1000 Gifts: My List

It was several months ago, that my friend Lora@MyBlessedLife introduced me to Ann Voskamp. Not in person, mind you, but in the blogosphere.

I'm always intrigued by what Lora is reading. One of my lifetime friends, she is also a fellow book-junkie. So when she first posted about the book, I was interested.

I quickly realized this was one I needed to not just read...I needed to devour it. I needed to read, put it down, step away, and truly meditate on what was being said. It challenged me like no book has in quite some time.

Ann is an exceptional writer, but it was more than that.

Her message...of giving thanks in everything, for everything...is what I needed to hear at the time.

Having experienced the pain of personal tragedy at an early age, Ann learned to do what we all do so well...busying ourselves with the day-to-day to the neglect of what is truly important, what is truly life-giving.

While I cannot relate to the deep pain Ann and her family experienced or the "soul-hole" as she calls it that it left, I can relate to her longing for something more, for a deeper purpose, a higher calling. Who hasn't wondered if there's really more to life (especially a mom's life) than folding laundry, wiping noses, and cleaning messes. Sure, we all know on some level that motherhood is "the highest calling." Let us not forget we are molding and shaping the minds and spirits of the future...yeah, that's the pressure I need on 4 hours of sleep!

Ann discovered it...the "it" we all search for, she and revealed it in her book. Thanksgiving. Not once-a-year-family-gathered-to-eat-turkey-type Thanksgiving. No, daily....truly...thanking God in everything, for everything. In her own words,

"Thanksgiving is the evidence of our acceptance of whatever He gives. Thanksgiving is the manifestation of our Yes! to His grace...thanksgiving is necessary to live the well, whole, fullest life."

And isn't that what God wants for us...life to the fullest? (See John 10:10). So, won't you join me this year in taking The Joy Dare? It's simple, really. Find 3 things every day to be thankful for. Three things. That can't be too difficult, too time-consuming, right? If you need a little help getting started, check this out.

Here we go!

0001.  a surprise lunch with my husband

0002.  sunshine in February

0003.  God's amazing grace

0004.  snuggling with my boy

0005. kisses from my girl

0006. amazing friends with whom to "do life"

0007. worship music

0008. a home to share with friends

0009. lazy weekends with family

0010. birthday celebrations

0011. food made with love

0012. kind words

0013. inspiring conversations with friends

0014. homemade valentine's from my daughter

0015. a healing God

0016. watching the "light bulb" moment when my kids are learning

0017. listening to my daughter practice piano

0018. watching my kids tackle their dad when he comes in the door

0019. chocolate

0020. bike rides and neighborhood walks

If you'd like to join me in The Joy Dare, leave a comment and link directly to your list! You can also link up at A Holy Experience (but at least leave me a comment and let me know you're in it with me!)

A Birthday Dr. Suess Story

As if on cue, Little Miss brought home this Dr. Suess book from the school library last Friday...which happened to be my birthday. Not just any birthday, mind you. But my last birthday of this decade. (I will not reveal which decade for those of you who think I may be younger than I am; I'm told a lady never tells her true age.)

I consider myself a Dr. Suess fan and would say I'm rather knowledgeable on his works. However, I had never seen this book or even heard anything about it.

As with most books library books that find their way into our home, we had to sit down immediately and read this new find. I don't know if I've ever laughed so much at a children's book before. From the subtitle one can gather that this wasn't written primarily for a juvenile audience. This is an ode to aging and the ails that come with it. It was so fitting that I read it on my last-year-of-this-decade birthday. I was thoroughly entertained, and honestly needed the humor to lift my spirits a little.

I was not the only one entertained by this book, however. In true Dr. Suess fashion, the colorful artwork, zany contraptions and situations in which the silly characters found themselves had my kids glued to every page as well. In fact, Little Miss chose it to read again before bed the other night. This time Hubby had the pleasure of reading. I think he laughed more than I did. :)

If you find yourself with more creaks and groans than you did a few short years ago, or if you've undergone major health issues recently (and have your own staff of doctors to prove it), give this a read. It may not cure your aches and pains, but it might just make them more bearable.

"A cheerful heart is good medicine" (Proverbs 17:22)

Cute Library Totes

Summer is officially here and in our house that means summer reading programs!! I have so many fond memories from my childhood of spending hours every summer at our local library. It helped, of course, that the library was air-conditioned and only a 4-block bike ride from my house.

I'm so glad Little Miss has inherited my love for books, and it seems Little Man is following in his big sister's footsteps. Our recent trips to the library have produced stacks of books so large, we can hardly carry them all home. In fact, we live within 10 miles of two libraries and are planning to take advantage of both reading programs this summer! That's why I was so excited for us to make these fun, library tote bags (an idea I adapted from something I saw in a magazine).

First, I purchased the needed supplies. I am NOT a "crafter," so the simpler the better...that's why this was perfect. All we needed was some canvas tote bags (I found a package of 3 in really fun colors!), iron on decals (optional), and fabric markers or paints.

I let Little Miss and Little Man choose the tote bag they wanted, then they set to work unleashing their creativity on one side of the tote.

Little Miss is quite the artist and filled every inch of hers!

On the other side I affixed their chosen iron-on decals...so easy! (Can you believe this is the first time I've done an iron-on? I told you I'm not crafty!) I used the fabric markers to personalize each tote. For example, "Little Miss's Books." (This picture was taken before I wrote their names.)

As a bonus, the totes will also serve as a place to keep all our library books organized. In an attempt to reduce lost library books and save Mom's sanity, when a library book is not being read, it is stored in the tote which has a special place in each of their rooms. That way, when we're ready to head to the library, we know where all the books are (in theory at least).

They were pretty proud of their totes. (Little Man is growling like the lion on his bag in the above picture.) And, even though I'll probably still end up carrying all three totes--full of books--from the library on each visit, they've created something they are proud of and ready to use. If it helps keep us a little more organized along the way, all the better!

For more fun, summer reading program ideas, head over to visit my friend Lora at My Blessed Life. She has some great tips!

Happy reading!

The Potty Train (a book review)

While we're on the subject of books (see my last post)...I wanted to mention a GREAT kid's book. We are currently potty training the Little Man, so when I stumbled upon The Potty Train by David Hochman and Ruth Kennison at the library, I knew we had to get it.Little Man is an avid train aficionado, and I thought this might be a helpful resource. Boy, was I right! We read it every day and every night for the three weeks we had it. When we weren't reading it, you could find him sitting in his room, flipping through the pages, chanting, "chugga chugga poo poo!"

If you know of a little boy who is potty training, this is the book for him! Hochman and Kennison do a fabulous job of relating the whole potty "training" event to an actual train adventure...every boy's dream come true! Couple that with gorgeous illustrations by Dereck Anderson, and it's a definite hit for any pottier-in-training. It was such a hit at our house Little Man kept wanting to go outside and ride an actual potty train. (Maybe not such a big deal except we had 8 inches of snow on the ground!) It took some real convincing, but I think he's finally understanding that there is no REAL potty train. But if there were....we'd be first in line!

Books, Books, and more Books

I love books. Hubby often laughs at me, because I leave stacks of books around the house so that, if I have a spare moment (and I do mean "moment" since there are two little ones constantly vying for attention), I can grab a book and get a few paragraphs further in my reading. I currently have nine books checked out from the library...and that's not counting the ones the kids have checked out.

Since I have been relatively "blog silent" so far this year, I thought I would share what I have been doing...mostly, reading and research. When I'm not tending to the kids or the house, shuttling us to preschool or church, running errands, or scouring the Internet for houses for sale (yes, we're still looking), I have my nose stuck in a book or magazine.

I read mostly non-fiction, because I love learning about new topics. My latest interest is nutrition. It all started as I was researching food allergies (more on that in a later post) and discovered that many food allergies are related to the "additives" and other junk in all of our processed foods. That led me on a search to discover just what we are eating these days and how to select foods that will provide the best and most nutrition for my family.

Below are three of my recent favorite finds. I had heard of these books quite a bit, but never got around to reading any of them. You may have already seen or read many of them. If not, I encourage you to check them out. While a lot of the nutritional basics are repeated in each book, each one gives a distinct slant on specifics and provides a treasure of nutritional know-how in itself.

Eat This, Not That by David Zinczenko with Matt Goulding
I believe this was the original Eat This, Not That book written by the editor-in-chief of Men's Health Magazine in 2007. In it, Zinczenko gives valuable information on the nutritional content of many of your favorite foods and restaurant staples, including suggestions of what to eat and what not to eat at your favorite fast food and sit-down restaurants. This book is a simple and easy beginner's guide to making the best choices at restaurants, the supermarket, and even your favorite holiday gatherings.

Eat This, Not that for Kids by David Zinczenko with Matt Goulding

A practical tool for any parent, Eat This Not That for Kids provides valuable information on some of your kids' favorite restaurant fare...even those that are not available online. Some of the information is common sense, some of it is rather shocking. For example, did you know that Chili's Pepper Pals Chicken Crispers pack an unbelievable 41 grams of fat? And Romano's Macaroni Grill's Kid's Double Macaroni 'n' Cheese contains over 1,200 calories...and that's the kids' portion! Zinczenko also provides an entire section on school cafeteria and vending machine options as well as several recipes for giving kid-friendly fare like mac and cheese and nachos a nutritional makeover.

Eat This, Not That: Supermarket Survival Guide by David Zinczenko with Matt Goulding
This is my favorite Eat This, Not That book so far. The book opens with a sort of primer on nutrition, including how our foods have changed in the last 20-30 years (with the introduction of such things as high fructose corn syrup and trans fats) and how that might be impacting our nation's current struggle with obesity. These changes aren't simply limited to process foods, either. Even our meats, dairy products and produce pack less of a nutritional punch than they did decades ago, mostly thanks to "advances" in farming techniques which result in growing plants and animals faster and "stronger." Zinczenko also uncovers some sneaky marketing tactics used by food manufacturers to "dupe" consumers into believing highly-processed, nutrient-lacking foods are actually good for us! The bulk of the book is spent going section by section, aisle by aisle through your supermarket and comparing name-brand product against name-brand product. It is a lot of information, and all of it is beneficial.

I'm also wanting to check out two of Zinczenko's more recent books: Eat This, Not That: Restaurant Survival Guide and Cook This, Not That: Kitchen Survival Guide which gives practical, nutritious recipes for duplicating some of your favorite restaurant meals at home.

For a complete list of books, plus practical tips and nutritional information, visit EatThis.com.

Do you know of any other helpful nutritional resources? If so, leave me a comment and let me know. They'll probably find their way to my stack of books (or list of web sites) soon.

Finding an Unseen God

A few months ago a friend of mine introduced me to the book Anonymous by Alicia Britt Chole. At the time all I know about Alicia was that she had spoken at the women's conference at our church a couple of years ago. I was unable to hear her speak then, but I heard great things about her.


I got the book and started reading it, and...wow! It is definitely a must-read for anyone who has gone through (or is going through) a time in life when you wonder what happened to the dreams you once had, will they ever be fulfilled, has God forgotten about you, or any reason for wondering what God is doing in the midst of your life. I am still going through the book--slowly. There is so much to "chew on" that I find myself having to take breaks from it and really internalize what I've just read.

I was so impressed with Alicia's writing style and her ability to genuinely communicate such deep, theological concepts that I visited and thoroughly devoured her web site and blog. I also recently had the opportunity to hear her speak and to meet her. She is just as genuine and amazingly passionate in person.

Alicia has an amazing story about her search for God and equally powerful story of her struggle to bear children, including her choice to trust God and His provision in giving her three gorgeous children. She chronicles her conversion from stoic atheist to devout and passionate follower of Christ in her latest book, Finding an Unseen God. I've not yet read it, but from what I know of Alicia and her writing, I'm sure it's captivating, challenging, and poignant.


I highly recommend either of these resources (any of her resources actually), and I am looking forward to reading Finding an Unseen God as soon as I finish my journey through Anonymous. I hope you will visit her site and check out her resources. I'm sure you'll find something there that will touch and challenge you.

The Shack: A Book Review

I must admit, I was a bit skeptical about reading The Shack by William Young. A book about an "encounter" with God (representative in three human forms including an African-American female and an Asian female) just sounded a bit "kooky" to me. However, it was recommended to me by a couple of good friends who I greatly respect, so I had to check it out. (Plus, all the controversy surrounding it piqued my interest a bit!)

I actually read the book a few months ago. (It was originally on my Fall Into Reading 2008 list, but I didn't get to it until December.) I failed to get the review done in the midst of all the holiday madness (then the New Year madness, which seems to have led right into the February madness....when will it end?!). Now I am finally getting around to the review.

From the back cover:

Mackenzie Allen Philips' youngest daughter, Missy, had been abducted during a family vacation and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later in the midst of his great sadness, Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend. Against his better judgment, he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack's world forever.

In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant, The Shack wrestles with the timeless question, “Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?” The answers Mack receives will astound you and perhaps transform you as much as it did him.

I found the book surprisingly interesting and even challenging. It's extremely well-written in my opinion, and I found myself devouring entire chapters without realizing how much time had passed. At the same time, I came across spiritual concepts that required me to stop and "chew" for a bit, making sure I thoroughly digested them.

Mr. Young has done a wonderful job of weaving spiritual and even theological allegory throughout his novel. His demonstration of God's loving and nurturing nature is a refreshing change from how we sometimes see God characterized, especially in fiction. I feared that Young's portrayal of God would, at very least, border on the absurd. Instead, I found his representation of God in the three characters a stark reminder of God's amazing uniqueness and a refreshing demonstration of His unconditional love for each of us.

For those who have suffered tragic loss, Young's novel will bring a fresh perspective on God's sovereignty and purpose through all things. For everyone else it is, at the very least, a vivid reminder of God's amazing love...even in the midst of our darkest pain.

To read more about the book visit The Shack web site.

Memoirs of a Geisha: A Book Review

Well, this may be a less-than-dramatic way to break my 2-week silence (AGAIN!) especially so close to Christmas, but I actually read this book about a month ago and thought I should get around to reviewing it. It was originally on my Fall Into Reading 2008 list, but I didn't get the book review posted in time for it to officially count. (However, it DOES count in my book because I DID read it!) Now, on to the review...

I had heard so much about this book, that I was really looking forward to it. I must admit it was difficult to get into the story because the content itself is so discouraging and heartbreaking. The life of a geisha (as depicted in this book) is anything but glamorous! On the flip side, however, the imagery and writing were magnificent! I could absolutely picture the gorgeous, flowing kimono and the beautiful surrounding scenery. Overall, it was a sad, sad story that was beautifully told. If you're looking for a beautifully written story full of vivid imagery, this is the book for you. If you're looking for a story to make you feel good about life and the human condition...you might want to shelve this one for now.

I have yet to see the movie, but hope to soon (maybe once I've exhausted my extensive holiday movie collection!). If the book is so beautifully written, I can't wait to see what they do with it on the big screen!

As a side note: I'm hoping to post another book review (from my original list), and send my holiday greetings before we leave on Wed!

The Firstborn Advantage: A Book Review

This is yet another book that was NOT on my Fall Into Reading 2008 book list. However, when I saw it in the book store, I knew I had to read it. I have not read Dr. Leman's other books on birth order (including The Birth Order book), but I remember my parents reading it when we were young and hearing all about it. As a firstborn, I was so excited to learn that Dr. Leman had now written a book, specifically for me. Here is an excerpt from the cover:

"You're driven. You have big plans and dreams. You demand a lot out of
yourself, and it pays off. As a natural mover and shaker of the world, you were
at the top of your class. You're the benchmark setter and the award winner,
you've always done what's expected of you--and yes, you're the one who got in
trouble for what your younger sibling did. Being firstborn comes with a high
price sometimes, and no one is harder on you than you. But it doesn't have to be
that way. You can learn to use your firstborn skills to your best advantage in
every area of life. And you'll still end up as the high achiever you were born
to be."

Like I said...it was written just for me. How refreshing it was to discover that my need to have things done "my way" is not some maladjusted illness or a reason to submit to therapy, but simply a result of my birth order. Whew! Dr. Leman gives great insight into the role of a firstborn--chronological or functional (which he explains in the book)--and how that impacts her view of herself, relationship with others, and need to accomplish things (and do them perfectly!). Dr. Leman gives firstborns tips for using their natural-born leadership tendencies to its greatest advantage in relationships, at home, at school, and at work.

If you are a firstborn, are married to a firstborn, have a firstborn sibling, or simply know a firstborn, this book is a must-read. You will gain a wealth of wisdom and insight. And if you ARE a firstborn, you definitely must read this...if for no other reason, to learn to cut yourself some slack!

A Wedding in December: A Book Review

A Wedding in December by Anita Shreve was not on my Fall Into Reading 2008 list, but the cover caught my eye at a bookstore, so I had to see what it was about. (Yes, I am one who judges books by their covers.)

Seven high school friends, now in their mid-40s, gather at an inn belonging to one of them for a winter wedding. The happy couple are two of their own who went their separate ways and have now reunited 25 years later. The group has not spoken to one another since graduation night when a terrible tragedy occurred. Now, at the inn, they must all faced what happened so many years ago, along with the demons and baggage they've collected along the years.

I don't typically read fiction, and now I remember why. I am always left saying, "Really...that was it?" Perhaps I build it up too much in my mind; perhaps my expectations are too lofty, but I often feel disappointed at the end. I get drawn in by the plot and the potential of the characters, as I was with Shreve's most recent book, but then I'm discouraged by the outcome. I LOVE great works of fiction, but find most fiction consumes too much of my time for too little payback. (Apparently, I'm just not reading the right fiction.)

While the plot was intriguing, and the writing was adequate, I felt that Shreve's characters left much to be desired. It seemed to me they were all a bit on the depressing side...always selling themselves short and longing for what they could not have. Now, don't get me wrong, I understand the "draw of the forbidden" and it's potential to inject suspense into a story. But it just seemed that ALL of the characters in this particular story were....well, sad--stuck in loveless marriages, facing life-threatening medical issues, or simply unhappy with their lives.

I've read mixed reviews of this book online (I was curious to see if I was the only one who felt this way). So if you're really into fiction, and this story sounds interesting to you, check it out. Judge for yourself if it's a great piece of fiction, or as one online reviewer put it, "a ho-hum read filled with tired metaphors."

The Ministry of Motherhood: A Book Review

I recently finished the first book on my Fall Into Reading 2008 list. I had read The Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson and was anxious to read this "follow-up" book of hers as well. As always, Sally's message both encouraged and challenged me in my role as "mom." I knew I would like this book as I always love reading her blog, I Take Joy.

This particular book, however, seemed to really "hit me where I am." I could especially relate to one paragraph in the introduction:

"I realized with the passing of each day that spiritual and emotional
maturity in the lives of my children would not just happen because I wished it
so. It would not just happen as a result of the passive example of my being
good. Effective emotional, spiritual, and social training in the lives of my
children would have to be both intentional and planned."

With a preschooler and now a toddler, my days are increasingly busy. Most of the time I feel as if I'm barely keeping up, and often I'm just falling behind. At the same time, I realize how fleeting the time with my children is and I want to do all I can to pour into them. I want to give them so much more than just knowledge. I want to give them the foundation they need to realize and experience their own faith in Christ, to meet the world with the truths of God's Word, and to develop social skills to help them feel comfortable with themselves and confident with others.

Sally does an amazing job of outlining the truths that she and her husband strove to impart to their children. She doesn't do it with a "you-have-to-do-it-this-way" attitude. But she does give you the tools to recognize what values are truly important and how to effectively communicate them in your family. Even if your children are older, Sally's book is a treasure of information. Many of the ideas and suggested activities that she lists are for older, elementary- and middle-school aged kids.

This book will not be for everyone. It's not an "easy-road-to-parenting" type resource. Not everyone will agree with her approach, and I realize her ideas won't work for every family. But I think it will challenge anyone who reads it to stop and consider the level of intention that goes into their everyday parenting. I know it's definitely done that for me.

Fall Into Reading 2008

It's Fall....yea!!!! My favorite time of year. Even though it's currently 75 degrees here, I'm looking forward to the crisp, cool weather and curling up with a cup of hot apple cider, warm pumpkin bread, and a good book. That's why I'm looking forward to participating in the Fall Into Reading 2008 challenge hosted by Katrina at Callipider Days.

Since this is my first time participating in the reading challenge, my list is a bit sparse. With two small children and a hectic fall ahead of us, I'm trying to "ease" into this whole reading-challenge thing. I suppose I can always add to the list if, for some reason, I fly through the titles more quickly than expected.

I am also using this as an excuse to bring more variety to my reading repertoire. I tend to gravitate toward one type of book, so I'm trying to shake things up a bit and branch out by reading things I might not typically take the time to pick up. So, without further ado, here's my much-anticipated list:

The Ministry of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson (currently reading)

The Shack by William Young

Bringing Up Boys by Dr. James Dobson

Wicked by Gregory Maguire

Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel

If you're an avid reader (or even if you're not), check out the details of the Fall Into Reading challenge, and join in the fun! There are so many good books waiting for you!

Carry-On: A Book Review

Excerpted from the back cover:

In one entertaining and enlightening book, Scotty Gibbons unpacks 15 years in student ministry at one of America's fastest growing churches. Scotty's proven principles will encourage and equip you (and the leaders around you) to go the distance.

I met Scotty Gibbons 15 years ago when I interviewed with him to become a volunteer leader in the youth ministry. I served under Scotty's leadership for seven amazing, challenging, and life-changing years. He poured into me as a leader and a friend. Many of the principles I learned from him have helped mold the person I am today--not only in leadership, but in personal discipline, interaction with others, and basic communication.

Although I am not currently involved in youth ministry, I wanted to read Scotty's book because he is an amazing communicator and a good friend. I wasn't disappointed. While Carry-On is a must-have resource for anyone involved in youth ministry, the leadership principles Scotty writes about are beneficial for life in general. As always, I found Scotty challenging me in my personal life as well. And I found many of the principles applicable to my role as a mother (if you simply substitute the word "ministry" for "motherhood" because after all, that's what motherhood is.)

If you're involved in youth ministry (or ministry of any sort, really) I highly recommend this resource. (You can order it here.) You can check out what Scotty and his staff are currently up to at their Realife web site, or visit Scotty's blog.

Good News, Bad News, and Other Random Ramblings

Sorry I've been MIA for the weekend. We took a quick, somewhat-last-minute, trip to see my parents who were visiting my grandma a couple of hours away. Since my parents live about 10 hours from us, I like to take the kids to see them when they're close by. We had a great time visiting, and we're finally home.

I had hoped to do Know & Tell Friday before we left, but didn't get a chance. In case you missed it, too, head on over to Kickin' It In Crazyville to see all the responses...they had some GREAT questions!

So, here's the GOOD NEWS I had waiting for me when I got home...I received an e-mail from the publisher of my book, Drama Ministry: A Guidebook, stating that they have agreed to publish my (and some of my friends') original drama scripts in a series of script books. The details are still being worked out, but the books should be available sometime next summer.

As for the BAD NEWS...today Hubby registered us for his high school reunion in September. Now that, in and of itself, is NOT bad news. But it does mean that it's time for me to get downright serious once again on the weight loss front. Only 2 1/2 short months to shed those last few pounds of "baby weight" that still wreak havoc on my midsection. Here I come celery sticks and running shoes...right after another piece of chocolate ;)

God is in the Little Things

I know I already posted a book review on Sally Clarkson's book, The Mission of Motherhood, but I wanted to share a couple of my favorite quotes from the book:

Though cultural storms attack violently each day, a solid Christian home can be a protective fortress, a haven of peace for all who live there. Those inside its walls are protected, nurtured, and nourished in body, heart, mind, and soul. Such homes need a director, guardian , and caretaker, which is what God had in mind when he designed the role of mother.

I must choose to believe that it matters that I am choosing to be with my children and slowly build their character instead of pursuing a full-time career where the results of my labor may be more immediately tangible.

Like I mentioned in the review, this book has challenged me to be more "intentional" in my parenting approach. I haven't done anything remarkable or earth-shattering. I've simply tried to "be with" my children more...and I mean actually be with them mentally as well as physically (instead of mentally running through my grocery list or "to do" list while trying to play Candyland, for example). I've also tried to capture more "teachable moments" with my daughter.

Well, God has a funny way of showing me that my minimal efforts are already beginning to pay off. Instead of the usual "I don't know" response to the weekly "what did you learn at church today?" question, we spent the afternoon building the walls of Jericho with sofa pillows, marching around them with a take-home craft tambourine, then plummeting the "walls" to the ground. Maybe it was the hands-on story or the fun tambourine craft, but something made the story stick in my little 3-year-old's brain. The Jericho reinactment was then followed by a "mock" church service complete with heartfelt worship ("Jesus Loves Me"), a powerful sermon, and three baby dedications for her dolls!

I've often found the concept of "playing church" kind of sad...children learning to "go through the motions" rather than discovering a real relationship with God. But what Clarkson's book reminded me is that the "motions" aren't so empty or trite when they come from a heart of sincerity. The goal is to achieve actions that flow out of a relationship. My responsibility is not so much to teach my children what to do or not to do, my responsibility is to model for them a real relationship with God and convey that to them through my relationship with them.

Perhaps I'm overanalyzing (it wouldn't be the first time!). It's likely that my 3-year-old is simply now at a cognitive place where she is capable of remembering and re-enacting a Bible story. But as I watched her bow her head and dedicate her baby doll to Jesus, I couldn't help but feel like God was whispering to my heart, "Look what I can do with a small thing like a little effort on your part."

The Mission of Motherhood: A Book Review

Although this isn't Sally Clarkson's most recent book (it was written in 2003), The Mission of Motherhood: Touching Your Child's Heart for Eternity is a fresh and encouraging read for any mom. The principles Clarkson presents are almost a "given" for any Christian mom; however, she presents them in a fresh way that challenges even the most "church-savvy" mom. I was greatly encouraged by Clarkson's real-life approach to parenting and motherhood. Her vast experience raising her four children shines through in her words of wisdom and insight. Yet she takes the tone of a trusted and wiser friend rather than an experienced know-it-all. I found myself challenged again to be more intentional in my parenting approach.

Here is an excerpt from the back cover of the book:

No calling is greater, nobler, or more fulfilling than that of motherhood. Every day, as we nurture our children, mothers influence eternal destiny as no one else can. Tragically, today's culture minimizes the vital importance of a mother's role. By catching a vision of God's original design and allowing it to shape your life, you can rediscover the joy and fulfillment that can be found in the strategic role to which God in all his wisdom has called you, for a purpose far greater than you can ever imagine.

I definitely recommend this book to any mom who desires to follow God's calling and be the person God has called her to be.

Going Home

My trip to KC was a lot of fun. The purpose was two-fold: (1) to promote my book, and (2) to visit my old home church and some family. (The conference was held at my former home church and my parents were attending the conference.)

The book promotion wasn't exactly a huge success. We only sold a few copies (thank you, Lora for purchasing most of them!), but we did have a lot of people express interest in the book. Hopefully they will remember once they get home and order it online. It was good to get the word out.

The kids had a BLAST visiting with "Nanee and PaPa." I'm not sure which my parents enjoyed more...showing off their grandkids to all their friends or bragging that their oldest daughter had written a book!

It was a bit bizarre visiting my "home" church to which I hadn't returned in almost 15 years! The building had changed tremendously (but the sanctuary was eerily the same). There were some of the same faces, but now they had a few more wrinkles, a few more gray hairs, and a few more children in tow! It was like a weird time warp between 1998 and 2008. While it was nice to "step back in time," it's good to be back to my present and the things and people I now know. It's a wonderful church, and the people are great, but there's nothing like "going back" to make one thankful for where they are now!

I was also able to spend some time with my life-long friend, Lora (check out her blog My Blessed Life). Our parents were friends long before we arrived on the scene, and since both our parents were there, too, we had three generations of friendship going on. It was really cool. Lora and I hadn't seen each other in ages. It was great to see her and her beautiful family, and visit some of the places we had hung out together 15 years ago!

Lora and me at The Country Club Plaza, Kansas City, MO

Three generations of friendship...me and Lora with our moms and daughters.

After the conference, the kids and I spent a couple days at my grandma's about 30 minutes south of KC. My daughter LOVED the chance to run and play on "G's" property. (The great-grandkids have dubbed my grandma "G.") She also loved playing with G's dog, Lacey.

"G" with the kiddos

And the best part of going home...grandma's fried chicken!! YUM!!

All in all, it was a fun--and exhausting--trip!

Book Tour

OK, it's not really a book tour. But I am on my way to the great metropolis of Kansas City to promote my boook, Drama Ministry: A Guidebook. For more info on the book, click here.

I will hopefully check in while I'm gone. Otherwise, will "see" you all when I get back!

Quote of the Day

There's a quote at our library...actually it's on a T-shirt in the gift shop, but I love it. It goes like this:

"Outside a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside a dog, it's too dark to read."

--Groucho Marx

I just love that!