Weekend Happenings

Good Friday morning!

DON'T FORGET! - If you are new to A Simple Life, go to my sidebar and click on "Newbie" under the Labels category. That post will give you the information you need to navigate your way through this most complicated blog!

Another week down, a new weekend to GO! As it stands now, football will rule once again in the Faulkner household. Some or all will attend the Varsity game this Friday night... (Mikie and Austin for sure). Some or all will attend the JSU game in Huntsville Saturday night (Belinda and Mikie for sure).

And right now, it looks like we're going to see The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry as the Faulkner Five on Sunday night. Classes at church have started back on Sunday nights, but I think we're going to support this Christian movie as a family this one time, and start back with classes next Sunday evening. I'll give a rare movie review on Monday, but I've heard some wonderful things about the film.

I wanted to post a little more of the excerpt I started in the Emilie Barnes' book yesterday. I love all of her books... her devotionals, her books for children, etc., but what she says in this book really hits the nail on the head (to me).

"You don't need money to create memories; you just need a desire. As adults, many of our memories are from our childhood or from when we were first married. Looking back to our early married life, Bob and I had very little money, but we have many fond memories. Now we have much more financial independence, but our early memories are still very vivid. Someone shared with me once, 'Successful people do what unsuccessful people aren't willing to do.' That statement had a real impact on my life. From that day on, I began to identify what those things were. One that was brought to mind was that successful people planned their lives. I wasn't planning my life very well at the time. Since then, I have learned to create treasured memories."

Of course, being a planner doesn't always work either. I found that out the hard way. So the last few years have found me trying to be a "flexible planner." Plan, plan, plan, but if things do not work out as you plan, do NOT be upset. Flexibility is probably the hardest thing I've ever had to learn... and I'm still not very good at it! It's not a natural skill for me. (Surprise to all those who have known me for more than one minute!)

But when plans fall apart or just totally disappear, I trust in God's Word. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

And since I know He has plans for me, it gives me the desire to try again.

How many days just melt away, and we look back at the week that has just passed and wonder where the time went? Did we have dinner together as a family? Did we spend one-on-one time with one or more of the kids? Did we plan something special to do with our husband as a couple? But more importantly, did we go somewhere to "be still" and spend time with God? If I'm honest here, I would have to answer "no" to several of those questions on a weekly basis. But if I can say "yes" to even one... or two... or three, then that's a good week because it means I'm planning. I'm trying. And as I have said before, that's what A Simple Life is all about... striving.

TV Review

Survivor - This is a perfect example of being flexible. The lightning storm messed up our satellite and we were unable to see more than 15 minutes of Survivor. Did we cry? Did we get upset? Did we pitch a fit? Well, only one of us did... but like I said, I'm working on it! (We'll all be gathered around Mike's computer this weekend watching the 45 minutes we didn't get to see.) I will say in the 15 minutes we saw, it was very apparent the Rocket Scientist I picked to win the $1,000,000 just by looking at his picture will soon be gone. Austin and Josh's pick is looking pretty good (Eric, the bartender). Roxie's pic (the doctor) was pretty impressive, but Mikie's pick (the pretty blonde named Natalie) won't make the cut.

Tune in Monday for my Survivor review and my movie review... I hope.

Book

Big surprise! The book for this week is 15 Minutes of Peace With God by Emilie Barnes. (Don't you love the way she spells "Emilie?")

This book is specifically designed for busy women and each devotion lasts 15 minutes OR less.

Ms. Barnes says in the introduction of her book, "I've written this devotional book for every busy woman who wants to get in touch with her Lord and her life. Each quiet time is designed to take 15 minutes or less. That's not a huge commitment, but it's an important one. You'll spend some time in God's Word, and you'll find helps and direction for your everyday life."

Wow. That's a lot for just 15 minutes a day, isn't it?

Each devotion is three to four pages long. There is a Scripture Reading, a Key Verse and then a story or thought regarding the scripture. She ends the devotion with a prayer and a section called Taking Action. Taking Action gives you specific ideas of things to DO to implement the devotion. She also adds extra scripture and a quote from a famous person in history, all relating to that day's devotion.

I highly recommend any book by Ms. Barnes, but this one is especially good.

NEW BLOG! NEW BLOG! - My friend, Joni, has started a new devotion blog for her high school Sunday School girls, and if you want to follow along, it is simple, well-done and very "doable." (Don't think it is just for teenagers. Any age person would come away with something from this material.) It comes from the book KNOWN, and information is given about where you can find the materials to follow this devotional blog on a weekly basis. You can find the blog at www.gfbcgirls.blogspot.com. Check it out. It's a good thing. (And that was taken directly from Martha. As always, giving credit where it is due!)

Have a fabulous weekend whatever you may be doing. Plan, plan, plan for successful, purposeful, meaningful time with your family, and have a great time making memories. Don't forget... Next week is Roxie's birthday week which means I will be sharing her Birth Day story three or four of the days next week. (It was a very loooong pregnancy!) We'll also have more of the usual Monday through Friday topics. Check the sidebar for Belinda's Project 365. I'll be posting pictures of something Saturday and Sunday. You just never know! (I know I don't!)

Take care, and I'll talk to you on Monday.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda