The Jones Family: January 2013

my how I love what Ann has to share!

{so I'm passing it along}

~ Written for you with love, by Ann Voskamp

January 24, 2013

www.aholyexperience.com

Nearing the end of January here, first month of the year. Now’s when things are starting to get hard, and new habits, those things that we wear, start to wear thin. When you start feeling a bit overwhelmed and not sure how to overcome. So we nail it to our doors — our 25 point manifesto for sanity in 2013.

1. First things first: Word in. Work out. Work plan.

Open your eyes every morning and just do three first:

Word in: Get into God’s Word and let it get into you.
Work out: Work out. Even 5 minutes of moving is better than nothing. (Baby steps! Together we can do this!)
Work plan: Write out the work plan. And then work the plan.

2. “What a heart knows by heart is what a heart knows”

Write your memory verses on a sticky note, on a chalkboard, for your pocket. Because when you are memorizing Scripture, quiet time with the Lord — becomes all the time. (Who doesn’t want that?)

3. Flame first.

Light a candle first thing in the morning. So you remember: You are the light that is put on a stand so that it gives light to everyone in the house.

4. Your work is art: it needs a soundtrack.

Find your music. Play your music. Sing your music. This is profound. Vincent van Gogh said: “When sailors have to move a heavy load or raise an anchor, they all sing together to keep them up and give them vim. That’s just what artists lack.”

5. Step on the Snake Before Breakfast

Before breakfast, crush one hard thing that is tempting you to think there are impossible things. Before breakfast, crush that one thing and prove that all things are possible with God.

6. Stay in the pool

Michael Phelps said it in an interview: “You’ve got to stay working in the pool longer than others.” Set the timer. Get in the pool. Stay in the pool. Do you work. Don’t get distracted. Don’t flit from one thing to another and back. Don’t get out of the pool, don’t leave your work, until the timer goes. The way to win is to stay in the pool.

7. Clean a space = clear headspace

Keeping the workspace clean, clears your headspace to think.

8. Go Slow. Life Zone.

Life isn’t an emergency. It’s a gift. It’s so extraordinary it warrants going slow, held in reverential awe. Only the slow see their lives. Which makes it seem longer and richer.

9. Take your Laughter vitamins

The more you laugh, the longer you live. You can’t afford not to laugh more. Watch this. Make laughter your chocolate.

10. No songs without rhythm

Every song needs a rhythm; every week needs a routine. Tie certain tasks to a day or another activity. Always memorize after breakfast or always make a double batch of soup on Saturday. Your life makes music when you play a string of tasks always together.

11. On 25, Take 5

For every 25 minutes “in the pool” working – take 5 minutes off. Live by pomodoros. Really. Life-changing.

12. Unplug to plug into your purpose

Only if you want to plug into peace and purpose and your big picture – then unplug for certain hours everyday. Constant connectivity effects productivity like a marijuana high.

13.Watch Your Nos; Your Yeses will take Care of Themselves

Everything you say yes to, you say no to something else. Are your yeses forcing you to say no to what really want to say yes to? Don’t have guilt over a no – because every no is saying a better yes.

14. Daily Stillness Appointment
When is your 5 minute stillness appointment everyday? Write that midday time in stone. No cancellations allowed. For 5 minutes midday, be still and cease striving. Know He is God and the day looks very different. Slow down: You only pass by this way once.

15. If the Heaven’s Declare, get out there.
The whole of the sky and the world is speaking endlessly of His glory. When you step outside and listen, your soul revives. You need that. You really need one walk outside a day.

16. Work on your Wall before Noon
Before noon, work on your wall; lay three bricks down before 12. If you don’t intentionally work on your wall, the tyranny of the urgent can make your life a rubble heap. Like Nehemiah, build your wall, building what God has called you to, 3 steps everyday before noon

17. Envision the End Goal
Like God gave Abraham a vision of the stars of the sky and told him he would have that many children, hang up a picture so you always have a vision of your goal.

18. Consistently be Consistent
Random acts of greatness pale in comparison to habitual acts of faithfulness. It’s not what you do every now and then, but what you do everyday, that changes everything. Do something at the same time everyday and you find yourself a new person.

19. Hard Stops
The only way to get anywhere safely is to make complete stops. Make hard, complete stops at set times throughout the day to pray. Otherwise you’re risking a crash. 9, 12, 3, on the hour, might be times to set an a gentle, chime alarm for – and just stop and pray. Praying at set times throughout the day is how both Jesus and the early church lived their days: God marking time.

20. Do the Holy, Happiness Habit
Write down 3 things a day you are grateful for. Hunt for His glory. Look for the beauty. Count 1000 gifts. All research says that giving thanks is guaranteed to make you 25% happier. Who. Doesn’t. Want. That.? Thank Him for this is definitely God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Take the Joy Dare! Make right where you are your happy place.

21. Ebenezers for the Efforts
Mark little milestones! Celebrate the little things! A treat at the end of the day, end of the week, end of the project, end of the term.
Hang a bunting. Taste something sweet. Take a happy, thumbs up picture to mark your progress! Make an album of a year, of the process, of the overcoming.

22. Father Affirmations
You need these everyday. Whisper them aloud, who you really are if you are IN Christ:
I am complete in Christ. Colossians 2:9-10
I have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ. Hebrews 4:14-16
I am free from condemnation. Romans 8:1-2
I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances. Romans 8:28
I am free from any condemnation brought against me and I cannot be separated from the love of God. Romans 8:31-39
I am confident that God will complete the good work He started in me. Philippians 1:6
I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

23. Breathe
Breathing in and breathing out like this will radically change the quality of your life. Breathe.

24. Hard and Bad? Hot Bath
An evening routine of a hot bath at the end of the hard and bad days? Yes.

25. Rest so you can have the rest of God.
Sleep is more than your friend — it’s your God-given fuel. Tomorrow always begins with the night before, so turn in early so tomorrow can turn out well.

We are just coming out of what has been a busy and fun-filled weekend! Saturday night, we joined the Freemans and other friends at Sky Lanes for a night of "bowling ball" (as William called it) and had a great time. ALL my boys had a great time. Bobby bowled a personal best and Thompson improved from one game to the next. And William, he just thought it was awesome to watch his bowling ball knock over pins. "Yes!" he'd say with big smile and clinched fist.

Sunday we headed to the waterpark resort Wilderness in the Smokies in Sevierville, TN. Santa surprised the boys with an January 13-14 overnight to enjoy the indoor waterpark. What a great time we had! Thompson enjoyed riding the water slides (although he is still a couple inches too short for the biggest ride), splashing in the play areas, playing in the tidal pool and bodysurfing. William was a bit apprehensive at first, but once he was wet...it was "game on". We were able to enjoy the park Sunday afternoon, headed out to Pizza Hut for dinner and then grabbed a redbox movie to watch in the hotel room for the evening. Monday found us enjoying the waterpark for a couple hours both before and after lunch before returning home.