Donuts to 2015

Well, my 2015 has gotten off to a rocky start. Sickness, computer viruses, super cold temps, ANOTHER flat tire, adorable disobedient daughters...cabin fever beginning to set in. Enter the picture of these donuts. I ate these in 2014. They were delicious, they were random, they were steeped in good conversation.

50 Women Every Christian Should Know Review

50 Women Every Christian Should Know by Michelle DeRusha
Visit her website HERE
Publisher: Baker Books
Publishing Date: September 16, 2014
Goodreads Summary:

Throughout history, countless women have boldly stepped out in faith and courage, leaving their indelible mark on those around them and on the kingdom of God. In lively prose Michelle DeRusha tells their stories, bringing into focus fifty incredible heroines of the faith. From Catherine of Siena, Teresa of Avila, and Anne Hutchison to Susanna Wesley, Harriet Tubman, and Corrie ten Boom, women both famous and admirable live again under DeRusha's expert pen. These engaging narratives are a potent reminder to readers that we are not alone, the battles we face today are not new, and God is always with us in the midst of the struggle. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Buy a copy of the book today! 

My Thoughts: 
It is not an overstatement to say that EVERY CHRISTIAN needs to read this book, male or female, newbie or 'junkie'. Having this collection of fifty women who were self-less, faithful, and wavemakers is truly an inspiration. I follow author Michelle DeRusha's blog so I have had the privilege of seeing a few behind the scenes moments. The struggles, time and effort the author put into writing about FIFTY separate, amazing women and culling each giant story into a few short pages. Nothing short of astounding in itself.

First, the obvious: I just loved reading through these tiny glimpses of these giant women of faith! It is like a Hebrews 11 book of women. And I truly mean it, these ladies were FAITHFUL. Writing and reading when it was frowned upon for women, trusting and loving the Lord when it meant certain death, standing up for the weak and destitute, and raising, and losing, hundreds of kids. How could this book NOT be an inspiration? Each time you set the book down these fifty women will stick to your heart, you will ponder their lives and your own guaranteed.

I just have two nitpicky things to say about the book, and only because I was trying to look with a critical eye. First, some of the women's chapters felt more purposeful, with a clear conclusion and take away. But others just felt like they...ended. They may have had a compelling life story, but sometimes I was left wondering 'And now what?'

Second, I wish the editor had allowed for a 'Further Reading' section at the end of each chapter. I would love to read more on some of these women of faith. The very back of the book includes DeRusha's notes and Bibliography so I will try to cull some extra reading from there. 

"50 Women" will be sticking with me for a long while, and will hopefully be making it's way onto my Re-Read 2015 list. Until then I will be trying to push everyone I know to read it and become inspired themselves. 5 stars. 

Breathing Room Review

Breathing Room by Leeana Tankersley
Visit the Author's website HERE
Publisher: Revell
Publishing Date: October 7, 2014
Publisher Summary:

AN INVITATION TO BREATHE
Catastrophe or no catastrophe, if you are unhinged, disoriented, suffocating, or otherwise generally dragging, I'm inviting you to pull up a chair at this table . . .
Breathing Room is a beautiful release of self-condemnation, a discovery of the rest that comes when we offer ourselves some space to breathe. Vulnerable and winsome, Leeana Tankersley shows you how to stop beating yourself up, how to be radically on your own team, and how to truly experience grace. If you've been putting on a strong front and yet are secretly coming apart, you'll find in these pages a trusted friend.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Buy direct from the publisher today!

My Thoughts:
If anyone is their own worst enemy, it's me. I've been my enemy for years and years. I could never do anything right, I was never pretty enough, I constantly reminded myself of my failures and sins. The description above is from on the back of the book, and it is an accurate description. 'Breathing Room is a book about coming apart and coming back together again.' 

Tankersley does two amazing things with this piece. First, she holds our hand and walks us into the idea of being our own best friend. Women folk, isn't that just the truth? We say horrible things about ourselves, internally and externally, that we would NEVER say to our best friend. So why on earth is it okay for us to say them to ourselves?? The simplicity comes right out of the book and smacks you in the face. 

The second thing I thought Tankersley does well was to share the importance, and normalcy, of losing it for 'small' reasons. Sometimes there doesn't need to be a 'big' life change (death, loss of job, pet, etc)for a person to lose it. Sometimes life just builds up and up and up until...well, until you are quite lost. 

Catastrophe or no catastrophe, if you are unhinged, disoriented, suffocating, or otherwise generally dragging, I'm inviting you to pull up a chair at this table.

It doesn't really matter to me what the outside of your life looks like. If the inside of you is struggling, this is your book, baby. I'm your girl. (pg 15)

It was a blessing to feel normal for feeling lost and confused for no real reason, other than life. I think many a mom could use this reminder. Heck, any WOMAN could use this reminder. It is okay to take time for yourself and find some spiritual whitespace.

'Breathing Room' is getting 5 stars from me and I am labeling it with a label of 'immediate re-read'. I know Tankersley's message is one that will get forgotten by me again and again. And again and again I will need her reminders. If you like vulnerable, honest authors who are encouraging and truth-revealing, 'Breathing Room' is for you!

PS: Check out this podcast Leeana Tankersley did with Kathi Lipp. Its a fun introduction to the author and her message!! 

Space for Love

Last week I wrote about how I am trying to find my own spiritual whitespace. This new book and community are changing my views of rest and God so much. I feel the opportunities to grow and learn and endless these days!!

Just like Bonnie Gray suggested, I planned out for myself specific times to rest. I took a walk out by a lake and really looked at the trees and grass around me, instead of just focusing on the pavement. I lit a candle and read my book while savoring a cup of coffee.

I have SO much to learn and experience on this journey to rest. I crave making my time more intentional and focused.

But....

But I also realized that on this Journey to Rest, I have been focusing on me, me, me. I DO need to discover myself, I DO need to learn so much more about myself and who I am in Christ. BUT I am not the only one who needs the time and space to discover this.

So one morning, I kicked my hubby out on an errand to get some donuts (yes. Donuts. I haven't had them in forever so :p). But while he was gone I set up our kitchen table as a warm, inviting place for him to eat breakfast, relax, and spend some time completely to himself. I lit a candle, brewed some coffee, and even tidied the living room a bit so the clutter wouldn't distract him (but as you can see by Baby's sippy cup on the table..I didn't do a perfect job:)). Then while he was eating I kept Baby with me in the bedroom so Hubby could have some peace.

Doing this for my husband took me out and away from myself. I realized that my Hubby, who works so hard to provide for his family, needs rest just as much as me. I overlook this sometimes because he is an extrovert that loves his family so much.



Finding and experiencing rest will be an always transforming, fluid journey I think. There are so many ways to discover Jesus in our small little worlds, that just this small step of branching out and discovering Jesus in the world of another person....blew my mind. It brought me such JOY. What does it say about me that I experienced such JOY in serving my Husband?? Something good I hope, but I know also that it speaks to my selfish-ness.

I am wrapped up in me. But that is okay. Why? Because just by knowing this, admitting this, Jesus is slowly unraveling me. JESUS will be my source of rest and strength, and through Him...all things are possible.


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Finding My Whitespace

Today I want to join up with a lovely new community dedicated to finding our personal whitespace and telling our stories. I just finished reading "Finding Spiritual Whitespace" by Bonnie Gray. It is set to release the first week of June and I am waiting so share my full review until then. Now, however, I want to share just one way the book has impacted my life. I will start with some of Gray's own words from the book, found on page 49:

Finding spiritual whitespace isn't about carving out an hour of time to escape the things that stress us.

It's the opposite. It's getting away from everything we do to distract ourselves from all the hidden pieces--in order to nurture our soul. It's getting away from the lie that spiritual rest is something we have to work hard at in order to get closer to God. 

Spiritual whitespace moves us away from making spiritual rest an activity to please God, instead of enjoying his comfort and pleasure.

Spiritual rest is a journal of awakening our hearts to fully receive. 

For a long time my life just was. I didn't realize how bad it was. Who realizes what they are living isn't normal if they have never experienced 'normal'? And my life wasn't, and isn't, bad per se. My family are all alive and healthy, I'm married with a healthy, exuberant toddler. My hubby's job is stable and comfortable. I am not busy, quite the opposite. But I still had hurts, cuts that run deep.

I didn't realize how perfect I had become at avoiding.

When feelings ran high, I'd turn to earthly things, TV, Facebook, books, and just avoid feeling anything. By the time my Doctor Who episode was over I wouldn't feel the same. I had emptied all feelings and filled up on imaginary characters.

I would call it rest. Yet...I never felt rested. I felt stressed, exhausted, and not enough. And I thought it was just me, I just thought this was normal, that this was life. Happy was just a fluffy cookie, quickly and briefly experienced.

Bonnie Gray cut my heart to the quick. This wasn't rest, wasn't life, wasn't spiritual whitespace! God couldn't operate here.

I'm learning....I am SUCH a slow learner...that true rest and peace is found on the floor playing Little People with my daughter, it is found in actually looking at the trees and the grass, its found in not noticing the mess. Rest is found in a deep breath, in closed eyes and a quick prayer: "God, I'm here. Thank you. Fill me."

An hour of journaling doesn't need to be carved out. I don't need to wait to connect with God until my 'prayer space' is decorated, my candles are lit, and the baby is napping. I can be. I can relax. I can love and be loved here. Now. Where ever. Whenever.

I am finding my Spiritual Whitespace.
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Next Thursday's (5/29/14) writing prompt:  share your whitespace moment. enjoy using the special Whitespace Printables. 

- moments of beauty and rest
- feeding your soul
- your alone time with God

Or choose your own open writing prompt.  Be you.