Christmas Journaling - A December Daily

Last year as part of my simplification and savoring, I decided to keep a Christmas journal.  It was part Gandanke journal, part repurposing old Christmas cards and part December Daily.

I used old Christmas card fronts as journaling pages.  They are pretty AND functional.  By recording thoughts, feelings, and activities that brought me closer to the Savior I was able to more fully savor the season.

It is definitely something I am doing again this year, though I am throwing a different twist this year and journaling my answers to the questions posed in Ann Voskamps advent book, the Greatest Gift.

What do you do with old Christmas Cards?

Do you do anything different with your December journaling?

**Originally published on 12/11/2013**

 

The Why's of Blogging and Journaling

It has been no secret around these here parts about how much I love journaling and/or blogging.  I love being able to have my thoughts and ideas flow from my finger tips to the paper or...computer screen.  It gives me a connection to my inner self.

But, blogging and journaling our thoughts, ideas and stories gives us a connection to others, as well.  It gives us a sense of community which so many of us crave.  God did not create us to be alone, no he wants us to connect, listen to, love and serve one another.

Have you ever noticed that the older we get, the more we tend to repeat our stories.  I know I've probably heard my grandma's stories about a hundred million times.  We chalk it up to "old timers", but maybe that is the way it is supposed to be.  I don't think it is by accident.  Those stories repeated and shared over and over is so we don't forget...so we don't forget them...so they are forever in our hearts and memories after they are gone.  Remember to Listen...I know things about my grandma because she wrote them down, too.

I want to leave that kind of history for my family.  I don't want to worry over if they'll think I sound stupid or did stupid things.  I want them to enjoy learning about me, from me.

I have been drawn to the lovely journals at Gadanke by Katie Clemmons.  She has inspired me.  She did a speaking engagement where her segment was posted on YouTube.  I love this little video because it answers the why's.  Why do we need to write and share...It is worth your while to watch.

***This is not a sponsored post.  I just like sharing things I find inspiring***

Journals, Oh My!

Remember when I recently blogged on the topic of journals?  I felt, I needed to go there again.  I'm kind of obsessive that way.   You see I am a lover of books, and journals aren't any different.  I love to caress their cover and smell their pages and wonder of the stories that CAN be written within.  I have a fascination with journaling, though I haven't done much of it in the past...at least consistently anyway.  I have many journals for different reasons.

• I have journals containing bits of my own poetry
• Other journals contain others' poetry
• Another is for taking notes and thoughts during church meetings or conferences
• Another journal is for reflection on my scriptures study
• A journal for the funny things my children said and did when they were younger
• I have another journal where I write things I love about my husband or things I have appreciated he has done.  I saw a lovely journal on Dayspring, but came up with my own.  I wish I were more consistent  but when it gets tucked in a drawer I forget.
• I have a journal for regular thoughts and experiences.
• I have my own "Smashbook" creation.
• And, I now have started a Mother/Daughter journal for writing back and forth with Ladybug.  I saw it on Gadanke and could not resist.

It would be lovely if all these thoughts were written in one place instead of scattered amongst a variety of journals, but each has it's own purpose.  Not to mention the fact that I blog, which has become a journal of writing, of sorts, as well.  I guess you could say this is most definitely not an area I have simplified in.  I really love the quote on the top journal, "Happiness is found along the way of this journey."  ~Howard W. Hunter~

These are my favorite pens for journaling and writing.  

They have a nice weight and feel to them.

What are your favorite things about journaling?  

Any creative journal ideas?

**This is not a sponsored post.  I'm just sharing information about a topic I am excited about**