Goals - May 2018 Update

February 2018, that was the last time I wrote anything on my blog… three months ago. It is not like it has never been months between blog posts, but I have wanted to post, have had ideas, and just haven’t written anything. I have plenty of excuses. If you want excuses: I have a lot going on, just haven’t made time for it, or actually, I really have no good excuses! You make time for it if you want it, right?

A friend sent me an email a few weeks ago and asked me if I had written anything lately and the answer was no, I even took forever to reply to the email… So today I was trying to figure out why I haven’t made my blog a priority. When I wrote the JOY Blog, I blogged monthly, sometimes weekly. When I switched over to Musings, it was hit and miss, which I knew would happen at that point in my life. I was taking college classes, interning, and was a nanny. The blog was and is my musings, my random thoughts. So while I love consistency, lists, planning, that may not be what happens here! That is just real life for you! I am trying to be more intentional with my time. I continue to work on my goals.

Goals. That February post I started talking about was a book review. My last post before that was on my resolutions/goals for 2018. So let’s talk about that for a bit!

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Word of the Year: Faith Update: God has definitely been teaching me about faith, about living by faith. I love how in my Bible reading I keep seeing how “by faith” this or that happened. Or because of their faith…

1. Read the Bible in a year. 

It has been a while since I have read the whole Bible in a year and am going to try to again this year. I will read 25 chapters a week to finish in a year. I will be jumping a round a little, but will read one whole book at a time. I am reading four chapters in the morning from my chosen book and one at night from one of the poetry books.

I will read on 4-5 days depending on what works for that week. As of this week, it is looking like Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and maybe Saturday, if I don't get it all done.

Update: I will admit I got way behind on my Bible reading plan. The goal was about 100 chapters a month or 25 per week. I think it was back in March where I got behind. But as of today, I am at 425 chapters. By the end of May I would like to finish 500 chapters. That would be 75 chapters in 12 days so we will see if I make it! If I can get close, I will be happy! While it is not something I need to be guilty about when I am behind, I still want to make God’s Word a priority. The goal is to read His Word 4-5 days a week and I am thankful that that is more my goal than just reading it to read it!

2. Read 52 books.

This boils down to one book per week. I was able to make my goal of 50 books last year, so I am excited to do this again, and am actually hoping I make it over my goal!

(Also, I am excited to be sharing some reviews of a couple ARCs that I am currently reading.)

Update: I did get up 3 reviews earlier this year! I keep track of my books on Goodreads (and also a paper copy). I am currently at 23 books which is ahead of my one book per week goal!

3. Have monthly goals.

January - I really want to focus on getting back in the habit of consistent Bible Reading. 

February and beyond: To be decided... 

Update: Well, about this… January and February – I did focus on my Bible Reading. February – I was going to focus on prayer, but that didn’t really happen. March, April – well… not really any specific goals. It was political season and that is where my spare time went. Sometime in April I did start exercising again! May – catch up on my Bible reading, hopefully!

I was trying to think what else has happened in the past few months. Lots! Here are some of the fun new things:

•  Tried watercolor painting
•  Dyed my hair red (mostly highlights)
• Switched my bullet journal into a traveler’s notebook (if you have no idea about either of those, just search them on pinterest, Instagram, or even Facebook groups.)
• Studying about the word “busy” and what is the opposite is: rest, slow (I hope to blog on this soon)
•  My sister and I are selling our New Chapter products locally at a consignment store! You can also find it on Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/TheNewChapter 

(There are more, but they are not coming to my mind right now!) 

That’s my update! I am going to work on making time to blog, write, be creative! You may (or may not) see me on here more often!

The beginning of my painting

More color

Finished painting!

The Heart Between Us by Lindsay Harrel Book Review

An Adventure of Hope, Bravery, and Joy!

 

The Heart Between Us by Lindsay Harrel Book Review

Lindsay does an excellent job of weaving so many layers into her stories. Just as her debut book had so many elements, so does this one. The Heart Between Us is a beautiful story. It touches on so many different themes: hope, love, bravery, trust, peace, and joy.

The story also involves many different relationships. Over and over again, you will see how one person’s decisions or circumstances impact so many of the people around them. The decisions or circumstances not only have an immediate effect, but a lasting one that isn’t even realized until years later.

I love how Lindsay weaves so many lives together. When the book begins, I had no idea how all the lives would connect, but Lindsay has such a way of piecing the story together. There are many life lessons to be learned in her story. The story deals with doubts and fears, but how ultimately, we can have hope, hope in Someone greater, and we can overcome our fears.

Lindsay takes you on adventure around the world! You feel like you are really traveling right along aside the characters. The descriptions were so real that I like I was there with them. If you love traveling and adventure, then you will definitely love the journey the characters go on.

The Heart Between Us is a story you will not want to miss. I can’t wait to see what she has in store for future stories!

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) 

Check it out on Amazon!

Lindsay Harrel's Bio 

Lindsay Harrel is a lifelong book nerd who lives in Arizona with her young family and two golden retrievers in serious need of training. She’s held a variety of writing and editing jobs over the years, and now juggles stay-at-home mommyhood with writing novels. When she’s not writing or chasing after her children, Lindsay enjoys making a fool of herself at Zumba, curling up with anything by Jane Austen, and savoring sour candy one piece at a time. Connect with her at www.LindsayHarrel.com.   

My Week in Review - 1/26/2018

Just a few things from this week!

Articles I have read this week:

This article on unwinding and taking breaks was a good reminder for me: Five ways to unwind in under 10 minutes

Books!
This month I have read ARCs of Keturah by Lisa T. Bergren (See my review here) and A Song Unheard by Roseanna M. White (My review here). I also just finished reading Troubled Waters by Susan May Warren. Troubled Waters is part of her Montana Rescue series and this one has been my most favorite yet!

Something new I'm trying this week!
Thanks to the Money Saving Mom Facebook page, I saw that through the end of January, you can get your first box from Stitch Fix without paying the styling fee. If you choose not to keep anything, you can send it all back without cost. I have never tried Stitch Fix, but I thought now would be a good time to give it a try. If you are interested in trying it out this month without the fee, you can check it out through my referral link: https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/16329045?sod=m&som=c
They just mailed my package and I am excited to get it in a few days!

Have a great weekend!

A Song Unheard by Roseanna M. White

A Song Unheard by Roseanna M. White

I really enjoyed the story until about the half way point and then I really fell in love with it! I have loved Roseanna M. White's stories and this one was no different. I love how the author adds so many layers throughout the story. The more the story develops, the more intrigue and suspense there is! Especially during the last half of the book, I couldn't put it down! 

   

A Song Unheard puts two people together that may never have known each other. He was from the upperclass, a renowned violinist. She was a thief, but also loved playing the violin. While the society divide may have been too great, they had two things in common: their love of music, specifically playing the violin, and their love of their families. The underlying theme throughout this story is their devotion and undying love of family. While hers may not be blood relatives and his have been separated from him and lost, these two will go to no end to be there for their families. And their families feel the same for them. 

A Song Unheard is a heartwarming story that shows strength, love, and devotion. Make sure to check out the first book in this series, too: A Name Unknown. After reading A Song Unheard, I look forward to the third book in The Shadows of England series! 

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Keturah by Lisa Tawn Bergren - Book Review

 

Keturah is another great story by Lisa Tawn Bergren! I have read many of Lisa's books and this one is another excellent one. The story is of three sisters that travel outside their comfort zone and outside the culture norm to run their deceased father's sugar plantation. In this era, women would not have embarked on this kind of journey and definitely not by themselves. The three sisters leave by ship to an island where this plantation is at. They are all alone on the ship except for one gentleman that is also heading out to the island to start his own plantation.  

The story deals with the struggles that the sisters have while on the boat and when they arrive on the island. All the odds are against them, yet they strive forward. I love the courage that is shown among the sisters. Because they have each other, they are stronger. While this book deals with many hard struggles in life, I really enjoyed the story of love between sisters, neighbors, and friends, the courage shown in difficult situations, and the faith to overcome the struggles that were before them. I can't wait to read the next two books in the Sugar Baron's Daughters series! I am looking forward to more great stories by Lisa Tawn Bergren! 

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

2018 Resolutions

I don't have many yet. I am still working on them. I may do more quarterly goals instead this year. :)

So here is what I have so far:

Word of the Year: FAITH

(See previous post)

1. Read the Bible in a year. 

It has been a while since I have read the whole Bible in a year and am going to try to again this year. I will read 25 chapters a week to finish in a year. I will be jumping a round a little, but will read one whole book at a time. I am reading four chapters in the morning from my chosen book and one at night from one of the poetry books.

For example, this first week looks like this: 

Genesis 1-20 and Psalms 1-5

I will read on 4-5 days depending on what works for that week. As of this week, it is looking like Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and maybe Saturday, if I don't get it all done.

2. Read 52 books.

This boils down to one book per week. I was able to make my goal of 50 books last year, so I am excited to do this again, and am actually hoping I make it over my goal!

(Also, I am excited to be sharing some reviews of a couple ARCs that I am currently reading.)

3. Have monthly goals.

January - I really want to focus on getting back in the habit of consistent Bible Reading. 

February and beyond: To be decided... 

Hopefully, I will get a few more posts up on here this year! Happy New Year! And blessings to you as you work on your goals!