Yes, my friends, my life has been documented in journals. Believe it or not, there were journals BEFORE these little books came out. I have journals in the bottom of a trunk somewhere in notebooks (before marriage).
You can click on these pictures to make them larger (I blacked out names for the sake of privacy):
I couldn’t fit all of my journals in one picture, so this is a totally different set.
I don’t know if you do this, but I write letters to God … like prayers — just talking to my Abba Father. I also record prophetic words that have been given to me over the years, scriptures that stand out to me, revelations, understanding … my walk with Him. I can open a journal and remember the exact day I recorded that part of my life. Do you journal too?
One day, I’m sure these journals will come in handy when I begin to write for REAL. I have a lot of lessons within the pages of these many books. I also hope my descendants will know how much I love Jesus (even though they will see just how REAL I am and how I have had to work through many things).
Blogging has really slowed down my entries in the handwritten journals, but I still document prophetic words there — things that I can’t post for the world to see.
Does anyone know a way to print a blog? I wish there was a button that would print every post.
I’ll leave you with this quote from Catherine Drinker Bowen (American Writer 1897-1973):
Writing, I think, is not apart from living. Writing is a kind of double living. The writer experiences everything twice. Once in reality and once in that mirror which waits always before or behind.
I don’t know how God will use my love to record, but one day it will all unfold.
Blessings to you all!
Oh Beth this is most outstanding! I am literally in awe how dilligently you have kept your journals, something I never managed to to maintain, although I tried.
It will certainly be totally priceless for Sarah one day. I can picture her sitting as an adult with tears of love streaming down her pretty face as she reads her precious mommy's journal entries.
You can copy and paste each individual blog post into a Word Doc. Copy & Pasting should retain the pictures, layout and formatting on Word.
Also, you can make screen prints, paste them into Microsoft "Paint" or similar and save it as a .jpg
http://www.blurb.com is a great printing place. I used it for my christmas project.
I am so impressed with your dedication to journal writing. I would always start and then stop. I did the best while pregnant with Andrew and up until he was probably 6 months or so. I'm a much faster typist than handwriter so blogging is my journaling avenue of choice.
I had a few but stopped sometimes. It is a great way to look back at the blessings the Father had given us, all the comfort He gave during those trying times, all the provisions He gave when we needed that. That's nice that you have written so much about your love for Him. He is also keeping one about you…in the Book of Life. Blessings to you sister. Keep writing…
Beth,
Your journals has stirred my heart to start mine up again. I started writing after my daughter was born and through my years of struggle. When I go back and read how God brought me out of that darkness…I'm amazed!
He has also given me prophetic words, promises to stand.
My mom use to journal everyday until the day she went home to be with the Lord. I love reading her words, its like she right next to me waiting for me to comment. 🙂
You know, I have never really been much of a journaler, but I did once find my mom's journal/diary from when she was in her late teens – and it was FASCINATING. This is VERY cool, Beth!!
Believe it or not, I do not trust blogger, so I copy and paste each post into a Word document. I can paste it exactly as is with the color, font, and even my matching flower. I have it in sheet protecters in a binder. I've copied my header and side quotes, all of it. 1) in case blogger dies 2) so I can have it written in case I'm ever called to write something in print form. I've also passed the binder to a couple people who do not have internet access.
You can print out your blog. How fun would that be. 1 year at a time. Neat idea.
I keep journals too.
What a treasure these will be someday to your daughter!
As far as printing your blog, I only know of 2 ways.
1) I now write all my posts in Live Writer. They can be published to my blogs directly from there. You can also save it onto your computer! So from here on out, they will be saved.
BUT, the first 700 posts, oh my…I'm going to have to do number 2 unless I can find another way.
2)Copy and then paste into a Word file.
Well, actually, there is a third way. About a month ago I discovered this site:
http://www.blogbackuponline.com/techrigy/
It will back up your blog for free, or you can pay a small fee monthly and it will also back up your pictures and videos. That way, if anything ever happens to Blogger or your blog gets hacked or messed up in some way, or you want to change it over to another platform, all your posts, comments, pictures and videos are saved. You do believe you lose your widgets and sidebar stuff though, but the important stuff is safe and sound.
Oh, I wish I had journaled more through the years! I do have a few journals with very sporadic entries, but nothing consistent. Shame on me!!! I, too, have wanted to print out my blog because that has been more consistent than anything. I'm thinking making pdf's of the different entries and then getting them printed at Kinko's or Staples or something? Maybe making them into a scrapbook? Really, I've been thinking of this for awhile but haven't don't anything with it.
No, I don't journal. Not as in a diary. I do sometimes write down the things the Lord is showing me in my Bible reading but not always. Just depends.
I don't like collections or clutter or anything that I feel compelled to keep.
I journaled from the time I was 12 or 13 until my early twenties. Then I stopped. Got to busy or whatever, I don't know.
I tried starting again after my first child was born but again stopped!
My mom has tons and tons of jounals!
Yes, I totally connect with all your journals. At the moment I have 6 on my headboard bookshelf, one in my drawer (which actually that year I used a binder, 1996), and way in the basement, in a chest, I don't know how many in there. Like you, my 'love letters'. I start with a scripture from God's Word,,than Dear Jesus.
I shared in my blog I think last week an entry that was dated back 1996. The funny thing is,,when I read some of those entries I'm like
'who wrote that'? Like you, I learn so much from my writings, what God was speaking to me than, teaching me, loving me through whatever circumstance I was facing…
You have encouraged me sis to dig out the rest of mine…Thanks for sharing…((hugs))
My daughter has kept diaries for years…she love writing.
I am amazed to find just how many people really desire to write. It thing it is a good way to cause us to think more clearly about what we feel and believe.
One nice thing about keeping prayer journals as you do, you can look back and be amazed at all the God has done for you.
Have a great day, Beth.
♥Hope
Wow…how awesome! I used to keep journals in high school, but I stopped. I admire your dedication!
I have a few journal and you're rught-when I look back through them I remember the feelings, tears, the person I was at the time-everything. Thank you for the encouragement to get back on them! Blessings! Amanda:)
I love to journal. It helps me to destress. I've been doing so for many years now too… isn't it fun?
Well what do you know, another similarity between you and me:) I too keep journals, have since my early 20s and for some reason they are still here in boxes as if one day they will be a road map that will help my children and my children's children better understand the person that I am.
I began writing as a way to get my thoughts out and it really was therapeutic in the difficult times of my life. When I was 40 I learned how to use a keyboard and the world became so much larger for me. That is when I began to really write my thoughts and have been writing on a regular basis ever sense. I had no idea what this skill would lead to until my husband bought me my first computer.
I actually wrote from my earliest memories, a book of sorts that I could leave behind for my children. It is about all the things that I had gone through that took part in shaping the person that I had become. I think more than anything I was compelled to write the book in a effort to have them really know me.
My mom died when I was just 12 and I have no such records. Oh how I wish she had written some things for me to unravel the person that she was. God is good though and he has been faithful.
Blessing to you and keep on writing my friend. 🙂
I am so impressed! I struggle in my journaling! Oh what a legacy you are leaving too!
Hi Beth,
I admire you for keeping journals. No, I don't journal but my hubby does every single night.
Blessings,
nance
I love journals, so awesome.
Journaling is great. I like to go back and read past entries. It's odd how sometimes I forget the state of mind I was in when I wrote something. When I write with pen and paper, I don't think about what I a writing, I just let it flow and if it is something that will be shared publicly, I "edit" it.
Try a bit harder to continue to put your words on paper, you'll see…
smooches,
Larie
What treasures your journals are…your book will be terrific.
Such a strong woman of faith!
You already have my friend, you ALREADY have!
You can find lots of places online that will print your entire blog for you, even the pictures! Sites like shutterfly.com
Love and Prayers,
Tim
Good for your for keeping these. What a blessing they are to look back and see the answers to prayers along the way. Very nice.
I love journaling!!! One of the best Christmas gifts I ever received is a journal that my husband kept daily for an entire year and then he gave it to me at Christmas. Are you journaling for your daughter? A precious keepsake that would be as you write to her as she grows up. 🙂 love ya, Laurie
I started a journal YEARS ago, but eventually stopped. I think I just got so busy w/ the kids!
My mom has always journaled and still does till now!
Oh..and check this place out for printing your blog.
ttp://blog2print.sharedbook.com/blogworld/printmyblog/index.html
I wish I was better about journaling.
Oh, wow! Those journals are definitely priceless. I have never kept a journal per se. I have a prayer journal where I list prayers and answers to them. It is a blessing to go back and see God's answer and the date. God is good!
Ohh how awesome! We do have that in common! I wrote journals since I was 4, and I had bags and bags of them in my garage. Now we can blog and share with others!! 😀