“Forgetfulness is a spiritual pandemic ravaging humanity, with dangerous and lethal repercussions.” -John Eldredge
What is this?
Re:Collect is more than just a unique journaling practice; it's become an essential part of our lives. Each month, we take time to look back, paying close attention to the events and moments that might have slipped our minds—the times when God answered prayers, showed up, or took care of things we had forgotten about. This simple act of reflection has had a profound impact on us, and we recommend it wholeheartedly to others.
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Slowing down and recording the happenings in our lives while seeking God's hand in them has transformed us over the past 14 years. It started during a challenging season, but it's now become a habit—a habit of seeking God's kindness and faithfulness in each passing month and year. It's incredible how much we tend to forget, but Re:Collect journaling serves as a powerful reminder of the Father's love and His continuous presence in our lives. If you embrace this practice and allow it to become a regular part of your life, we can confidently say it will also change your life and deepen your connection with God. We all need help in paying attention and being reminded of His goodness, and Re:Collect journaling has been that lifeline for us, drawing us closer to the source of all love and grace.
Steps to Re:Collect
The Goal: The Yearly Retreat
This is where the real impact is made! After a full calendar year, collect all 12 months of re:collections and print them out. (or get fancy and make a spiral bound notebook like we do) Take a day or two to retreat with your spouse or friend and look back over the past year. Armed with a pen and highlighter, get ready to witness the abundant goodness and kindness of our God as you look over your entire the entire year!
The Stages
Re:Collect journaling unfolds as a 12-month journey divided into two stages. Download our guide below to learn how we do both!
Monthly Re:Collect
Throughout the year, you engage in our monthly Re:Collect phase of your journaling, where you gather the moments, events, and happenings as they unfold each month. This phase captures life in real-time, collecting the essence of each month's experiences as they naturally occur when you look back. This phase happens once per month and takes about 30-60 minutes to complete.
Yearly Retreat
The culmination of our journey is the yearly retreat, a time when you escape with your spouse at the end of the year for a day or so. With your journal full of the all the moments from the past 12 months in hand, armed with a pen and highlighter, you embark on the task of recognizing God's constant presence in the intricate details of your year – the very essence of "recollect." During this retreat, you come to realize the guiding hand of God in your life and His boundless goodness. This dedicated time is also an opportunity to discuss your aspirations for the forthcoming year, evaluate successes and setbacks, and express gratitude for those who played significant roles in your journey.
The Practice
Every month, Ashley and I set aside 30-60 minutes to look back on the previous month. We use calendars, photos, and social media to remember all that happened. It's surprising how much we forget, especially the good and kind things God allowed us to experience. This journaling practice embodies the essence of Re:Collect—reflecting on God's work in our lives each month and then during our yearly retreat, looking back on the whole year. It helps us combat our tendency to focus on the negative and fear of the future, and instead reminds us of God's goodness and His presence in our lives.
Our Story
The Genesis of the Re:Collect Journal
In 2009, just three weeks after our first daughter was born, I lost my job unexpectedly. I was working for a start up company in San Francisco, CA and they called to let me know I didn't have a job anymore. With a new baby and three years into marriage, this was a difficult blow. We moved back to Texas, where we had to live with my parents for ten months while I searched for work. We found ourselves relying on government assistance to get by.
During that time, we attended The Village Church in Flower Mound, TX, where we were inspired to create a monthly journaling ritual. We started being intentional with documenting our life, writing down the things that happened each month, looking for God's hand and the ways He showed up. This practice gave us hope and reminded us of His provision, love, and kindness. We continued this tradition for the last 14 years, recollecting all that God has done each month. It has become an essential tool in our marriage, strengthening our relationship with each other and increasing our trust and faith in the Lord.
About The Hardcastle's
Since that challenging moment in 2009, we have been truly blessed by God with the addition of three more wonderful children: Leighton, Cruz, and Roman, in addition to our eldest, Azzi. Ashley and I first met during our college days, and since 2006, we've been happily married. Together, we manage our real estate brokerage, The Real Estate Project. While I handle the business side of things, Ashley has taken on the primary role of nurturing and raising our four children. She's actively involved in their education and serves as a part-time homeschool teacher, with all four of our kids attending Lucas Christian Academy. As a family, we take pride in being active members of Citizens Church in Plano. Currently, our home is in Frisco, TX...where we do our monthly Re:Collect.
The Hope & Prayer
We sincerely wish to share this meaningful endeavor with you, hoping that you will embark on this journey alongside us, rediscovering the kindness of God in your own life and family. Our vision is to foster a global community of individuals and families who engage in this journaling practice regularly, making it a monthly and yearly tradition. Witnessing the significant impact it has had on our lives, we are confident it will bring a positive transformation to yours as well!
-JT & Ashley Hardcastle
Contact Us:
Email: jthardcastle@gmail.com
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