2021 Homemaker's Friend Daily Planner

 2021 Homemaker's Friend Daily Planner

The 2021 Homemaker's Friend Daily Planner is still available.  If you are still looking for a planner for the upcoming year, I encourage you to check this one out.  I've been using it for years and it's been my favorite.  I'm always finding new ways to utilize it.

My favorite section is the week by week planning area.  At the top there is space to write the tasks to be done and then there are spaces for each day with lines.  The day and date are clearly marked so it's easy to find.  I like that the day is divided into 2 sections so I make one for morning and one for afternoon evening.  There is also a small space to write out your menu plan.  It's simple, but it's so nice to have a whole week on one open page layout.  

I am including a video I made this summer of the complete layout.  You can click HERE. 

(The coupon code is no longer available)

 

I have been having fun starting to fill out my new planner.  And even though this year wasn't exactly how any of us planned doesn't mean we need to stop planning.  There are still birthdays, phone calls, playdates (in person or online), tasks to do, food to make, etc.  

Also, when you buy the planner you get free meal planning templates.  

The 2021 Homemaker's Friend Daily Planner is $15.99.  Be sure to use my link.  Thanks!

Let me know if you are using this planner too!  

{I am an affiliate for this company.}

Thoughts on my recent social media fast

 

Hi, it's Shonda!  I'm here to share about my 40 day social media fast.

This past year has been tough.  I don't know about you, but I internalize a lot.  In fact, when I'm scrolling in social media, I take in so much information I can't hardly breathe.  Then I start to mull everything over in my mind and I become anxious and irritated with everything around me.  I cry out to God and I cry into my pillow.  I don't like myself very much.

And I was getting frustrated with all the time I was spending on social media and my phone in general.  So I got this random email from someone I subscribe to but rarely read and she said that she took 2 weeks off of Instagram and shared some lessons she learned.  She also said there was a setting on her phone to help her create the "pause" she needed from social media.

This intrigued me.  I thought, can I take some time off social media?  I know I've thought about this before, but didn't exactly know how to do it.  The addiction is real.  So I found the setting on my phone.  For Android it's called Digital Wellbeing.  In this setting I could limit times or eliminate altogther without having to delete the app.  I honestly don't want to give up social media, but I needed parameters.  So I set times on phone for certain apps and when they went gray that was it for the day.  I burned through the times so fast!  I still continued to be on my phone WAY more than I wanted.

Are you relating to my story at all?

Enter The 40 Day Social Media Fast book launch team invite!  EEEK!  I knew author Wendy Speake had done an annual social media fast, but I never joined the band wagon.  Then this invite showed up in my inbox.  I decided it was time to break up with social media for 40 days.  I honestly didn't know if I could do it.  I post multiple times a day and scroll over and over in all the pockets of my day.  It was going to be ugly or so I thought.  But God was preparing my heart.  As the day grew closer for the shut down, I grew excited!  I wanted freedom and time.  But more than that I wanted God.

The first few days were odd.  I kept going to my phone to check...what?  I actually did not delete or uninstall, but I limited the app to like 1 min so it would go gray as soon as I even entertained the thought of looking at it.  I also moved the apps to a different screen on my phone.  The main ones I took a break from were Facebook and Instagram.  My big time wasters.  

Each day of my social media fast I read a chapter in Wendy's book (The 40 Day Social Media Fast).  This was my grounding for the day.  I started reading more, being still, working on my memory verses, delving back into some Bible studies I had put aside, wrote in my journal each day.  It was such a feeling of peace to go through my morning routine and not be dragged down by the onslaught of information.I also unsubscribed from a lot of emails.   Now, don't get me wrong, I love reading about my friends, looking at pictures of what's happening and especially looking for prayer requests.  And while I lay all that down for several weeks, I thought about how to continue my connection with friends.  

I met a few new real life friends, I texted with several friends and I made spending time with family a better priority.  But most of all I was able to stop and listen to God more.  I am going to tell you that my life was not just Bible study and prayer.  Unfortunately, I did open up Youtube and I watched a few movies on Netflix.  I got caught up in a some Youtube drama and probably watched way too many videos of a new music group I found.  However, Wendy addresses these other distractions in her book as well.  I know that to be successful in fasting I really need to lay it ALL down.  

I share all this to say that fasting is a personal, private and spiritual decision.  I'm sharing to encourage you that if you think you cannot fast from something (that is probably your idol), then you need to pray for God to draw you close to Him.  I do notice that when I cut down the noise of social media or sugar or whatever is capturing my attention, I can really open up to God and hear Him.  

Blessings and love, Shonda

The 40 Day Social Media Fast by Wendy Speake Book Review

 

The 40 Day Social Media Fast: Exchange Your Online Distractions for Real-Life Devotion by Wendy Speake is book that challenges you to take 40 days off of social media in order to tune out the world and tune into God.  Each chapter starts with a title to discuss, a verse pertaining to the topic and Wendy's stories of how God has been shaping her through fasting social media.  At the end of each chapter is a prayer that Wendy writes to spur the reader to pray and seek God in that concept for the day.  She gives a basic outline for a digital detox that the reader can utilize to begin the 40 day social media fast.  Wendy pours her heart into this book to challenge and equip people to pursue God in a powerful and life changing way.   Each daily reading is a starting point to press further into God and farther away from the world.  She always says, "The point of fasting is always feasting."  

                             

I was both anxious and excited to review this new book about fasting by Wendy Speake.  Last year she published The 40 Day Sugar Fast and this year is The 40 Day Social Media Fast.  I see a theme!  Wendy has a unique and powerful platform to teach about fasting.  What is fasting?  It's "merely denying yourself something temporal and ordinary in order to experience the One who is eternally extraordinary."  She chooses what is hard to give up (temporarily).  When I saw this coming as an opportunity to be on the book review launch team, I took a deep breath and took the plunge.  I had been wanting to "stop scrolling and start strolling with God."  I just didn't know how I was going to follow through.  I wanted more than anything to draw close to God and give up my distractions.  I was so grateful for the daily reading that gave me hope for the day to release my hold on the temporary and reach for the eternal.  There were days I longed to post something or check on something, but as the days went on, I started rejoicing in my freedom.  I know that I could have spent more time with God which was my ultimate purpose, but I plan to do this again and even as I start to go back online, I have set boundaries to keep me from being as distracted as I used to be. 

Some of my favorite quotes (actually there were SO many, it was hard to choose): 

*"What the world values is of no value to God."

*"When you put your phone down, it's easier to lift your eyes up."

 

*"That which you turn to most often is what turns you away from God."

*"The best life is the content life.  When we have Christ, we have enough."

*"What we need more than the news is the GOOD NEWS!"

Find out more at 40daysocialmediafast.com or order a copy of the book on Amazon at https://amzn.to/3dGWKoE

Check out the book trailer HERE.

*I was given a complimentary copy of this book for review from NetGalley.  All opinions are my own.*

2021 Homemaker's Friend BOGO sale will end July 31!

Hurry, hurry!  The sale only lasts until July 31.  See below. 

The NEW 2021 planner is available + get a free 2020 planner with this BOGO offer.

 OR just get $2 off the NEW 2021 Homemaker's Friend Daily Planner!

This planner has truly been my friend this year.

BUY HOMEMAKER'S FRIEND DAILY PLANNER 2021

GET 2020 PLANNER TOO!

OR just purchase the 2021 planner with the same code.

Click HERE to purchase (see page layouts).

Only $15.99 plus FREE menu planning downloads

Special for my readers only! 

USE CODE:  BOGO21  for $2.00 off

(Comes to $13.99 for 2

OR $13.99 for the 2021 planner)

This offer only good through July 31, 2020!

Get your PLANNERS today!! 

(I am an affiliate for this company)

Check out my Youtube video (click on link)

2021 Homemaker's Friend Daily Planner + BOGO offer for 2021 and 2020

It's here, it's here!! 

The NEW 2021 planner is available + get a free 2020 planner with this BOGO offer.

 That's right you get 6 FREE months of planning for the prince of ONE!

NOW, I know it's been the strangest year ever and you think, I haven't used my planner and I don't feel like a planner will be of any use any time soon.  I get it.  

BUT, this planner has some features that might help to realign your thinking on a daily or weekly basis.

Every year I choose the Homemaker's Friend Daily Planner because it works for me!

There are so many great features wrapped up in this little book: 

*Yearly calendar with extra space for journaling

*Monthly calendars with a space to write goals for each month

*Weekly layout with places for task list, birthdays/appointments and menu

*Tasks list or whatever lists you want to make (I like writing down what I read, memorize, good recipes to remember, etc.)

*Projects lists for birthdays, house projects, business/ministry projects

*Other information like phone numbers, important dates, frequent business listings

*Tear out shopping lists with space at the back to write clothing sizes, gift idea and master shopping lists

*Double sided pocket for storing receipts, stamps business cards, etc.

Of course, one of the best features is the weekly Scripture verse which keeps me focused on what is truly important.  I plan to read it everyday during that week. 

There are a LOT of ways to use this handy planner.  I keep it on the counter in the kitchen, throw it in my to go bag or sit and pencil in plans and ideas. 

This planner has truly been my friend this year.  I ended up crossing lots of things off, but I also spent more time keeping tabs on what was most important. 

BUY HOMEMAKER'S FRIEND DAILY PLANNER 2021

GET 2020 PLANNER TOO!

Click HERE to purchase (see page layouts).

Only $15.99 plus FREE menu planning downloads

Special for my readers only! 

USE CODE:  BOGO21  for $2.00 off

(Comes to $13.99 for 2)

This offer only good through July 31, 2020!

Get your PLANNERS today!! 

(I am an affiliate for this company)

The Land Beneath Us by Sarah Sundin Book Review

The Land Beneath Us by Sarah Sundin is the 3rd book in the series Sunrise at Normandy.  This series is about three brothers torn apart by thievery and betrayal and each runs off to a different branch of the military.  While serving the country, they encounter many situations that bring them to learn to not only forgive their brothers, but also themselves as they culminate in their ultimate challenge at D-Day. 

Clay Paxton is the youngest of the the three brothers.  His girlfriend was stolen by one of his brothers, his other brother stole his money and he was left to help run the family business when he wanted to be a physician.  But a recurring nightmare draws him to enlist in the Army Rangers.  He bumps into the pretty new librarian at Camp Forrest.  They begin a casual conversation friendship.  Leah Jones is an orphan desperately looking for her long lost sisters.  She stays late many nights at the library until one night her innocence is shattered and Clay comes to her rescue.  Just before he ships off to prepare for training, Clay marries Leah for the sake of convenience and makes a promise to provide for her especially since he feels death is imminent as he continues to have this nightmare. As they begin their long distance marriage, they both begin to fall in love with one another.  Leah's search for her family intensifies and Clay's death dream gets stronger until he finally sees that loving Leah is what his future holds as he dodges a bullet.  But will Leah accept the love Clay offers?

I loved the conclusion to the Sunrise at Normandy series with this sweet love story.  Both Clay and Leah needed to learn the gift of giving love away and accepting love at the right moments.  There were many details I left out of my review as I urge you to read this book to see how the main characters find peace in the midst of a global war. 

Find more about The Land Beneath Us and Sarah Sundin here: http://www.sarahsundin.com/books/the-land-beneath-us/

*I was given a complimentary copy of the book from Revell.  All opinions are my own.*