Once again, I'm following along with Courtney's Challenge from Women Living Well.
December is the Peace on Earth Challenge, we're striving to take in the holidays and prepare our hearts for the celebration of our Savior's birth instead of "clawing" our way through them frantic about entertaining and gifts and filling our schedules so full. So here we go... week 1
"December 6th: As the warmth of Christmas has now begun to enter your home with the influx of decorations, cookie baking and friends, take out your calendar and SCHEDULE a night where you will take a warm refreshing bubble bath. I'll give you more details on what to include with this bubble bath. But until then, one main thing will be your Bible. Read the story of the birth of Jesus in Matthew 1, 2 and Luke 1,2."
Well, who could say no to that? Well, honestly, we would all LOVE to take a nice relaxing bath, but do we ever actually take the time to? Usually not. When I was student teaching, one of my cooperating teachers told me she takes a bubble bath every morning. I couldn't believe it, a bubble bath? How do you have time for that when she was someone who was at school by 7 every day. She made time.
How do we fit in watching 5 episodes of our favorite show on Netflix or fit in baking brownies because we're craving them. As with all things in life, if you make it a priority, it will be important to you. But more importantly, if its important to you, you need to make it a priority. So during this busy time, what are my priorities?
1) Spend time daily in the word. This is something that is a struggle at times for all of us, right now I wake up at a different time for school each day based on what I still need to do before school (copies, planning, etc) and what time my hubby works, if its early and he gets up then I spend a few precious moments with him.
2) Make sure that I spend quality time with my husband everyday. Right now he's working in retail so some mornings I leave at 7 am and he gets home at 10:45 pm, just in time to tuck me in and say goodnight. So this can be hard. So far I planned one thing big or small for each day in December leading up to Christmas, like a mental advent calendar. So far we've cut down a tree, make sugar cookies, watched Disney's A Christmas Carol, made banana boats, and other things like that.
This also involves us developing our faith relationship, right now we are reading through Matthew and have gone through chapters 1 & 2 (and he didn't even know about the challenge!)
3) Invest in the new relationships I am building.
I think those are about all for now, as it is a crazy time and we are still adjusting to being married. I love reading the Luke version because it talks about Elizabeth and I just love the story of John the Baptist birth. It is also so amazing reading both stories to see how many people were truly walking by faith, Mary that she would bear child as a virgin, Joseph to believe his young betrothed was truly to bear the Messiah and was still devoted to him, Zechariah who first doubted, then believed and received his voice back because of his obedience, Elizabeth that she would bear at all, Simeon to trust he would see the Messiah and then to actually recognize him.
As for my bubble bath, I'm taking it tonight as my husband works till 10:45 again tonight. So tonight around probably 9pm I will arm myself with:
"1. Privacy - all children asleep and the husband aware that you don't want to be interrupted
2. Hot water and loads of Bubbles - preferably ones that smell yummy!
3. Some soft classical music
4. A hand towel rolled up as a pillow
5. A cold drink to set beside the tub
6. Your Bible and if you are afraid you'll get it wet - exchange it for a good Christian book or simply quietness - reflecting on your day and talking with God in prayer.
Optional: a lit candle"
from Women Living Well-Courtney
Just me and God and some warm bubbles... I can't wait!
Link up if you're joining the challenge and don't forget to visit the other lovely ladies linked up at Women Living Well.
Holly
December is the Peace on Earth Challenge, we're striving to take in the holidays and prepare our hearts for the celebration of our Savior's birth instead of "clawing" our way through them frantic about entertaining and gifts and filling our schedules so full. So here we go... week 1
"December 6th: As the warmth of Christmas has now begun to enter your home with the influx of decorations, cookie baking and friends, take out your calendar and SCHEDULE a night where you will take a warm refreshing bubble bath. I'll give you more details on what to include with this bubble bath. But until then, one main thing will be your Bible. Read the story of the birth of Jesus in Matthew 1, 2 and Luke 1,2."
Well, who could say no to that? Well, honestly, we would all LOVE to take a nice relaxing bath, but do we ever actually take the time to? Usually not. When I was student teaching, one of my cooperating teachers told me she takes a bubble bath every morning. I couldn't believe it, a bubble bath? How do you have time for that when she was someone who was at school by 7 every day. She made time.
How do we fit in watching 5 episodes of our favorite show on Netflix or fit in baking brownies because we're craving them. As with all things in life, if you make it a priority, it will be important to you. But more importantly, if its important to you, you need to make it a priority. So during this busy time, what are my priorities?
1) Spend time daily in the word. This is something that is a struggle at times for all of us, right now I wake up at a different time for school each day based on what I still need to do before school (copies, planning, etc) and what time my hubby works, if its early and he gets up then I spend a few precious moments with him.
2) Make sure that I spend quality time with my husband everyday. Right now he's working in retail so some mornings I leave at 7 am and he gets home at 10:45 pm, just in time to tuck me in and say goodnight. So this can be hard. So far I planned one thing big or small for each day in December leading up to Christmas, like a mental advent calendar. So far we've cut down a tree, make sugar cookies, watched Disney's A Christmas Carol, made banana boats, and other things like that.
This also involves us developing our faith relationship, right now we are reading through Matthew and have gone through chapters 1 & 2 (and he didn't even know about the challenge!)
3) Invest in the new relationships I am building.
I think those are about all for now, as it is a crazy time and we are still adjusting to being married. I love reading the Luke version because it talks about Elizabeth and I just love the story of John the Baptist birth. It is also so amazing reading both stories to see how many people were truly walking by faith, Mary that she would bear child as a virgin, Joseph to believe his young betrothed was truly to bear the Messiah and was still devoted to him, Zechariah who first doubted, then believed and received his voice back because of his obedience, Elizabeth that she would bear at all, Simeon to trust he would see the Messiah and then to actually recognize him.
As for my bubble bath, I'm taking it tonight as my husband works till 10:45 again tonight. So tonight around probably 9pm I will arm myself with:
"1. Privacy - all children asleep and the husband aware that you don't want to be interrupted
2. Hot water and loads of Bubbles - preferably ones that smell yummy!
3. Some soft classical music
4. A hand towel rolled up as a pillow
5. A cold drink to set beside the tub
6. Your Bible and if you are afraid you'll get it wet - exchange it for a good Christian book or simply quietness - reflecting on your day and talking with God in prayer.
Optional: a lit candle"
from Women Living Well-Courtney
Just me and God and some warm bubbles... I can't wait!
Link up if you're joining the challenge and don't forget to visit the other lovely ladies linked up at Women Living Well.
Holly
Hooray! You go girl!! I am so glad you are joining in and I know you will be blessed!!! Take one tomorrow night too :-)!! Keep walking with the King!
ReplyDeleteCourtney
Looks very good! :)
ReplyDeleteThat mental advent calendar will be something I might do next year, when I'm married and have someone to do it for, besides myself!
Really good idea!
Just found your blog through WLW. I can't imagine having your hubby gone that much! You have such a great attitude about it and trying to make the most of the time you have. Praying God blesses you in a special way for your faithfulness to him - and to Him! :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your bubble bath and time with the Lord! I can relate to not a lot of time to spend with your husband - keep up the good attitude, and it's a great time to work on building relationships with other people!
ReplyDeleteI'm excited to enjoy my quiet time, and bubble bath as well. I'm enjoying this challenge, as it has really made me stop and think of ways to have a more peaceful season!
ReplyDeleteWOW ladies... thank you SO much for your loving and gracious comments.. I thought sharing his schedule may be helpful to others and we're all here to help each other!
ReplyDeleteThewifeproject: I totally agree, it can be hard and sometimes it gets me down, but living in a new area, this has afforded me time to go build new relationships with some new girlfriends!
Mental advent calendar - genius! I love it. Building new relationships after moving is so great. It's hard sometimes, but I am still very close with the first women I did that with - and that was 9 years ago!
ReplyDelete