Reading the Bible in a Year

Well, this year I am going to try it again. I have tried numerous times to read the Bible through in a year. Sometimes I start in the middle of a year, sometimes at the beginning, sometimes in the middle of a plan and try to finish (which I actually did better at than starting at the beginning of one and going all the way through). All that said, I don't really know that I've actually made it all the way through the Bible in a whole year. I have read all parts of the Bible, some part much more than others, but doing it in a year has always been a struggle. I get bogged down usually in Job or in the prophets.

So again, all that said, I am trying something new this year. Usually, I pick a plan that takes the reading through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, or while reading the OT and NT together. However, I came across a plan that has no order to it. You read one book in the OT and one in the NT together but it is really random. Also, I read an article by Noel Piper who explained how she had read through the Bible in that year. She too, of all people!, had trouble getting through the way most plans propose. She picked what she wanted to read next and read it and made it through in a year.

I didn't really want to do the plan that I found. I think I like to make things hard for myself. So, I figured out how many chapters there are in the OT and NT and then decided how to divide those up during the year. Here is what I came up with.

I read one New Testament chapter 5 days a week. I think with this you have time left over at the end of the year to catch up if needed, plus you have 2 days each week to catch up.

I also read 2 or 3 Old Testament chapters 6 days a week, excluding Psalms and Proverbs. Again, I think you finish before the end of year. During the week at breakfast or lunch I try to read a Psalm or a few verses from Proverbs with the boys out of a Reader's Version Bible.

I started out with Hebrews in the New Testament and am now in Revelation. I think I will do a gospel next, maybe John, since he also wrote Revelation. I started the Old Testament with Hosea and have continued on through the minor prophets because these are the ones I've read the least. I've missed a few days but I've been able to catch up for the most part. I haven't yet decided what to read next in the OT. I may read Job.

How do I keep up with it? I write out what I want to read next in my pocket calendar. That way, I just open the calendar and it tells me what to read that day and if I get behind I also have it recorded and know where I should be and what I need to read to catch up. I didn't write it down this way at the beginning and I got a little lost so I came up with this idea. So far it has worked great.

So I just wanted to share this with you in case you are like me and find it difficult to do a plan the conventional way but still desire to really read through the Bible in a year. However, wouldn't necessarily recommend this if you are not familiar with the layout, flow and history through the Bible. Hope it is helpful!

My Dearest Friend!

Today marks 8 years that Eric and I have been married! Time flies so fast! We've had some really great times together - lots of cross country trips, some crazy adventures overseas, many new friends, hiking, biking, reading, and two lovely, precious boys. It has been so fun and challenging at the same time (not because of him, just the things we've been through together).

I was telling someone our "story" the other day and I was reminded again of God's grace poured out in our lives in bringing us together and in working out so many things in our lives. I am so undeserving of this dear fellow and was greatly reminded of that as I was telling my story. God generously saved me from lots of other bad choices and brought Eric to me. I don't even know if Lebanon was where I was supposed to go that year I met him, but God brought much good and happiness from it.

Eric has been my faithful companion and lover all these years and has put up with a lot from this feisty, highly-opinionated, stubborn gal. Isn't it terrible how the worst traits come out when you are with the people you love the most?

Thank you my dearest friend for loving me in spite of all my faults and for all the wonderful times we've had together. I can't wait to see what God will bring next!

101 Posts! Plus Some Funny Stuff

This is my 101st post! I didn't know I had written the 100th post or I would have announced it then instead of at 101! I really love having a blog even though I don't write nearly as much as I used to or would like to. Just so you know, I write about 4 times as many blogs in my head as actually get written! Maybe more. Then I forget about them or when I actually have a minute to write, I don't really want to use the brain capacity to do so. I'd rather read or snooze. Babies and toddlers seem to zap all creative writing ability and wherewithal.

So, now I'm posting something new but it isn't even mine! I've read a lot of other people's blogs lately so I thought I would share them with you in a few blogs. They are all about being moms.

These two are from a blog a friend told me about - she gets a lot of recipes from her blog, and now I do too. This blogger mom of 4 boys is really funny and down to earth. I would love to be able to love cooking like she does. Not that I hate it, but she LOVES it and does is ALL the time. I was just perusing her blog trying to find out more about her than just her recipes. I came upon these two entries. The first one is about being a real mom and what that means. SO encouraging! The second is just hilarious. I laughed so hard I cried! Maybe you won't think it is that funny. I've just done stuff like she describes, very recently - a brain lapse. In fact, the other day one of my friends said thanks to me for an email I had sent (only 2 days before!) and I couldn't for the life of me remember what I had emailed her about. She is the one who had been sick for 1 1/2 weeks, is 20 something weeks pregnant and with 3 girls under 5 who have also been sick! Not me! But I had totally forgotten and had to ask her! How ridiculous and embarrassing!

Hope you enjoy these!

http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/will-all-of-the-real-moms-please-stand-up

http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/the-story-of-my-sleeves

Book List: 4-5+

Here is a book list for kids 4-5+. You can introduce these before the age of 5 but some of the content might be too mature for them. Use discretion.

+ Indicates that the book is either a Caldecott Honor or Medal Book

The Ugly Duckling; Emperor’s New Clothes (illustrated by Virginia Lee Burton) - Hans Christian Anderson

A House For a Hermit Crab - Eric Carle

Jack’s Garden - Henry Cole

Mrs. Rumphius - Barbara Cooney

+ St. George and the Dragon - Margaret Hodges

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore - William Joyce

I Want My Hat Back - Jon Klassen

The Giant Jam Sandwich - John Vernon Lord

Through Grandpa’s Eyes - Patricia MacLachlan

Blueberries for Sal; One Morning in Maine; Lentil - Robert McCloskey

Paperboy - Dav Pilkey

Where the Wild Things Are - Maurice Sendak

Amos and Boris; Shreck - William Steig

Morris the Moose - Bernard Wiseman

+ Rapunzel; + Rumpelstiltsken; + Hansel and Gretel - Paul Zelinsky

Through Grandpa’s Eyes - Patricia MacLachlan

Book List: 3-4+

Heres is a book list for ages 3-4+. You can introduce these before age 4 but some of the books will have concepts above their understanding.

+ Indicated the book is a Caldecott Honor or Medal Book

All Things Bright and Beautiful - Cecil Frances Alexander

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs - Judy Barrett

Stone Soup - Marcia Brown

Our Library - Eve Bunting

Mike and the Steam Shovel; The Little House - Virginia Lee Burton

The Mixed-Up Chameleon; Pancakes, Pancakes; Walter, the Baker - Eric Carle

Trucks; Freight Train - Donald Crews

+ Strega Nona - Tomie De Paola

Planting A Rainbow; Eating the Alphabet - Lois Ehlert

The Story of Ping - Marjorie Flack

And Then It Was Spring - Julie Fogliano

A-Z Picture Book; Oh What A Busy Day - Gyo Fujikawa

Owen; Chrysanthemum - Kevin Henkes 

Bedtime for Frances - Russell Hoban

Danny and the Dinosaur - Syd Hoff

The Red Apples - Pat Hutchins

Carrot Seed - Ruth Kraus

The Owl and the Pussycat - Edward Lear 

Mouse Soup; Frog and Toad; Owl at Home; Grasshopper on the Road - Arnold Lobel 

Frog Went A Courtin’ - John Longstaff

All the Places I Love; What You Know First - Patricia MacLachlan

Time of Wonder - Robert McCloskey

Too Much Noise - Ann McGovern 

Roxaboxen - Alice McLerran

Tikki, Tikki, Tembo - Arlene Mosel

Marshmallow - Clare Turlay Newberry

Katy No-Pocket - Emmy Payne

+ Puss in Boots - Charles Perrault, illustrated by Malcolm Arthur

Bee Tree; Thundercake; The Keeping Quilt - Patricia Polacco

+ Baboushka and the Three Kings - Ruth Robbins

Rattle Trap Car - Phyllis Root

In November; The Old Woman Who Named Things - Cynthia Rylant

Swirl By Swirl - Joyce Sidman

+ The House in the Night - Susan Marie Swanson

Balloons Over Broadway - Melissa Sweet

Whoever You Are, My Love Will Find You - Nancy Tillman

Lyle, Lyle Crocodile - Bernard Waber 

The Biggest Bear - Lyn Ward

My First Little House Series - Laura Ingalls Wilder

A Chair For My Mother; Three Days On A River In a Red Canoe - Vera B. Williams

Silly Sally - Audrey Wood

Miss Suzy - Miriam Wood

Harry the Dog - Gene Zion

The Seashore Book; The Storm Book - Charlotte Zolotow

A Book List 2-3+

Here is a book list for ages 2-3+. It is fine to introduce these before age 3 but some of the concepts may not be understood.

+ Indicates a Caldecott Honor or Medal Book

LMNO Peas - Keith Baker

Madeline - Ludwig Bemelmans 

The Mitten - Jan Brett

The Little Island - Margaret Wise Brown

Opposites - Eric Carle

Bear Snores On - Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman

Mrs. Wishy Washy’s Farm and others - Joy Cowley

Dancing Feet; Farmyard Beat - Lindsey Craig

Let the Whole Earth Sing Praise; Haircuts for Woolseys and many more - Tomie De Paola 

Mary I Bring a Friend? Beatrice de Regniers

Time to Sleep; Count - Denise Fleming

Corduroy - Don Freeman 

Ox Cart Man - Donald Hall

A House is a House For Me - Mary Ann Hoberman

Goodnight Owl; The Wind Blew; Rosie’s Walk - Pat Hutchins

+ Snowy Day; Peter’s Chair - Ezra Jack Keats

Ferdinand - Munroe Leaf

Always Room For One More - Sorche Nic Leodhas

Swimmy; Frederick; Alexander and the Wind Up Mouse - Leo Lionni

Chicka, Chicka Boom, Boom; Barn Dance - Bill Martin

+ Make Way for Duckling - Robert McCloskey 

When the Leaf Blew In - Steve Metzger 

Amazing Airplanes; Terrific Trains - Tony Mitton 

The Little Red Hen - Diane Muldrow

Dogteam; Canoe Days - Gary Paulsen

A Year at Maple Hill Farm - Alice and Martin Provensen

Looking for a Mouse - Phyllis Root

Night in the Country; Bunny Bungalow - Cynthia Rylant

Richard Scarry books

Caps for Sale - Esphyr Slobodkina

Dr. De Soto - William Steig

Owl Moon - Jane Yolen

A Book List: 2+

Here is a book list for children 2 years and up. These could also be read to younger babies as well but the 2+ range is when the children will begin to understand the concepts in these books better.

+ indicates a Caldecott Honor or Medal book.

Booklist 2+

Airport; Trains; Planes; Boats and many more - Byron Barton

ABC; Slowly, Slowly, Said the Sloth - Eric Carle

Noah’s Ark; The Maisy Series; Jazzy; Country Animals; Garden Animals - Lucy Cousins

In the Tall, Tall Grass; In the Small Small Pond - Denise Fleming

Kitten’s First Full Moon; Little White Rabbit, My Garden - Kevin Henkes

A Hole is to Dig - Ruth Krauss

Rainstorm; Trainstop - Barbara Lehman (Wordless)

+ Over in the Meadow - John Longstaff

The Little Train; The Little Auto, Policeman Small and many others - Lois Lenski

A Color of His Own; Swimmy - Leo Lionni

Frog Series - Mercer Mayer (Wordless)

The Little Engine that Could - Watty Piper

The Tale of Peter Rabbit and many others - Beatrix Potter

We're Going on a Bear Hunt - Michael Rosen

Dr. Seuss books

+ The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night - Peter Spier

+ A Sick Day for Amos McGee; Bear Has a Story to Tell - Philip Stead

Mouse Paint - Ellen Stoll Walsh 

Wonders of Nature; Prayers for Children; A Day at the Seashore - Eloise Wilkins