2 New Habits for Smart Habit Saturday

I haven't been as "faithful" at adding to my new habits each week as I had hoped. Actually, a few times I was out of town and didn't have the computer and/or time to add a habit. So, I wanted to take a moment to review my previous posts/habits and update you all on how I'm doing with these habits.

1. Reading scripture candy and writing about it - I just haven't done this like I had hoped. It seems very random when I do. While I still have the notebook where I am writing insight based on the one Scripture on the wrapper of the candy, I am diving into a bigger habit today that will be the priority over the occasional Scripture read on the candy wrapper.
2. Walking on even numbered days of the week - I also haven't done as well with this one, and I definitely need "more" for the health, the energy, and the help with weight control, so I am diving into a little bit bigger habit this week dealing with walking.
3. Journalling 3 pages - This one I am doing "ok" with. I wanted to do it consistently every day for a month and haven't...but I have done it here and there. It is a good habit to continue working on!
4. Menu planning - Now this one, I have done better with. I am coming up with menus each week. There was one week that I never even went shopping based on the menu plan, but I did have a menu plan :) Plus this is an evolving "art" as I am getting more and more creative with it. I have ordered a book off the Internet that I hope to add one meal each week from and build my freezer stash.

So this week, I am adding two new habits. This may be a feau paux, but I feel compelled to do this for a couple reasons...ONE is August is about to start and I want to have started both of these at a month marker...TWO is they are pretty important habits that I need to focus on and couldn't choose only one...THREE is August is my birthday month and as this mile marker comes up, I think I am more desparate to be a "grown up" with my life. Plus, these habits are variations of previous habits and are kinda replacing them.

First has to do with Bible study. Each morning this week I have gotten up with my sweet hubby and read the Bible next to him. (Okay, yesterday morning I didn't get up but I did read my Bible later in the day). My hubby has been getting up each morning for a while exercising the spiritual discipline of prayer and Bible study. He is a great example for me and for our family, but I have been lazy too long and undisciplined with my spritual growth (at least as of lately). I wasn't sure how he would feel about me "joining" him in his Bible study as that can be a very personal and intimate thing, but as you can see from his blog, this was a welcome event. I've been reading Job this week because I felt like God was really leading me to read this. I haven't figured out why yet, but I'm not done with the book. I am awaiting His revelation to me in this book. I hope to finish Job by the end of July, so I can start implementing something I learned from a fellow blogger. Cyndi shared with us her method of Bible Study a week ago at the Works for Me Wednesday meme hosted by Shannon. This spoke to me and I so want to do it. Both the reading the same New Testament book over several times in a month as well as coloring in my Bible with map colors. I hope to continue sharing quiet time with my hubby every day.

My second habit is one that is "replacing" the walking one from earlier with walking. Ha! Somewhere on the blogosphere I found an idea that was pretty cool. It was called the monthly marathon. I emailed to see about joining and learned that this blog hadn't happened in quite some time. So...I am starting this on my own. If I was smart enough to start it and invite others, I would do it. If any of you know of something like this out there, please send me in that direction. And if any of you are smarter than me and like this idea and want to do a meme where we invite folks to join in the monthly marathon and log our results in our blogs, please do it and let me know where to go!! Okay, back to the concept. A marathon is 26 miles, right? Well, how hard would it be to walk (or jog or even skip to my lou) 26 miles in a month? If you have 30 days to do it in, that isn't bad. You could walk one mile a day and miss 4 days and still do it. Or you could walk 2 miles, 3 days a week with a couple 3 mile jaunts thrown in there (perhaps on the weekend) and do it. There are several possiblities. I just KNOW that I need to get to exercising in some form or fashion. I need it for my health (let's face it--I'm not getting any younger). I NEED, NEED, NEED energy. I believe walking is one way to get this coveted substance. And finally, I am working at losing weight. This is such a struggle for me these days and walking would certainly boost it. Like before, I will walk around my neighborhood or use Leslie Sansone's videos.

Here's wishing you all a great week with your habits!! If you would like more inspiration and ideas from others participating in Smart Habit Saturday, head on over to Lara's blog.