Join me on my quest to make it a habit to write in my journal every day! On Sunday, I taught a lesson (YW Lesson 19) on keeping a personal history which made me realize how important it really is. Especially because I have a terrible memory! I want to leave something behind that my children on down the line can read and know about experiences and feelings I had. It will help them get to know me better, but also may help them with something they will go through.
I challenged the girls in my class to write in their journals every day for 20 days so it would become a habit. I gave the Young Women a handout with the following quotes:
“We urge our young people to begin today to write and keep records of all the important things in their own lives” (“The Angels May Quote from It,” New Era, Oct. 1975, p. 4).
“I promise you that if you will keep your journals and records, they will indeed be a source of great inspiration to your families, to your children, your grandchildren, and others, on through the generations. Each of us is important to those who are near and dear to us and as our posterity read of our life’s experiences, they, too, will come to know and love us. And in that glorious day when our families are together in the eternities, we will already be acquainted” -President Kimball
I also included this list of questions for the days when they are having a hard time knowing what to write about.
There are tons of lists of questions out on the World Wide Web to give you sources of inspiration. I googled “personal history question jar” to get mine. I have a little container I keep word strips of questions in so I can draw one when I need a starting point. I wanted to give the girls in my class their questions in a jar so they could do the same, but I ran out of time and my trash day is Thursday so I did not have enough baby food jars by Saturday (Those small salsa jars would work great too). I was going to spray paint the lids, fill the jars with questions, and attach the quotes with a ribbon.

I found this one when I googled journal question jar and selected images. I love the canister and recipe idea!
So, come one come all and join me on this quest! We will leave our descendants more than a few old boxes to rummage through. We will leave a legacy of thoughts, feelings, experiences and testimonies.
Here’s how we will do it. If you are with me, blog about it (that holds us somewhat accountable, right?) and include the adorable button I created below in your post so others can join in on the fun too! Then, come back here and leave your comment with the link to your post. I will be checking up on you! ;)Here’s the ironic part. I just realized that the challenge will end on my birthday June 9th! What a great way to top it all off! Woo hoo!

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A great challenge.
Mike
http://somethingaboutparenting.typepad.com
Twitter: AboutParenting
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I love this! I have been trying to journal more, but nothing like a challenge to kick my derriere into gear! You probably already know this, ldsjournal.com is a great journaling website. They also give you daily prompts. I absolutely love it!!!
I read your post, realized I needed to teach that same lesson, and challenged my Laurels to it. I’m very excited, great idea!