Journaling (Prayer and Personal)

I have been journaling for as long as I can remember. It has always been helpful to me, but this year I have identified two formats that I find most helpful.

First, I have my prayer journal. It is a great way to focus prayer and achieve greater intentionality in your quiet times. It is also an amazing way to see what all God has been up to in your life. He truly does answer prayers in a remarkable way!!!
 A middle school Sunday School teacher once shared this format for praying with me that I still use in my prayer journaling today. It is called ACTS:

A- Adoration. Start your prayer by praising God and giving Him the glory and respect He deserves.
C-Confess. Confess your sins and struggles to God.
T- Thanksgiving. Thank God for all of the blessings He has given you.
S- Supplication. Humbly ask God to supply for your needs and the needs of others.


Second, I have a personal journal which I like to use to work through things that are upsetting me. If you've ever wondered how I keep my calm, this is how.
I made this format up based on some handouts I used in my English methods class. Ha, Thanks Dr. BB for encouraging us to think about who we are as both a person AND a teacher! (She is the best!)
Situation: A brief summary of the situation that is causing you to be upset.
Know: What you know to be true about the situation.
Think: What you think about the situation.
Feel: How the situation has made you feel.
Resolution: What you are going to do about it!

Here is an example of my personal/situational journal for today:

Situation: I am nervous about taking the OSAT tomorrow.
Know: I know that even if I fail it the first time, I can take it again this summer.
Think: I think that I should not have to wake up so early to take this stupid test!!!
Feel: I feel nervous because I don't want to wake up at the break of dawn to take a super hard test! I am worried that I will not pass it and have to take it again.
Resolution: I will take my time studying today and go to bed early. I will be confident in my cognitive abilities and the superior instruction I have received.

Banana-Berry Oatmeal Smoothie + Fig and Walnut Flatbread

After all the Easter goodies I felt like I needed some healthy fuel for brain and body! It's going to be a long night of homework. Here are the goodies:

Fig + Walnut Flatbread:
-5 Black Mission figs
-1/4 cup chopped walnuts
-1 wedge garlic-herb Laughing Cow cheese
-2 whole grain Wasa flatbread crisps

Banana-Berry Oatmeal Smoothie (Sounds weird, I know, but oatmeal smoothies are extremely popular in Latin America, and this smoothie was amaaaaazing!)

- 1 cup vanilla yogurt
-1 banana
-1/2 cup milk
-1 packet of mixed berry instant oatmeal