I have nothing profound to write today.  Lots of thoughts swirling in my head, but nothing coming out in an organized way. :)  I thought I would take a few minutes to give you a peek at some fresh starts happening behind the scenes, both in my life, and on the blog!

I needed our Fresh Year, Fresh Start series as much as anyone – it is amazing how quickly my focus and priorities get all out of whack. 

• I’ve been consistently getting up for my early morning time with the Lord.  I think this is the longest I’ve been consistent at waking up in the mornings for years!!  Praise to the Lord, because I surely am not inclined this way naturally!  NP and I have been trying to shift our bedtime earlier – we tend to be night owls, which makes mornings all the harder.   So, if you’re struggling to readjust your schedule, you are not alone.  And let me tell you – it is so worth it!!  My days go so much more smoothly when I start them right!

• I’ve been thinking a lot about how to be a better helper for my husband.  Yesterday I spent SEVEN HOURS cleaning off the abyss which is our desk.  I had months of filing that I had been carefully putting into piles and then avoiding… and there were receipts so old that quicken gave me “are you sure you want to enter a receipt more than a year old” error messages when I entered them!  [You don't need to leave me comments to tell me that isn't good.  I am fully aware of that!] :)  This former office assistant had to face the facts that I was falling far short of helping my husband.  I helped people I worked for much more efficiently and willingly than I was helping NP in this area.

While managing the finances is really his “area” in our home, we had gotten so far behind that it was overwhelming for him to start in the few precious hours he has at home.  Rather than leaving that as a burden staring at him each time he walked through the door and saw that horrible monstrosity known as our desk, I needed to do what I could to help ease that load and make it manageable for him.  The relief on his face when he saw the fruit of my labor was priceless!  Not to mention that I now have a much cleaner and more inspiring place to do my own writing!

Another aspect of being a better helper and homemaker – conquering the ironing pile (which is always looming around me, it seems),  decluttering various areas of our home, and streamlining my housework to be more efficient and on top of things.  Which brings me to my next point…

• Last week on Today’s Housewife I shared my goal for 2010: be more intentional.  I am a very idealistic person, if you haven’t noticed.  I aspire to being more organized than I often am.  I tend to get sidetracked easily and forget important items I need to follow through on.  I needed a better system… or perhaps any system!  Yesterday I started using Simple Mom’s Daily Docket forms… which I am feeling good about!  I love that she also has exercise and water intake built into her form – because I hate to tell you how many days I make my poor body limp by with 4 cups of coffee and 6 oz of water for the day.  [Again, no scolding comments needed.]

Other fresh starts:

*I am in the process of BIG changes here on the blog.  BIG changes like: changing the name, switching to wordpress, and a completely fresh design.  Stay tuned…

*NP and I have agreed that 2010 is the year for me to start writing my BOOK.  That’s right.  I feel as though I should fall off my chair and pass out just typing that.  God has been prompting my heart for years that I need to write.  I have put it off as long as possible – out of fear, out of not knowing where to start, out of procrastination.  But, it’s time to get out of the boat and follow Him in faith, if you know what I mean.  [Which takes me back to the point about needing to organize my time better and be more intentional!  Books don't write themselves!]

So, that’s what’s going on behind the scenes here.  In coming weeks, please pardon the dust around these parts… it’s time for a fresh start all around. ;)

That’s what’s up with me… what’s new with you?

Image from freefoto.com

One of the treasures I have often turned to after my own experiences in Haiti is a little booklet from Baptist Haiti mission called God Is No Stranger – a compilation of prayers of new Haitian Christians recently converted from Voodooism.  These prayers are touching, sometimes heartbreaking, and full of honesty.  Today as we all continue to pray for the people of Haiti, I thought I would share some of their own prayers with you.

Lord, please be with your people who are suffering in Haiti.

You see their pain.

You know their faith.

As we sit in safe and comfortable houses with plenty to eat and drink, it is hard to imagine their suffering.  But you know.  Hold them tightly today, Father.

The amazon links above were provided for your convenience.  I am an amazon affiliate and would receive a small percentage of any sales resulting from these links.

Sandy from http://sandys-scriptureandprayer.blogspot.com/!

Congratulations, Sandy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Email me and I’ll get you in touch with Jo-Lynne for your blog redesign! :)

Can you believe we have arrived at the end of our Fresh Year, Fresh Start series?  We have all been amazed at some of the interactions that came from these posts – thank you to so many of you who have read long, commented, and linked up your own thoughts!

This week we’ve taken a fresh look at parenting… a reminder I know I needed!

Teri Lynne and Kelly gave us a fresh reminder about the real purpose of parenting: discipleship!
My husband NP offered us some free advice from his office
I shared some thoughts about raising “modern-day Timothies” who know and obey God’s Word
Erin reminded us that giving life to our kids doesn’t have to be complicated.

[By the way, if you missed any posts through the three week series, they are all listed here.]

Now, we want to hear from you!

And remember…  Jo-Lynne (@dcrmom) of DCR Design is giving away a FRESH BLOG MAKEOVER!!

To enter the giveaway, just leave us a comment letting us know how this series has impacted you, particular posts that have stuck with you, etc!

You can leave an additional comment for each time you linked up on the Friday posts!!

Giveaway will end and linky will close at 11pm EST on Saturday, January 23rd.