Hey Everyone,

Can you believe it’s almost July?

This means we are halfway through the year. Is that crazy or what?

The Psalmist was so right when he said we must number our days to apply our hearts unto wisdom. Life goes so quickly, we must be seeking and searching for wisdom and truth (ultimately we must be seeking the Lord!) while we have the time! Are you applying your heart to wisdom?

July is going to be a busy month for my husband and me. No doubt it will probably be a busy month for you as well – summer is in full swing which means there are get-togethers, 4^th of July celebrations, picnics, vacations, trips and so much more!

In about a week, we will be leaving with our church and a group of teenagers to help a new church plant just a couple states away. There I will be helping in the kitchen while the rest of the group puts on a Vacation Bible School for the new church. While we are on this trip we will be able to visit some historical places including our nation’s Capitol. I am so excited to re-visit these exciting places once again!

July will also be busy with Vacation Bible School (or Vacation Bible Time as our church calls it!). I am excited to help out and see how our church runs their VBT (this I my first year helping!).

With the added busyness it’s especially crucial for me to plan ahead and set some reasonable goals. I hope you will join me in reaching for the following eight goals. Let’s dive right in to this month’s to-do list.

July To-Do List {Monthly Goals}

1. Study the Book of 2 Timothy

I love the New Testament epistles. They are filled with so much wisdom and edification – and they are especially helpful for those of us who are a part of a local New Testament church. Most of the epistles were written to churches, individuals, and members who attended the brand new, New Testament churches. It’s is vital that we learn and study our Bible (as we read is 2 Timothy 2!).

During the month of June, I enjoyed studying 1 Timothy. I am not quite finished so it will be carrying over into July. However, once the study is done I am heading right into 2 Timothy.

(For my 1 Timothy Study I used this study book by Elizabeth George – It was very good!)

I don’t plan to go thought any study books this month – just my new creative Bible which I absolutely LOVE.

I hope you will join me and study a book of the Bible this month… whether it’s 2 Timothy or not.

2. Buy a {New} Spiritual Journal

If you don’t have a spiritual journal, I would encourage you to get one and use it during your daily devotions. It’s incredibly helpful to write down verses, thoughts, applications, prayers, etc. If you’re not sure how to get started, I’ve written a post all about this:

Related Post: How to Use a Journal During Your Quiet Time.

The journal I use during my devotions is almost filled up – so it’s time to look for a new one. I plan to shop around at Michael’s or Walmart. I love notebooks but I am kind of particular with the ones that I choose!

3. Get Acclimated With Your Bible

This sounds strange – I know, but how well do you know your way around your Bible? Do you struggle to find certain passages? Or, do you feel comfortable and right at home in the pages of your Bible? The more we use our Bible the more we know how to navigate around, and the more comfortable we feel. As we make notes we personalize our Bible and learn to love it. It truly becomes “our” Bible.

This month, I bought a new Bible and I am so excited. It’s called My Creative Bible and I got it in the King James Version (which is the only version I use). This Bible has wide margins on the sides for notes, as well as beautiful drawings and illustrations to color and decorate.

Bible journaling is definitely a trend right now, but I’ve wanted to give it a try. I needed a new Bible so when I found this one on Amazon for less than $30 I knew it would be my next Bible.

That’s why this month I want to get acclimated with my Bible… but I hope you will too, especially if you don’t feel very comfortable or “at home” when you open the pages of your Bible.

This month let’s get acclimated with our Bible.

4. Read Two Non-Fiction Books

Reading non-fiction can help us learn new facts, skills, techniques, and so much more. In my latest post about reading, I mentioned the need to focus on non-fiction more than reading tons and tons of fiction (and nothing else!). It’s okay to enjoy fictional stories, but we must not live in them all the time.

This month, my goal is to read at least two non-fiction books (hopefully more if time allows!). I hope you will join me in this goal.

The two non-fictions books I hope to read are…

• Hello Mornings by Kat Lee
• 15 Verses to Pray for Your Husband by Elizabeth George

• … and I also need to finish up reading Large Family Logistics (it’s a long book!)

What non-fiction books are you planning to read?

5. Celebrate the 4^th of July

I love this summer holiday, and I hope you do too.

Independence Day is an incredibly important holiday for us living in America. We enjoy so many freedoms in this country (and we must not take them for granted).

This Independence Day, I hope you will spend some time in thanks to the Lord for this wonderful country and all the freedoms we enjoy – including the freedom to worship God.

Be sure to take advantage of this fun summer holiday to thank God for the freedoms we have, and to pray for our nations leaders. Without prayer and citizens who walk with the Lord are nation will continue to crumble. Let’s pray for our nation, and thank God for it!

Related Post: How Every Young Woman Can Pray for Her Nation

6. Enjoy Fresh Produce

One thing I love about summer, is the abundance of fresh fruit (and veggies too). I remember picking fresh raspberries back behind my grandparents pool during the hot summer days, and husking corn in our backyard with my parents. Now my husband and I are enjoying fresh veggies from our garden.

This summer, I want us to enjoy and savor the abundance of fresh, delicious, and healthy foods! Pick up some extra treats at your local road side stand or farmers market, or quickly plant some late summer veggies (it’s not too late!).

Focus on filling your body with some fresh and healthy fuel this month

7. Don’t Forget Your Water

Depending on where you live, July is a HOT month.

I’ve been doing very poorly in the area of “hydration” so I am trying to be more conscious and aware of the need to DRINK MORE WATER!

>>> If any of you have some tips for drinking more water, please let me in the comments!

8. Flourish Outside

I don’t know about you – but I am NOT an outdoorsy kind of girl.

I would much rather be holed up inside with a book or my computer. I have always preferred being indoors.

However, this month, I want to get outside more and enjoy the beautiful weather (hot or not!). There are walks to be taken, gardens to weed, trails to explore, lakes to visit, and so much more. I have also noticed that the kids I babysit are better behaved when we are outdoors – free to run and explore.

So, this month, let’s get outside more and enjoy the sunshine and vitamin D (even if it means taking your book to read outside!). Let’s flourish outdoors.

Final Thoughts

Well, My Friend, what are your plans for the month of July? What would you like to accomplish, and which goals from this list are you hopping to achieve as well?

Before you leave, share your July Goals with us in the comments!

I hope you have a wonderful July! Enjoy Independence Day, time with family, and good old summer fun!

See you next Thursday!