is currently reading...

I don't get to go to the library very often, since we now live outside the city limits and the PUBLIC library isn't accessible to me. *whatever* Since tim has a library card with the church, I ask politely like a little girl wanting her daddy to take her to get ice cream and we make a trip.

This is what I came back with:

I'm really excited about this one. I've been wanting some really fun, intentional family traditions to start while Isaac is young and I think we will enjoy this one. You can make or buy an ornament for each day of Advent. There are devotionals to do with your kids, songs to sing that go along with that day's theme, and devotions to do with other adults as well. As a kid, we always had an Advent wreath so it's special for me, too.

This one looks really good, too. The topic of Advent had me thinking, so I picked this up.

Before you think I'm going to get all femi-Nazi on you, it's quite the opposite. But not in a spine-less, weaker link sort of way. I first heard of this author when a friend and I attended the True Woman conference last month. One of those things that change your entire perspective.

I honestly never thought I'd be reading this, just because I never thought I'd be a mom of boys. So glad I am. :)

i agree...great gift ideas!

Check out one of my favorite blogs, Passionate Homemaking. In this post, she raves about great gift ideas for this Christmas and...gasp! she mentions The Pampered Chef! I love her blog about being frugal, natural, and Christ centered with her family so I was very proud to see our products on her top lists as great suggestions!

Oh, and let me know if you want any of the great stuff she suggests;)

my absurd, make believe, "if only" wish list

i suppose i can label myself as a list-maker. it's nice to simplify and gather thoughts all in one neat, little column on a petite sticky note. i make to-do lists all the time, grocery lists, wish lists, idea lists, etc. i have a tiny spiral notebook entirely dedicated to lists. in general. i try to keep it with me in the instance that i need to jot something down or make a list of something i need to remember later. i doubt it really lends itself as a useful organizing tool for me, considering the fact that it's buried underneath messy paperwork on the desk right now. to each his own.

tonight, i felt like i just wanted to make a fun list. a list that isn't reality, and is a little bit materialistically (is that a word, court?) aloof. feel free to practice the art of giving if you feel so inclined. and if you're simply a reader, feel free to chuckle a bit.

this is my "i simply must do something with this money tree in my backyard that won't stop growing..." list:

1. A dutch oven (or two) like this one. I'd probably need a purple AND a green one.

2. A lifetime supply of these. And any other brand is just not the same.

3. A bright yellow one of these. They just look so fun. And ergonomically fancy shmancy designed and stuff.

4. This would actually be something Tim and I would both love. In all seriousness. And a couple extra thousand bucks. But ya know...it could happen.

water

I'm never so sure if things line up in my life according to God's planning it that way, or if I'm just convincing myself that it's so. However, I am a firm believer in the practice of prayer & spending time and energy getting to know our Creator. Since I've gotten (a little) better at turning an ear towards God's leading in my life lately, I find God in the details. Everywhere. I knew He was there before, but mostly just in the major panics or blessings that would catch anyone's attention. Nowadays, I'm delighted to find Him in the every day happenings of life as a wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend.

Our adult small group has been (slowly) working through a film series called Blessed Earth by Dr. Matthew Sleeth. We're eating it up, just because it gives us an excuse to blab on about how important it is to recycle and reuse napkins, but mostly because it's so good at teaching how "following Jesus is good for the planet". It takes the trendy green movement and makes it intentional for the life of the church. Good stuff.

Our last session was entitled, "Water". Long story short, we were sent home with the assignment of trying to be more aware of how fortunate we are to have free access to clean, drinkable water 24/7. We searched the Scriptures for mention of water and took note of how Jesus even called Himself the "Living Water". We were challenged to post a verse somewhere near the sink, shower, etc. to remind us of God's thorough connection with water. I chose Psalm 65:9,

"You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it."

I'm telling you all this because on Thursday of this last week, our well went out. We didn't have water when we woke up, and the issue didn't get resolved until about 7:30 that evening. Isaac and I were at home all day without running water. No shower, no washing dishes, no doing laundry, and no...flushing. the. toilet. I made sure that I stopped to use the restroom when I was out running errands since I wasn't able to use it at home. It was definitely annoying and frustrating, especially since we didn't know the extent of what needed to be fixed, etc. but it definitely made me stop and think immediately about what we've just been studying.

Water.

Not only did God want me to think about it in my mind, but to feel it physically for a day. Without water, there is no life. Of course, in our readily available society, you can go buy almost anything you'd ever need, including water. But I didn't that day. I (tried) waiting patiently until it was fixed, and then continued to thank God for being my Living Water. That evening, I remember being really thirsty and being truly thankful for being able to just turn on my faucet and fill my glass.

God's in the details, guys. He may need to turn your world around for a day to make sure you're really thankful for what He's done...even if it's just reminding you that you're damn lucky to have running water. Just like your mother used to say, "There are kids in the world who don't have vegetables to eat, so be thankful!" Listen to her. It's true.

Plus, moms are always right. Psh.