Book Reviews February 2017

I'm not sure how the month of February could have passed so quickly! The older I get, the quicker time flies. It seems so ironic. I've been doing well to make time to relax in the evenings with new reads this month. I took on a couple recommended titles and I am always looking for more so feel free to send some my way.

Here is what I delved into this month.

These reviews are strictly my opinions. I was not compensated in anyway to share them.

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

I was not sure about this book at first. I began reading it with some hesitation, but eventually became quite captivated by her story. It was very raw. I personally love hiking but the type of excursion she completed has always been very intimidating to me. I had such a swelling feeling of pride as the book ended, as if I had traveled that journey with her. There were definitely some dark places and crass language, but overall, I found it to be a good read.

The Kitchen House

I could not put this book down! I was quickly captivated as the author wove a tale of heartache and triumph. Her writing continually evoked amazing imagery as I connected with the characters and their struggles.

Fat Girl

This was a quick read. I could totally empathize with the author but it is not a book that I would recommend to just anyone. In my opinion, it is definitely a particular type of audience that would find true interest in this book. She discusses her obsession with food as a child and how it played a part in her childhood obesity. Her childhood is filled with sorrow and pain. If you are looking for a feel good read, this is not it.

Get Out of the Pit

Talk about a timely read. I've been dealing with a lot over the last several months and the punches keep coming. I stumbled upon this book while looking for another at our local library. I've always loved Beth Moore and her spirit led wisdom. I felt lead to read it and I now know why. I had several revelations throughout reading this book and I highly recommend it to anyone who feels stuck, is searching for the "whys" of their situations, and wants to learn or be reminded of God's redeeming grace and how we can take hold of that, no matter how deep our pit. The quote that I will carry with me from this excellent, inspiring read is:
"Beloved, let this one sink in deeply: if God allowed you to be thrown into a pit, you weren't picked on; you were picked out. God entrusted that suffering to you because He has faith in you."
Beth Moore, p.47

I'd love to hear what books you would suggest for future reads!

Linking up with WWRW

Royally Waiting Link-up #2

It's time for this week's this week's link-up!

Thinking about...

How I am going to get myself back on track. I've been slowly getting back to my low carb eating but I need a major jump start. My hubby and I are going to commit to a 21 day No Junk Food Challenge. I am anxious but determined.

::via::

Going...

We're meeting with one, possibly two builders this week. I keep praying we'll get the answers we need and our dreams fulfilled.

Cooking...
I made these amazing Cowboy Beans for my hubby's surprise birthday party. They were easy and a huge hit!

Texting...
I've been texting with my closest and dearest cousin a lot since the past Friday. She gave birth to their handsome little boy on Sunday morning. I hate that so much distance is between us, but not even distance can stop the love we have for this family.

Royally Waiting Link-up #1

I am super excited about this new link-up. It's always fun to see what other bloggers are up to and this one is hosted by some of the best.

Waiting on...

Our new house. It has been such an emotional ride and it is far from over. We ran into some unfortunate circumstances and have to start with a blank slate. It's overwhelming but I know it will be worth it.

Planning...

My baby girl's 4th birthday. Come April my beautiful ginger nugget will be 4. I don't know how she went from a baby to near kindergarten student (gasp) so quickly. I'm not handling it well. 

Celebrating...

My sweet hubby is celebrating his 30th birthday this Friday. I have a few surprises up my sleeve this weekend and I can't wait. If anyone deserves to be celebrated, it's him.

Eating...

Cinnabon Popcorn. While it's not low carb, it's not terrible if I want a small, delicious sweet and salt snack. The challenge is to not eat half the bag!

Loving...

I'm loving my quiet moments. Life has been really difficult for a while and I've recognized a need to just step back and sit quietly. I'm relearning to wait on the Lord. Those quiet moments are essential to my overall well being. They are a part of my self-care. It's so important to unwind.

Until next week!

The Truth Hurts

We've all heard that the truth hurts. It simply means that we do not like what we are being forced to hear, face or endure. I find myself in a season that is overwhelmingly full of hard truths. Sometimes I am the one dealing with the difficulty and sometimes I am the person that must share the hard news. I am honestly not sure which end I'd rather be on.

About two years ago I felt especially convicted to share some words and ask some difficult questions of someone I love dearly. I knew there would most likely be repercussions but this person and I had been in a similar situation before, so I was hopeful that I would see positive fruits as a result of my willingness to move forward once again. However, I battled with this. I did not want to risk the relationship. I did not want to cry. I did not want this person to feel attacked. As we all know, we don't always get what we want.

The words I spoke were taken out of context. The questions I asked were deemed imposing and disapproving. Everything I had not wanted to happen, despite earnestly praying for a better outcome, happened. I was devastated. One of my closest and dearest friends was no longer speaking to me...and basically has not since. Today is an especially hard day as I see the direction of the life that this person has chosen. It is painful. It feels almost as if a death has taken place. That is the near level of grief I have encountered as this day has approached. It is a day I should be present for, but am not wanted. It is a day that should be taking place under different circumstances. Alas, here I am, sitting with the truth.

I struggle...although the word struggle hardly feels adequate. I have to sit with the truth that these are the choices of this person. These are the walls that this person has put up. Only continued prayer and time may bring them down.

I've wrestled with this whole "speak truth" concept for a while now. It seems when I do, someone is offended, hurt, or needs to take a step back from me. I always come at it with love, but the truth hurts.

  Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.

Eph. 4:15

It can be painful to share the truth. It can be frightening, but it should always be done in and out of love. I am known for not sugar coating things and it's true that I often say things that people simply do not want to hear...but I cannot help it. I cannot help how I feel the Spirit move. I have come to terms with the fact that there will be unpleasant repercussions. I am also reminded that there can be severe consequences. In fact, Christ was battered, scorned, humiliated and hung a cross for speaking truth. While my current circumstances cause anguish, they have yet to cause me death. However, the principal is the same.

We must put off the need to sugar coat and versions of half truths. We need to speak in love. We need to speak the Truth in love as God leads. God holds us to that expectation and I for one would rather lay my head on my pillow and sleep soundly with the knowledge that I have honored my God then to lose sleep over not following His leading.

Scripture promises difficult times, but it also promises great reward for pursuing Christ. Each encounter we have with someone is an opportunity for God to use us. Do not shy away. While in the moment, and in this case, years, the pain may cause heartache, I can rest assured that His Word will not return void. His purpose will prevail. He remains good. He remains faithful.

Truth remains.

The Kids Behind the Blog: February 2017

February, the month of love.

There is no one I love more than my kids...

I absolutely adore the little people they are becoming and they become more entertaining with each passing month. I'm linking up with The Kids Behind the Blog for this month's love themed questions.

1) What does the word love mean to you?

-"You pray for peoples' hearts. You say kind things."
Be still my heart. Even at nearly 4 she gets it better than a lot of adults.

2) Kids choice! How do you want to spend Valentine's Day?

-"I want to go dancing."
I guess we'll be doing some dancing on Valentine's Day.

3) Do you have a Valentine? If so, who?

-"Yes. My friend Tessa at school 'cause she's my friend."

4) How many days are in the month of February?

-"4"
She will be 4 in April...so everything is currently revolving around the number 4.

5) How do you show someone you love them?

-"I love my teachers. I be kind."
She truly is such a kind and helpful little girl. She makes me feel like we're doing something right as parents.

I hope you'll join us for the link-up. I love reading what your kids come up with.

5 Things You Might Not Know About Me

I loved Lisa's 10 Things You Might Not Know About Me post so much that I was inspired to create my own. Like Lisa, I feel a lot of my posts lately have been more on the serious side. That is just the season of life I am in right now. It's good to walk the waters of light heartedness more often then not, especially during difficult seasons. Thanks again Lisa for reminder.

The following are 5 things you may or may not know about me...

1. Iced Coffee

I treat myself once a week to a wonderfully flavored ice coffee from one of my favorite coffee spots. If you are ever coming through Madison Heights, VA, you should definitely stop in at The Bean Barn. Their Iced Salted Caramel Mochas are delish!

2. Libraries

I love the smell of libraries...or rather the books that are in the libraries. There is something so comforting and nostalgic about the smell of well worn pages. I love the weight of the books in my hands. This year I've been determined to spend a little me time, most of which has centered around reading. I've posted my list of reads from January and I'd love to hear any title or author suggestions you have.

3. Sunglasses

I LOVE sunglasses. I especially love ones with large lenses. Call me cheap, but the most I've ever spent on a pair is only like $12. I do not do name brands. In fact, most of them have come from a dollar store or Walmart. When you lose things like I do, it does not make sense to spend tons of money on a pair of sunglasses.

3. Green

My favorite color is green...almost every shade. I steer away from the puke-like or neon.

4. "Prayer Ordered" Children

The Bible tells us to come boldly to the throne with our requests. Before I knew I'd face matters of infertility, I had secretly hoped and prayed for a little girl. I did not stop there. I remember whispering a prayer that if He should so see fit to grant my wish list, I'd like the following: A little girl with red hair and blue eyes. I also really wanted her to have her father's dimples. I know it seems silly, but most of us have been guilty of wishing for certain traits and characteristics. After a lengthy struggle, I decided I would take whatever the Lord would grant. I just hoped for a whole and healthy baby. When we conceived, I just knew I was having a girl. I cannot explain it. However, when she was born with platinum blonde hair, I believed it would eventually turn brown, just as her father's had. At about 5 months however, it became evident that her hair was turning red. I now have a beautiful, red haired, blue eyed daughter that has her daddy's dimples. How cool is that?! God does not mind if we get specific.

5. Boats

I do not like boats. Big or small, I fear them all. I don't know why but I vaguely remember a very frightening ride with my cousins as a young child. Maybe this was the cause. I like the idea of a leisurely float down a river or a cruise to some far off place, but the thought of actually getting on one sends my blood pressure and anxiety levels soaring. I know this sounds crazy from a person who loves the outdoors so much, not to mention that I'm a pretty decent swimmer. Please know I have tried to overcome this fear...and yet, at 31 years old, I have yet to overcome it.

Do any of these surprise you?

Feel free to jump on board and share some of your "unknowns". It really is a lot fun!

Book Reviews: January 2017

I made a vow to myself that I would begin taking better care of myself this year. That not only includes my physical health, but my mental health as well. I have not been good about carving out “me time” and as I have reflected upon those things that I miss doing, reading for pleasure was near the top of the list. I have since made a point to have some reading time before going to bed almost every evening. It allows me to unwind and escape.

January Reads

I thought I’d share what I’ve been reading. These reviews are my personal opinions and I have not been compensated in any way for sharing my thoughts.

Taming the To-Do List by Glynnis Whitwer

It was an encouraging read about how to make the best of your choices. There was not anything particularly profound in my opinion, but I loved how she backed up a lot of what she said with science. It just proves that we try to do too much and that we were not meant to live that way.

 

Whistlin’ Dixie in a Nor-Easter by Lisa Patton

This read was a little slow for my taste. The story line was fine and the characters were likable. I have another one of her novels on my list for later reading. I’m hoping that I’ll like it better than this one.

 

The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines

I LOVED this book. I could not put it down. There was a lot of laundry that did not get done in the two days it took me to get through its pages. I am late to the Fixer-Upper stage, but I am hooked. I am so smitten with their story and their style. I cannot recommend this book enough!

 

One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus

This book toyed with every emotion. There were parts that were so startling that it was hard to read. His word imagery is amazing and I felt like I was witnessing the joys and devastations along with the characters. Fergus is a great writer. This book is not for the faint of heart. It is not one that I would read again, but it is also not one that I’ll soon forget.

 

Yes Please by Amy Poehler

I wanted to like this more than I did. I loved her style of writing and her path to stardom was interesting. While I did not expect a saintly worded narrative, I was not prepared for the amount of (what I consider vulgar) language that would be incorporated on the pages. While I know this is not a deal breaker for a lot of readers, I struggled to get through it. I still find her adorable and I will forever love her character on Parks and Rec. She is so talented, funny and her experience is valuable.

Linking up for WWRW