evernote | All is Well

Resource Pages

November 10, 2015 By Shelly Durkee

One of the things I have most enjoyed about hosting this website, is interacting with folks from all over the world, who have stumbled across this site in their research for resources. This has led to new friendships and fascinating conversations with folks that I wouldn’t have otherwise ever met.

So, in case you land in this space and are not aware of the resource pages that are a part of this website, I’d like to share them with you. You can click on each of the titles below, to be taken to that page.

Bible Study Resources

This page contains a listing of resources that you might find helpful in your pursuit of studying scripture and personal worship. Some of these items I use daily; others I turn to occasionally–all I find helpful.

Productivity Apps and Tools

I am a junkie when it comes to productivity tools (and office supplies). I’m always in the search for new and improved resources that will help me take care of my responsibilities efficiently. This page contains a plethora–from tracking to-do’s, to health and fitness, to product that I like. It’s a fun page; I hope you will take a look–maybe you will find something that you can implement and use.

Evernote Tools and Tips

Since my favorite productivity is quickly becoming Evernote, I’ve decided to dedicate a separate page to the tips and tools that I’ve discovered in my development of what using Evernote looks like for me. It is a robust tool and well worth the time invested in learning how to use it well.

Resources for Children With an Incarcerated Parent

When my kids first fell into this category, I was completely overwhelmed. There was so much to learn, and I didn’t know where to go to learn it all: the court system, the process for minors visiting prisons, how to best help them deal with the emotional and social impact of unexpectedly winding up as one of the “1 in 14” children with have an incarcerated parent. I started collecting websites and information as I found it, and I’ve placed it here in this location. This is probably the page that I get contacted the most about, as caregivers begin their desperate search for assistance in navigating such a bewildering world for the children they care for.

Resources for Childhood Victims of Sexual Abuse and Those Who Minister to Them

This is yet another bewildering place for children to tragically land, and for caregivers to face. It’s a horribly shocking and frightening thing, and both the victims and those who are providing care for the victims need solid assistance and safe places to run to. This page provides a listing of excellent resources for those who find themselves in that dark place.

Orphan Care Resources

James 1:27 prods us to give excellent care to orphans and widows. This page provides some links to practical ways that you can incorporate the words of James 1:27 and care for those in great need, around the world.

Evernote Amazing-ness (Or, My Brain) – New Evernote Resource Page

August 28, 2015 By Shelly Durkee

I’m a Neek.

That’s a combination of Nerd and Geek.

Ok, so I just looked up the definition of Nerd. Here it is: “a foolish or contemptible person who lacks social skills or is boringly studious.”

Yep. That fits. Foolish. Contemptible. Lacks Social Skills. Boringly Studious.

Anyone up for a discussion on which dead Russian author best captures the nuances of social relativity and masters character development in such a way that makes the literature as relevant today as it was back when they were not dead?

But, I’m also a Geek. Dictionary: “..an unfashionable or socially inept person.” who “engages in or discuss computer-related tasks obsessively or with great attention to technical detail.” Yep. I’m unfashionable. Socially inept. And I like technology. Probably too much. Except when it comes to eReaders. They are of the devil.

For example, my boy is in IT school right now. He is learning about proxy servers and Active Directory and Domain Controllers and so many other cool things that I work with every day at my job; and I love having geeky conversations with him about it all.

So, I’m a Neek. A Nerd and a Geek.

And that’s why Evernote is perfect for me.

But, for other reasons as well: It is my brain. My filing cabinet. My to-do list.

I’ve been digging a bit deeper into Evernote lately; investigating how I can use it even more efficiently, in an attempt to get my brain back on track. I thought I’d start sharing on occasion some of the very cool things I’ve found.

I’ve created a new Page dedicated to Evernote Ideas, Tips and Tools. You can find get to it two different ways:

At the very top of this page, you will find 4 tabs (above the Header): About Me, Writings, Resources and Contact. Click on Resources to access the drop-down menu. Hover over “Productivity Tools and Apps”, and a side menu will appear with the Evernote Page. Click on that and there you go. Or…..
By clicking on This Link, if you are lazy. Like me. (But the other way is cooler, mainly because it took me forever to figure out how to make it work right–NEEK.)

The Redeeming Value of Lists

February 7, 2015 By Shelly Durkee

Lists save me.

Yes, ultimately the work of the cross has saved me. Ultimately God’s forgiveness of my sins has saved me. Is saving me.

But, there is a very real sense in which making lists save me as well. Like insulin saves a diabetic. Like nitroglycerin saves someone in the throes of a heart attack.

I can’t get by without them.

They order my day. They push me when I get mired. They show me accomplishment and progress, which spurs me on.

I have several smaller lists that I use on a need-to basis–these cover items that I need to do weekly or monthly, or just occasionally in special situations. Like packing for business trips. I have a list, stored in Evernote, for packing. And I rarely deviate from it.

I also have four major lists that I use every. single. day. Ok, maybe occasionally I forego one, or two, or on really tough days, all three. But that is a rarity.

List: Daily Routine

In terms of sheer productiveness and sanity, this list keeps me moving forward. I keep it, as I do all my lists, in Evernote, and it is the first thing I open after prayer/study and checking work email to make sure there isn’t an urgent task that needs to be tackled. While my third list (below) is the foundation–the absolute bedrock–of my day and life, this list frames each day. It consists of 4 sections:

Morning Routine
Daily Routine
Before Bed Routine
Daily To-Dos

This is where I list all the things that make up my “every” day: Sweep the floor. Do a load of laundry. Exercise 30 minutes. One hour of writing. Clean desk. Empty Dishwasher. I even have “Get Dressed” on there. That may sound ridiculous, but those of you who may have battled clinical depression or other challenges know that it is far from ridiculous. Marking these items off my list every single day does more for my mind than I can explain. There is a book titled “Do Something” by Miles McPherson. I don’t think I ever read it; I just remember seeing its cover each time I worked Lifeway. I have no idea what the book is about, but there is a lot of wisdom in that short title. When I don’t know what to do next, this list tells me. Just do the next thing. And the next.

Do List

This list is reserved for Action Items that fall under my responsibility. For example, right now on my list I have the following:

Return tables
Set up collaborative meeting with illustrator for second children’s book
Send By-laws to 127WW Administrative Subgroup
Do Taxes
Plan Outer Banks/Tim’s Boot Camp Trip

These are all items that I need to work on as I get time to. If they are urgent, they get moved to the top of the list and placed in my calendar with reminders. If they are not urgent, I work on them in those 15 minute windows of time, such as when I take a lunch break. Sometimes this list feels overwhelming: It’s a bit longer than what I’ve shared here. But if I don’t capture these Action Items in Evernote, they get lost. Lost items do not get done.

Day Zero Project

My Day Zero Project list is where I set my longer term goals. It is actually a website that helps you track 101 goals in 1001 days. I dream big there. Here is just a sample of items I’m tracking:

Reach My Goal Weight
Ask 40 Friends to suggest one book, read them all
Travel Somewhere by Train
Run the Color Run
Write a Book
Move to Montana

I have 80 items on my list so far, with 780 days left. I’ve reached 20% of my goals completed. Each goal comes with the ability to attach progress notes, pictures and files. I can quickly glance and see which items are completed, which items are in progress, and which items haven’t been started yet. I don’t work on this list every day, but I open it once a day to quickly review so that these goals are never far from my mind. You can make your own Day Zero Project List by clicking on those words above.

My Most Important List

While listed last here, this list–like mentioned above–is the bedrock to my existence. That sounds dramatic, but there is no other way to describe it. It actually consists of 4 lists that I use for Bible Study/Prayer/Writing early each morning. It’s the first thing I open when I get up, usually anywhere between 5 and 6 am. Don’t be impressed by that; I’ve always been an early morning person. Or a late at night person. Or a middle of the night person. Ok, so sleep can be a bit challenging for me. Regardless, of when I rise, these lists are where I go. They were shared with me several years ago when I was desperate to know if God was real and, if He was real, if He saw and knew who I was. These lists helped pave the way to solidifying those things in both my mind and my soul. They consist of the following four sub-sections:

Adoration
Confession
Thanksgiving
Intercession/Supplication

Each list contains scriptures that have become like old, flannel shirt to me. Familiar. Comforting. Reassuring. That’s not to mean they are all easy. They are not. Even after studying them several times, they still have a kick to them, especially those centered around both Confession and Adoration. This list prods me to the daily writing of my prayers. It keeps me consistent in praying for others–not “Prayer Request List” prayers, but earnest, focused prayer. I don’t tell people I’m praying for them unless I’m actually praying for them, and this is the avenue I use for that. These lists also send me into deeper study of certain passages. I have to be careful about that, though, because I’m much more comfortable studying than interacting with God on a personal level. But the study aspect is important, too.

Is this list a sure-fire formula that I will experience God or commune with Him (whatever that is supposed to mean) each morning? No, it is not. There are many mornings that I “feel” nothing. That I don’t sense His presence. But that doesn’t preclude this early morning meeting with God, no matter what the outcome or “feeling” from working steadily on my mind/soul. It. Just. Does. I don’t understand it. And I’ve given up trying.

There are times that I don’t use Adoration/Confession/Thanksgiving/Intercession in the mornings. Sometimes I use other things; reading a book of the Bible in one setting, or sometimes I am wrecked enough that the morning consists of just writing out scripture–turning the words over and over in my head and on paper until I am settled. But many mornings my soul is focused on these four things. They’ve become a lifeline. Not my life, although I can certainly slide down that slope of legalism so easily. I’m good at that. But they help me remember that God is my life. There is no other.

Wrapping Up

There is not magic formula. I wish there was. You can read my writings on Checkbox Christianity for my thoughts on that. Good gracious, I wish there was a formula. A works-based salvation, even. But there is not.

Even though there is not, there is something to be said for routine. For measurable, trackable routine. I track everything. How many calories I eat. How many steps I take in a day. What books I read. I know that today is Friday, which means I need to clean out my car. It sounds rigid, controlling. Non-spontaneous. But it’s what I need.

I can’t deny the effects using lists have had on my life. I’ve always used lists, even when I was a little girl. I kept a list of my sins, even. And a catalog of my favorite stickers from my sticker collection (remember those?) I regularly inventoried my books. So, keeping lists come naturally to me. But in recent years, they have become more than natural, they’ve become life-saving.

If you’d like more information on how to set up lists, particularly My Most Important List (Bible Study/Prayer), please send me a message. I’d love to share ideas with you and introduce you to the tools that have been vital to me.

My Favorite Apps and Programs: Productivity and Study

August 11, 2012 By Shelly Durkee

I spent some time this week streamlining my computer and other devices–weeding out what I don’t use and brushing up on the latest updates for the programs and applications that I do use. I thought it might be interesting and fun to write a post about my favorite apps and programs, and what I use them for.

Calendar: Cozi

I’ve tried all sorts of calendar options….and have finally settled on Cozi. I resisted Cozi for a long time because it seems so “soccer mom-ish”, but then I realized I am a soccer mom. 🙂 Cozi has all the features I need. I now have the ability to create calendars for each of my children and integrate them into one master schedule. Cozi supports text messaging, so I can send the entire family, or just one child, a text reminding them of upcoming appointments or games. I can seamlessly move between my computer and phone application, so I always have my calendar with me.

To-Do: Omnifocus

While Cozi does have a To-do list, and I do use it to assign tasks to the kids, for my own personal To-do tasks I prefer to use OmniFocus. This is a program that I did pay for, but it has been well-worth it. Based on the “Getting Things Done” methods, OmniFocus provides its users with multiple ways to set up their to-do lists. Each item can be classified in one of two ways: either by Project or by Context. I especially appreciate the Context set-up—for example, when I sit down at my desk, all I have to do is look up “Desk Work” and knock out the things that can be done while sitting at my desk.

Bible Study: Logos

By far the best money investment I have made in computer software or applications and my most important computer software. Logos has become an integral part of my daily life, particularly, a part of my spiritual disciplines routine. I use it for prayer, for journaling, and for thorough Bible Study. Even the most basic package in Logos is worth the money spent. Easy to use, but with enough features for in-depth study, Logos far outpaces other Bible Study software programs. It also comes with Apps for both the iPhone and iPad so that I can take my Bible study and notes with me everywhere I go.

File and Notekeeping: Evernote

While I’d like to think my brain is still young and sharp, I’m finding it harder and harder to remember things. Evernote helps to solve that problem. Their Logo is aptly stated: Remember Everything. I am just now starting to grasp the value of Evernote as I begin to do some more serious writing and research, so I am still learning the program. But essentially, I can drop anything I want to “keep” in Evernote, and organize it in such a way that I can easily get my hands on it when I need it and can use it. I bought a book titled My Evernote by Katherine Murray that is helping me to really learn how to make the most of Evernote. Another good investment that I’ve been pleased by.

Fitness-My Fitness Pal

When I am disciplined enough to use it, My Fitness Pal has been the best program I have found for calorie counting and exercise monitoring. Very simple and easy to use, this application is an encouragement to anyone wanting to “get back in shape”, or, in other words, lose weight. Hmmm. The only problem I have with this application is not the application itself, but my own willpower that falls short. Ugh.

Reader- Google Reader

There are several blogs and websites that I like to “keep up” with, and the best method I have found is still “old-fashioned” Google Reader. I’ve tried other programs, the most recent one being Zite, but I always come back to Google Reader. I think that is because of it’s simplicity. I can quickly scan and pull up the websites and blogs that most capture my attention and read them in detail, or I can skim the basics in Reader. Often I use Google Reader and Evernote in tandem, depositing in Evernote the articles, information and research that I may need for a project later on.

Reading-Kindle

I still don’t know where I fall on the printed book vs. ebook argument. I like them both, so I guess I fall right in the middle. I do find myself using Kindle more often than printed books because ebooks have simply been cheaper. Kindle is the best ebook reading program that I have used. You don’t have to own a Kindle to use Kindle. Kindle can be downloaded for free for both PC and Macs, and there is a free iPhone Kindle reader as well. The iPhone Kindle app has been a great tool as I sit and wait to pick up my kids from different places, or sit and wait at a doctor’s office. Kindle affords me the ability to highlight (which I do frequently) as well as share what I am reading via Facebook and Twitter.

Other apps that I use: