A Post in Which I Share a Little Bit of Everything...

Remember the post in which I said that I just needed focus? Well, I still have not found it. And I'm trying to come to terms with floating here in this space of quiet. I'm feeling slightly uncomfortable with this lack of focus. Ever been there?

However, I do know there's some purpose hiding in the folds of this quiet space. Now I just need to quiet my mind enough to hear what He's trying to whisper to my soul.

I've been slightly perturbed this week because I've sat down at this computer every morning this week only to find that the words just refused to come. Not being one to force words, my index finger became quite familiar with the delete button on my keyboard. Was it possible? I had nothing to say?

Not so much. I've got a lot to say. It's just that none of it wants to show itself. It's all part of that lack of focus I've been obsessing about so much lately. This crazy swirling of thoughts; it's quite perplexing to me.

Moving on...

I thought I would share some things I've been enjoying lately. In case you're curious. : )

I LOVE reading. Brad tells me that I'm obsessed with books and reading. He's right. A friend of mine has an eight-year-old daughter who loves reading so much that my friend has a hard time getting her to do anything else. I can totally relate to this sweet little girl. Reading is an obsession for me. And I would most definitely call myself a book collector.

I'm a few pages short of finishing A Heart for Freedom: The Remarkable Journey of a Young Dissident, Her Daring Escape, and Her Quest to Free China's Daughters right now. I'm going to finish this today or tomorrow, I've decided. And then I'll be giving a more detailed book review here on Making A Home sometime soon.

I really enjoy biographies and memoirs. I find other people's lives and experiences fascinating. And this book has held me captive. Check out Chai Ling's foundation she founded to fight out against China's one-child policy and forced abortions. A worthwhile cause for sure. You can read more about Chai Ling and her amazing story here.
.

Four books are sitting in my "to read" pile. I typically have several books going on at one time. However, since I started reviewing books, I have found it much more beneficial to completely finish one book before starting the next unless one is a nonfiction and one is a fiction.

Because I'm all about learning how to capture my life's lessons and weave them into a beautiful story.

Because who doesn't experience life's disappointments. And don't we often have questions when staring face-to-face with hard times?

I always appreciate a Lucado book. His narrative, story-telling style of writing always flows so beautifully and effortlessly from the page to the reader's mind and heart.

Who doesn't need a little lesson in apologetics? It's good to know why we believe what we believe. We're called to defend the truth.


And what's on my wishlist? Can I share with you?

Found a recommendation for this book on Ann Voskamp's website A Holy Experience. It definitely appeals to the writer in me who is also a busy wife and homeschooling mama. How do I balance my faith-art with my life?

Isn't it easy to lose our vision as mothers? I have already read and highly recommend Sally Clarkson's other mothering book,The Mission of Motherhood: Touching Your Child's Heart for Eternity, and I just know that this book will also be a blessing to my mothering soul.

This woman here (speaking of myself) has a lot of experience in the fear department of life. I've lived through, have conquered, and continue to conquer many fears in my short life of thirty-two years. And I'm super-excited to have the opportunity to hear Angie Smith this weekend at Women of Faith.

And I'm halfway through Beth Moore's Bible study, Beloved Disciple: The Life and Ministry of John. I'm leading this study in our women's Bible study group at church. I don't know if I'm the only one, but this study has spoken volumes to my heart. I mean, it couldn't have meant anymore to me at this present state of my life if I wanted it to. God knew exactly what I needed to hear right now, and I pray that the other women in the study are reaping as much as I am through this study.

I'm thoroughly enjoying the beauty of this music. Peterson's music is very poetic and lyrical. He writes and sings about the stuff of life and family and faith. I love the rawness of his music. It is very reflective, and being a very reflective person myself, I really appreciate his musical poetry.

Feeling hungry?


Do you know how long it's been since I had a really yummy chocolate chip cookie? Being on a gluten-free diet really restricts my access to desserts (which is, honestly, a good thing.) My dear friend, Masumi, sent me a box of this Cherrybrook GF chocolate chip cookie mix to try out. Oh. my. Lily and I made them last night. I ate six. And, gulp, had three for breakfast this morning. They were yummy! Masumi, you are such a sweet, sweet friend.

I've been enjoying consciously and intentionally seeking out God's beauty gifts to me during this fall season...

What else do I love? Anything nostalgic. Anything that brings back the warm memories of my childhood. And chestnuts are one of those nostalgia-evoking things for me. They remind me of my Papa, the farmhouse where I spent so many of my childhood days, and the snack of boiled chestnuts I'd always find for myself at the farmhouse in the fall after school.

Thanks, Carmen, for providing me with some much-needed nostalgia. I savored each memory-packed bite.

Praying that you all would have a most blessed day in Him. My you bask in the glory of His deep, deep love for you.