2010 in books--part two

i am finished with classes and it is summertime. bring on the reading!

here's the latest since the last listing...

the divine commodity

by skye jethani

the flying carpet of small miracles

by hala jaber

48 days to the work you love

by dan miller

mad church disease

by anne jackson

gorgeously green

by sophie uliano

dear john

by nicholas sparks

water for elephants

by sara gruen

i am nujood, age 10 and divorced

by nujood ali

the career guide for creative and unconventional people

by carol eikleberry

delighted

over the long memorial day weekend, we had the opportunity to travel to the black hills area of south dakota to see my niece baptized. it was a full weekend as i wanted to try to experience as much as possible in the three days we had in such a beautiful area.

on our way there we had the scenic detour of the barren badlands, followed by the required photo shoot at wall drug. (everyone needs their picture taken with an oversized jackalope!) we stopped at storybook island for a picnic supper...i know that this would be one of the last times we would stop there with our children as they are growing up right before my eyes.

there was a baptism and time with family, close and extended. lunch and time at mount rushmore, experiencing a truly american sight. we drove through custer state park on the needles highway--my favorite drive in the area, and stopped at sylvan lake and walked around.

even on the drive headed home, we made sure there was time for the very scenic spearfish canyon and experienced its' three waterfalls. and then we were blessed with the most beautiful clouds the entire drive back to our hometown.

yes, it was beautiful...but there was a moment...while we were driving through the needles, that there was a true whisper from God. i get goosebumps thinking about it. my eyes tear up as i think of who God is and how tender He is to us.

we had been driving for a bit and i made a comment out loud to my family that it was rather different that we hadn't seen hardly any wildlife this trip. yes, we'd seen some deer...but not much more. and then i said, "i want God to just 'wow' us. i want to see some big horn sheep or something." and the drive went along...

and we came around a large curve and slowed down for the truck that was pulled over on the other side of the road. there was a large, majestic lone buffalo grazing right at the side of the curb. i smiled...God let us cross paths with some of the wildlife i was longing to see out in its' natural habitat. and then we drove...

then...oh, then...took another curve and... not only was there one big horn sheep, but seven, SEVEN! gathered right there. right there on the hill by the road! followed on the next curve by deer! and then colin, my youngest, said that we hadn't seen any chipmunks yet and he prayed that we would see chipmunks. and around another curve, we saw a chipmunk scurrying across the road.

as we finished the drive with the sun setting as we reached the hotel, i had to ponder on how tender and generous God is. as the psalmist declared, He longs to delight us.

whoa. i've read that and thought "oh, how nice." but this was real. it was a small thing that i was thinking/asking and God not only provided that encounter with His creation, He went far above and beyond what my expectations were. He not only gave, He gave more than i could imagine. how like God.

i know it's not about asking God for Him to just give us things or experiences. i know that it isn't about me and my wants or desires. it is really about who He is, about His heart, His character, His love. i am overwhelmed. He loves me so much that He would answer the smallest of desires of my heart just to remind me of His love for me.

my eyes water...my heart is full...and i feel loved. He delighted me.

+/-

up and down. positive and i guess, negative.

been a good day is some regards, difficult in others.

accomplished a long awaited goal.

unexpected e-mail that is both a positive thing and a difficult one all at the same time.

wonderful reminders of why parenting can be such a joy...

and reminders of what a difficult job it can be.

i am feeling a bit torn in two.

i want to smile and laugh one of those deep belly laughs that you like to only do in private because of how loud and obnoxious it is.

i want to let some tears out that are born from things in the not-so-distant past.

i really am feeling both extremes at the same time.

and that is...confusing...

neutral?

...

taking a few steps together

we all have a story. we all are on a journey. i know...this is not a revolutionary thought...but it is.

spent some time with an acquaintance that is becoming to be a dear friend. as we were walking and chatting, i began to learn some things about her that i would have never guessed during our previous talks. the conversation was very onion-like as we continued...with each little thing shared and a little more trust established, more personal things came out...one layer at a time.

i think God knew i needed a conversation like this today...the opportunity to see that we all have struggles, luggage from the past...but that we all are on a journey where He is restoring us, teaching us, shaping us, challenging us, growing us...and He has us on the journey together. we can help each other up when we fall down, we can encourage one another if we are slowing down or lagging behind, we can celebrate victories together...

i walked a few steps with a friend today. i am grateful for what God has done and continues to do in her life. i am grateful that those few steps encouraged me in my walk today...

proud mama

last night my eldest had a performance with a strings group he was selected to be a part of. as parents, it was a sweet evening--to see that all the driving around and extra lessons and lecturing at home that "yes...you HAVE to practice today" moments truly do have a reward. yes, he's learning a discipline that will benefit him his whole life. yes, he's learning an appreciation for the beauty of music. yes, he's meeting new people and learning how to work together. but, the best part was hearing him going to bed and saying "THAT was fun."

2010 in books--part one

was thinking back to what i have been reading lately...well, since the start of the year. i have read some good stuff! but, i know that my brain does not always function on all cylinders so i thought i better document somewhere what i read so when someone asks me, there will be something to refer to. here is the list so far... (in no particular order other than the order in which i could actually remember the titles) here's to some fabulous reads!

secondhand jesus

glenn packiam

three cups of tea

greg mortensen

to the summit

margo chisholm

eat, pray, love

elizabeth gilbert

the twilight series (again)

stephanie meyer

enough

roger thurow and scott kilman

the road to paris

nikki grimes

diamonds in the shadow

caroline b. cooney

peak

roland smith

red glass

laura resau

bible (a continual read :) )

God

Jesus calling

sarah young

havah

tosca lee

numerous kid books

social psychology textbook

(yes...i truly did read the whole book)

world regional geography textbook

(halfway through that one...absolutely fascinating!)

i started a fiction book based in tuscany, but it was LAME so i quit

(and it was not 'under the tuscan sun' book either...)

i wanted to try

pride and prejudice and zombies (and the others in the series)

got it at the library and just could not bring myself to read it.

why do that to dear jane???

read a few books on living 'green' and a book on parenting, but the titles completely escape me

i am curious...what have YOU been reading?

intentionality

this weekend, some of the world chose to recognize the Easter holiday. some do it with family gatherings and ham dinners. some call upon a mysterious bunny that leaves little plastic eggs filled with sweets. some deck their homes out with bunny decorations and pastel flowers. some get all dolled up in a new dress or hat or outfit and maybe even visit a church. some do all of the above. and then there are some who, while possibly gathering with family and eating ham and desserting on chocolate, are reminded of something that cannot be seen, but is felt at the core of their being and has dramatically altered their life. they remember that about two thousand years ago, a very unique God-man came to this world and just a few short years later, became the ultimate sacrifice for all of mankind's sins.

on good friday evening as my family watched 'the passion of the christ' together, i could not help but remind myself that i should be reflecting on Jesus this much every day...a holiday weekend is a nice way to intentionally focus, but really, i should be this intentional every day. yes...EVERY day. how quickly i take what Jesus did for me (and for all mankind past, present, and future) for granted. it is just a part of my day-to-day living knowing that i am loved and forgiven and have a future that spans for all of eternity. watching that film was a reminder of how costly my Jesus paid for me. He ached emotionally, physically, spiritually. He took humiliation and unjustice knowing that as He did, He was taking care of things for ALL time for all of humanity. despite the very human feelings of fear and rejection, He was willing to take the cup of God's wrath because He loves us SO much. Jesus was so intentional with the choices He made. Easter weekend is a reminder of that. i need to follow His example...i need to intentionally choose to follow Him every step of every day.

i am praying that i live this way more each day...intentionally choosing Jesus with each step. it may be costly, as our Example has modeled, but it is the only way to truly live.