Saturday morning musings
So last night I went to bed around 12:30, thinking, I can sleep in tomorrow. It is Saturday and I don't have to wake up early. You can imagine my dismay when my body woke up naturally at 6:15. I went to the bathroom, crawled back to bed, and could only stay there until 7:00. Sometimes having an internal clock is really annoying.
In other news, this week I was sick for two days. :( I stayed home from school on Monday and Tuesday. I must tell you that my sickness was the really annoying undiagnosable kind in which I did not even know what I had. No fever. Just misery. All I know is that I was lethargic, achy, weak, and tired. Most likely my sickness could have been named none other than fatigue. My two days at home were actually quite nice; I was able to read, watch movies, and sleep.
Anyways, I have been thinking about the list. Reading has always been a passion of mine. I love getting lost in someone else's story and being challenged by someone else's words. When I was a little girl, my sister wanted to run around and climb thing. I was content to stay inside with my nose in a book. My gramma worried about me and thought I was lazy. I just loved stories...and still do. This summer, I rekindled my love of reading. In the past few years, I have been reading more nonfiction than fiction. The memoir genre has really captured me, but I had to read some fiction to shake things up. So I read The Help. And like everyone else, I loved it. I was swept away in the horrific problems of the old school deep South. From there, my reading just snowballed.
Here's what I have read lately and loved:
Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequist
I just finished reading this for probably the fourth time. I love Shauna's honest yet thought-provokingly gentle style of writing. Definitely one of my favorite books. Ever.
The Scent of Water by Naomi Zacharias
This one was slow in the beginning, but oh so good once it picked up. Also a very honest writer. I appreciated her words about finding grace in brokenness.
Christy and Todd: The College Years by Robin Jones Gunn
So I read the entire Christy Miller series at least 2 or 3 times in middle school. And this little trilogy of their college years together is just presh. The author knows how to craft a story that makes you laugh, cry, and also challenges the ways in which you view love- through rose-colored lenses or with the attitude of Christ.
Praying for Your Future Husband: Preparing Your Heart for His by Robin Jones Gunn and Tricia Goyer
Loved and needed this. Jokingly told a friend that I picked it up to figure out "what I could pray to make him come my way," but I got so much more out of it than that. Each chapter challenged me to think about the woman I want to be.
Currently reading:
What Women Fear: Walking in Faith That Transforms by Angie Smith
I've only read the introduction so far, but the second time I read it I was crying, so I am expecting good things...I'm reading it along with other women at (in)courage and watching the videos with the chapters, too. Feels good to know that other sisters in Christ are doing battle over the same strongholds.
Fit to Be Tied by Bill and Lynne Hybels
Coincidentally, these are Shauna Niequist's parents! And my parents recommended this one to me, and so far it has been quite eye-opening.
Kisses from Katie: A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption by Katie Davis
I have raved about Katie numerous times before, and I got her book in the mail yesterday. Probably going to start reading it today.
Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young
Literally the best devotional I have read since My Utmost for His Highest. I look forward to what I get to read each morning because it is so affirming and just right. I want everyone I know to have a copy of this book. If I had the funds I would buy one for every one of my friends.
So that's my current book list. And as far as cooking goes, this week I made some yummy quinoa with chicken, black beans, and tomatoes, and some squash casserole, too. Mmmmm...I always feel better about what I eat when I made it and it was not processed at some factory. :)
Have a good weekend friends. I'll leave you with this song from Adele. Girl can sing.
In other news, this week I was sick for two days. :( I stayed home from school on Monday and Tuesday. I must tell you that my sickness was the really annoying undiagnosable kind in which I did not even know what I had. No fever. Just misery. All I know is that I was lethargic, achy, weak, and tired. Most likely my sickness could have been named none other than fatigue. My two days at home were actually quite nice; I was able to read, watch movies, and sleep.
Anyways, I have been thinking about the list. Reading has always been a passion of mine. I love getting lost in someone else's story and being challenged by someone else's words. When I was a little girl, my sister wanted to run around and climb thing. I was content to stay inside with my nose in a book. My gramma worried about me and thought I was lazy. I just loved stories...and still do. This summer, I rekindled my love of reading. In the past few years, I have been reading more nonfiction than fiction. The memoir genre has really captured me, but I had to read some fiction to shake things up. So I read The Help. And like everyone else, I loved it. I was swept away in the horrific problems of the old school deep South. From there, my reading just snowballed.
Here's what I have read lately and loved:
Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequist
I just finished reading this for probably the fourth time. I love Shauna's honest yet thought-provokingly gentle style of writing. Definitely one of my favorite books. Ever.
The Scent of Water by Naomi Zacharias
This one was slow in the beginning, but oh so good once it picked up. Also a very honest writer. I appreciated her words about finding grace in brokenness.
Christy and Todd: The College Years by Robin Jones Gunn
So I read the entire Christy Miller series at least 2 or 3 times in middle school. And this little trilogy of their college years together is just presh. The author knows how to craft a story that makes you laugh, cry, and also challenges the ways in which you view love- through rose-colored lenses or with the attitude of Christ.
Praying for Your Future Husband: Preparing Your Heart for His by Robin Jones Gunn and Tricia Goyer
Loved and needed this. Jokingly told a friend that I picked it up to figure out "what I could pray to make him come my way," but I got so much more out of it than that. Each chapter challenged me to think about the woman I want to be.
Currently reading:
What Women Fear: Walking in Faith That Transforms by Angie Smith
I've only read the introduction so far, but the second time I read it I was crying, so I am expecting good things...I'm reading it along with other women at (in)courage and watching the videos with the chapters, too. Feels good to know that other sisters in Christ are doing battle over the same strongholds.
Fit to Be Tied by Bill and Lynne Hybels
Coincidentally, these are Shauna Niequist's parents! And my parents recommended this one to me, and so far it has been quite eye-opening.
Kisses from Katie: A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption by Katie Davis
I have raved about Katie numerous times before, and I got her book in the mail yesterday. Probably going to start reading it today.
Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young
Literally the best devotional I have read since My Utmost for His Highest. I look forward to what I get to read each morning because it is so affirming and just right. I want everyone I know to have a copy of this book. If I had the funds I would buy one for every one of my friends.
So that's my current book list. And as far as cooking goes, this week I made some yummy quinoa with chicken, black beans, and tomatoes, and some squash casserole, too. Mmmmm...I always feel better about what I eat when I made it and it was not processed at some factory. :)
Have a good weekend friends. I'll leave you with this song from Adele. Girl can sing.