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January 7, 2007 - The C.C.C. Assignment #1
Okay ladies... we're up and running! I'm so happy that you've taken the first steps to de-cluttering your heart and homes! What a great way to start 2007!! If you haven't done so already, please take a moment to "suscribe" to The Colossal Clutter Clean-Up Notification on the sidebar. This way, you will be notified of all posts about the C.C.C. Also, if you'd like more "personal" accountability and encouragement, sign up on A CLEAN HEART Forum where you can chat with other women who are in the same boat as you!
Don't forget to print out the additional print outs as well (they're printed out the "landscape" way)
If you don't already use a journal, there's one at the end of the booklet. Print out the cover page (on page 59) and as many journal pages (on page 61) as you'd like. By using a journal you can keep track of your journey and what the Lord reveals to you throughout this time. Some day your daughter or daughter-in-law may be struggling and you could look back and remember your own struggles or show her yours to read. You could either make a separate journal, or put it at the end of your organizer so it's all together. This is your organizer, so mark it up, highlight, write your thoughts... use the whole thing as a journal to remember this time of your life.
Read to page 17. STOP! Spend some time on this. Don't go on yet. I know that your "excited" to get a move on de-cluttering your home, but this isn't going to be successful if you ignore the heart issue... YOUR HEART! This isn't some 'GET YOUR HOUSE DE-CLUTTERED IN AN HOUR' kind of thing. This is goes deeper and addresses the REAL problem. Ladies, you MUST take some time and examine your heart. In it lies the answer to your struggles. This is not a step that you can think about while you're doing everything else. YOU MUST CLEAN YOUR HEART OUT FIRST. Now, realize that this will be a continual process throughout The Colossal Clutter Clean-Up, but you must begin here and spend some time with the Lord before moving on. After reading up to page 17, fill out page 16 and write some more thoughts in your journal. Now, I know that this may seem like something you can just skip over and come back to later... but YOU CAN'T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you don't deal with your heart issues first, you will not be successful with de-cluttering your home. Your heart is the reason behind your clutter, and you and the Lord must deal with it together! Even if you've read further than this already, go back and spend time really looking at your heart. Your home may be a disaster... but it is a direct correlation to what your heart looks like.
Once again, I'm so glad you're here and I'm proud of you! With the Lord's strength and guidance, you can do this! Begin this challenge with Him... you can't do this alone. Clean your heart before Him and ask Him to join you along this trek.
I may give this a go. I feel like i have lost the first week of January. THe house is a mess, and I definitely have some heart issues to deal with, although not necessarily to do with clutter. But, I could use some work in this area too. Might as well tackle it now. I wonder if you will address kids and chores too with this. That is my big need area. Not so much clutter, but organizing and keeping things clean. I have gotten so lazy.
Susan
Sunday (7th) the Lord showed me a new connection to why I keep so much. I sometimes was told growing up that I was wasteful. Since my Granny kept a lot of things I decided I better do the same so I wasn't wasteful. I knew as an Army brat I hung onto things because I had to keep getting rid of stuff when we were moved (frequently). I never connected to being wasteful before. It is good to know I CAN CHOOSE to do things differently now! By the way, I was sure you came to my house to take those pictures, but then the furniture and room size didn't match. Thanks for all your effort and encouragement!
I will be addressing maintaining your heart and home... but the book isn't done yet! tee hee... this book was needed first for some. I know what you're saying though, and we're working on it in our home now... will have more information on that in the future.
Some things that have happened recently have definately proven to me that my not having a clean heart permiates through our whole family. Time to change and clean it. Thank you, this couldn't have come at a better time. We really do get what we need when we ask!
Thanks for the CCC Amy! In reading through the journal and pondering p36 (Where did all the clutter come from), I feel I've finally come to a place (with God's help) of being able to REALLY let go, once and for all, of everything I've been keeping for "one day"! :-) I'm so looking forward to working my way through the house and letting go of all the excess.
One thing that has helped a lot too, is picturing in my mind the kind of home I want to have, and listing adjectives to describe it (uncluttered, peaceful, cozy, welcoming etc etc). Then when I am assessing each item to put back in an area I'm cleaning out, I can also ask myself, does this FIT the home I'm wanting to create? That helps a lot to get rid of all the stuff I've collected to "beautify" my home, but is really just clutter! (The exception is something that I need and use, but might not be "perfect" - I can be content with those things in the meantime, but also be on the lookout for the "right" replacement when God opens a window of opportunity).
This is just what I need. Amt, thank God for guiding you to do this. My house and heart are both filled with clutter and I had high hopes for 2007 that I could deal with both. I know now, that with the help of the CCC, I can and will. It will help being accountable to all of you who are also going through this journey with me.
Happy New Year and God Bless you.
Minarda
