Weekend Bookend

Hello all! Here is the lineup for this edition of Weekend Bookend

Read this year:
"The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up" by Marie Kondo

To follow up on this book that I mentioned a couple of weeks ago: overall, there were only a few nuggets to be gleaned. I have tried her method of folding clothes and have found it to be more space efficient. Frankly I think that's where she has the best advice is clothes storage. I also had to skim past quite a bit of Eastern religion throughout the pages (making a shrine on your bookshelf, thanking your possessions, greeting your house). There is also a huge emphasis on appearance and you can tell the author isn't easy on herself...I couldn't relax while reading the book!

Currently Reading:

"Killing Lincoln" by Bill O'Reilly

We own the "Killing" trilogy and I read Killing Kennedy last year. Loved it. Learned more about Kennedy from that one book than I had in all my history courses. Looking forward to finishing this one.



Bonus:
Listening to:
Bethel Church podcast
Worship series from May 2015, 4 episodes


What books are on your summer reading list? Comment below!

1 Corinthians 2:9

"What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him." 

During college, this was my theme verse. I even had it made into a vinyl quote for my wall. These words speak to the unknown, the new, the unfolding that is college. This verse thrilled me. NO TELLING what God was going to do next. I was sure it would be good.

One evening, I was visiting with a friend at Starbucks and we were discussing this very verse. A man (who happened to be a pastor) overheard our conversation.

"Do you know the next verse, though?" He asked us. "It completes verse 9."

Surprised anyone was listening, we stammered out some response. It was a long time ago and unfortunately I don't really remember what was said. But He smiled kindly and left soon after that.

Fast forward several years to today and I now have a teensy bit more understanding how verses 9 and 10 work together.

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.

See, the unknown and the unfolding are a little less thrilling than they were 5 years ago, because now I realize even more that tragedies can be the next thing around a corner, rather than a triumph. Sometimes what unfolds isn't in our plans. The "not knowing" has lost a little appeal.

But in verse 10, God is promising that he can bring understanding to our spirits through His spirit. Understanding that I need and crave at every twist and turn in the path.

While I still haven't opened my Bible to find a 5-year, or even a 1-year plan yet (I'll let you know if I do), I understand a bit more than a few years ago the beauty of when God reveals things to our spirits.

So to the eavesdropping pastor out there somewhere: you were right. Verses 9 and 10 go hand-in-hand.

Weekend Bookend

Here is this week's edition of Weekend Bookend!

Read this year:
"Taking Flight" by Michaela DePrince

In honor of my dance studio's 21st recital this week, here is a ballet bio I read earlier this year. Michaela was featured in the documentary "First Position" and I found her story inspiring and delightful. Dancers and non-dancers alike will enjoy her journey from an African orphanage to the American stage.

Want to Read:

"Off the Page" by Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer

I first heard about this book when listening to a recent episode of "Beaks & Geeks." Jodi and Samantha were guests on the episode and aside from them being hilarious as a mother-daughter writing team, I found the concept of the book fresh and unique. It did remind me of Natalie Babbit's book "The Great Good Thing," so I'm interested to see how the plots compare.

If you enjoy books and/or writing, Beaks and Geeks is a great podcast to add to your list. The interviews feature authors across all genres on what inspires them and what gets the words from their brain to the page. I learn something new every episode!

That's all! Have a great Memorial Day weekend! Thanks to all who serve and sacrifice.

A Handful of Quietness

"Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind." Ecclesiastes 4:6

I came across this verse in Ecclesiastes last week and it encouraged...and yet frustrated me at the same time. We all experience seasons of quiet and seasons of busy, but often, it seems to be the season of quiet that is hardest to grip. We want things to do, things to happen, things to move and we want it done yesterday. That is the language we speak.

We are hardly fluent in the language of quiet.

God has given me a handful of quietness for right now, and honestly at times I haven't handled it well. But this verse reminded me there is purpose and dignity in a handful of quietness.

Whatever you find in your hand at this time, walk in step with God and seek what He teaching you in this season. 

Weekend Bookend

Welcome to this week's edition of Weekend Bookend. Here's what I've got for you today:

Read this year:
"Mary Magdalene" by Diana Wallis Taylor

This went on sale for Kindle and Kurtis bought it for me, and it turned out to be quite the engaging story. Yes it's fiction, but what was added for the story line honored Biblical accounts. Gave great insight into emotions behind the stories we are so familiar with. Read this in like, 2 days.

"A Wrinkle in Time" by Madeleine L'Engle

Somehow I never read this growing up but when I read it earlier this year, I was thoroughly delighted by it. Another quick read. Loved how different, yet familiar it was, challenging to achieve in any genre.

Want to Read:

"The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up" by Marie Kondo

So this was on my want to read list, but we ordered it over the weekend and I already started reading it. It's very different than anything I've read. I don't agree with everything she has to say, but I'm definitely willing to try out some of her ideas, once our bathroom projects are finished. There are a ton of pics online of before and after pictures of folks trying out her method, and that helps to visualize her concepts.

"The Case for Grace" by Lee Strobel

I love Strobel's work and I'm passionate about embracing the concept of grace in our walk with Jesus Christ. Can't wait to get my hands on a copy.

This Post is For You

This post is for you if Mothers' Day is...well...not what it should be. Not what it could be. Not what it was before.

Maybe you don't have a Mom to celebrate with here on Earth. To you, I say you are loved. And I am sorry. It's okay to not be okay. Each year will feel different as you grow and heal. But your family is by your side, growing and healing with you. You are not alone.

Maybe you would like to be a Mom, but for whatever reason, life has not begun inside you. To you, I say you are loved and I pray that God surrounds you with an extra measure of grace this weekend. Do not lose heart, dear one. Do not lose heart.

Maybe you are a Mom, a mom to angel babies that you never held in your arms, but will forever hold in your heart. To you, I say you are loved and are still a mom, even though you may not be changing diapers or struggling to load your brood into the car. Your babies experienced so much love in the short time they were here on earth.

Maybe you are a Mom in the waiting to a precious treasure. A little one is coming to you, a little one that someone else brought into the world, but can't walk with anymore. To you I say you are loved, and I pray endurance for you for the road ahead and that your home will be blessed with love and laughter in the years to come.

Maybe you are a Mom and have a Mom, but there are hurts. Hurts that sometimes feel too deep to overcome. To you,  I say you are loved, and I pray time and mercy would do their work in your life.

To all Moms, you are loved. You are appreciated. You are treasured and valued. We are what we are today because of you. In whatever way you need, I pray your day is beautiful.

Beautiful like you.

NEW! Weekend Bookend

In an attempt to blog consistently, I've outlined some content this week. Yay for setting goals!

Fingers crossed.

Toward the end of every week, the plan is to review a book I'm reading or have read and share my very deep and informed thoughts (ha!) on said book. Or books.

If books are not your thing, I totally understand. Actually that doesn't compute, but whatever. Books are definitely my thing so here we go!

Currently reading:

"Heaven" by Randy Alcorn

It's a big book, but already I'm grateful for taking the journey. I know for me personally I've had many misconceptions or as Alcorn puts it an "impoverished" view of eternity with Christ and this book is helping to fill in the potholes and support the bridges. Have any of you read this? What were thoughts after finishing? I'd love to hear about it!

Read this year:

"Quiet" by Susan Cain

My sis-in-law Hilary recommended this to me and it's quite a dynamic read! I've always tended more toward the introverted side, and definitely in the last few years I've exhibited more of those tendencies. Very helpful to gain more insight into what makes us tick. Whether extroverted or introverted, there are nuggets to be gained from this book.

Can't Wait To Read:

"Go Set a Watchman" by Harper Lee

 I cannot WAIT to read this come July. Never would have thought I would get to experience a Harper Lee sequel in my lifetime.

What books are you looking forward to reading this summer? Comment below, if you would be so kind.

Happy Reading!

This Writing Journey

A lot of soul-searching has taken place during this writing project. 

Many times I've stopped to bow my head and repent because the very words I'm typing, I need to activate in my own life.

Other times I'm reminded of a promise at just the right time.

Sometimes I feel like I'm writing to my younger self or to the young girls in my life, and my heart brims with tenderness at the truth I hope gets planted in their lives.

I've come face-to-face with my strengths, but also my weaknesses. I've had to to grapple with them, stare them down and subdue them every day, because with this endeavor right now, I'm the only one getting in the way of me. I'm the only one I can blame for not progressing.

Do you know how humbling that is?

Photography by Brittany Castell

I've heard many writers say similar things, but always thought deep down it was just false modesty.

But I'm starting to understand that those feelings are very real.