Prayer Journal Part 1

OK...so I've been procrastinating because this topic is so big and I've been so busy ... it's the end of semester (I'm at college)

I have a prayer journal that I use sometimes when I sit down to do my Quiet Time with the Lord.
I'll describe what it's like right now... but that will definitely change as I continue to use it... that's a given!

It's a three ringed binder - actually a very nice one that Quiet Time Ministries sells for its Quiet Time notebook - it's burgundy and padded - so it feels extra special when you pick it up :-)

I had some extra calendar pages so I stuck them in as monthly dividers (one page per month) I have written some current prayer requests and needs of people who I know in there. I wanted to keep track of how often I used my prayer journal... so I date requests and its sort of a running list. If the request becomes long term, or is for one of my very close friends I will transfer it later to the proper section.
My email list friends requests are there, facebook friends requests, prayer requests for people at church - things that cross my path that I think I should pray for but I would forget if I didn't make a note somewhere.
It's easy to just flip open the first section quickly and add a note about someone.

Then I have a small section where I am writing down ideas about HOW I could use my prayer journal. Sort of a planning section for my thoughts on how it's going and how it's NOT working...

After that I have some divider sections
For me - where I have

• my life goals and other goals written down and I pray about them from time to time
• I write verses and quotes in there that mean a lot to me. If I have a habit I want to establish or break I'll write it in there and keep it at the front of my memory banks!
• I have written some questions that I pray to God to remind me to ask Him about my plans and ideas...
• Prayers I have come across that I want to pray for myself - for example - from Lysa Terkeurst

"God, I want to see you
God, I want to hear you
God, I want to know you
God, I want to follow hard after You
And even before I know what I will face today, I say YES to You "
from "When women say Yes to God"

• I have a section where I write down the main points that I feel God is speaking to me from sermons, conferences, and my daily quiet times - so that I can pray about them and remind myself to DO what God has SAID to me.
• I have a section for concerns that are bugging me personally now... like what courses to choose for school and how to pay for them, things I think I need or want, questions I'd like God to answer...etc. 

For my husband
I have a list of things to pray for my husband and for my marriage - with Bible verses. I got it from a website and from Stormie Omartian's book about praying for your husband. I use a post it to mark where I left off last time... and I write out prayers about specific things about health issues or problems we are facing together...

Family
I have a list of topics and verses for my sons and wives with verses - I found these in the Stormie Omartian book about praying for your family and your Adult Children
Then I write out specific prayers
I have a list of things to pray for my grandchildren - and a section right after it for specific prayers for them
I have some pages for my parents and my sisters... and their family situations.
I mark each person's page with a post it
I date the request or topic and then I write it down. If it's something that will need to be prayed for over a long time, I will leave extra pages so I can add details later...

Friends 
I do the same thing with requests from friends. If they are my BEST friends, I have a page for them marked with a post it hanging off the edge.
If it's just a quick one time request from an acquaintance then I will put it in the front general section. If it becomes a long term request I'll start a new page in this section for them. Since it's all on binder pages it's easy to move pages around when I want to.

Church and missions
I'm involved in planning for large events at church - these will have their own special pages. Right now I'm helping plan a ladies retreat for March. I will put those prayer items on a separate page in this section. I'll write down ideas God gives me as I'm praying.

I have some friends who are missionaries and they will have their own separate pages in here. I put in their latest newsletters and mark down things we talk about when we Skype if I do that...

I support some World Vision girls and their names are here with prayers for them.

Worship
I recently decided I wanted to keep a book on worship handy and read a chapter at least once a week if not more often. I'll re-read the books I have collected over the years and write down the quotes that are inspiring me to worship now... it's been a bit of a dry season and I need to focus on this right now.

Meditation/ Memory
I'll write down verses that I want to meditate on and memorize which to me is one and the same thing.
I'll study them out and put down my information here and then pray through them...

Book notes for what I read about prayer
I have a ton of books I've collected on prayer and I'm starting to keep notes about each one of them as I read. I put the date down every time I read and that way I can look in my journal and see what was happening - sort of cross referencing. Often I will type out the quotes in my computer and print out the page - three hole punch it and add it here. (Saves space and I also have the typed out notes if I want to use them in something else...)

Prayer Prompts
In just about every book on prayer you will find ideas of ways to pray for sick friends, names of God, how to pray for missionaries. If I have a section these fit in - they will be in that specific section - but some prayer prompt lists don't fit there, so I put them here.

I don't use all the sections all the time
I switch back and forth as the mood fits.
I actually have in the past used a schedule Monday for this Tuesday for that...but I don't end up having a specific prayer time every day where I use my notebook
I've found that the more I have organized my notebook, the more I turn to it and use it though...
Most of the sections are more of a prayer prompter.
The general section and the For me sections get used all the time...

Hope this helps...
I'm sure I'll write more about this topic in more detail in the future.

Please leave your comments and ideas for how you do prayer journaling :-)
I'd love to hear from you!

Deb E

Types of Journals - Gardening

This is the perfect time to start a gardening journal!!
Even though the leaves are falling and the weather is turning colder, you can still enjoy gardening all throughout the dead of winter!

It's the time to write about last years' successes and failures.
What did you plant?
How was the yield?
Did the flowers produce like you hoped they would?
What were the specific botanical names of the varieties you planted.
Where did you purchase the seeds or plants?
Do you have photos? or pictures?
What were your favorites this year?

Then it's time to send for new seed catalogues and order seeds for next year.
Cut out photos and paste in your journal
Draw your garden plans - dream about what your gardens will look like next year!
Map out your garden

Do you have indoor plants?
Take photos and look up information about how to grow the best specimens!
Watering, light, pruning, tips etc....
Jot it all down in your journal where you can find it.

Do some research on the best way to treat the plants you are going to have next spring?
Plan, dream and enjoy armchair gardening :-)

When spring comes - keep track of planting dates
Keep track of harvest dates for your veggies
Keep track of recipes for homemade preserves!

So many ways to enjoy your garden journal all year round

Any other ideas????? Please commnt :-)

and JUST WRITE!
Deb E

Types of journals - Health journals

We've had some health issues this year and are trying to start to eat healthier.
Not that we ate bad before, but sometimes you just have to learn to eat differently than you have been doing.
There are so many diets, there are so many health and nutrition books, magazines and online articles - It's really hard to remember where you read what and exactly what all those different vitamins will do to your body...

There are many reasons you might need to, or want to keep a health journal. Perhaps you're trying to control your weight. Maybe you or your children have health problems that mean that you have to collect some new habits of eating and new recipes. Maybe you have been told you have to cut out this or that - or include some exercise routines into your week or keep track of medications. All of these are things that can be tracked in a Health journal.

Rather than keeping all the handouts from the doctor in a folder, why not start a journal where you will collect all the new information you are learning. There is a proverb that says, "The faintest ink is better than the weakest memory." This is certainly true if you have had to deal with health issues for some years. Write it down and record your journey toward health and wholeness.

I have been reading some different health magazines recently and have started keeping track of the tips and information in a journal. There are so many vitamins and minerals that effect how your body functions. It's confusing unless you can somehow collect and organize this information - especially if you haven't been in the habit of watching out for these things. When I record information when I'm researching, I can find the information again when I want to look it up again.

I've been writing down new recipes using our new diet requirements. Keep track of what tastes great and what doesn't work! Keep track of what we eat - and how much if I want to. Keep track of symptoms and watch for patterns or progress.

If you're going to the gym, write down your weight goals and what you are doing to reach them. Write about your successes and disappointments. Writing about your intentions can keep you motivated. It can reinforce your determination to persevere until you win!

Decide today if there are some things you would like to journal about concerning your health and physical well-being. Will you include it in your normal journaling pages, or will you start a specific journal where you keep the information that will help you feel better and maybe even live longer. :-)

Just write!
Deb E

Types of Journals - Reading Journal

People who like to write, usually like to read too.
My husband tells me I inhale books!
If you are like me, you might like to keep track of the books you read in your journal. Some people have a special journal specifically for recording their thoughts about books they read. Some people simply keep a list of the books they have read right in their normal journal.

Here are some suggestions for keeping a reading journal if you'd like to go a little deeper than a simple list...

• If you don't have a separate reading journal, keep your reading records in a dedicated section of your journal - maybe at the back. 
• Photocopy the cover (or find it in a book catalogue or brochure or print a picture from an online store) and glue it in your journal.
• If you can find photos of the characters in your book - paste them in - or draw your own.
• Write down the date you started and the date you finished reading - or why you didn't finish...
• Make a note about where you got the book from. Was it a present? A special treat you gave yourself? Did you purchase it new or at a used bookshop? Did you borrow it from a friend? Or from the library? (write down the call numbers and letters and which library)
• Did someone recommend the book to you?
• Write down a quick summary of the main storyline or the main ideas of the book.
• Do you know anything about the author? 
• What do you like about this author's style of writing? Anything you especially enjoyed?
• Rate the book. Did you enjoy it? What did you enjoy most? What did you learn from the book?
• Would you recommend it?
• Who would you like to pass it on to?

As you can see, there are many things you might like to record about your book.
It's fun to look back at the end of the year and figure out how many books you read.

Some of my friends have a reading club where they take turns suggesting books. Everyone in the group reads the same book and then they get together regularly to talk about what they liked (or not).
Why not start a book club of your own? After the discussion, you could write about some of the topics you discussed together afterwards.

I have found that some books have had a profound effect on my life. Some authors have become my long-distance mentors. Reading has changed the way I think, the goals I have set for my life, and they have effected  relationships with friends, how I parented my children and loved my husband. Books have entertained me and distracted me temporarily from problems that had no solution at the moment. I have escaped to far-off places and experienced stories just as if I had actually been there...

So go grab a good book and start your reading journal!
Read ....and

Just write!
Deb E

PS - Do you keep a reading journal? or a record of what you have read? Tell us about what you do...

Writing prompts....

There are lists and lists of questions online that are writing starter sentences called writing prompts. Some people like to use writing prompts to help them find writing topics.

There are prompts that draw out memories - for example - prompts about your family history. As you answer them, you are recording memories you might have from your childhood, or from your early marriage years. You might answer questions about your parent's stories or things you remember about your grandparents. There is more tucked away in the recesses and dark corners of your subconscious than you are aware of. As you answer these writing prompts - using the freewriting technique I wrote about yesterday, you will think of more and more memories that you had forgotten about. As you write the details using your five senses to describe what you remember, you will remember more and more details. It's all stored in that miraculous creation - your brain. Better than any computer, as you write, it will release more and more details. I'm SURE you will be surprised! I know I have been - over and over. As I write, I remember more to write about.

There are other prompts that will remind you to write about things you like, things you wonder about, things you hate, things you would like to do etc. etc. etc.
You could ALWAYS use writing prompts to generate ideas about what to write about from day to day, or you could choose to only use them occasionally. I rarely choose to write about prompts myself but I enjoy coming up with them for others to write about...

If you find your own ideas, your own imagination, and your own daily events seem to be getting stale and ho-hum, do an internet search for "writing prompts" and you will soon find something to get your pen moving again!!

Please feel free to add your comments and links to this blog and share some of your favorite writing prompt sites...

Pick one or two and ....

Just write!
Deb E

Freewriting...

Freewriting is a writing technique that is used by many authors.
Basically, you start writing whatever you are thinking and don't stop writing until you are finished your preset amount of time. You might want to start with 3 to 5 minutes and gradually work up to 10 to 15 minutes or more.
Start writing about whatever is on your mind... or use a writing prompt...(more about those tomorrow)
If you can't think of anything to write, write "I can't think of anything to write about" until your brain thinks of something and then write about that. Follow the rabbit trails that happen as you are thinking. Many authors use this type of writing as an exercise to get them loosened up at the beginning of their writing session. Creativity experts suggest using freewriting as a way to generate ideas for writing, for art, for to-do lists, etc. You essentially dump whatever is in your brain onto a piece of paper. Once the ideas are out there, you are able shape it and enlarge on the idea. You can actually DO something with those idea-seeds and see them start to evolve into finished projects.

For our purposes, freewriting loosens you up and shows you that there is more going on inside than you know! You have more things you could write about than you realize. If you JUST START, you will find that your brain actually enjoys the process and you will begin to think of more and more things you could write about. Writing begets writing.

The rules of freewriting are simple:

• Set a time. Start with 3 to 5 minutes and increase the amount as you get more experience. Write for that amount of time or longer if you are on a roll.
• Once you put pen to paper, don't stop writing whatever comes into your mind.
• Don't correct or erase or stop writing. 
• Follow rabbit trails as you think of them. Relax and enjoy the process.
• If you can't think what to write, just write "I can't think of what to write" until you do think of another subject. Do NOT let your pen stop - keep it going.
• When you are done, go back and highlight or circle thoughts that seem important to you and then you can freewrite more about them, or actually use them as a starting point for some more serious journal writing.

I can promise you, you will definitely be surprised at how this technique will free you up and make you WANT to write! You can use this technique to find writing subjects and to develop new and creative ideas. Once you start writing, you will be surprised at some of the memories you will remember that you had forgotten about. There's a lot more in that brain of yours that wants to be put on paper!

Just write!
Deb E

What MY journals look like...

As I wrote before... I started out using spiral bound notebooks. But I had so many things I wanted to add into my journal - and I was already using a planner binder, so I started using the same binder for my journaling pages.  I have binders that are about the same size as the smaller 3 or 5 subject school notebooks commonly found in the stationery stores. I rip the paper out of the spiral binding and I cut off the top margin. Then I use a smaller sized 6 hole punch and punch the paper so it will go in my planner binder. It's less expensive than purchasing the already packaged binder paper that is the size of my planner. I write a LOT...Every once in a while I prepare the pages - it just takes a few minutes.

I don't carry my planner with me everywhere I go anymore... but I used to. I would write in my planner in the journal section and regularly transfer the pages to my journal storage binder. I started off having just one fat storage binder (3" rings) per year, but now I normally have 2. I still keep blank pages to write on in my planner and sometimes that's what I'll take to the coffee shop with me to write in...then I just transfer the pages to the binder when I get home.

My main problem with the binders is that after 30 years you have a lot of them sitting around. Small house... no storage space left... where do the binders go so they won't get all dusty and be subjected to the ravages of humidity and any insects that DARE to enter my castle!   :-/

I just got a new TV cabinet (used - from a friend) and it has some shelves with a glass door. Since the binders are black, and the shelves deep, I've put them in there. They will be protected AND accessible. I can always put some photos in frames or something in front of the storage binders to make it look pretty. :-) It's a lot better than having them stacked under a desk - that's where they've been for quite a few years already... (I have more than what's in the photo!!)

I'm gradually going through the old journals and typing the entries into my computer journaling program. I don't think I'll transfer everything since some of it is unimportant and junky writing that I can't even remember what I meant when I wrote it...But, obviously, I can't keep on collecting storage binders since I AM going to run out of space again...

I still will not give up writing by hand though. I love the feel of the pen sliding across the paper and the slowness of the thinking process as I decide how to word what is pouring out of my heart.

Using a computer journaling program means that I can search for entries, I can tag my entries and I can find what I'm looking for more quickly than if I have to search through pages of handwritten journals. You can now have more than one page per day so I can incorporate my Daily Events journal along with my Spiritual Journal and still keep them as separate entries but tied together. I'm starting with the most recent writing and typing while I watch TV at night. I'll work my way back in time and eventually I'll be able to condense the size of my storage and retrieval system. AND I'm making sure I back up my files to my external hard drive as well as to DVD discs. I wouldn't want to lose all those memories!!!

The great thing about the computer journaling program I'm using is that I can add my photos to it if I want - or scan some of my handwritten pages and insert them. It takes up MUCH less space and I'm journaling half in my computer program and half in my handwritten journals these days. I find that I can type faster than I can handwrite so I'm definitely writing more. Best of both worlds!

I love The Journal by David R Michael. He's the BEST at keeping his software fresh and bug-free. He has a great support system and quickly answers any questions you might have about how to do something you want to do. I've downloaded several of the journal programs out there for free trials and while they all have a wonderful variety of options, I've found that this program fits me the best :-)

Why not explore your options?

I have a friend who uses a Rollabind system. She makes her own spiral bound journals.
I have other friends who purchase pre-made journals with beautiful covers. I use those too for some types of writing. They are handy and portable enough to fit in your purse (if it's big like mine!) and take with you so you can jot down things you are thinking about wherever your are, at any time of day or night :-)
Experiment....you can always try something new later...
Go shopping and see what you can find. But whatever you do...

Just write!
Deb E

My journals...

There are many reasons why you might be writing.
There might be a list of things you would like to write about and keep track of in a journal.
The question is...should you start a new journal for each topic you want to track.
Some of those topics might be important enough to you that you might like to keep your entries in a separate journal - so you can keep a regular record of progress or learning about that specific topic. We will talk about some of those kinds of journals over the next few days...

Over the years, I have had many "types" of journals that pertained to specific topics or goals I wanted to keep track of. Be aware though, that the more specific types of journals you start, the harder it is to keep current in each one. It might be better to just keep it all in one journal if you are new to journaling and haven't yet had time to establish a wonderful habit of writing each day.

Currently, I have a journal for daily events. I purchase a two page per day planner system each year. I like to get a different pattern each year. One year florals, the next landscape pictures, the next year a painted design on each page. I plan on the left side, and journal about what I accomplished on the right side.
This serves as a quick jotted down record of what I did, what my kids and husband did each day and sometimes I have room to make notes about a conversation with a close friend or relative. This journal I don't write in every day - it's often in point form and I "catch up" every few days - as often as I can. Looking back on this journal helps me to remember the exact details even if I only jot down a word or two. It all comes flooding back when I review it. A great way to keep memories you don't want to forget. Sometimes I 'll add pages and write about something in more detail.

I also have a Spiritual Journal. I would say this is my MAIN journal but it's not complete without my planner journal that records my daily parade of events. I take notes in this journal about my thoughts as I read my Bible, pray and read devotional books in my Quiet Time with God each day. Often I will write about things I'm concerned about or things that are bugging me in this journal. I pray about these things and ask God to help me find solutions. I actually write out my prayers- it helps me to keep focused - and keep track of how these prayers are answered. I often end up writing about goals and plans in this journal too - since I try to pray about how to tackle these also. I write lists of what I'm thankful for, quotes from famous people, and Bible verses that are "speaking to me" each day.

At times, I have had a journal where I write about plans and brainstorm ideas for the various business ideas I have. I call it my Creativity Journal. Anything and everything else gets written about in this journal! I'm an artist (I have taught painting classes), I have sold things, I have taught online classes and various other enterprises over the years. I write about sales and marketing plans I want to try, I keep track of online searches for information and reference materials. After reading 'The Artist's Way" and "Creative Call' - books on the creative process - I started keeping my morning pages in this journal. Morning pages are "freewriting" sessions about anything and everything that's on your mind. (more about morning pages and freewriting another day...) I brainstorm lists of things I have to get done or that I want to do. I take notes when I read a motivational book that helps me think about my business in a new and different way. Lately, because of health issues I have been doing a lot of reading about hormones, diet changes, vitamins and minerals your body needs, etc. I am starting to keep enough notes about this that I might transfer them to a new journal where I just keep those kinds of ideas... Again - I caution you about starting too many new types of journals since it's hard to keep up with more than one or two at a time on a regular basis (unless you want to write all day long, of course!) I tend to write in this journal when I really need to get my business things organized - or when I'm very busy and need to get it all on paper where I can see it and cross it off as I accomplish it! Or when I need some motivation and inspiration to keep working on my various enterprises. Or when I'm learning about new things and doing a lot of research on a topic.

I have found that if I want to track a particular theme in my journal - then I will colour code it by using a highlighter pen (I usually draw a line down the margin beside the section) or else I will draw a line around a section of writing to make it stand out from the rest of the page. Or I will write the subject at the top of the page and highlight it to make it stand out.

My advice to new journalers is to keep as much as possible in ONE journal. Work out your own colour coding and mark various themes with specific colours. Then if you get a lot of one colour, then start a separate journal just for that topic. Otherwise, keep it all in one place...less chance of losing that journal and more chance of actually making entries often enough that it actually makes a difference and helps you keep track or plan.

The next few days we will talk about different specific types of journals you might like to keep. Or topics you might want to keep in your single journal...

In the meantime, make a new list of things you might want to write about in your journal.

• What do you want to keep track of?
• What are your main interests right now?
• What are you learning about?
• What are you planning?
• What are you praying about?
• What have you learned about or researched recently?

Pick one and....

Just write!
Deb E

Where to write...

My husband bought me a rocking chair when my first baby was born. It's made of oak and fashioned by Mennonite woodworkers in a local community near where I live. It has a big thick pad on the seat for comfort, and a hand-knitted afghan for padding hanging on the back. I remember being awake in the wee small hours of the morning, nursing my babies in this rocking chair while the rest of the house slept ...
It's one of the most necessary things that I would try to save if there was ever a fire in my house!
I often sit in my rocker to write in my journal. With notebook open on my lap, I will rock and write, rock and write...

Or right now, I'm sitting on my comfy couch. It's my favorite colour of pale green blue with flowers of pink, blue and apricot all over. My feet are up, and my back is leaning on the arm rest behind me. The sun is pouring in the front window, and as the rest of the world goes by while I sit in comfort, typing my thoughts and capturing memories...

My favorite place though, is in the warmth of my kitchen, seated at my kitchen table. At night I light a pale blue candle that sits on a frosted dish filled with opalescent stones around the base. In the morning when I write, I can look out my patio door and watch the birds fight over seeds at the feeders in my back yard. I let the dog out so he can chase the squirrels away. I enjoy the changing colours of the changing seasons  - multicoloured flowers in the summer, gold and red leaves in the autumn, frost and snow in the winter, and the bright yellows and greens of the springtime.

Anywhere I'm comfortable works for me...

I sometimes even take my journal to the park and write at a picnic table under a shady tree. Or at the coffee shop with people visiting and students working on computers all around me.

Find one or two special places of your own... and turn them into YOUR favorite writing places. Take some writing time today to describe in detail what you like about the place where you have chosen to write. Take a picture...add it to your journal. Make it your journaling home and....

Just write!

Deb E

When to write...

So now we get to the WHEN and the How Often questions...

If you are going to cultivate the good habit of journal writing, you will want to decide if you can write every day (which is a great idea)...or do you only think you can write every other day... or once a week or less.
If you only want to write occasionally - don't set a regular time to journal. Just pull your journal and pen out when you think of it...which I guarantee you will be less and less often as time goes on.

If you want to reap the best results though, you should consider making journal writing a brand new, wonderful habit that will continue throughout your whole life. That's how you will really reap the benefit of journaling.

When I started journaling, I used to sit down in the morning with my cup of tea before I went to work and write about whatever I was thinking about that morning. My writing was full of references to the events of the past day. I wrote about what I had read in my Bible reading that morning, I wrote about plans for this brand new day I was going to be living. I sipped my hot tea in the golden rays of the early morning sunlight slanting through my kitchen window, and started my day off right... Relaxing, getting grounded spiritually and emotionally - ready for whatever life would throw at me this day...

Later, when life was busy and babies got me up before I could get my tea poured and journal written in, I moved my journal writing time to the evening - before bed. I would sit down after the house was relatively quiet, light a candle, pull out my journal and write out my prayers and memories about the day that had just passed. Reflecting and writing at night was very soothing to jangled nerves and I found it helped me put to bed all my jumbled thoughts so I could then relax and drift off to sleep quickly instead of worrying or thinking about all of life's responsibilities that had to be accomplished tomorrow.

Day is done...gone the sun,,,,from the lakes, from the hills, from the skies...all is well...safely rest....God is nigh...Thanks for the day, God! Those days are wonderful memories safely tucked away just like my sleeping children were...

Find a regular time that works for you, that you will be able to set aside to savor your days. Make it a comforting time - a favorite drink, soothing music, the ambiance of a candle or two as you write....
There's no better way to start or to end your day! A few minutes of reflective quiet time does the soul good!

So, find a time that's right for you. Set the "atmosphere" and...

Just write!
Deb E

What to write.....

So, you're sitting down with your new notebook open, pen in hand and you're wondering...NOW WHAT???
What should I write about today?

First write the date (and time of day and the place you are - if you like) Month, day and year
30 years from now you will want to know WHEN you wrote this entry.

Let's start by brainstorming in your journal - which is a great thing to do with it :-)
Answer these questions....

• Why did you decide you want to keep a journal? 
• Who will read it? Will it be for your eyes alone? or are you leaving it as a legacy for someone?
• What topics do you want to include in it?

Take 15 minutes now and write...

I started my journal to keep track of daily events in my life, for my own benefit. I didn't really think that I'd be keeping track of things for my kids since I had none at the beginning. As time went on though, I had 3 boys and I decided one of the very important things I wanted to keep track of was keeping a record of some of the  funny things they did and said as they grew. I wanted to think about what I wanted to teach them, how I wanted to treat them and I wanted to record what I learned along the way about being a parent.Now they are all grown up, moved out and those days seem so LONG ago... Now I'm writing about being a grandma, a mother-in-law and learning how to keep in touch with my family over time...and distance.

I also wanted to write about what I was learning. I read a LOT! My husband tells me I inhale books! So I wanted to write about some of the new ideas I was learning about and keep track of my spiritual, emotional and mental growth over time. Some people might also want to keep track of their physical growth - or rather - their hopeful lack OF physical growth over the years LOL! (aka weight management journaling)

I wanted to keep track of my "daily parade of events" - a term coined by The Sidetracked Sisters, Pam Young and Peggy Jones   http://www.shesintouch.com/  I started reading their books about the same time I started journaling. Have fun exploring their website for ideas on homemaking that you might like to write about in your journal...I wrote a LOT about getting organized when I was a young journal writer and a new mom. A parade sounds fun and I sure wanted to keep track of the fun events in my life over the years. It makes for some continuing smiles in my old age!!  :-P

I wanted to write about my marriage, my close and extended family, my church family, and my friends. In re-reading my journals after 30 years I have discovered things that happened that I had forgotten ALL about! Journaling will help you preserve memories that are too precious and priceless to lose!

So get started writing your own list of precious, priceless topics that mean the most to you.... Pick one and ...

Just write!
Deb E

Getting Started

It takes NO special equipment to get started Journal keeping...
Just a pen and a piece of paper.
But many of us love to search out that perfect journaling notebook. My current favorites have lux-leather covers with embossed patterns. I use them in church for taking notes while listening to the sermons Sunday mornings.

I personally journal in several ways.
Although I love the feeling of physically writing on paper with a comfortable pen that fits my hand, I do keep my main journal on computer. My favorite program is The Journal by David R Michael.
I'm transferring my physical journals to my computer journaling program because I now have so many books around my house that I'm having trouble trying to find a place to store them. I need to get rid of some of my binders, books and papers!! This will definitely be a long term project for me to type in what I have already written but I'm enjoying the process of reviewing my life as I am typing...

When I first started writing in a journal, it was an inexpensive spiral bound notebook from the grocery store. I started with 8X10 size but later moved to the smaller notebooks that were handy to carry around with me. I started around 30 years ago, and I'm now seeing some deterioration of the ink in those notebooks - it's got pretty fuzzy with the effects of humidity and age. I used a fountain pen at one point and that ink especially has fuzzed out. If you are going to keep a journal you should consider using archival paper and inks if you intend them to be around 100 years from now :-)

Later, as I found that I wanted to add stuff (extra pages - handouts etc) to my journal, I moved to a small three-ringed binder - It's the same size as a desk sized planner book - which is convenient since I do order a 2 page per day planner every year. The left page is for to-do's and planning - the right page is for quick jotting down of things I did and what I want to remember about the day. Of course, that's not enough ROOM for an avid journaller, but I add extra pages when I want to write about events more in depth, or write about feelings and ideas and my thinking process. I keep all my pages in a storage binder for the year. Some years I wrote enough for two storage binders. I just got a new TV stand that has extra shelves with a glass door on the front. I put all my journals in this enclosed shelf so I can keep the dust out. The binders are black and I keep them at the back - the shelves are deep. I can put other stuff in front so it doesn't look too ugly... I'm just glad to FINALLY have a good place to store them all! You can accumulate a lot of journals if you write all the time. Some people write MORE than I do!! Maybe you will be one of those avid journal writers. Think about where and how you'd like to store your writing so you can read it 30 years from now and enjoy the memories all over again!

In the meantime, grab a spiral bound notebook, or a plain ole piece of paper and any old pen you have handy and start writing about;

• What kind of journal you would like to use
• How often you'd like to write
• Write about your trip to the stationary store to see what's available for your journal writing adventure
• Write about your new pen you purchased that fits your hand and is so elegant it makes you WANT to write
• Google Journalling Software. Write about what you found out about computer software that you might like to use for journaling. Download some free trials and try 'em out!
• Write about WHY you want to keep a journal and what you think this new habit of journal writing will do for you in the future.

Make sure you put the date at the top of the page so you know when you started your fabulous writing adventure!

Just write!
Deb E

New Blog...first post

Well... here I am....starting a new blog about Journal Writing.
I'm the moderator of a Yahoogroup called Christian Journaling and we've been actively talking about journalling since 2001.

I hope to publish tips and techniques for journaling here as well as prompts and ideas for people who would like to start journaling, or to get motivated to their journal writing fresh and interesting.

I hope to have some online journaling classes and e-books in the future so stay tuned!

Happy writing!
Deb E