The Generous Wife

July was a “baby” month for me.

The property dog had eight puppies and my DIL’s bunny had a litter of eight. Here’s a picture of the puppies (the bunnies still look like hairless mice, I’ll share a picture when they start looking cute).

Willow, my bunny, is about to give birth as well (due August 4th?). She’s already pulling straw together for a nest and adding in a bit of her own fur.

Goal #1a – Read a book from Proverbs each day.
Goal #1b – Read daily from New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp.

July was a stressful month, but having read my devotional and Proverbs all year, I felt prepared. I leaned into God’s wisdom and godly encouragement to shape my choices and I feel really good about how I handled all the bumps in the road.

I’m looking at doing some additional Bible study. Not sure what that looks like just yet, but I love the fruit of having a biblical foundation and I want more.

Goal #2a – Read 15 minutes a day. (I can read more, but this is my minimum.)
Goal #2b – Take two courses this year. Done!

I finished three books in July:
5 Types of People Who Can Ruin Your Life by Bill Eddy
The Little Book Lykke by Meik Wiking
The Queen’s Code by Allison Armstrong ★★★★★

The first book I picked up because I’ve had a couple of troublesome relationships in my life and I’m still trying to understand them. This book was actually quite helpful. The second book is about developing those things in your life that lead to happiness. A fun read.

I reread The Queen’s Code. I keep telling myself I’m going to do a post on Allison Armstrong and her material. This is largely because two couples I know have had their marriages saved from divorce because of said material. Mostly I haven’t written anything because it’s going to take a bit of reading and research. I will probably join Audible in a month or so when I have the time (many of her books and classes are free there).

I’m going to recommend her material with a caveat. She does a fairly good job of dealing with gender differences, negotiating for what you want and need, being gracious, and such. My one concern is that she does not write from a Christian perspective, though she is somewhat Christian friendly. This is where you keep your brain in gear, take all the good, and toss any bad.

Courses: done!
  Make Over Your Calendar course by Crystal Paine
  Create Your Intentional Life Masterclass eCourse by Brittany

I’m good for this year, however, if I can make the time, there is a nice free accounting course here. A little continuing education is a good thing.

Goal #3a – Fix my hair every day (no more brush and go days)
Goal #3b – work on my wardrobe

This month was a bust. Yes, I brushed my hair. Yes, I put on clothes. … that’s it.

Goal #4a – Do Kegel exercises daily (with increasing numbers).
Goal #4b – Drink one more glass of water (than I usually do) each day.

I’m still doing Kegels as a habit and enjoying lots and lots of herbal iced tea.

Goal #5a – One Zentangle tile a week using my word list
Goal #5b – Birdhouses???

Still on task with my weekly Zentangle tiles, but the birdhouse is on hold (though my grandson gave me some very cool lichen that I think I can use).

Goal #6 – Get rid of 500 items from my house.

I’m up to 138 items. (125 past items + 13 new items – 2 cans of paint, spackling compound, nail care organizer, snore guard, wooden birdhouse, hand mirror, 5 plants, and a garden trowel.)

Goal #7 – Actually DO one Pinterest pin a month.

Did I mention to y’all that I got a ukelele? I used to play the guitar when I was a kid, but I live in an RV so I need a smaller model. Well, bless Pinterest, it’s full of helpful links and this month I learned to play In Christ Alone on my ukelele.

I added a bit of color to the front of it because a friend of mine has an identical ukelele. Now we can tell them apart.

Well, that’s it for July.

♥ #PrayerPrompt: Ask God to help you find all the joyous things in your life.

♥ I’m an Organizing Junkie: Before and After Closet Pantry Organization with Zero Dollars Spent! Nice job!

♥ Paul and I are donation supported. You can give to our support through The Marriage Bed, Inc. (tax-deductible giving for US folks). Thanks so much for your prayers and support. Give here.

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