Thursday, February 22, 2007

Dumps

I am generally a happy, optomistic person. I don't stress too much over anything (though I think there are many things in my life I could stress oer). I know God is in control and that helps me not to worry. However, I do get in periods in my life - when I like to throw myself a pity-party. Which is soooo silly - because really my life is just soooo good, almost perfect.
Right now, I'm down because I'm still adjusting to the new church we are attending. I need to focus on my relationship with Jesus, and things will fall in place. It's just soooo easy to know - and my undisciplined self has trouble MAKING myself do things. (Hence why my diet is not going too well either.)
Ok, I got the complaining out of my sytem. Hopefully, now I can move on and Do what I know needs to be done.
I don't wanna be sad, I don't wanna be bored, I don't wanna weigh what I weigh. boo-hoo me.

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Book Recommendations

I want to make a few recommendations of books that you should read. These are books that I have read in 2007 and really enjoyed and liked.

Watching the Tree Limbs and Wishing on Dandelions by Mary DeMuth

I would really suggest reading them both, Watching the Tree Limbs first and then Wishing on Dandelions. Watching was a powerful story about finding your voice. And Wishing was a wonderful story about learning to rely on God when you're in the valleys. (There are important lessons in the valleys, plus they make the mountain tops that much more beautiful!) I'm not going to give you a summary of the plot or characters, there are other sites that do that. I am just going to tell you these stories are well written, emotional, and you won't want to put them down until you are done! Once I do start my Christian Book Club Watching the Tree Limbs will be one of the first choices! I will definitely keep an eye out for future books from Mary and buy them all (I personally hope there will be a 3rd book in this series, I'm dying to know how Mara's life goes from here . . . .)

calm, cool & adjusted by Kristin Billerbeck

Fun, Fun, Fun! Out of the 3 books in this series I'd have to say this one was my favorite. I loved the others, and I totally do not identify in any way with Poppy, the herbal, earth-loving vegetarian. Well, except that I too find change hard. I too find that there are still "issues" from my childhood I need to deal with. This is a great story about being optimistic, holding onto God through the pain, forgiving others, choosing to remember the good memories, and cherishing our real friends. A must read (along with the other 2 of the Spa Girl series - She's All That and What a Girl Wants and really - anything Kristen wrote!), especially for chick-lit readers.

Lost In NashVegas by Rachel Hauck


This was a Christmas gift from my sister (ok, yes, I picked it out and asked her to give it to me!). I was done by New Years Eve. What are you afraid of? This book made me look at my fears and determine that they won't rule my life. Robin, the main character in this book suffers stage fright, yet her heart's desire to to write and perform in Nashville. By leaning on God's strength, all things are possible. It is an easy read, well written, and fun and I'm looking forward to the follow up due in May! I will be checking out her other books as the year progresses.

Live a Praying Life by Jennifer Kennedy Dean


Wow! If you are looking for a Bible study to begin, this IS one you should consider. This study will change your prayer life into a PRAYING LIFE. And that will change your life! It's also available as a group Bible Study (which I hope to some day be a part of!) It's hard to put into words just how much this impacted me. It helped me understand how to pray and why we pray. It opened up the scripture to me in such a different way, I will forever be grateful to Mrs. Dean! My relationship with Jesus is so much deeper after having done this study!

That's it for now! I have a couple more books on my shelf waiting to be read:
Chocolate Beach by Julie Carobini and Trouble's Brewing - Potluck Club #2 by Everson & Shepherd. I'll let you know how they turn out after I've read them! If you have any suggestions, email me and let me know!