What's On My Nightstand, the longest edition ever

I love to read.  My hobby began when I was in first grade and I read my first Garfield book on my own.  It developed from there and before I knew it, I could usually be found with my nose buried in a book.  My siblings were grown and out of the house, so reading was my constant companion.  Reading spilled over into my love for writing, and as long as I can remember, I have also loved to write.  I have a constant parade of words marching through my brain, which is why you can usually find a journal in my purse or a note on the app on my phone.

My love of reading includes blogs, articles, magazines of interest (I do not love every magazine, only helpful ones), poetry and hymn books.

I know.  That last one was weird.  I just love words in general, and I love things written a long time ago.  (I currently have a book on hymns that we're reading together, Jonah, Noah and I.  The hymn is written out and the story behind the hymn is also on the page.)  

I was asked how to know what to read recently, so I thought I would share that process with you on here.  The process of picking out books is a personal one, so I would start with that.  

What interests you?  Do you only read fiction?  Nonfiction?  

My tastes are changing as the years go by, and this year I've read way more nonfiction that I have of any other type of book.  Another reason I know so much about books is because I am always looking for a new one.  I talk to people, I read blogs that tell me when a new one comes out, I review books for companies and I have a constant "recommended for you" list on Amazon.  

I also follow a lot (A LOT) of authors on social media, and I become familiar with them so I can be on book launch teams and sneak preview lists.  I don't remember how that started, but it happens quickly.  The more launch teams or sneak preview lists I'm on, the more my name is "out there" and I'm regularly contacted by publishing companies and Lifeway.  I am currently on Jen Hatmaker's launch team for her new book that will release in August, For The Love, and before that one, I was on Kelly Minter's for her latest Bible study, What Love Is.  Included in the list are Beth Moore and Jennifer Rothschild, and just last week, somebody sent me a free book to read and a whole bunch of little mini booklets to hand out at church, on how to end human trafficking.  

I have plenty of time to spare, but I might run out of room in my house.  

All that being said, I thought I would share what books are currently on my nightstand.

1.  Hinds Feet In High Places, by Hannah Hurdard.  I LOVE this book!  My friend Abbey pretty much forced me into reading it (ha!) and I love it.  It's not that old, but the way that it's written is old fashioned.  It's written as an allegory.  

2.  Having A Mary Heart In A Martha World, by Joanna Weaver.  I shared about this book on Monday, on social media.  I made it to the halfway point last night and hope to finish it today.  I want to loan it to a friend I will see tomorrow.  It's about slowing down and taking the time to rest at the feet of Jesus, and clearing our lives of busyness and worry.

3.  One Year Book of Devotions.  I just picked this one back up recently.  I was craving a morning devotion, so I started this one last week.  Each day has a verse and a story.  I don't always do these, and that's not all of the Bible that I read.  I recently stopped reading the Bible in its chronological way because I was not paying attention to what I was reading.  So while I am reading everyday, I pick a portion.  Yesterday I read a bit in Titus, 1 and 2 Timothy.  Today I am reading Philippians.

4.  Secrets, by Robin Jones Gunn.  This one is short, fictional and mindless, because that's what I need before falling to sleep.

I'm also trying to finish a book we're doing in community group on Sunday nights, but I'm not including that one.

Some other great ones I've read lately are:

1.  A Little Salty To Cut The Sweet, by Sophie Hudson.

2.  Home Is Where My People Are, by Sophie Hudson.

3.  Nobody's Cuter Than You, by Melanie Shankle.

4.  Multiply, by Francis Chan.

And lastly, what I'll be reading next:

1.  Sparkly Green Earrings, by Melanie Shankle.

2.  The Yada Yada Prayer Group Series, by Neta Jackson.  (There are 6 or 7 in this series, and this will be my third time to read through them.  They are my favorite.)

3.  No Longer A Slumdog, by K.P. Yohannan

4.  Where The River Runs, by Kelly Minter.  

Out of that last list, I already own them all, except for the top one, which I ordered this morning. 

I get stuck on authors sometimes, and will read everything they've ever written.  I also make myself read all throughout the day.  Let's face it~homeschooling four boys does NOT take seven hours everyday, and when they're working, I have a rule about trying to stay home.  I do not sit and watch television all day, either, and there is only a certain kind of "clean" you can get your house to.  So I read.  While they do their work, I am either piddling around in the kitchen and cleaning or organizing it, or I'm doing my Bible study homework, or I'm reading and taking notes.  I am very disciplined about what I let myself do or what I don't let myself do (binge watch Netflix everyday), and if I'm reading, I'd like it to be helpful, so I take notes.  

I have the time because of those things listed above and I read really quickly.

I realize that this doesn't work for everyone, but it's what works for me.  And it gives you a glimpse into me that makes me seem really weird and freakish.  I am appalled to tell you that my family does not share my love for reading.  In fact, they pretty much despise it.  They do read, though, because I make them.  Currently Jonah is reading an autobiography on LeBron James and Noah is reading a fiction book by Mike Lupica.  Graham and Drew are not reading anything at the moment, but we might change that later today.

I've been asked these questions in the past, which is what compelled me to write this lengthy (and maybe boring, to some of you) post.  I always love talking about books, though, so it was easy for me to write.  :)  

Thanks for reading!  Love to all.   

who do you look to?

This morning my son Drew and I went with our friend Abbey to see his best friend's spring choir concert.  I am so glad I went!  That was not in the original blue print for our week, but I am all about the spontaneity that homeschooling allows us.

The reason I went is because of my friend.  She would never say this about herself, but as a mom, I appreciate her honesty.  Drew contacted her yesterday about riding with her to Andrew's concert, and while she didn't mind, she has a rule about boys and riding in her car, and that is that she will not ever (in any circumstance) allow herself to ride alone with just one boy.  I love that rule and appreciate her for living her life in a way that is above reproach.

I am reminded of a verse that I love about this, found in 1 Timothy 4:12:

Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.

And it kinda goes along with what I wanted to write about today.

I was watching the high school choir perform this morning, and I was reminded of the fact that we need to be careful of who we follow.  (Or, of who we look to as an example.)  For instance, in one of the songs the choir sang, at the end of the song, they all started swaying to the left and right.  Their director was doing the same, and they were simply following her lead, looking to her again and again to stay on track.

And much like the choir was looking to their director, so people are looking to me.  To you.

Instantly, I was convicted of things I allow in my life.  I have mentioned on here recently that I have made a promise to God and to myself to only read a specific type of book this year (and hopefully, from here on out).  I was also convicted of what I watch.  And while I don't watch anything most people would consider bad, I am always thinking about what I am allowing into my mind and my heart.  I have this philosophy about that~garbage in, garbage out.  I tell the boys that all the time.  What you put into your mind and your heart will eventually come out of your mouth.

Saturday night when Todd went to work and the boys were all gone, I tried to watch a movie.  I won't mention the name, but it wasn't even like it was R rated.  It was PG-13, and I kid you not~I could not get the blasted thing to stay on play mode.  I tried so many different times and finally gave up on the movie, chalking it up to the fact that maybe I wasn't supposed to watch it.  It was as if the internet wasn't working, because the movie wouldn't buffer.

I turned the box off, then tried Netflix.  I settled in with watching the last two episodes of Call The Midwife, and guess what?  The internet worked perfectly.

I'm not saying that God made that happen, although He certainly could if he wanted, but He did allow that to speak into my life at the moment.  Well, maybe not in that exact moment, because I was frustrated, but later on when I started thinking about the turn of events.

The reason I mentioned the above is that I want to honor God in my life.  I want to honor Him in what I say, what I do, what I think, what I read, what I watch, what I post on social media and in the tone of voice I use.  I want to look to Him (and others who resemble Him) closely, to see which way to go.  Much like the choir this morning looking to their director, I want Him to be mine.

Who knew that going to a simple choir concert would speak to my very soul this morning?  Maybe it'll speak to yours, too.

And just for fun, here are a couple of pictures from our time there.

You know how you pray for ONE GOOD FRIEND for your kid?  (At least, I do.)  This boy has been an amazing friend to my Drew.  They had a rough patch for about nine months, but God restored their relationship and they are the best of friends.  I love this boy like he's my own.

And lastly, and because I love churches...

This one was beautiful.  I thoroughly enjoyed going this morning.  And I got to see one of my most favorite people on this earth.  Otherwise known as Abbey.

Love to all.

our weekend & some random thoughts

I am so thankful I got to see my sister Terri one last time on Friday, when we all went to lunch together.  Have I told you her story, how she almost died about a year ago?  She is truly a miracle.  She went into the hospital with what she was told was pneumonia, but she ended up with multiple things going on and was moved to two different hospitals within a two month time period.  She was also told she would have to use oxygen the rest of her life and that she wouldn't be able to walk without a walker.

Well.

She must be mighty stubborn, because she has defied all the odds.

That was the start of our weekend~lunch with Terri and Dad.  The boys were with us, too, and after lunch, we ran a few little errands then came back to my house.

And this is where my theme for the weekend started~I put on pajamas after they left and stayed in them all weekend, but clean ones, of course.

On Friday night, Drew invited a few friends over, and we all watched Finding Nemo, while I made copious amounts of popcorn and bowls of ice cream.  :)  With strawberries and Nutella.  I do love some teenagers coming to hang out on a weekend night.  It was fun.

I didn't sleep hardly at all Friday night, so all day Saturday, I just rested and read or watched television.  (I've got some allergic reaction on my skin that I went to the doctor for on Thursday, and though Friday and Saturday were miserable, by yesterday, I felt much better, thanks to God and the medicine I'm on.)  We were supposed to go to my dad's for dinner that afternoon, but the boys went without us.  Todd went to work at the sheriff's department and I stayed home and watched the LAST FEW EPISODES OF CALL THE MIDWIFE ON NETFLIX.

Dang it.

I hate ending a good show!  No other show compares to a really good one you've just finished.

While I ate dinner and watched television, I sat like this.

I know this pup has given me gray hair and years of grief.  But y'all.  If you can just imagine how sweet he cam be when wants to be.  He can sense when his people don't feel good, and he will come snuggle up with you, as if to soak up all the yuck that you feel in your body.  He can be precious.

And he can be a royal pain, but I'm focusing on concentrating on the good today.

I got a phone call from my mom-in-love telling me that they had decided to come home from Nashville Saturday night instead of Sunday.  I was totally fine with that!  This boy of mine has my heart, as all of them do, but his presence was definitely missed while he was gone.

This is Nathan and Noah.  Are they not precious?

I know they had a wonderful time together while Noah was there visiting.

It was around midnight when Noah got home.  My mom and dad-in-love brought him home for me, since Todd was working, which I appreciated.  When he got home, they discovered a twin thing had happened: they were dressed identically.  And as they came upstairs, laughing and talking, I was struck with how thankful I am that God chose ME to have twins.  I feel strongly that everyone should know the joys of being a mom to multiples.  They were glued together as they went into their room, my room, the bathroom while changing for bed, and finally, they slept together in Noah's bed, after catching up for at least an hour and a half.

Sigh.

To say that they missed one another is the understatement of the year.

I let them sleep late on Sunday morning since I was staying home from church, because hello broken washing machine and neighbors going to church.  I washed two big loads while they were gone and got caught up again on the laundry.

In case you missed it, our washing machine has been broken for eight days now.  We had a repairman come out in December to fix the belt or transmission or something, and he failed to put it back together correctly.  Because of his error and a little piece that he possibly broke, Todd discovered last Sunday that all the imbalance had knocked a hole in the tub and water was everywhere.  This has all been a huge mess as we've dealt with our insurance company and now the insurance company of the business that was here in December.  Hopefully we'll have an answer this week.

Or the kids just might get a lesson on a laundromat.

First world problems, I know.  I am so thankful for our neighbors for letting us use their washer.

In unrelated news, I came across an image from the internet over the weekend and loved it and wanted to share.

I used to be mean and would "vent" about my husband to my girlfriends.  I confess that to you.  God convicted me of this over a decade ago, through the words of my earthly father, and I started praying that He would help me to stop that destructive behavior.  I know people who talk about their men like they are pieces of dirt.  I have done the same thing, so no condemnation from me, and I am not judging you.  But I am telling you, that if you do this, for the love of your man and for the love of God, please STOP.

(Also, I am older than a lot of you who read this, and I am taking into play my role of being a Titus 2 woman.  If you don't know what I'm talking about, read that chapter, or the whole book.  It's three chapters long and it is RICH with wisdom and insight.)

In Ephesians 4:29, Paul tells us that we are to let NO UNWHOLESOME TALK come out of our mouths, but only what is kind and helpful to build others up.  (That's the gist of the verse, I just didn't say it in all its entirety.)

I also used to talk to my precious husband like he was stupid.  (Toddley, if you're reading this, I am so sorry for how I used to talk to you!)  And again, if you haven't done this yourself, we all know those wives who act this way.  May I encourage you to not take my word for all of this?  Go to the Bible.  Look up all the verses you can find on "words" and see what the word of God says.  Look up in Proverbs, about not being a nagging wife.  (King Solomon compared a nagging wife to a dripping corner of an attic!)  Look at Ephesians 4:29, look up Galatians 5:22-23, on the fruit of the Spirit and look at the verses before those and what we are told not to do.

If you are reading this blog, I love you in the faith.  Even if you aren't a believer, I have a godly love for you and I pray over the people who read these words.  I have prayed time and again that God would give me the words to say on here and to allow me to be a vessel used by Him.

I pray that now, that if these words struck a chord with you, that you would know that it is never too late to change.

As great as I feel about myself on a daily basis (hello, sarcasm), I know that I will screw it all up again tomorrow.  Or tonight, if I freak out over somebody else not doing something the way I want in the kitchen.  But God has given us His grace as a free gift.  I have been redeemed of my past, my present and my future sin.  We are to constantly strain toward Him, as we run this race called life.  We are to fix our eyes on Him (Hebrews 12).  We are to pray and seek Him and His word.  And we are to not just read His word, but we are to take it and apply it daily (by the second, by the minute) to our lives.  Because when we are in His word, and we do that, we are TRANSFORMED by His word.

I would love to talk more about this, if you should so feel led.  I'm a keystroke away.  As always, thank you for taking the time to read my blog.  Love to all.

on perspective and being grateful

I don't know where the idea came from, but I decided that 2015 would be the year I took my eyes off of our circumstances and instead, fixed them on Jesus.

That includes being thankful to Him for one thing (sometimes more) every single day of the year.

I will be honest here and admit that I haven't remembered to do this everyday, but I have this awesome planner that I write everything down in that has helped me to be able to go back and get caught up.  And when I say I write everything down, I mean I write every little detail of my life in this planner.  Including things like what we had for dinner on what night, when Todd works late and what kids were at my house on Friday night.

Because of my details in my planner, I can easily see what I did each day, and that helps me determine what I chose to be thankful for on that day.

I don't get hung up on facts, like if I've been thankful for the same thing a few times~I don't care about the facts, I just focus on thanking God for the moments.

I can already say that I have been able to tell a huge difference in the way I view life.  For instance, even in times when my washing machine is broken for the seventh day, I am so thankful for the kindness and generosity of our sweet neighbors who let me use theirs while they're away.

It takes my mind off the circumstance and puts my eyes on Jesus.

The only reason I even mention this to you on the blog is because it's profound.  And it's never too late to start!  I do try to keep it to one sentence each day, but some days call for multiple things and multiple sentences.  I make each day its own.  Try it for yourself!  I dare you.

Love to all.

And may I ask you a favor?  I made another submission to The Today Show parenting panel website.  Click here and read it and vote.  Thanks!

Friday Favorites

This has been a WEEK!  I have been busy from last Friday all the way until today, when my life resumes it's normalcy once again.  But what a fun week this has been.

I'm linking up with Andrea at Momfessionals for the writing of this post.

 

Last weekend was our women's conference at our church, and it was so much fun.  I love helping lead worship and I love being with my friends.  It was such a great time, that I was sad to see it end.  One of my favorite moments from the conference was seeing these little pretties attending with us.

I adore these precious girls!  This is Emily (left) and Emma.  THE Emma, if you know what I mean.  I think I've mentioned her a time or fourteen before on the blog.  They were being silly in this picture they took of themselves with my phone, and their smiles are normally MUCH prettier.  :)  I won't show you the one that Emma took of herself, because it's pretty special.  But you can imagine.  I love their personalities and I love them.  These are definitely a couple of my favorites.

A lot of my favorite moments from this week happened while we were in Dallas for a student leadership conference.  Here are a few of my pictures that I didn't show before.

Yesterday was my favorite day of the week, the day we go to our homeschool group.  I love the ladies in this group so much that I cannot imagine my life without them.  I took this picture on my way inside.

And today I get to see my dad and my sister Terri, who is here from North Carolina.

Well.  Speaking of them, I should probably get dressed now.  I hope your weekend is great!  Love to all.

roadtrip

I love traveling.  I love Jesus.  And I love my friends.  When you combine those three things in a minivan and two days together, that is the recipe for a really good time.

A few months ago, the youth pastor at our church offered a trip to those of us are considered youth leaders.  (Volunteer and paid, but I'm a volunteer.)  The catch was that it was only a one night trip, and it involved us traveling to Dallas.  I didn't really think I would go, but when I was talking to my sweet hubby about it, he encouraged me to go.

It turns out that this is a free conference offered to those in youth ministry every single year.  It's put on by Student Leadership University (SLU) and it's called Youth Pastor Summit.  Because even those in pastoral positions need encouraging.

IT. WAS. AMAZING.

Seriously.

My sweet friend Abbey came to my house Monday morning at six fifteen and we went to church to pick up another friend and her son (Lauri and Chandler, who might be THE MOST AMAZING teenager I have ever had the privilege of knowing.).  We met yet another friend downtown (MK), and then we were off.  We made several stops (breakfast, gas and lunch) and arrived in Plano around two forty-five Monday afternoon.  The conference began at three, then we broke at five thirty for dinner.

The worship was amazing and the speakers were incredible.  It was basically a twenty four hour period of being encouraged and taught by others.  Every time a new speaker came out to talk, it was better and better, and I never wanted it to end.

On Monday night, we met a friend for dinner (Erin) who used to lead our girls.  It was so good seeing her!

The event was held at Prestonwood in Plano, Texas, and the church was AMAZING.

This was only the fellowship hall and youth center.  It's bigger than Bellevue, if you live in Memphis.  There are multiple campuses.  My friend Erin works at the North campus as the girls ministry leader.

While the sun was setting on Monday night, I sat on some steps that overlooked this area and watched the sun go down, as my dear husband made me laugh and laugh over Drew's driving antics.

Yes, I said Drew's driving antics.  Somebody got his permit!

For each session, there was a different speaker.  The speakers were Ed Newton, Josh Griffin, Doug Fields, Jay Strack and Bob Goff.  The worship was led by Michael Ferren, former lead singer of Pocket Full of Rocks.  (I used to listen to them!)  There were break out sessions on Tuesday, but I didn't go to anybody new.  My favorite speaker was at the very end, the author of the book Love Does, Bob Goff.  He was funny and endearing and encouraging.

We were dismissed around three yesterday afternoon, then we started the journey home.  (I navigated almost the whole trip and Abbey drove, except for about an hour when I drove on Monday.  The soccer mom van was fun to drive!)  The trip home was fun and entertaining.  We only listened to music for the hour I drove on Monday, and the rest of the way?  We talked.

Seriously.

I love talking, obviously.  And singing random songs with Abbey, who is like my other half.

I was so tired coming home that I might have been a tiny bit delirious.  I laugh a lot when I get like that, so needless to say, I cried most of my makeup off.

It was such an awesome trip.

In our goodie bag, we found a Student Life brochure for summer camp, and I know the people on the front!  In fact, next to the girl that is the second one from the left, is Graham.  I would know that profile anywhere.  Left to right are MK, Graham, Hannah, Chandler (amazing teenager), a girl I don't know and Holly (another amazing teenager who's a freshman in college this year).

Y'all.  This sweet little old lady turned SEVENTY FOUR YEARS YOUNG yesterday and she is STILL ministering to those who are teenagers.

I am NOT too old for this.  I have another thirty six years before I reach her age, though I don't know that I'll last quite that long.

This is Bob Goff, in all his shoeless wonder.

And this girl.

I adore her.  The more time I spend with her, the more dear to me she becomes.  And to think three years ago, I didn't know her is astounding to me.  She's quickly become one of my closest friends.

It was an amazing couple of days.  I slept so good last night, I was exhausted.  But in a good way.  ;)  I hope your week is going good!  Love to all.

a weekend away

I love my husband.  I love my kids.  But sometimes, a mom just needs a little bit of refreshing and some time away.  I refuse to feel guilty about admitting this to you, because I know I am not alone in this sentiment.  I have learned that if I don't take the time to make sure I am being fed spiritually, then I am of no good to anyone.  It's also why I always like to be doing Bible study.

This weekend our church had its annual women's conference.  We had a familiar guest speaker this year, a special lady and wonderful speaker named Jean Stockdale.  Jean has taught Bible study to ladies for twenty six years now, and she writes and records them for women all over the world.  Needless to say, this weekend was exactly what I needed.

I love spending time with like minded women, and there is something so powerful about coming together as women of God to worship and study His word.  I wouldn't have been anywhere else this weekend, even if my life depended on it.  God knew who needed to be there, and He had us there for a reason.  I feel bad for the ladies in our church who missed out on a wonderful weekend.

I had the privilege of helping lead worship at this for the second year.  There are times when I miss singing in a choir, so it was an honor to sing for Jesus this weekend.  I sang with five other really sweet and talented ladies who love the Lord.

Jean spoke out of Ephesians both days, and I can't wait to read back over my notes and the book she had made for us to look at while she taught.  I always get so much out of these types of things, and this weekend was no different.  One thing that she said last night that stuck out to me was that now is no longer the time for us to be just casual Christians.  The days are getting more and more evil, and it is time for us to stand firm and to stand out.  No more pleasing of men and no more hiding away His truth.

We laughed and we cried together this weekend.  This precious woman of God and our women's director, Mrs. Barbee, are two of the most Godly and humble women I've ever heard speak.  It was such an honor to sit under the teaching and to glean wisdom from all that Jean had to say.

If you ever get the chance to attend a women's conference, I urge you to try it!  Time in the word is time that is well spent.

Love to all.