Activity Days: Journals

Today was our first official Activity Days activity for the 8-9 year old girls. We decorated journals with lots of accessories: stickers, paper, paint, markers, gems, foam letters and more. The girls really enjoyed being able to decorate just for them. I also gave them a book mark with ideas of what to write in their journals. They pasted them to the inside cover. Click on this link from the theideadoor.com: http://www.theideadoor.com/PDF%20Files/Printables/Journal%20Prompts%20bookmark.pdf I found this article called Keeping a journal on the Idea Door also: http://www.theideadoor.com/PDF%20Files/Printables/Keeping%20a%20Journal.pdf

My Father’s Journal; a true story.
A man died unexpectedly. A few weeks after the funeral, his daughter was helped her mother go through his things. While cleaning out the closet she came across his journal. She was so excited to find something that her father had written. What had he said about her? She sat down on the bed, eager to read about his life. She lifted the leather cover to her face and smelled the musty aroma from being in the closet so long. Then she opened the journal; it contained only blank pages. He father hadn’t written one word of his life. She cried with disappointment.

*What is a journal? *Why should we keep a journal? *Who needs to keep a journal?
*What is the difference between a journal and a diary? *Where can I keep my journal so that no one will read it? *What if my handwriting is REALLY messy? Do I still have to keep a journal? *What if my life is REALLY boring, what do I write in my journal?

o If you are a perfectionist – lower your standards. Keeping a record of you life is the goal – nothing more, nothing less.
o Set a goal – Once a week, twice a week, or everyday. If you go a few days, weeks or months without writing, then pick up your journal and write a short entry. Sunday is a wonderful day to write in your journal, reflecting upon the sacrament, the talks, testimonies and lessons.
o Be honest in your writing.
o Write what is in your heart – not what you think other people expect from you. This is private writing where sorrows and worries can be aired. It is also a place where God can talk to you through your writing.
o Remember the details - date each entry & number pages.
o Take your journal to General Conference, vacations, or other situations where you will have time to make entries.
o Use first and last names when writing about individuals. Identify important locations and people in your entry.
o Forget about: Punctuation & spelling – just do the best you can. Sounding righteous, amazing, or perfect. Selling the rights of your journal for a TV movie.

Items to include in your journal
*Important events, impressions, personal feelings.
*Talks you have written, inspiration you have received, the annual family Christmas letter Personal counsel, promises, blessings received and circumstances surround them.
*Deaths, births, marriages, baptisms, endowments, temple service
*Personal triumphs, failures, challenges and how you handled them
*Current local, national, and world events that impact your life.
*Simple daily occurrences.
*Poems and stories
*Dreams, goals, plans for your future.

Remember – your journals are the field research for you personal history. Expect it to be at times chaotic, boring, inspiring, sad, and joyous with some spelling and grammar errors. Enjoy the journey!
Everyone’s journal is different because everyone’s life is different. There is no right or wrong way to keep a journal. The only mistake you can make with your journal is NOT to write in it!

The girls seemed to enjoy themselves. I served punch & cookies for treat. It seemed to go over very well!