Community

Everywhere I go I'm seeing the little pocket of community/relationships that affect me and I them every day.  We are designed to be relational people.  We are designed to want and need to be encouraged by those around us.  We desire to know and be known.

One of my soon to be favorite communities is the book study club that I'm a part of beginning this week.   A group of moms, soon to be moms, and want to be moms who need a place of encouragement, laughter, prayer, and accountability.  We are spread from Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, to Florida.  So we get to do this conference call style.  These women challenge me to keep going when I don't think I can.  

Just this morning God used my online community to help me move past the issue of worry in my day!  God always meets us where we are.  I love that!

I'm sad for the times I have hindered community/relationships because of selfishness or just lack of compassion and love.  The more I need encouragement the more I'm aware of my selfishness in my relationships.  Eye opening!

Lord help me to see those around me in need of your encouragement, love, and community.  

Dreams

There have been several times in my life that I have had dreams of things I wanted to do, be, or have.  Then there are times I stopped dreaming because it's hard when they don't get accomplished or they fail.  Here lately I've begun to dream again- dream for myself and for my family.

I had an opportunity last month to meet one of my favorite authors in a small group setting.  It would have been a dream come true.  After praying about it I knew that it wasn't going to happen right now because of a lot of factors.  So, I began to dream and pray about the people I would like to meet.

Candace Cameron Bure

Lysa TerKeurst

Liz Curtis Higgs
Angie Smith

Christy Nockels

Natalie Grant

Martina McBride

These are all women I admire for their talents, faith, and accomplishments.  It's one of those things that I would love a girlfriend afternoon of hanging out and picking their brain for more wisdom as a mom-friend-artist.  So, I'll continue to pray for the opportunity and until then I'll be grateful for the internet and social media!

Books for the Kids

When it's time to read with the kids we are mostly reading books for boys.  I really enjoy ordering books from Scholastic and they have a great selection of boy books.  If you frequent the library, search the scholastic website and then go see what Scholastic books your library may have.

My boys are 6 and 2 1/2 and these are a few they love...

Pete The Cat

                                                          

Splat the Cat

Pirates Go To School

ANYTHING by P.K. Hallinan

He is my FAVORITE children's author and illustrator.  Go find him on facebook!

      

I'm a seasonal reader so right now we have several new books from scholastic that are spring themed.  Then there's the Shark books.  You can't go wrong with little boys and shark books!

As far as chapter books go we have read through a condensed version of The Black Stallion and Pinnochio.  I'm ready to dig into some more classics with Sawyer!

Earlier in the year we finished the Jesus Storybook Bible.  We all enjoyed this and will start it again soon.

Sidenote...my 2 1/2 year old is very active and rarely sits still.  I finally figured out that it's going to be a LONG time before he sits still to listen to a story.  So, now he has to stay in the room while we are reading but I don't make him sit down with us.  He does hear the story and occasionally will come over to see the pictures.  Don't get discouraged if you've got one or more like this.  Just keep reading, and maybe even read while standing on your head!  If you have a kid like this you totally understand.

Who's Desperate?

 I've been on a book reading frenzy lately.  It's pretty normal for me to have about 5 I'm reading at once. On the finished list lately has been...

The Wedding Dress - Rachel Hauk

Liz Curtis Higgs 4 book series Thorn in My Heart-Fair Is the Rose-Whence Came A Prince-

Grace In Thine Eyes (read these now)

Higgs Novella - A Wreath of Snow

Melanie Shankle's - Sparkly Green Earrings 

Desperate : Hope For The Mom Who Needs To Breathe by Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson

 There's more on the list that aren't finished but as much as I enjoyed reading Higgs' series I needed Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson's book more.  Sarah was very brave to reveal all she was feeling about motherhood.  She laid out on pages for anyone to read all the weaknesses I keep to myself and don't want others to know.  Desperate is a perfect title because that's the feeling I have most.  So, I know of at least 3 people, including Sarah and Sally, that have felt desperate.  There's got to be plenty more moms and guardians who feel desperate too.

 I would enjoy so much going through this book with other people.  There are so many scriptures and tips to help you get through the desperate moments.  Most of all there's reminders that I will never be perfect as a mom or anything else.  I have to take each day as I'm given it and ask for God's grace to help me honor him in what I do, say, and think.  Oh and STOP STOP STOP comparing!!!  As Lysa TerKeurst would say, "I'm not equipped to handle her good or bad".  I can only handle what God created for me!

www.facebook.com/desperatebook