Typically by this time of the year, calendars and planners are marked down to half price and most moms have given up on yet another set of New Year’s resolutions, including the perennial favorite one to get their lives organized. Thankfully, this year there is a new tool on the market that will help revolutionize the homes and spiritual lives of many families.
The Orderly Days planner, by Kate Conway and Motherhood Press, provides a new perspective on time management. The first thing you’ll notice when you receive your Orderly Days planner is the small Rosary ring clipped to the inside of the three ring binder that contains the planner. Conway’s introduction for the planner sets the tone for the tool, stating that her goal is to provide a “traditions day planner that helps you organize your life the way God intended – in a proper and orderly way.”
The Orderly Days planner logo features a gracefully drawn images, and uplifting fonts, artwork and scriptural references are sprinkled throughout. The planner is compact enough to fit in a purse, diaper bag, or to sit neatly at your desk. The Personal Data again reinforces the emphasis on spirituality, by including important parish contact and schedule information among the other high priority items such as name, address and emergency contacts.
Kate Conway expresses the objective of helping women establish a “God-focus” in their lives, enabling all else to fall into place. She gently reminds us to turn to Mary as a role model and intercessor, and lends an ecumenical spirit to the planner through her invitation to women of other faith traditions.
Proving that this planner has staying power, the calendar section includes annual, moveable feasts and secular holidays through 2007. Other important features include a cross section of prayers, prayer request lists and prayer prompts and an array of printed and internet spiritual reference guides. Each week features a “weekly goals” worksheet that gives the user the opportunity to ponder and prioritize the following areas: spiritual growth, home and family, development of spiritual gifts, physical goals, ministry to others and financial goals.
Countless other special features abound in the Orderly Days planner, but I would recommend it most highly for its emphasis on placing a high priority on building and maintaining a solid relationship with God, and letting the benefits of that friendship rule and enhance all other areas of our home and family life.
For more information visit http://www.motherhoodpress.com
Lisa M. Hendey is a mother of two sons, webmaster of http://www.catholicmom.com and http://www.christiancoloring.com, and an avid reader of Catholic literature. Visit her at http://www.lisahendey.com
The Story of One Soul...So Far...
O.K., I’ll admit it…he had me with title. Before I even cracked the cover of Matthew Lickona’s new book Swimming With Scapulars: True Confessions Of A Young Catholic (Loyola Press, April 2005, hardcover, 278 pages), I found myself intrigued. Gratefully, having now read and re-read the book in its entirety, I’ll say I was not disappointed. As a matter of fact, this book is among my favorites for the year – not because I agree 100% with everything Lickona writes in this memoir, but because of his stunningly gifted delivery and the honesty with which he shares his soul.
Living With and Loving Our Teens
One recent morning, as my thirteen year old son slumped sleepily into the kitchen for breakfast, I took a good look at him and realized that I now have a “teenager” living in my house. Up until this moment, I hadn’t really accepted the fact – although he’d reach the chronological age, he still seemed like my little boy. Suddenly now, in the middle of his thirteenth year, I’m back to reading parenting manuals and seeking helpful advice in manner that I haven’t done since my youngest was in the throes of the terrible twos.
Grace-full Parenting – Committing to Nurturing the Souls of our Children
... ... – ... to ... the Souls of our ... ... with Thomas B. Haller, M.Div., MSW, DST, The 10 ... ... with ... Lisa M. ... to th
