Portable DIY Prayer Journal. Proverb of the Day

Portable DIY Prayer Journal

I absolutely love stationary products, sticky notes of all types and sizes, notepads, pens, markers, colored pencils and, yes, journals!  

I have several many journals in my collection - leather ones, spiral bound ones, expensive and inexpensive ones, handmade ones,  and composition books. 

I absolutely love my Scripture Memorization journal made from a spiral bound ruled index card notebook! So, that said, I'm sure you'll understand why I fell in love with this idea from Shelly at Dolen Diaries.  She has inspired me to make a portable prayer journal as well! Please stop by her blog and check it out!

I'm using a 3 X 5" note card binder.  My daughter kindly hole punched the note cards for me using a three hole punch.  

I decided to use a fabric cover because my poor little notebook is a bit worn.  I measured the fabric about 1/4" bigger than the notebook making sure the seam from the leg of the jeans was centered on the spine of the notebook.  Then I cut out the  fabric.  

  

Then I measured and cut two more pieces for the inner flaps of the notebook, sewed them to the each short end of the original fabric and pressed the seams open. 

 I used 1 1/2" cross grain ribbon as a binding.

 Then I just had to take time out to admire this beautiful bird enjoying his snack outside my sewing studio window!

 

I wanted a cute, conversation starting cover for my journal.  Who better than Snoopy?  

Using this tutorial from Melissa at Happy Quilting, I printed the above image on muslin and attached it to the front cover of my journal.   

I also added this image to the inside journal.  It will always remind me of a special promise the LORD kept to me which I'll share about later.  

I forgot to add a closure, so my handy dandy seam ripper came in handy as I tore open a short seam, inserted a hair tie, and sewed over it several times to secure it.  I attached a red button to complete the closure.  

It was a no brainer to attach a red yo yo heart!  I love fabric yo yos!    

To follow Shelly's example, I wanted to distiguish between each family member that I would pray for.  I wanted to use washi tape to mark each family members' card, but, sadly, that would prove to be too bulky.  After all, the goal is to make this particular journal portable. So I ended up going with Shelly's idea and color coding the cards. I'm thinking I should also add a "Praise" section!    

So....what do you think?  I love my new prayer journal!  I can hardly wait to see how the LORD will work in my life!

Proverb of the Day


There is a saying regarding the workplace:  

90% of your problems are

10% of your people.

As I read this verse, I am reminded of a friend's struggles at work.  We all know what it is like 
to have conflict in the workplace.
to be treated unfairly.
to be misunderstood.
to be lied about.
to be harrassed.

This verse is so timely today because my friend's challenge is being worked out - Praise God!

Though I am not one to advocate revenge, I do believe that the best revenge is to simply 
continue living one's life, 
continue performing at one's highest level,
and continually seek joy in all circumstances.  

After all there is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD!

http://www.thequotepedia.com/quotes/worship/page/10/

I'm Trying. Proverb of the Day.

 I'm trying.
I'm trying so hard to live a normal life despite the pain, the constant pain, that I'm living with. Is it neuropathy? Is it fibromyalgia? What is happening to my body? Today I see my oncologist  and I hope against hope that he'll have some answers. My toes  swelled up, then my feet and on my ankles. I don't know what God is doing in my life but I do know He holds the answers. I'm desperately trying to maintain my hope despite the pain and fatigue that have decided to be my companions. 

Proverb of the Day





I'm beginning to notice that I talk too much! This happens especially when I'm flustered, nervous chatter. I speak without thinking and go on and on and on. Thank God for Proverbs 29:20! I am making scripture cards to carry with me and this is at the top of the list! Do you suffer from nervous chatter as well? If so it's OK cause guess what? God loves us anyway!

Struggling.

http://quotesgram.com/chronic-back-pain-quotes/#9AtLnJuNQB

The neuropathy pain is overwhelming.  I'm grateful I was able to make it to church and do some shopping at the mall with my husband. And now I just lay down in pain and grateful for the inspiration from my friends  

Dear friend, this is my truth.

Regret. Defeat. Greatest Lesson. Proverb of the Day.

Regret.  Defeat.

I'm not sure if I mentioned that I lived in a city about an hour away during radiation.  After hearing my story, the manager of the Marriot Hotel gave me a significant discount, so I was able to live in the city where I had my daily radiation treatments.  My dear husband drove an extra two hours every day to be with me in the evenings.  Imagine! But, alas, I digress.... 

While there, I discovered KLOVE, one of the best Christian radio stations I have ever heard!  I would listen to it on the way and back from Texas Oncology. God used this station to speak encouragement, courage and healing to me.   I purchased and created a playlist of the songs that truly ministered to me.  I still listen to them all the time.  

Yesterday, the following song spoke deeply to me.  I'm on the journey to healing, to creating a new life for myself.  And it's wonderful.  
                       

Perhaps you are living with regret and defeat as the voices in your head.  May I suggest you turn this song up really loud, listen to it several times, dance and go nuts praising God - and go forth living in victory as the "Child of the One True King"!!!  

I did that just this morning.
I was freed.
I may forget.
I may push play and repeat.

You were on my mind, too.
You may need to do this.
You can be free.
You may forget.
Push play and repeat.

Greatest Lesson.

http://quotesgram.com/lessons-learned-in-life-quotes/#9WKTbJIjMU

Proverb of the Day.

Oh LORD! How I struggle with this!  I'm getting better, but sure could use Your help with this one!  The question, "Does it improve on the silence?", is helping me to keep my tendency to rise to the challenge of a quarrel in check.  Please continue to help me be a person of honor and avoid strife.

Dear Friend, this is my truth!

I'm Back. Proverb of the Day.

I'm Back. 
Hello there!  Did you miss me?  I sure missed you - knowing you are out there and reading my little blog.  

I'm back, with my friends, Pain and Fatigue, but I'm back.

Yup.  You read correctly - my friends.  You see, friends, as defined by Merriam Webster, are:   

a person who helps or supports someone or something (such as a cause or charity)

I have chosen to personify Pain and Fatigue because they have taught me a valuable lesson:  find the balance between taking care of myself and taking care of others.  I'm surely not saying I've learned this lesson in less than a week!  But, finally, my heart is open to learning.  And isn't that how we grow?  

It hasn't been easy or fun, but I am learning to be even more gentle with myself.  

As we learn to take care of ourselves, we can offer the best of ourselves to others - to God.  

http://quotesgram.com/taking-care-of-me-quotes/

Proverb of the Day.

Friends, let's make sure, whether we are rich, comfortable or poor, that we are rich in Christ.  Then, we can live confidently, knowing that even if our walls are scaled, we still win the war!

Dear Friend, this is my truth!

It's good to be back!