B90, 90 Day Check in

Well, it's Day 90, I should be DONE, and I'm on day 46... Like I said on day 88...

"Sadly, so many things have occurred to slow me down and down right derail me in the last 90 days. But the reality is that I just didn't make it a big enough priority. If it were a bigger priority to ME, the bible I was using wouldn't still be sitting in the back pack from the hospital, packed away for over 2 weeks now.

I'm sad about it. But I'm NOT going to give up. I still want to finish. I will still work on it. I made it past the half way mark! That is still more of the Bible than ever before!"

I am going to still work on it, though possibly at a slower pace.

I am planning to join the next group of Bible in 90 Days in July. Hopefully next time life will be a little less hectic overall and I can keep up better! Maybe just being more prepared will help.

Either way it has been a GREAT experience, I am proud of what I HAVE done, I've read more than half the bible. Since I've never made it past Deuteronomy before! :) So really, for me, this has been a good 90 days even if I didn't finish!

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B90, Monday Morning Check-in, Day 88

Well, it's day 88 for most people, graduation day for most people...

And I am STILL stuck on day 46. I am genuinely frustrated with myself, disappointed with myself. I still WANT to finish. Obviously I will NOT be finishing with the group.

Sadly, so many things have occurred to slow me down and down right derail me in the last 90 days. But the reality is that I just didn't make it a big enough priority. If it were a bigger priority to ME, the bible I was using wouldn't still be sitting in the back pack from the hospital, packed away for over 2 weeks now.

I'm sad about it. But I'm NOT going to give up. I still want to finish. I will still work on it. I made it past the half way mark! That is still more of the Bible than ever before!

My goal right now is to finish what I started, no matter how long it takes me.

My next goal is to then start fresh with the new group on July 5th and keep up next time.

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Reading Challenge Book Reviews Week Ending March 27, 2010

Redemption, by Gary Smalley and Karen Kingsbury:
100+ Books, Support Your Local Library, New to me Christian Author

This is the first book in the first of three Baxter Family series... did that make sense?? No, well, it didn't originally make sense to me either. Basically, in the end there are I believe 14 books total, broken down into three separate series... this is the first series, and this particular book is the first book. YAY

It introduces all the major characters of the entire series. See, I'm a totally backwards person who read the third series first. Only because it's what MY library had. THEN I figured out how to do inter-library loan! WOOHOO. Now I'm LOVING having it!

So I am learning the backgrounds, YEARS earlier, to all these characters that I feel like I already know. I enjoyed finding out who they were/are. I am really curious about Ashley... I am vauge though... I HATE to give away too much information. SOOOO... Sorry, this is all I have to say!

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2010 Earth Hour

Ever heard of Earth Hour? It's an globally participated in event where for one hour at 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM LOCAL TIME you turn off ALL your lights, every single one. It's to raise awareness for the environment, energy conservation and more. Please check it out at earthhour.org.

Right now we are participating in Earth Hour here at our house. We have every single light in the house shut off and we are watching a movie with all the kids in the living room where we also have a couple of candles lit for the "just in case" situations. We will leave all the lights off until 9:30.

We participated last year too. It's a great thing to do, it is only ONE hour of time. And really, how AWESOME is it to sit in the dark!!!! :)

Happy Earth Hour!!

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B90, Monday Morning Check-in, Day 81

Yikes... I'm only on Day 46...

It's just been so hard. I was doing great at first, fell a little behind. I had hoped to get several extra days done while my daughter was in the hospital last week, that didn't happen. I couldn't concentrate on ANYTHING. I couldn't read, I couldn't think hardly. I'm working to get back on track.

I've said it all along and I'll say it again: I AM NOT QUITTING. I am not giving up. I might finish late but I will finish.

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B90, Monday Morning Check-in, Day 74

Well, I'm on Day 46, SO behind, so not stressing about it. As I said last week, it's been a rough time for me.

As I sit here typing this right now I am in the surgery waiting area at Children's Hospital. My incredible daughter is in surgery right now. Everything is going well as of our last update.

I'm hoping to get plenty of reading done this week while we are at the hospital, but if not, it's not a big deal. It will get done sooner or later.

Please pray for my little one and her doctors. :) Thanks :)

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Reading Challenge Book Reviews March 7, 2010-March 13, 2010

Sunrise, by Karen Kingsbury: 100+ Books, Support Your Local Library

This is the first book in a four part series. I read the books a little out of order, I read book #2, then #3, then #1, and soon I hope to read #4. LOL It's just the way I was able to get my hands on them!

This book concentrates on the relationship building up to the marriage of Dayne and Katy, Cody Coleman and his status within the Flanigan family. Much of this book revolves around the Flanigan family, much more so than books 2 and 3 did.

The big finish that has everyone on pins and needles is the question, will Dayne and Katy be able to pull off a SECRET wedding with 150 guests in attendance, without the papparazzi finding out???

Soldier Dead, by Michael Sledge: 100+ Books, Support Your Local Library

This isn't a book for the faint of heart. Though it also is not a book full of gore. I read this book for the first time not terribly long after losing one of my closest friends in Iraq. I had a crazy desire to know more about the process of how our Soldiers who die serving our country are returned to their loved ones.

One of the things I like best about this book is how much historical basis Mr. Sledge uses. He doesn't just go into how CURRENT Soldier Dead are brought home. He goes into great detail about how Soldier Dead where buried, or returned home, as far back as the civil war. Since I do enjoy history, it made it quite a good read. It also made it a very worthy second read! :)

It is quite difficult to explain much more about this book, I'd strongly recommend it to anyone though who is interested in military history, or has strong ties to the military. And has a strong stomach.

Animal Farm, by George Orwell: 100+ Books, Support Your Local Library

Basically, the animals overthrow the humans because they are fed up with how they are treated by the humans. The pigs on the farm slowly but surely assert themselves as the smarter animals and therefore the natural leaders of the farm. Then after a while the pigs begin to treat the animals as badly, and even worse, than they'd been treated before! Before long, the animals realize that the situation is the same as before, except that they have pigs over them, not animals.

A great fast read!



COMPLETED NEEDS REVIEW:


IN PROGRESS:
-The Bible

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B90, Day 45: I will Praise Him

Scripture: Psalm 145:3

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.

Observation: How can we even imagine how great God truly is?

Application: God IS worthy of the greatest praise I can give him. I cannot even begin to imagine how to measure his greatness, it's too vast!!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are the greatest!! You alone are the one responsible for all the good in my life, I can't measure that, so I know I cannot measure your greatness. I will praise you every day!!

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Thankful Tuesday

Today I am Thankful for:
-My Bible, which provides me continuous encouragement
-My daughters, who are amazing and incredible individuals that delight me everyday
-My best friend, for always know what to say, and when to hug me, and just being herself.

Normally, I'd go so much further, but tonight, my heart just wants to leave it here. For some reason I just want to stop and leave my thankfulness at these three items. I have many things I am Thankful for, but these are the ones I wish to publicly state tonight.

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B90, Day 44: Have No Fear

Scripture: Psalm 112:7

He will have no fear of bad news; his hear is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

Observation: We don't need to be afraid of bad news when we have God in our hearts.

Application: Wow! The timing on reading this particular verse couldn't have been more perfect, or ironic, or meant to be. I got some news that was "difficult," barely and hour after reading this verse. it was still tough to deal with, but I didn't let fear rule.

Prayer: Lord, I'm having a pretty rough day. They just changed Bug's surgery date and I feel so upset, and disappointed. I didn't want to wait. I hate waiting. And it's the emotional preparation that has gone into it. I was mentally ready for March 17th. And now I have to wait an additional 12 days. I was looking forward to her being home on Easter. Now she'll likely be in the hospital on Easter. I can't quite wrap my head around it. March 29th. It doesn't sound right. I will pray for the child who I assume took her place on the 17th. Someone sicker and more in need than her. They must need prayers. Psalm 112:7: He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. I won't fear Lord.

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B90, Day 43: Shout for the Lord All the Earth Let Us Sing

Scripture: Psalm 98:4

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music.

Observation: Doesn't that make you just want to stand up and sing??

Application: A verse to keep handy to raise my spirits. It reminds me of one of my favorite songs.

Prayer: Father, I will shout for joy and sing to you about the incredible things you've done for me and with my life. I will praise you with every bit of voice I have!

Other verses I liked: Psalm 95:6, 96:2, 105:33, 106:1

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B90, Day 42: God is the Judge

Scripture: Psalm 75:7

But it is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.

Observation: God, in the end, is the only judge.

Application: Oh how I need to remember this more. How very important to remember, it is not for me to judge. That is up to God to do.

Prayer: Lord, help me remember not to judge others. It's not my place.

Other verses I liked: Psalm 71:8, 84:12, 89:1.

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B90, Monday Morning Check-in, Day 67

Wow, I am SO far behind... I am on Day 42. I am TRYING to keep afloat, maybe even catch up. There are moments when I feel like I can TOTALLY do it. And then there are moments when I feel like there is NO WAY.

No matter what, I will finish, I have committed myself to that. I've read more of the Bible than ever before!!! I have been taking my Bible to work lately, when I work at the Service Desk anyway, and instead of reading a book I am doing my Bible reading. It's extra reading time I normally wouldn't get. It's helping a little.

I am hoping to catch up more when my little one goes in for her surgery later this month. Lots of time spent by her bedside at the hospital for nearly a week, and then more recovery time at home before I return to work. It's the tail end of the 90 days, but it may be when I finally catch up. I know I can still do it!

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Reading Challenge Book Reviews February 28, 2010-March 6, 2010

Someday, by Karen Kingsbury: 100+ Books, Support Your Local Library

Karen Kingsbury is rapidly becoming one of my favorite authors. I LOVE her style, just the right about of emotion mixed with Bible verses. I think that is one of the things I like best about her books. She intersperses relevant verses into her books.

This particular book is #3 in a series. Ashley is dealing with the loss of her daughter, Katy and Dayne are making movies in separate countries, and dealing the paparazzi spreading false information about them. But in the end, everyone comes home for Christmas... are they all whole?? You'll have to read it to find out!!! :)


IN PROGRESS:
-Soldier Dead
-The Bible

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B90, Day 41: No Fear

Scripture: Psalm 56:3

When I am afraid, I will trust in you.

Observation: I think this one is pretty self explanatory.

Application: How can I be afraid if I put my trust in God? So that's what I'll do.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, what a great reminder, I have nothing to be afraid of when I put my trust in you. Help me to remember to leave all my fears in your hands.

Other verses I liked: Psalms 49:15, 55:22, 62:6

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B90, Day 40: I'm Yours God

Scripture: Psalms 25:1

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;

Observation: He is offering up everything about himself to God.

Application: How great is it to be able to trust our Heavenly Father with everything we have and lift ourselves up to Him?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank you for always being there I pray I never forget to lift everything to you, because I'd be nothing without you.

Other verses I liked: Psalms 27:1, 28:7, 31:24, 37:4

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B90, Day 39: Keep Me Safe

Scripture: Psalms 16:1

Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge.

Observation: A happy opening, asking the Lord to keep him safe.

Application: What a timely message for me. To trust in God, to take refuge in Him, and know I will be safe.

Prayer: Oh Lord, Keep me and my family safe! In YOU I will take refuge!!

Other verses I liked: Psalms 1:6 6:5, 9:1-2, 18:30, 18:46, 20:6

I'm working to get somewhat caught up by NOT worrying about what people at work think. I read books at work anyway, so I figure why not take my Bible!!

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Thankful Tuesday

Today I am Thankful for:

-My Father in Heaven who reminds me through Scripture of His promises of His Love and Power.
-My WONDERFUL BFF who is always there for me, points out powerful Scriptures to keep my faith strong, and builds me up every day.
-BFF's Husband, who has been a rock for me and a great uncle to my girls.
-My Church Family, for their prayers and comfort.
-My dear chickies, also for their prayers and comfort. :) And just cuz they are the chickies!
-My former MIL, just for being herself. You are a great woman and friend, who has stayed that way despite everything.
-My Bug and Peanut, who are growing bigger and more amazing everyday!!! I love you girls!!!

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B90, Monday Morning Check-in, Day 60

Okay, I am ridiculously far behind, so far behind I am embarrassed to post it. I am on Day 39. OUCH. I am working on it though. I haven't been doing as well catching up as I'd like though. I need to make it a bigger priority. Still though, I am NOT giving up, no matter what. I WILL finish reading the Bible. And I am praying that I will finish ON TIME.

I have posted before about my daughter, Bug, and her ongoing health concerns, and asked you to keep her in your prayers. Once again, I ask you all to please pray for her. She has a surgery date set. March 17th. Please keep her and her doctors in mind when you pray. Thank you!

I DO find the reading encouraging and uplifting, it sheds a bright light on my life, so I am trying hard to get my reading in.

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