A little end-of-the-month round-up of some of what I learned in August. (Side note: It’s actually really fun (for me) to look back on prior months to see what all I’m learning. Thanks for letting these once a month round-ups slip into your inbox… I’d love to hear what you’re learning, too!)
1. Coloring books are so far from a waste of money.
2. We’re all feeling a lot of the same stuff.
Although Instagram is by far my favorite, I’ve been trying recently to actually use my Facebook page. (A genius concept, I know.) So I started posting status updates that *I* need to hear and lo and behold, it turns out a lot of us seem to be thinking/feeling/going through the same stuff. It’s always good to know we’re not alone.
3. If you show me a video filmed on the streets of Haiti I will immediately start to cry.
Bonus points if the soundtrack to the video is Holy Spirit by Jesus Culture.
4. Sometimes people connect to the simple because that’s where they’re at, too.
Like putting your Bible on top of your computer so you have to get into the Word before you dive into the online world.
5. I no longer trust Siri.
In the morning I read the Word that sits on my desk, waiting on top of my computer. At night I use the audio on my Bible app for a while before I fall asleep. As I was listening to Acts 1 I wanted to make a note on my phone so I wouldn’t forget something that struck me. And so I told Siri to make a new note, told her what it should say, and then had to go in and write it myself because *all the laughing tears emojis.*
Enough said.
6. Color-coded books may not be my thing.
To be decided.
7. Hearing “I’m proud of you and I believe in you” can turn an entire day (or week) around.
Within the past 24 hours, I’ve felt both terrible and wonderful and those were the words that made a difference. I’m ending with this one so that I can go write a letter to a friend with those words tucked inside – and maybe, just maybe, you’ll tweet or text or call someone who needs to hear those words, too.
Have you tried an adult coloring book? I bought one for my daughter for her birthday and ended up copying a few pages from hers so we could color together. SO relaxing. “The Secret Garden” one is really popular but there are less expensive ones you can get at Barnes & Noble and even some that you can get via subscription like a magazine. How fun!
Yep, those are the type of coloring books I was talking about. I bought two at Hobby Lobby that I love.
yes about coloring books!
and yes about #2, this adulting thing is hard. haha.
I just color coded my library and I LOVE IT. Once I let go of my “it has to be ABC order” inhibitions it is such a bright spot in my room. :)
I’m still undecided on the color coding… but I’m having a hard time remember why it was how it was before. So it may stay. :)
Kaitlyn, you learned so much. And don’t get me started with Siri. I often use my voice to text and I either end up shaking my head or laughing so so hard.
I just flat out don’t trust her anymore, at least for writing notes. I mean really. It wasn’t even close! I tried again yesterday and it was an epic fail.
Color books are my favorite. It is cheap therapy. I especially love disney princess ones. ( shh.. don’t tell anyone. ;)) Words of Affirmation is one my love languages. I love being encouraged and I love encouraging people. We need to do it more. :)
Oh, I’m totally not judging the Disney princess one. Belle is my favorite.
I’ve never trusted Siri but she sure is entertaining! I think I need to invest in some coloring books…
Yes. Do it! Worth every penny.
Thank you for sharing that oh so simple Bible tip that is actually pretty genius. I’m using the First 5 app and the Bible app, so I grab my phone first. But I started placing my prayer journal right next to my phone and grabbing them both reminds me to go to the devotional apps first before other apps (usually Instagram…oh that Instagram).
Yes my alarm clock is my phone so that’s the first thing I grab. But the First5 app is great! And I love going from that to the written Word. It just keeps everything going. :)
I cannot say how life-giving it is to hear that someone is proud of or believes in or feels inspired by me… It’s amazing. But then I think of the way that I’m slow to say those words even when I feel them most and I wonder what it would mean for my soul and someone elses’ to put aside my fear or shyness.
I LOVE the way you’ve chosen to use Facebook… It’s been such a burden and bear for me… Just a part of blogging that I sort of “throw away” because it just feels like a large effort for little reward. Changing my heart about it, looking to say what would encourage me, would be far more lovely than simply grunting every time it needs to be attended to! :)
It truly just shifts things, doesn’t it?! I think that, often, what we need to hear most is what others are desperate to hear as well. So I’m trying to just write to myself a little bit and gosh, it’s amazing how many messages I’m getting of just these words, “That was for me. How did you know?” Give it a shot – if nothing else, you’ll encourage yourself. ;)