.

Anyway, I do not make New Year's Resolutions.  However, I have been spending time in the word daily for awhile now and I plan to continue.  It sure makes a difference in my day.  At first I studied a book of the Bible with my friend, Raewyn and now I am studying another book of the Bible with Renee @ The Growing Stam Family.  It helps hold me accountable and to dig deeper.  That's what I need.  I don't need a shallow reading of the Word, I need the deep, deep roots and I need those roots to plant inside of me and GROW!

I do not have a lot of scriptures memorized.  I read the Word but do not often try to MEMORIZE it.  So, I am setting a goal to do better about that throughout my life, not just in '11.  I want to do it alongside my children.  I want them to be deep rooted in scripture by the time they are on their own and then I pray they continue.

Tomorrow I am also re-reading/studying one of my favorite books.

It's called, "Don't Make Me Count to Three" by Ginger Plowman.  (www.gingerplowman.com or amazon.com)  I loved it when I read it before.  It's about heart oriented discipline and I think it's fantastic.  It's similar to "Shepherding a Child's Heart" by Ted Tripp.... but it has a softer tone with the same general message.  I think the books are read well together as a joint study, one after the other.  That's how I studied them when I did in around 2002 or so.  I remember how much I recommended that book after I read it.  (the one by Ginger Plowman)  It also has a great chart you can use.  It's under different things that might be going on with your child.  It gives you heart-probing questions which after you read those you will then easily generate those on your own!  They will pop into your heart at the right time when you need them - the ones in the chart or the ones laid on your heart.  Then it gives scriptures on why it was wrong and scriptures on blessings if you do right basically.  I love that.  It's hanging on my wall right now.  I love it for the quick scripture reference and the scripture is written out for you.

Much is going on and we start back to our homeschooling tomorrow.

I'm excited and love to teach  my children but as anyone -- I wish the break hadn't gone by so quickly!  LOL!

I pray GOD's blessings on each of you in this New Year.  I pray that you would see HIS hand at work in your life daily.  I ask Him to keep you tender to Himself so you can hear Him easily.

I am also praying for the prayer requests that I get.  My friend Tamara @ Homemaker's Heart has a really cool prayer board and I'm wanting to do something like that.

Many blessings to YOU, whomever is reading this.  

Smiles,