Welcome to How to Live the Little Way. A weekly post here at The Littlest Way where I gather all the ordinary things that happen or are happening in my day to day. Things like what I’m reading or listening to, eating, cleaning, and learning. These are the small moments that make up my blessed daily life and I want to remember them. My prompts may change depending on season and circumstance.
Thanking God for…
::beautiful weather this weekend
::the blessing of throats at church
::snack food Sunday
::Snapchatting and messaging my sister, daughters, and nieces
::painting my nails one of my favorite, bright, neon, summer colors
::upcoming Father/Daughter dance at Benedictine
::sleep
Praying…
We have 14 more days of our 63 Day Rosary Novena before an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Another long haul of prayer y’all. My spiritual father told me something the other day that included these words, “…sometimes what’s best is to suffer…” I won’t go into the other words or the specifics for privacy but let’s just say I cried, hard. And when I related it to Chris, I cried hard again and he got choked up.
Pondering…
I’m pondering how money and generosity can change the course of a person’s life. Look around, you’ve seen what direction, purpose, and surrounding yourself with good people who also have purpose and direction can do in and for your own life.
When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful.
+Proverbs 29:18 (NLT)
Listening to…
My husband and spiritual father as I navigate hard, Josh Garrel’s song, Benediction.
Reading…
Bible in a Year: Your Daily Encounter with God
This is my “quantity” Bible to make sure I get the Word inside me each and every day. Now, as much as I love this Bible, I think I might love my One Year NLT better. Strictly me, not the Bible at all; I’ve just finally found a translation I really, really love and that makes all the difference.
Catholic Journaling Bible and the Inspire Catholic Bible NLT: The Bible for Coloring & Creative Journaling
These are my study and journaling Bibles.
* I’ve written an ebook to guide you through the whys and hows to get started with Bible Journaling, Bible Journaling Tips, Inspiration and Permission, and to encourage and inspire you in your Bible journaling!
Bible Journaling…
My plan is to share some Bible journaling each week in a post. Now, so far this year’s Bible journaling, well, last year’s too, looked a lot like verse mapping…same, but different. Here’s what I’ve shared so far:
Catholic Journaling Bible: Galatians 1
Catholic Journaling Bible: Luke 1
Around the House…
Can I just keep up? What is the deal? The laundry is cray-cray and the floors always need to be swept, like always.
In the Kitchen…
I browned a bunch of venison on Sunday when I made taco meat for nachos. I bought a big bag of frozen chicken for crock-pot meals. We are getting ready to be really busy with soccer season and I need quick, no brainer meals ready to go. I’m also in the process of trying to figure out what foods are bothering me if it’s food related at all. Sigh.
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Self Care
I feel like I’ve already told you this but just in case and I haven’t and you might care, I’m doing at least 10 pushups a day. I normally do these right before bed and sometimes I do them morning and night. Did I tell you I have a goal of doing 1 pull up this year? I asked Chris if that was too low of a goal and he laughed and told me it was a lofty goal. I need to start back on my treadmill. The problem is it’s cold. And yes, the treadmill is in my garage, but I’m taking early, hot baths and getting into my pajamas early so…
I’ve been out of my Ningxia drink for almost a week and I can definitely tell! That’s what I get for forcing Chris to join me, lol! I have found such amazing benefits of essential oils on my mental health and stability that I bought a small roller bottle necklace to wear with my favorite oils.
(I used to purchase my essential oils from Amazon or Edens Garden instead of a distributor. You can read my thoughts on why here, “Where I’m From…” I’ve since decided I don’t have the time or resources to properly educate myself on using the oils to their fullest potential. That’s why I sign up with Young Living under a former Family Practice Physician.)
The Littlest Way
I am working on a printable Lent Devotional for Women like the Advent Devotional for Women. Writing the Advent Devotional and then revisiting it year after year is one of my most favorite things I’ve written and I think this Lent Devotional will be the same thing. Our Online Bible Study Community used the devotional this year in our private Facebook group and will use the new Lent Devotional for Women this Lent. Enrollment for next month’s Online Bible Study Community opens the end of this month so be watching!
Our Domestic Church…
Ash Wednesday is March 6. It’s not too early to start thinking about what you’re going to read and pray this Lent. I’ll have a post soon sharing some favorite books for Lent.
Saving Money…
Not only are we working on saving money, we live pretty frugally anyway, we’re also working on making money. I shared in my Instastories over the weekend that although Chris has a good job, thanks be to God, we’re just not ever going to get ahead. And by “Get ahead” I don’t mean lavish vacations and lake houses, I mean retirement. And I mean being able to give generously. In 10 years we’ll be in our late 50’s and we’ve raised a large family on one income; there isn’t anything left over. I do make some money here on The Littlest Way and I’m making some money with Young Living now too.
This is important to us for our family but also for other families as well. Our daughter was blessed with a private scholarship to help with college. That generous gift changed the course of her life and life of our family. I want to be able to do the same for others someday. I also want to hear of a need from Catholic Charities or a local street mission and be able to fill it so they don’t have to worry about the financial burdens of loving the poor. (Pretty vulnerable revelations there, but that’s my heart.)
Captured…
Looking forward to Lent with our your devotional and our group of ladies! Especially in my chaotic life, I can feel very alone. It’s good to be in the Kitchen Sink! Thanks so much for all you do!
I really enjoyed last years Lenten Devotional that you had written. I’m looking forward to this year’s as well. Can’t wait to see what God inspires you to share with us.