Ordering my Days

Often, I'm asked how come it seems like I'm able to get so much done in a day. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that I make a to-do list every single day. In fact, the only day I don't do that is on Sundays because my entire day is mostly taken up with church.

I find that I do so much better with a plan for my day. If I start off without having any thought for what I want to accomplish, more than likely nothing gets done. I've been doing this for the past 6 years and it has really made a difference in my productivity.

I'm also kind of compulsive in the fact that I love to check things off my list! I make my list on the computer and I highlight each item as I complete it. It just doesn't seem the same without all that nice blue highlighting. LOL!

Here is my plan for today:

* Kids up and dressed
* Walk 3 miles with Dan
* Make breakfast & cleanup kitchen
* Shower & dress
* Strip the beds and remake them
* 3 loads of laundry
* School (Math, English, Bible, Science, Piano Practice)
* Declutter pile that is on the floor by my craft dresser
* Bag up candy that was leftover from Fall Festival for trick or treaters and then TRASH THE REST!
* Lunch & cleanup
* School (Read aloud, Government/Social Studies, P.E.)
* Clean downstairs bathroom
* Get music together for worship leader
* Peel, cut-up & freeze apples
* Make applesauce cookies for dinner out tomorrow
* Make & can applesauce
* Dinner preparation
* Dinner & cleanup
* Emily to Awana; Dan & I out for coffee
* Bed

There you have it! Nothing exciting but at least it's a plan. I find that it helps me to have a compass for my days. I don't always accomplish everything on my list but I do try to. There are days when I struggle to get anything done. I'm tired, I'm stressed, and I'm distracted. Those are the times that I'm reminded of the poem quoted by Elizabeth Elliot:

"At an old English parsonage down by the sea,
there came in the twilight a message to me.
Its quaint Saxon legend deeply engraven
that, as it seems to me, teaching from heaven.
And all through the hours the quiet words ring,
like a low inspiration, 'Do the next thing.'

Many a questioning, many a fear,
many a doubt hath its quieting here.
Moment by moment, let down from heaven,
time, opportunity, guidance are given.
Fear not tomorrow, child of the King,
trust that with Jesus, do the next thing.

Do it immediately, do it with prayer,
do it reliantly, casting all care.
Do it with reverence, tracing His hand,
who placed it before thee with earnest command.
Stayed on omnipotence, safe 'neath His wing,
leave all resultings, do the next thing.

Looking to Jesus, ever serener,
working or suffering be thy demeanor,
in His dear presence, the rest of His calm,
the light of His countenance, be thy psalm.
Do the next thing."