Theme for a New Year

I am so very blessed to have a group of friends that I never see, but talk to every single day throughout the day. The are a group of like minded Christian homeschooling women but we are also different in enough ways to keep things interesting! I'm so thankful for them.

One of us introduced the rest of us to an idea we have been using for the past two, maybe three years. My friend Dana listens to God to discover what it is he would like her to focus on in the coming year. You'll enjoy reading her post on her theme this year which is "consider the lilies."

As I said most of the group picks a theme and I thought you'd be interested in some of the others as well. You might find a blog you love as well!

Rachel is focusing on "simple, beautiful." There are so many praiseworthy thoughts in this post.

Dee Ann will spend the year thinking about "simple, lovely, grateful." She is simply lovely and I believe you will enjoy her blog.

Crissy will be "going live" and may be giving up the internet all together, so hurry over. Look for the post "It's (almost) a new year folks..."

And last but certainly not least...Brooke is hearing voices - but it's the good kind!

I'm calling my theme "first things first". Taking care of what's most important first. Carefully prioritizing my day. But that also means seeking God before opening my mouth. Making sure the log is out of my eye, etc...those are first things too. I've already started keeping a list of verses and quotations I come across on this subject that I hope will help to inspire me. If you all can think of some please leave it for me in the comments. Thank you Dana for introducing us to this wonderful way of preparing for a new year.

Even I have been tagged

My dear sweet friend Rachel has tagged me and I feel that I should comply:

1. One book that changed your life:

For The Children's Sake by Susan Schaeffer McCauley. This is the book that started me on the homeschooling path I'm still on.

2. One book that you have read more than once:
To Kill A Mockingbird. Forget Mobey Dick, this is the great American Novel.

3. One book that you'd want on a desert island:

As cliche' as it sounds it would be the bible. It's all there: romance, adventure and wisdom

4. One book that made you laugh:

A Walk In The Woods. I had just had a baby and would read this book in the bathtub and LAUGH. It was sort of like therapy.

5. One book that made you cry:

Technically a short story but A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote always makes me cry.

6. One book that you wish had been written:

A manual for my husband

7. One book that you wish had never been written:

Sons and Lovers by D.H. Lawrence. I grew to hate the main character so much I couldn't finish the book. That is rare for me. And of course I've already mentioned Mobey Dick. But that could have more to do with reading it in a two day period for a graduate English class.

8. One book you are currently reading:

Does Country Living Magazine British Edition count as a book???? This season has been so busy I haven't read any books in awhile.

9. One book you've been meaning to read:

Are you kidding me??? I have a book list of books I want to read that is 70 pages long!!! I am not exaggerating. That doesn't even include the stack beside my bed that I've picked up at sales and want to read. Well, the most recent addition to my huge list is Switched Off by Eric Brende. Several of my friends have read it and recommended it and then I found out at Christmas that he lives in my Uncle's neighborhood.