Journaling-Guest Post By Desiree

About a year ago I received a lovely journal and after a while I started to really enjoy journaling and scrapbooking.  I have been able to record so many special events and thoughts; and will continue to do so for years to come. 

 Journaling and/or scrapbooking are great ways to remember all the lessons God had taught you and His faithfulness in your life.  And one day if the Lord wills you will get married and have children and then you will have a record of all God has done for you.  Psalm 145:4 says “One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts.”   Why not start “declaring” Christ’s mighty acts in your life by journaling and/or scrapbooking?!

These are a few ideas to get you started; but there are so many more ideas for journaling and/or scrapbooking, just be creative and keep your eyes openJ!

-First, you will need a journal or scrapbook.  Either you can buy one or make one.  Whichever one you choose make sure it will be large enough for all that will go into itJ.  The best paper to use in this situation would be acid free paper, which will keep nicely thorough the years and also any pictures you put in it.  The first page tells what you would like this journal to mean and how you would like it to be used.

-Next, the fun part, filling it!   There are so many ways to do this and these are only a few ideas: wrapping paper from a birthday or Christmas, stickers, photos, poems, quotes, thoughts, prayers,  magazine clippings, dried flowers, your favorite books, letters to future generations, special letters you have received, Bible verses, and Godly images.  Keep in mind to keep all entries God honoring, you want this to be a light for future generations and also remember to include why each entry is special to you, seeing as future generations might not be able to tell.  I also have a page to write everything I am thankful for.  From Jesus to the Bible to my family to pink!  And it is growing by the dayJ.  Make up a page for each of these and fill it with quotes and Scripture pertaining to the subject.

- When a special occasion happens have an entry just for the time.  A special occasion would be: a birthday party, a shower, Christmas, a sibling’s wedding, your weddingJ, etc.  Make sure to include pictures and any little object that had something to with the occasion.

- Choose a Godly lady from the past or still living and read a biography about her or look her up in an encyclopedia or the internet.  Then write an article about her, tell about her life, how she demonstrated Godliness, what you think she is a Godly role model, and Bible verses that describe her life.  Some ladies to choose from would be Amy Carmicheal, Elisabeth Elliot, Susannah Wesley, Gladys Alyward, Florence Nightingale etc.  There is so much we can learn from ladies in the past and why not help others learn these lessons that taught us so much?

-Write about your home and why you love it.  If you have a favorite room, tree, bush, your spot at the dinner table, or anything else that it special in your home; write about it.  Include pictures or draw a picture.  If you have a special family tradition that you enjoy and want to carry on, write about it.

-Have a kitchen section where you can include your favorite recipes or recipes that were a favorite in your family.  You can include stories on how they came to be a favorite or any other reason you can think of to include the recipeJ.

-Have a page for each of your siblings.  Tell about memories you had with them, about their good character qualities, Bible verses that they lived out, why you think God gave them to you as a brother or sister, and what you will miss about them one day when you are both older.

-Finally, write some letters to God, your father, and your future husband.  First, write to God, telling Him you are placing your future in His hands.  Ask Him to help you guard your heart and purity for the one he has set apart for you.  Then, write a letter to you father, telling him that you are entrusting to him your heart.  Ask him to help guard and keep you pure for your future spouse.  Another idea would be to buy a symbolic heart or a heart and key to give your father, which he will later give your husband (since Father’s Day is coming this would make a wonderful gift).  Ask your mom or sibling take picture of this moment and then include them in you entry.  Lastly, write a letter to your future husband telling him that you will remain pure and guard your heart for him and him alone.  Tell him you are trusting God to write your love story.

I hope these are ideas are helpful in either starting a journal or keeping one.  What a beautiful remembrance this will be one day for your children and who knows maybe be your great-great- grandchildren! 

Note: After I wrote this I thought that recording all this can be a little overwhelming.  But take your time with each of these projects; don’t rush when writing and recording all of these.  Each of these projects may take years, when you think you’re done there might come up another project.  Be sure to take all of a time as you need to make this a wonderful memory book.  One day looking, back you won’t regret it!

                                                  

Desiree is the,almost 17 year-old, daughter of The Kings of Kings.  She loves to be with her family of 10, sew, crochet, read, make people smile, study her Sword (aka.the Bible), and live for Jesus.  She blogs at Ransomed Princess.