Hiya!

Hello, everyone! I hope you've all been doing great since we last talked!

I've been surprisingly busy - appointments, errands, and such.

Example: I just went to the dentist and found out I'm going to need another round of some major work done (my teeth are soft and just about attract cavities) which dampened my mood as well as cluttered up my schedule for the next year. Did I mention it'll be expensive? :(

Another thing that keeps me busy is being back on the grad school kick. Like a good girl I am setting my goals high and that requires a lot of preparations. (Most of the programs I'm looking at have an acceptance rate somewhere between 0.5% and 3%... I'm not expecting to get in but I'd better try or I will be sorry later in life). Like I said, I'm (making myself) busy.

If you've really missed my writing (which I'm sure you did;) you can check out a post I wrote on Being Dana about different household uses for magnets. Did you know you can use a magnet to keep your scissors from disappearing?

I am also interested in hearing from you! How have you all been? Is May the best month of the year or what?

Love,
Dana

Ch-ch-ch-changes!

Sure, there are a lot of things changing in our lives at the moment (I'll update you once we know what's up) but I've also been re-vamping "Being Dana"! It has a new look and a new address! So for all of you sweet readers out there, if you aren't following Being Dana yet you should head on over right now and check out all those changes! And let me know what you think!

I hope you're all having a great week!
Love,
Dana

How to Stick with a Bible Reading Plan (and Go Running, too)

At a point in time several years ago, I discovered the concept of reading God's word every day. It might sound crazy to you that there was a time when I didn't know that that's what a Christian is supposed to be doing, but hey, I went to a Catholic school. And a Catholic church, for a couple of years. And they just don't teach you that, or at least they didn't at mine.

But I started going to Calvary Chapel in Bangor and guess what? Everybody was doing it. The family I was staying with. My friends. People at church. They were all following some kind of a Bible reading plan.

So I tried, too. I got the One Year Bible. I would stick with the plan for a few weeks, then stop for a few days. Or I would read the New Testament and not the Old one. I did that for several years. On and off. I know I had read through the Bible but never consistently. And then I was listening to our pastor's podcast and it had really dawned on me that I should just suck it up and do it. Read it "from cover to cover".

And because I am not known for my patience, I picked the 90 day reading plan (there's an app for that, by the way - "Holy Bible" app - which has a bunch of reading plans, translation, and is really great, not to mention free). Probably not great for Moms of little kids, but for a stay-at-home wife with time on her hands, it's superb. The problem was: how can I ensure that I will stick to the plan this time?

1. I prayed. For God's help. I had come to the conclusion that I couldn't do it on my own, no matter how hard I tried. I'd tried and failed.

2. I picked the best medium for me. I decided to use an app on our iPad because I could easily switch between versions, write notes, and highlight verses.

3. I stayed accountable. The app actually helps with that too - it tells you what chapters you'll be reading that day, it requires you actually scroll down all the way to the bottom of the chapter to mark it as read.

4. I set the time apart. Since my plan takes me through the Bible in just three months, I read a lot of chapters each day. Counting on about an hour spent in the Word each morning helps me not rush through it.

5. I created a ritual. I read in the morning, so I get up, make coffee, grab the iPad, and go back to bed. That way reading is associated with pleasant things (coffee and warm bed), and I'm more likely to feel weird not reading the Bible in the mornings.

6. I check my email/Facebook/Reader before I start reading. Sounds counterintuitive? Maybe, but it helps. I used to try to be all spiritual and holy by trying to "devote time to God before anything else" but I was just so anxious to check my social media that I didn't focus on what I was reading and wanted to rush through. Am I slightly addicted? Maybe, but at least I am aware now.

7. I allowed myself to skim occasionally. My 90 day plan is chronological. It took me SEVENTY days to get through the Old Testament. At times I skimmed the chapters which listed names or measures or something similar. Sue me.

I am technically not done with it (I'm on day 73) but the gospels and epistles are a breeze after days and days in Isaiah (sorry, man, but you're long). I am actually pretty confident that I will finish this time. And I am already planning on focusing more on the prophets after I'm done - reading them slowly with commentaries and notebooks and all. Again, I can't give myself the credit for actually sticking with a plan. I am positive that it was by God's Grace and with his help, but I am very excited to have gotten to day 73.

(Also, I have started running - trying to follow the c25k plan - and there's a great app for that as well!)

Love,
Dana

How to Make Your Husband Think You've Gone Crazy

1. Start a style blog.

2. Make your hubby leave the room whenever you are taking pictures of yourself in the dining room (because it's insanely awkward when you're doing your supermodel poses and someone is watching).

3. Share with him how excited you are to participate in other bloggers' challenges and games (like the other day on What I Wore).

4. Giggle for half an hour, then explain that it's because one of your all-time favorite bloggers (Tania) had just re-pinned one of your outfits. (Aaaaaah!)

5. Write a post about how to make your husband think you're crazy because you love being a blogger and, in your own way, maybe inspiring others. 

Dana