Bible Journaling

For as long as I can remember I have been a "doodler". My papers in high school had doodles all along the corners and if I was taking notes in college, I spent half of the lecture doodling around my notes or making the notes into doodles. Now, I doodle in my journal during church. For some reason it helps me to actually listen to what the pastor is saying if I am drawing it out in pictures. For years I have felt a little "immature" for all of my doodling. I was equal, in my mind, to the little kids whose moms brought coloring books so that they would be busy and quiet during a service. I was embarrassed by my ways, but I continued. Last month I stumbled onto a pinterest board about bible journaling. It caught my eye because it looked like what my notes always looked like. I ran to Joey, and said, "look other GROWN UPS (and I use that term very loosely for myself) do this same thing I do!" I was so very excited to see that there were others, like me, who maybe learn by doodling or that it helps them to pay attention/focus too! I was so excited that I didn't feel like the "kid" in church for a minute. I looked through pin after pin and blog after blog of the super fun bible journaling ideas. I had no idea that this was "a thing"! Needless to say, I neeeeeeeded one of these journaling bibles (and markers, and highlighters and colored pencils). I was at the Christian book store the next day and was excited to find that there were several options for journaling bibles. Im hoping that my new, fun, addition to studying my bible will help me start my mornings early and in the word. For now, Im still relying heavily on pinterest for inspiration and ideas that I can use and personalize a bit based on verses that touch my heart. Here is a link to my "bible journaling" pinterest board if you want to see some of the really cool ideas that I have found out there. *yep, thats a small spot of chocolate already on the cover. Im not sure if it was left on the table by me, or one of the kids, but I suppose that chocolate on my bible is fitting for me ;)

Some of these aren't finished. I want to write things about the women from Matthew 1 inside their names and I need to add detail to the verse about sin crouching, but Im going to try to take my time and enjoy this process. :) I don't really have any big tips yet, but I have found that its really helpful to put a little notecard or paper under what I am working on so that it doesn't go onto the following page. Also, make sure to test your bible pens before using them, some bleed through. I have found that I really like to use colored pencils the most. I have a pack of watercolor ones but haven't had the courage to add the water yet. I also like the small bible highlighters and colored pens make specifically for bible notes that I got at the Christian bookstore on the end of the bible journaling isle :)