This and That

I have decided to include a little of this and a little of that on this blog. Therefore, check it out each day. I will tackle everything from counting our blessings to preparing for Thanksgiving, preparing for Christmas, preparing to close this year, preparing for the New Year,  journaling verse by verse or passage by passage through the Bible, and thoughts on politics and the elections.

This is a biblically focused blog.

I will talk about my thoughts on the Bible.

I will also talk about prayer and share some of my prayers. 

This blog is also a conservative focused blog for when it comes to politics.

I might even talk about new stories from the day. 

I will tackle the thought stuff in love and in living the ancient words of the Bible today, centuries after the text was written. 

Mainly, however, this is my personal journaling blog and is my memoir. 

I will try to journal five days a week. Sometimes, it may be seven and sometimes it may be two. Stay tuned and see. 

Welcome to the journey of this thing called the Christian life, where we will try to be biblically focused and we will try to do what is right. The Christ and Word centered life is not easy, but it is abundant and fruitful. 

Memorial Day

Please stop and remember all those who have served this great nation and the sacrifice they made.

Take a few minutes to acknowledge how we would not have the luxuries we have today if not for them.

Freedom is not free. It costs. They paid the ultimate price. For you and for me. For our families and friends. For our nation.

Remember... so they did not die in vain.

My Family

I also write this blog, and share all of this, with the hope it will help my family (anyone on my family tree, direct relation or indirect) to get to know our history and American history.

I hope my family will find these stories, fact and short stories based on fact, helpful to imagine what our family went through in the day.

Therefore, if anyone knows any true stories, I hope you'll share them so I can in turn share them here. Use the contact form on this blog, email me, or add a comment at the end of any blog post.

I also help we can help each learn as much about our family as possible.

Every person lived and should be remembered, along with their stories. This is the goal of this blog and my writing.

What Am I Doing and Who Am I to Do It?

As I sit here this morning, after everything I did yesterday, and after starting this blog five days ago, and I have developed butterflies and nervousness.

What am I doing? And who am I to do it anyway?

I am not a historian. Not in the least. History was my worse subject in school. Then again, twelve years of leaning about the explorers could do that to anyone. Never kind all of the false history I was taught. For instance, I was taught that Plymouth was the first English colony and that Thanksgiving began there. Both are lies. Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement and the first Thanksgiving was at Berkeley Plantation. Both were in Virginia, let me add. Never mind how I was never taught that Virginia was the birthplace of the United States of America. But, the only reason why I know these things is because I lived in Virginia for four years (and visited the historic sits at least once a month) and because of my family tree.

But, no. I am no historian. My degrees are in psychology and chaplaincy, for goodness sake.

So, what am I doing? I am so far out of my league it isn't funny. Who am I to do it? Probably most everyone is far more qualified than I am to write this blog.

Nonetheless, I realize not everyone has a traceable family tree that goes back as far as mine does and they don't have the same ancestry I do. My family tree makes me uniquely qualified to write about my family tree.

But, the historical part... I am scared of erring and of not learning enough, never mind sharing enough. Then, I also am fearful of sharing too much. I sure don't want to bore anyone to pieces.

Then, to complicate things even more, I am attending a writing conference this week and will present this idea and learn more how to write these stories. No pressure. It's all self-imposed pressure, I realize. Am I on track? Am I doing what God really wants me to be doing?

I find sharing the facts a little on the dull side. But, that is what I need to do first. Then, when I write the short stories, there is a background to the story, so it makes even more sense. This is the ultimate goal. I will use short stories of historical fiction to help us go there and see it for ourselves in our minds and imagination. I hope to make history come alive and help us remember the facts, not opinions, of American history.

Yesterday, though, felt great with everything I accomplished. Learning and sharing the facts can be a slight bore, but it wasn't yesterday. In fact, it pumped me up and got me excited for what is to come and my writing short stories of historical fiction based off of my family tree.

I pause.

Yes. This blog is what I am supposed to be doing, regardless of how intimidating and how insecure I feel. This blog is one big homecoming where I learn about my family and the history of the country I love.

Since I leave tomorrow for the writing conference, I pray I am able to get even more done than I did yesterday.

Bear with me dear and precious readers and friends. I will find my way and my rhythm of writing this blog.

Writing this blog is sure stretching me. I am far outside of my comfort zone. However, while it makes me feel horribly uncomfortable and nervous, not wanting to get it wrong, it is not unbearable and I will not try to avoid it. The best things in life come from times of uneasiness and fear. It's what we do with them that counts. I am going to to keep at this no matter what.

Learning history from my family tree will make history come alive and will help me make sense of my nation today and will help me speak out about it. It will also help me pray for my nation.

Leaning, though, is never a fruitless activity. And, I sure love to learn. I cannot wait to see what all I learn. Even though I still wonder... What am I doing and who am I to do it?

See

Note:

Any time you see the word "see," set off in parentheses, like this:

(see)

This means that you can look up the previous word, name, or phrase on this blog for more information.

I will try to include links, but if I have not, at least you can look up more information on that in this blog by doing a search or looking in the labels to the right side of this blog.

Changing it up from a chapter summary and analysis to a S.O.A.P.

There are 1,189 chapters in the Bible.

1,189 divided by 365 (once chapter per day) = 3.258 years, which I will round to 4 years or so.

I have decided I want to simplify it things and do a S.O.A.P. of every chapter of the Bible instead. Needless to say, it will take me about four years to complete. I want to do this multiple times in my life and dive deeper into the Bible each time and add to information I have already gleaned. Needless to say, I am trying to find a way to get the most out of the Word, and allow me to savor the Bible, but also re-read it frequently, but not too frequently.

What is a S.O.A.P.?

It stands for:

Scripture
Observation
Application
Prayer

I will do a S.O.A.P. of a Bible chapter a day (reading and study) is my goal, starting with Matthew and I will start over with Matthew 1, so stay tuned.

Matthew 2 Journaling

Matthew 2 Journaling on November 30, 2015

The truth is, I tried to write this summary yesterday and have tried since five this morning and now it is ten-thirty a.m., and I am nowhere near really starting this. I keep getting sidetracked. (Sigh.)

This lack of self-control, and getting side-tracked rather than focusing my thoughts on Him continually, is what gets me into trouble. It's my thorn. This is not an excuse, but is an acknowledgement of my temptation and sin. It's my pitfall.

I think part of the reason why I am getting sidetracked now is because... Hah! I forget. I got sidetracked and took a sip of my beverage and forgot what I was going to say. Case and point I guess.

Can I really, truly, totally commit to 1,189 chapters and this Savoring the Bible chapter summary project now, over the next twelve years or so, and then at least two more times?

Matthew 1's chapter summary was too simple for my taste. I want more. I want to go deeper. So, I shall. I will forget the quantity of chapter summaries I can complete, but will look at the deepness and quality instead.

The reason why I chose the book of Matthew is because it's the time of Advent and I thought about this was befitting.

I even ordered some business cards with the information that pertains to this project in an effort to keep myself honest and push myself to do this Savoring the Bible Chapter Summary Project and complete it.

I have read Matthew 2 twice now and listened to an audio recording of it as well and read it at the same time so I could see it and hear it. I did this with the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). I have a copy of it on my tablet and the hardbound version of it as well. I'm using mainly my digital and e-book.copy on my tablet, I will also use my hardbound copy as well to help me dig deeper.

Matthew 2 Journaling on December 02, 2015

I have decided thorough is the only way I want to be as I do each chapter summary and analysis. I would much rather take my time, and get as much as possible out of and from the text, than rush or give it minimal effort. I want maximum results, where I get as much as I possibly can out of the text, which requires maximum effort. Therefore, each chapter summary and analysis will take time.

I want to give God and His Word my absolute best. They deserve no less.

I, also, want to thoroughly enjoy both the Lord and His Word. The only way to do that, and the previous paragraph, is to give my time and my attention to them.
Therefore, I realize this chapter analysis and chapter summary project will take a great deal longer than initially expected.

Matthew 2 Journaling on December 03, 2015

Yesterday, there was an unconfirmed terror attack in SoCal. It was in San Bernardino, California.

Last week, there was an attack from a Planned Parenthood in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Just before that were the Paris Attacks.

Yesterday, a Russian "spy" was beheaded by ISIS.

Several police have been wounded and killed as well.

The world is in a desperate place. (And so is my heart.)

And politicians are making these things about their own agendas, rather than bringing truth to the situations. The truth is we are a fallen world and we fallen people do fallen things.

HOW do you pray in the middle of all of this?

I have started to realize something as a prayer warrior. If I am not in the Bible, in the Word of God, my prayers are not effective.

I am desperate. This world needs prayer like no other time in my life of a little more than four decades. I am desperate to make sure my prayers are as effective as possible. Hence, I am going to dive even more into the Word and savor the Bible in a whole new way. I am desperate. And so is the world.

This makes the 1,189 Chapter Summary and Analysis Project all the more critical.

Here is what I started to write:

Chapter Summary Bible Study of Matthew 2, #2 of 1,189
Please read Matthew 2 in your favorite version of the Bible before you read this summary. Or, here is a link:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt%202&version=HCSB;NLT;EXB
My first attempt with writing/journaling this chapter summary:
Chapter: Matthew 2
Chapter Summary #2 of 1,189
Date: Sunday, November 29, 2015
1 Caption: The first year of the life of Jesus Christ the Messiah.
2 Contents: Every single verse is jammed pack with information in this chapter.
Jesus was born around 5 BC. His family moved to Nazereth around 6 BC.
3A Chief people:
Who is Matthew?
Who is King Herod?
Who were the wise men?
3B Places:
Where was Bethlehem of Judea in modern times?
Jerusalem
Nazereth
6 Challenges: Every single verse is jammed pack with information in this chapter. I could spend weeks, maybe months on this chapter alone.
Where was Bethlehem of Judea in modern times?
7 Cross-references: These are plentiful for this chapter for all of the prophecies fulfilled from the Old Testament which point to the Messiah.
(Original source of the The Chapter Bible Study Form or Template:  "Rick Warren's Bible Study Methods: Twelve Ways You Can Unlock God's Word" by Rick Warren.)
Note: No. This is too basic for me and doesn't have enough questions. I'm going to write a new template and will try this again.
Chapter Summary Analysis Bible Study of Matthew 2, #2 of 1,189
Here is my second attempt with writing and journaling this chapter summary:
Please read Matthew 2 in your favorite version of the Bible before you read this summary. Or, here is a link:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt%202&version=HCSB;NLT;EXB
Note: My main Bible translation or version is the HCSB. It is the one I read from and study first.
Another Note: I will try try to ask several questions of the text, even if I already know the answer. I know the very act of asking the question inspires me, gets me to think, and opens the door to more questions and observations.
Chapter: Matthew 2
Chapter Summary #2 of 1,189
Date: Sunday, November 29, 2015
Initial thoughts: Every single verse is jammed pack with information in this chapter. I could spend weeks, maybe months on this chapter alone. Consequently, I'm going to stop with the thinking of how many chapters I can do per week and go for quality instead, not quantity.
1 Caption: The first year of the life of Jesus Christ the Messiah.
2 Contents and paraphrase:
One word summary: Danger. First. Year. (Could be each of those.)
Two word summary: First year. Year One. Dangerous year. (Could be each of those.)
Three word summary: Dangerous first year.
One sentence summary: The first year or so of the life of Jesus was a dangerous one as his parents had to run for their lives in an effort to protect this precious baby boy.
I normally wouldn't paraphrase every verse in a chapter (I imagine), but every verse has important information in it. Therefore, I want to make sure to paraphrase each verse in order to help me thing things all the way through and fully grasp what is said.
Matthew 2:1-12: The Wise Men
Matthew 2:1 was the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. King Herod was on the throne at this time. Unexpectedly, wise men arrived in Jerusalem from the east.
It says the wise men. It doesn't say the Hebrew wise men. Not does it say the Gentile wise men. Just the wise men.
Matthew 2:2 The wise men want to know where the King of the Jews is and they know He was born. They followed the star of the Messiah and wanted to worship the King.
Matthew 2:3 King Herod was disturbed deeply when he heard what the wise men said in verse 2. And so was ALL of Jerusalem.
Matthew 2:4 Herod met with ALL of his scribes and chief priests and asked them where the Messiah would be born.
Matthew 2:5 They answered Her or and explained how the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem of Judea. After all, that is what the prophet said and was quoted in Matthew 2:6.
Verse 6 is a fulfillment of Micah 5:2.
Matthew 2:6 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah;
For out of you shall come forth a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”
-- New American Standard Bible (NASB). Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
Micah 5:2 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
2 “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Too little to be among the clans of Judah,
From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.
His goings forth are from long ago,
From the days of eternity.”
-- New American Standard Bible (NASB). Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
A Journaling Side-Note: At this point, after how this the third day I am working on a chapter summary and analysis of Matthew 2, I think finishing all 1,188 chapter summaries and analyses I have to write still may take more than twelve years. And I am okay with that as long as I am thorough and make sure to include all of the Bible study, Bible reading, and sermon notes I make from here in these summaries. I will add the notes to past, present, and future blog posts. I want each summary to become as informational, as reflective, as thorough as possible. -- 12/01/2015
Another Note: Just for a point of reference, I'm going to start adding the date of when I write this material.
Matthew 2:7 When Herod heard their response in verse 6, he summoned the wise men in secret. He wanted to know the precise moment the star from the east became visible.
Matthew 2:8 Herod told the wise men to head to Bethlehem, to search for the Child King, and return to him once they found Him so he could find out where to go so he could worship the boy.
Matthew 2:9 The wise men left Herod to head to Bethlehem and as they walked, the star appeared once again. It led them along the way and then stopped above the King.
Matthew 2:10 When they saw the star, they were beyond joyful.
Matthew 2:11 The wise men entered the house, observed how the Child was with His mother (Mary), fell on their knees and worshipped Him, and opened the treasures they brought and presented them to Him of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Matthew 2:12 The wise men were warned in a dream about Herod's intent and they returned home to their country via a different route.
Matthew 2:13-??? Moving to Egypt
Matthew 2:13 After the wise men left, an Angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph and told him to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt. Joseph was told to stay there by the angel because Herod wants Jesus killed.
Matthew 2:14 Joseph woke and took Mary and Jesus to Egypt late in the night.
Matthew 2:15 He stayed in Egypt until after King Herod died. Then, what God said through the prophet was fulfilled, I called my Son out of Egypt.
3 Who?
Who is Matthew?
Jesus. King Herod. Wise men. King of the Jews.
Who was King Herod?
Who were the wise men?
Chief priests. Scribes. Messiah. Mary. Joseph. Angel of the Lord.
4 What?
What is the significance of the title of Jesus, "King of Jews?"
Star in the east.
Verse 3 has me perplexed. Why would ALL of Jerusalem be deeply troubled? Is it the same reason why Herod was? Also, why was Herod troubled?
All--meaning without exception. All of Jerusalem in verse 3.
What are gold, frankincense, and myrrh for and what do they represent? Purpose?
Dream of wise men.
What country are the wise men from?
What route did the wise men take from Bethlehem to their home country?
What was it like for Mary, Joseph, and Jesus--each-- to have this happen? What was each of their experiences?
Dream of Joseph.
5 Where?
Bethlehem. From the east. Jerusalem.
Where exactly was "from the east?"
Where is Bethlehem Ephrathah? (Micah 5:2)
Where did the wise men come from?
Egypt.
Where in Egypt did Joseph take his wife and child?
6 When?
When was Jesus born?
When did the star appear?
When did the wise men ask King Herod when we he King of Jews was born?
When did the wise men appear before the King?
7 Why?
Why was it mentioned that the wise men appearing in Jerusalem was not expected?
Why did the wise men arrive unexpectedly?
Why did He rod summon the wise men secretly?
8 How?
How many wise men were there?
How many chief priests and scribes did Herod meet with?
How did the star move around and point the way to the King?
How old was Jesus when the wise men came to Him and presented him the three gifts?
9 Choice verse:
10 Crucial words:
11  Challenges:
12 Cross-references:
13 Christ seen:
14 Central lesson:
Verse 2: How have I worshipped my King? Today? Turn every moment an act of worshipping the King of the Jews and my King. My majestic, eternal, all-powerful, unconditional loving King, the King of Glory.
Verse 4: Seek the answers of God, not man. How many times do we turn to the people and things of this world for answers rather than to God? Shouldn't He be who and where we turn first and foremost? Isn't this where and when we go wrong--when we don't turn to God and His Word for answers first and foremost?
Verse 11: When was the last time I fell on my knees to humble myself and worship my King?
Verse 14: Every time Joseph was told to do something by the Lord, he did it immediately and without question. He was obedient even when it did not make sense. I can learn to do the same and actually do the same.
15 Conclusion:
Another Round of Questions:
///// What to Look for in a Chapter Analysis Study Template
Listed here in brief form are 30 items to look for in your observation part of the Chapter Analysis Method of Bible study:
Ask the six vital observation questions: What? Who? Where? When? Why? How?
Who and verse 1: Matthew calls Jesus Christ the Messiah just "Jesus." (Interesting. Why?)
Who wrote this passage?
What is the message of this passage?
When was it written?
Where was it written?
Why was it written? What was the purpose?
How can I apply the message to my life?
Look for key words.
Look for repeated words and phrases.
Look for questions being asked.
Look for answers being given.
Look for commands.
Look for warnings.
Look for comparisons - things that are alike.
Look for contrasts - things that are different.
Look for illustrations.
Look for causes and effects and reasons for doing things.
Look for promises and their conditions for fulfillment.
Look for progression from the general to the specific.
Look for progression from the specific to the general.
Look for steps of progression in a narrative or biography.
Look for lists of things.
Look for results.
Look for advice, admonitions, and attitudes.
Look for the tone of the passage - emotional atmosphere.
Look for connectives, articles, and prepositions.
Look for explanations.
Look for Old Testament quotes in the New Testament.
Look for the literary form.
Look for paradoxes.
Look for emphasis through the use of space - proportion.
Look for planned exaggerations or hyperboles.
Look at the grammatical construction of each sentence.
Look for the use of the current events of the times.
Look for the force of the verbs.
Look for anything unusual.
What do you think is the key message of this chapter?
What did you learn from this chapter?
Which point in this chapter spoke to you the most?
Why do you think God included this chapter in the Bible? What's the point?
Do any of these truths written thousands of years ago apply today? If so, which ones? How do they apply?
Are there truths in this chapter that contradict the ideas we hear in the world? If so, what are they?
Is there something in this chapter that surprised you? If so, how were you surprised?
Are there any verses in this chapter that confuse you or that seem to contradict other parts of the Bible?
In view of what we have read, what changes do you think God would want you to make in your attitude, words, or actions?
(Original source of the The Chapter Bible Study Form or Template and The Chapter Analysis Method:  "Rick Warren's Bible Study Methods: Twelve Ways You Can Unlock God's Word" by Rick Warren.)

The goal of this blog and the chapter summaries

It is my goal with this blog to share my journey of writing at least an one-page summary of every chapter of the Bible--all 1,189 of them (gulp). It will take me, what I expect at this point, is twelve years give or take. Who knows what time will bring, but it is my goal to commit to this endeavor and complete it at least three times. I want to keep building upon this initial foundation, the first twelve years or so.

Also, as I do further Bible studies apart from this one, and read other books and have biblical discussions with people, I will add more material to my previous chapter summaries and blog posts. I will add it at the end of the blog post in which it pertains so it will stand out more as you read through my previous posts. I will also make sure to add a date to the new material.

This project is about twenty-one years in the making. Yes. Twenty-one years I have wanted to do this. I have wanted to put together all of my Bible reading and studying notes and Bible journaling. It seems as though the time is finally here for me to take the leap and do so. (Lord, help me and guide me.)

I must admit this project intimidates me to say the least. That is why I haven't done it.

Who am I?

I am a chief of sinners. When I mess up and blow it, I do a splendid job of it. Never mind how I am a seminary drop out (because I decided I wanted to write full-time).  I am also a nobody. Say my name and you would say, "Who?"

However, none of that matters. Do I want to do only one that feels good--or be obedient? Do I want to do what I want to do--or what God wants me to do?

So, I embark on this intimidating and glorious journey. I am nervous, but excited.
I will share my journaling thoughts as I go and on the days where I am not posting a chapter summary to this blog because I am working on it.

I will start with Matthew and go through the rest of the New Testament in order (Matthew to Revelation), then I will tackle the Old Testament, starting with Genesis.

I will publish a book of each book of the Bible of my chapter summaries and will also do a six month and year compilation of these blog posts in an effort to offer them to you to read in multiple ways.

My chapter summaries are not meant to be scholarly. I am not a scholar. Rather, they are meant to be personal and are my reflections on what I will read. I can, however, guarantee they will be accurate handling of the Word of God.

I hope this encourages you to do your own chapter summaries and share the journey with me, along with the other readers of this blog. Forming a community where we are all saving our sermon notes, book notes, Bible notes, and Bible journaling would be a pleasure.

Care to join me on this journey? On this multiple year, over a decade long journey?

I guarantee it will be eye-opening and life-changing.

Other blog

Please take a look at all of my writings at RYP Stories and the link listed in the signature below.

Prayers and Blessings,
Stacy Duplease
Blogs:
RYP Stories
http://rypstories.blogspot.com/
Savoring the Bible
http://savoringthebible.blogspot.com/

Welcome

Welcome to a new blog. I will share chapter summaries of every chapter and book of the Bible. Also, I will share information on how to do your own Bible study.

A New Plan: Exciting News about Journaling Books

I have started to use these three books again in my own personal journaling, but realize they are woefully inadequate for my journaling needs. Although, they are fabulous for days I do not have the time, or the inclination to journal on multiple pages. I just have too much to say and there is not enough room in all three combined for my daily journaling. I will continue to use them, but I also want another resource--and that is where my story and explanation begin.

What's that saying? We make plans, God laughs.Well, this is no exception. 

Pardon me while I babble. I am so excited that words are hard to come by; consequently, I do not think I will be able to fully convey what I am really trying to say at the moment. I will try to explain this more tomorrow. Here goes nothing as I try to explain and tell you the exciting news.

I realized something yesterday and that was how I wanted paper copies of my journaling, bound in a book, so it's easier to carry and for review. I want to look on my bookcases and see my journaling there. Furthermore, I want to carry around four months of journaling with me. I want the feeling of a book in my hands, but not a hardcover book. I want it like a regular softcover paper book. It's less bulky and heavy that way. Moreover, I want a journaling template or form to use. Hence, this is another case of I am going to write and publish what I want and I bet you'll discover it is something you want as well. 

Also, I want to be able to keep my to do list and daily plans in my journal as well, so I need more, and am expecting more, out of my journaling. 

I started yesterday to write: "The 4-Month, 3-Pages Per Day Remembering Your Present Journal" and it is my goal to write it and publish it by Christmas so I/we can start using it at the beginning of the year (or any time we want since the pages/days are not dated). 

THE 3 BOOKS IN THE PHOTO AT THE TOP 

The 3 books in the photo at the beginning of this blog post are of my journaling books for you to use for 1-year, 5-years, and 10-years. Their titles are:

1 "The 1-Year Remembering Your Present Journal"
2 "The 5-Year Remembering Your Present Journal"

3 "The 10-Year Remembering Your Present Journal"

I use all three at once, but you can also use just one.

They are a wonderful way to journal. You'll get a great deal out of them if you want more of a guided journal. (Although, you can also ignore what it says and journal anything you want, which is what I do sometimes.) They are a wonderful way to capture your life on the page. 

You can find these three books here:
http://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=stacy+duplease+&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Astacy+duplease+ 

I will write more of an explanation tomorrow.

A Journaling Odyssey Memoir: My Life Story (#3)

This is my story. I hope it inspires you to capture your life on the page and to journal for yourself (and those closest to you).
I will turn the blog posts of my story into a book at the end of the year and in six month segments thereafter.
WORKING TITLE:
A Journaling Odyssey: The inspirational story and memoir of a journal keeper
YEARS IN THE MAKING
Ever since I can remember, I have journaled and I have wanted to write my story. Therefore, this memoir and life story is one that's been years in the making. The truth is that I can write from several angles in my life since a great deal has happened to me. Therefore, I will write about each of those angles one book at a time. What I mean my an 'angle' is a 'theme' in my life. I have decided not to share my story in a linear fashion, but with topics or angles that are a repeated theme in my life. That way, you can pick and choose what you want to read and what you think you might get the most out of and enjoy.
In case you're wondering if I have enough material to write several books based off my life experience, let me share a story with you.
One day eleven years ago, my Granny said after the latest life challenge I faced, "Dear, few my age have the life experience you do and you're only thirty."
'Ouch', was what I thought then and now. Nevertheless, I couldn't argue with her at the time and with what I have experienced since, I think the same statement from Granny still applies. You will get a sample of my stories in this first book and I will expand upon them in books hereafter.

THE THEME OF JOURNAL KEEPER
The theme of me being a journal keeper is consistent and is all-encompassing regarding my life. If you ever think of me, or try to picture me, picture a brunette using her tablet for her journaling in one hand and with a cup of coffee or tea in the other. This is what I do most of my time, after all. My head is usually angled downward as I do my mind wandering journaling, then as I follow it to something deeper.
Journal keeping is also part of who I am, as I mentioned earlier. I am a journal keeper pure and simple. Who am I? I am a journal keeper. What do I do? I journal.
I am single-minded and journaling is what I focus on most. This is why I will focus the theme of this series of blog posts on "A Journaling Odyssey: The inspirational story and memoir of a journal keeper."
Few activities bring my life more fulfillment or pleasure than journaling. Bible reading, Bible study, and prayer would be the only things that bring me a little more enjoyment.
When I get think of the theme of journal keeping in my life, I cannot help but chuckle a little. Nothing defines me more. It is who I am through and through. I am a journal keeper.
I also chuckle because for a while it was my goal to intentionally write the largest resource in the world about journaling. I think you will see how I have already succeeded, once I publish: "A JOURNALING ODYSSEY HANDBOOK 2016: A JOURNALING HOW-TO OF JOURNALING TIPS AND PROMPTS." However, in my blog, "A JOURNALING ODYSSEY," and in this memoir I will only add more material and will add more material each day. Therefore, this resource will only grow larger.
WHAT YOU CAN GET OUT OF THIS BLOG AND MEMOIR
Do you like to hear stories or read them... the personal stories kind?
Do you want to journal?
Do you already journal?
Do you want to leave a legacy?
Do you want to live a different kind of life--one less shallow and busy and live a life that is deeper and is full of meaning and gratitude?
Do you want to be inspired?
Do you want to look at yourself, the world, and everyone around you differently?
Do you want to want to live a purposeful and intentional life?
Do you want to live a life of meaning?
Do you want to learn about history?
Do you want to heal from a hurt?
Do you want to be more creative?
Do you want to stop taking people, things, and events for granted?
Do you want to capture the memories of a loved one who has died or will die and you dint want to forget them?
Do you want to learn the lessons of your life and apply them from your life?
Do you want to move forward as you remember the past but don't live there?
Do you want to count your blessings?
Do you want to live a life of satisfaction?
Do you want to live an examined life (one thought through)?
These are just a few reasons to read this blog or book. They are also some of the reasons for you to journal.
If I were you, I would wonder how can a blog post series, which will be turned into a memoir, do one of these things, let alone all of them. This is a blog post series about me being a journal keeper... sure. But, it is far more than that.
Now, I guess you are going to have to read all of the blog posts in this series to see if any or all of these claims is/are true.

JOURNALING TIPS AND LIFE PROMPTS ARE INCLUDED
I will include journaling tips and prompts in this blog post series. Therefore, you can get even more out of this blog post series and book. I will include them throughout each blog post and at the end, so make sure to read each blog post thoroughly.

A JOURNALING PROMPT
How would you define yourself?
Who are you?
What makes you tick?

JOURNALING MAKES ME TICK
When I think about what makes me tick, I picture the brunette with a tablet (a handheld computer) in one hand and coffee or tea in the other. When flashes of images of my life since I turned eighteen (twenty-three years ago), this is what I see most. Both have been my priority, after all. Coffee/tea and journaling are two pleasures in my life and I value each.
Journaling makes me tick because so much of this life is shallow living. Journaling invites me to go deeper and doesn't criticize me or look at me like I am strange if I do.
Journaling makes me tick because I use it as a spiritual practice. It brings me closer to the Lord and is how I speak to Him.
Journaling makes me tick because it has no rules and is one thing in this life that brings me total freedom. I can journal what I want, when I want, how I want.
Journaling makes me live a better life and makes me a better person, for it brings proper perspective.
Moreover, journaling helps me remember. I write about memories of the past, my life now, and where I hope life takes me in my journal.
There are several reasons journaling makes me tick, but this is a good start.

A JOURNALING PROMPT
Who you want to remember?Journal about them.

{Written on October 19, 2015, Monday, afternoon}

My Personal Mind Wandering Journaling and Journaling Prompts (#3b)

{Written on October 19, 2015, Monday, in the late afternoon, in my study}

JOURNALING PROMPT
I wrote these questions for myself, but I bet you can use them as well. This began as a personal mind wandering entry and it morphed from there. It is something I will use and I hope you will as well.
Each line and each question is a separate journaling prompt.
I need to ask myself who, what, where, when, why, how, what-if, and why not questions regarding my journaling (7 w's and an h questions).
I need to ask myself 7 w's and an h questions regarding my life.
I need to ask myself 7 w's and an h questions regarding each decade of my journaling life.
I need to ask myself 7 w's and an h questions regarding each five year period of my journaling life.
I need to ask myself 7 w's and an h questions regarding each year of my journaling life.
I need to ask myself 7 w's and an h questions regarding the last year and a month of my journaling life.
I journal to leave a legacy journal to remember.
What memories do I have of journaling?
I need to ask myself who, what, where, when, why, how, what-if, and why not questions regarding my journals (7 w's and an h questions).
I need to make lists about the memories of me journaling and my journals.
What is my ideal journal?
What is my ideal journaling?
What do I hope to get out of my journaling? This Week? This month? Over the next three months? The next six months? The next nine months? The next year? The next two years? Each year until a decade from now? Each decade?
How would I define journaling?
How would I define a journal?
How would I define my personal journaling?
What could journaling mean to me?
What does journaling mean to me?
What is my purpose for journaling?
I hope my journaling...

My Personal Journaling and a Journaling Prompt (#2)

JOURNALING IS WHO I AM, WHAT I DO, AND IS A WAY OF LIFE FOR ME
I became a journal keeper at the ripe old age of eight and haven't stopped since. Sure, there might be seasons in the past that I skipped journaling in the past, but I haven't skipped one week of journaling in over seven years. In the last sixteen years, I may have missed up to ten days of journaling, but no more. For the last seven years, I have journaled at least five days per week.
I say none of this to brag, but to let you know how serious I am about journaling and how it is my passion. Actually, journaling is more than that to me and it is far deeper. Journaling is a way of life. Ask me who I am and what I do and I will say: I am a full-time writer, where I journal and count my blessings.
The truth is, I have no idea how to live life without journaling. It is so meaningful to me. It has helped me live a far better, deeper, more grateful life where I do my best to take no one and nothing for granted as I live as purposefully and intentionally as possible.

STARTING OVER
You can find all of my previous writings about journaling {journaling introduction, how-to, tips, and prompts, along with my personal journaling} here at this blog:
http://rypstories.blogspot.com/
That blog will give you a great deal of information and insight about journaling.
However, I will start over here in this blog.
I am in a very different place in my life and want to start afresh.

HOUSEKEEPING
Every now and then, I will share a section I call "housekeeping." It's just a note of explanation of how to get the most out of this blog, an explanation, and/or what to expect. The next two sections are housekeeping sections.

"A JOURNALING ODYSSEY HANDBOOK: A JOURNALING HOW-TO OF JOURNALING TIPS AND PROMPTS"
With that being said, I will take all of the information from my old blog, and all of the new information from this blog on how to journal and share tips and prompts in a book I will compile from both starting at the beginning of the year. I will compile a handbook under that title and publish it in March or April 2016. Then, I will publish an additional supplement every six months. This will be an everything you ever wanted to know about journaling compilation at handbook. Also, in March or April of every year thereafter, I will publish several of these books (the handbook us the supplements) in one volume or book. This will also include how to write your memoir, autobiography, and life story. So, if you want to be inspired to capture your life on the page, stay tuned and keep reading this blog.

MY MEMOIRS AND SPECIFIC TOPICS
I will also publish once a year or more my personal stories (my memoir and life story) and also a book or more of specific topics (for instance: how to grieve the loss of your pet).
Phew. There. The housekeeping sections are done for now.

NANOWRIMO
Every November is a contest or competition where people all around the world write 50,000 words of a novel in 30 days. It's called National Novel Writing Month, but you can do the same and write a work of nonfiction, which is what I am doing.
My goal is to write 14,000 words per week between now and the end of November. Therefore, my goal is to journal 84,000 words for this competition, which I will start today.

JOURNALING PROMPT: MIND WANDERING, S.O.C., AND STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS JOURNALING
Mind Wandering Journaling is what I recommend the most to do with your journaling. As a matter of fact, I recommend doing this every day and every time you sit down to journal. Begin with this prompt each time.
WHAT TO DO: Write whatever comes to mind in your journal. Spend about ten minutes jotting down anything you think of. You may want to do this in list form at first.
Then from there see if there is anything you want to journal more about and go deeper.
Then, do precisely that. Keep re-reading what you wrote and expand upon any of the things you wrote as you have an additional thought about what you journal.
Review this throughout your day and keep expanding on your thoughts and going deeper and more expansive with each.
As new thoughts, memories, and ideas come to mind, add them as well.
Keep writing more and more about one to three items you shared.
EXPLANATION: This is called S.O.C. Writing or Stream of Consciousness Writing. I also call if Mind Wandering Journaling. This is how to get everything, everyone, every experience, every idea, every thought, every question, every emotion, and lesson learned captured on the page.
A PERSONAL NOTE ABOUT MIND WANDERING JOURNALING: I have personally found this the best way for me to capture everything on the page with just a sentence at first. Then, I expand one to three of those ideas into a paragraph. Then, I expand those into a page or more. Then, just add more thoughts as they come to mind and start this all over again. I, then, once a week look at each day's Mind Wandering and expand on it more and go deeper. Then, I do this once a month, once every three months, and once a year for a decade. Then, once a decade.
Also, if I don't know what to journal, and am blank, I review previous Mind Wanderings.
No journaling prompt brings me more material to capture on the page than this one.
This is the diamond in the rough and is the most important journaling I do.

{Written October 19, 2015, Monday morning}

An Introduction to This Blog

Hello. Thank you for stopping by and taking a peek at this blog.

This blog is my personal journaling, which I will turn into a book in time. It is about remembering a double cancer feral cat who adopted my husband and I on September 20, 2014 and she was put to sleep on September 26, 2015. She found us, adopted us, and thoroughly changed our lives.

Are you an animal lover?

Do you own a pet or have you ever owned a pet?

Have you ever had a rescue and/or a feral cat?

Have you ever had a sick pet?

Have you ever had a terminally ill and provided palliative care for a pet?

Have you ever had a pet with cancer?

Have you ever had a pet go Home?

Do you like to read inspirational stories?

Do you want to live the best life possible?

Do you want to learn how to count your blessings?

Do you want to journal about your pet so you can remember all the memories of them?

Do you want to write a memoir about your pet?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, this blog is for you.

Welcome to: "Moments with Kara: What a feral cancer cat taught me about faith and life." It's a memoir and inspirational story about a rescue, pet loss, and unconditional love.

Welcome

Welcome to a new blog.

Journaling Stuff to RYP Journaling to Journaling Gems

A RYP Journaling Blog Post

~*~

THE WINDS OF CHANGE

Have you ever noticed how quickly things change? Well, this blog and blog post are proofs of this phenomenon. (Never mind my life in the present.)

I have decided to keep things uniform and consistent and move back to this blog. This is a change.

I had moved from this blog to RYP Stories to here to Journaling Stuff. Now, I have decided to KISS it--and Keep It Simple, Stupid. (Stupid refers to me, by the way.)

So, what can you expect from this blog?

I will include several components each day in the blog posts. They will all have the title of: RYP Journaling Gems, plus the day's date. However, most of what I will share is timeless.
I will have a Journaling Prompt or Exercise as the very first part of the blog post, then a Prayer Journaling Exercise or Prompt, then a journaling how-to, some News Journaling links, and followed by some personal journaling.

Stay tuned.

~*~

A JOURNALING PROMPT OR EXERCISE

Where are you in life right now?

How did you get here?

Where did you come from?

Where do you want to go?

~*~

A PRAYER JOURNALING PROMPT OR EXERCISE

Do the previous prompt or exercise again, but now do it regarding your faith.

*~**~**~**~*

Blessings,
--Stacy Duplease
Email:
agodlyvision@gmail.com
rememberingyourpresent@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://rypjournaling.blogspot.com
http://rypstories.blogspot.com
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire HDX Tablet

Switching

I am switching back to my journaling blog listed below, the RYP Journaling blog to simplify things.

I have moved all Journaling Stuff Blog posts there.

See you there.

Blessings,
--Stacy Duplease
Email:
agodlyvision@gmail.com
rememberingyourpresent@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://rypjournaling.blogspot.com
http://rypstories.blogspot.com
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire HDX Tablet

The New Daily Plan for RYP Stories Blog Posts (A New Blog Introduction)

The New Daily Plan for RYP Stories Blog Posts (A New Blog Introduction)

I wanted to share my new daily plan and set-up for Remembering Your Present (RYP) Stories blog. After all, I have so many ideas I want to make sure to capture them all on the page. I also recognize how not everyone who reads this blog will be a Patriot, military supporter, conservative, Christian. This blog is about more than that. Therefore, how do I include all of my passions in one blog and in a daily blog post? I want to include thoughts about life, wisdom, Journaling prompts, news links, stories about critters (animals and pets), personal history (life story or memoir), inspirational, stories of fiction, how to journal, how to write fiction, and tell of my latest writing projects and progress.

Also, I want to avoid multiple blog posts per day. Therefore, I will combine all into one blog post I will send around noon Mountain Time each day. 

I have decided to put my daily blog posts in a careful order. I am adding to the top of each blog post the things that would appeal to the most, and as you move down reading the blog post, I will add the things fewer might want to read.

Therefore, I need to ask you a huge favor.

MAY I ASK YOU A HUGE FAVOR?

Would you please do me the kindness of being discriminate enough to ignore the stuff you don't want to read and skim the rest to see what you do want to read? Will you not totally ignore these blog posts because you do not agree with parts or because parts do not apply to you? 

I guarantee you can, and will, find something you like to read in most blog posts. 

Thank you so very much. 

Have a blessed day. 

Happy Easter

My RYP Stories Blog

My RYP Stories blog will have more of my story and personal prayer journaling regarding the 2 Chronicles 7:14 World Prayer. So, take a look at that blog listed below.

Also, I add links to important news and current events stories and blogs to read, pray about, and discuss. Therefore, you might find both blogs helpful as you pray 2 Chronicles 7:14 without ceasing.

Blessings,
--Stacy Duplease

Email:
agodlyvision@gmail.com
rememberingyourpresent@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://rypstories.blogspot.com
http://2chr714worldprayer.blogspot.com
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire HDX Tablet