Friday Favorites

Happy Friday, my friends.  I am so excited about this weekend!  More about that in just a minute, though.  I'm linking up with Andrea from Momfessionals, and her friends, for this blog post. 

What a week!  It's been a whirlwind, and it started with last Friday.

Every year, the ladies in my church host an in-town women's conference, and it is always so good!  I've helped lead worship the last few years, and I always look forward to doing that and serving in that way.  I was there by about five that Friday night, and on Saturday, I was back around seven thirty that morning.  Singing that early is NOT for the faint of heart, by the way.  The two ladies in that picture above were our speakers, along with my friend Amy, and it was PHENOMENAL.  We had a good amount of women there, too, which was exciting. 

I went to lunch with my friend after the Saturday portion, and came home and put on pajamas and took a nap.  Praise!  It was glorious.  I had nowhere to be the rest of that day, so there I sat.  I did do some laundry, and I ate some leftovers for dinner and read my book, but I watched a lot of television shows and relaxed.  It was GLORIOUS.  Being at home with nothing to do and nowhere to go is my favorite thing of all. 

Reading the new testament with my church family is also my favorite thing, and this verse spoke volumes to me this week.  There are some things in my heart that I am praying for, and I felt like the Lord Himself gave me this verse to encourage me to keep praying this week.  It was a sweet time of worship as I sat at my kitchen table and thanked Him for doing that for me.  He never has to do that kind of thing, but He always does, as a way to encourage me, and my heart always rejoices when that kind of thing happens. 

These pictures are from Monday and Tuesday, during my quiet time.  My favorite spot to sit for quiet time is at my kitchen table. 

On Tuesday night, we celebrated one of my favorite dads, my dad-in-love.  I made him a birthday dinner and even though all these boys are in this picture, they were not here for long and all left after a few minutes.  When they left, we stayed at the table and pulled out the Phase 10 cards and played for a couple of hours.  We always love playing games with these two, and we love to tease each other and mess around.  It was a really fun night. 

These two cuties (my favorite twins) went from playing the game of baseball to being score keepers for our town's parks and rec department.  They each got this job last weekend and started training this week.  It's the perfect job for a high school student and pays just enough to give them money for gas and eating out with their friends.  They wouldn't let me take a "first night of work" picture, so this is what they get for saying no.  I'm rolling my eyes. 

Shelley Giglio posted this on Instagram yesterday, and when I saw it, I had to share it myself, and then it prompted a blog post on the top of our enemy the devil.  It was not at all my usual kind of blog post, but I felt like I needed to share some things God had me talk about with several different people this week...when He does that, I feel like that someone other than me needs to hear that.  Who knows...and maybe that's not the case, but I wrote it and posted it, and then I prayed over the ones who would read it. 

My favorite passage in the bible is about spiritual warfare, and it's found in Ephesians six.  My favorite movie is on the same topic, The War Room, and one of my favorite bible studies on the same topic is by Priscilla Shirer, called The Armor of God. 

We had another birthday celebration last night, this time for my sweet daddy.  He turns eighty-eight today!  Doesn't he look amazing for his age?  Trish made our favorite kind of birthday cake ever, and we sat and ate and talked and laughed and caught up.  Three of the boys had to work and then once they were done, they had a basketball game, so they got to say hello basically, and then were gone the rest of the night.  It was weird, them not being here, but it was also nice in a way.  We're in a weird new phase.

Tonight, my favorite bible study teacher and author is in town for a conference at Bellevue, and me and two sweet friends are going and treating it like an out of town experience.  We are staying at my in-love's house tonight, because they live close by the church and it'll help cut down on drive time.  I can't wait!  My favorite worship leader will also be here, of course, and I am counting down the minutes until three thirty, when Missy comes to get Teresa and me. 

Have a great weekend!  Love to all. 

not your typical blog post

Sometimes the Lord will bring a certain verse or passage into my life multiples times in just a short period of time.  One day last year, I remember seeing one verse from Jeremiah THREE TIMES in about one hour's worth of time.  He knew that it was a verse that I needed to see, as I was discouraged and in a bit of a spiritual rut.  I wish I could remember the reference, but the gist of it was that He gives water to refresh thirsty souls.  That happens to me more often than one would think.  I always think that when this kind of thing happens, that is what the verse means, about the word of God is living and active.

Well, this week, I have had a conversation about the enemy several times, with several different people.  I don't know if God wanted me to remember this, or if He was having me encourage them about our very real enemy, and I figure if I need this reminder, chances are someone else does as well.  Not to be all doom and gloom on here, but this is something we all need to hear and be reminded of.  The enemy is very real.  Ephesians six talks about spiritual warfare, and how we need to be suited up in our heavenly armor to guard ourselves against the evil one.  Genesis three describes him as the most cunning of all the wild animals during the days of Adam and Eve.  He is no longer JUST a serpent, by the way. 

First Peter five eight says this about him: Be serious!  Be alert!  Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.

I don't always think of him as a roaring lion, though.  Sometimes I wonder if we can see him, and if we can, he probably looks like a normal person.  But a very sneaky, crafty one.  I doubt we can see him, but that's the way my mind works.  Some things we know about him are that his days are numbered.  I've read the bible through several times, and I know how it all turns out.  Jesus wins.  We also know that he cannot  cause us to think things, and he does not know what we are thinking.  Only God is omniscient, and knows our thoughts. 

But.  But, but, but.  He knows when we are struggling, and he can certainly do what this picture above implies, and he can and will work during those times, making our struggles even more intense.  He can work through people, and there is a verse in Ephesians that says, "Do not give the devil a foothold.", and I think that is what the verse means.  He can work through me, if I let him get away with it, he can work in or through other people.  He can also keep us in our hard times.  Meaning, if we are busy and running around like crazy and we neglect our time with the Lord each day, he can certainly keep us doing that.  He can keep us busy, and he can keep us distracted.  He also knows if we are sick and tired, and can somehow finagle us in consistently ignoring or neglecting bible study or quiet time or praying.  He is smart, and he is excellent at his job.

We must keep our minds, and our eyes, fixed on Jesus, though.  How can we do that?  Remember who God is in our lives, and remember who the enemy is NOT.  He is never greater or stronger than the power of God in us, and he will never be victorious.  Never.  The remedy to fighting him off is so simple, but can be so very difficult.  It's prayer.  In the Armor of God study by Priscilla Shirer, she suggests that another key component in our spiritual armor is prayer.  Prayer activates all the other spiritual weapons.  So pray!  One thing I do when I remember, is to ask the Lord to help me know when the enemy is working.  I'll give you an example.

I struggle with anxiety from time to time.  I always seem to go to the worst place in my mind, if one of my boys are out driving and they won't answer the phone.  If I hear sirens and they're out and not answering, you just about have to scrape me off the ceiling, I am so wound up.  Or, let's say I send someone a text and they don't reply.  My automatic thought is: what have I done?  Are they mad at me?  That is how my mind works!  In my heart, sometimes, I will remember some passage of scripture I've read, about not worrying, or praying without ceasing, and it when that thought crosses my mind that I realize the enemy is at work.  I never pray to the enemy, though, I thank God for showing me the enemy is at work, and I will say to the Lord, "Jesus, the enemy has NO POWER in my life."  And miraculously, all those anxiety filled thoughts will disappear.  They may come back later in the day, but I'll repeat that prayer, and I always try to pray some scripture, along the lines of, "Lord, greater are You that is in me, than he that is in the world."  (1 John 4:4)

We are all flesh and blood, though, and as believers, as long as we are alive, we will have a battle.  Sometimes it'll be the enemy.  Sometimes it'll be our own sinfulness and a battle over right and wrong.  Sometimes we will fight our own laziness and lack of self control or motivation.  The battle will always be there, in some shape or form.  Just don't be idle.  Come to church, if the enemy has been keeping you outside the doors, and have some like minded fellowship.  Read the bible, if he has been keeping you sick or tired or distracted.  Attend the bible study and force yourself to get out of the house, if he has been keeping you at home and alone.  Whenever the enemy is at work the hardest, it is probably because he knows he is keeping us from a blessing from the Lord.  He is after those of who belong to Jesus, more so than anyone else.  He already has the unbelievers where he wants them, he is the prince of the world, Paul says in Ephesians 2:2, but he wants us as well.  And I hate to say it, but sometimes he succeeds.  I've seen him tearing up marriages and families lately.  Don't be one of his statistics. 

Submit to God in your everyday life.  If you have a hard time doing that, ask Him to help you walk in submission to Him and His authority.  I do that everyday when I pray, and He does always help me.  I pray that, because as a believer, He is my Savior, and my Lord, and I revere (esteem, hold in high regard) Him for who He is, as those things I listed.  I always want His will for my life, not my own.  His ways are better than my ways, Isaiah tells us, and I believe that to be true.  I am praying for you, if you're reading this.  There's a reason the Lord had me write this today, I know that in my heart, and I pray God will use His word to encourage you. 

Love to all. 

pray and never give up

I was reading in Luke 18 this morning for my quiet time, and this is the verse that struck a chord with me today.

If you don't know, my church family and I are reading through the new testament together this year.  We are reading one chapter a day for five days a week, and we are using the HEAR method.  Highlight a verse that stands out, Explain it in context, Apply it to our life, Respond in prayer.  We are journaling our way through together, and we are growing together.

Some days it is extremely hard to just pick one verse.  Other days, like today, that one verse literally leaps off the page.  I share this because I want to encourage you in your prayer life.

Just yesterday, I was praying for a couple of things God has laid on my heart regarding my personal life and opportunities He may (or may not) give me.  As I was praying, I was literally saying to Him, "Lord, I don't know if this from me just dreaming, or if this is something You are putting on my heart."  I still don't know, by the way, but I told Him I would start praying faithfully for these things, and I asked that He would help remind me to do just that.  And then today, this was the verse that jumped off the pages of my bible.

God doesn't always move or answer quickly, and while I have no answer, He did show me something today.  I felt so encouraged that He always hears what I pour out to Him in prayer, and this was how I know He encouraged me today, to keep praying.  His thoughts and His ways are far higher than ours, and no matter what may or may not happen, just the fact that after I asked for Him to remind me to faithfully pray for these things, shows me again of His lovingkindness and His sweetness.  He does not have to do those things for me, but when He does, I feel so very loved and cherished by Him.

I only want to boast in the Lord, by the way, and this is me boasting on Him.  Nothing I say or do will determine what He does, but I do know that we should be faithful to pray.  So if you're reading this and struggling with something: PRAY.  And do not give up.

Love to all.

encouragement for your Monday

I have always loved this verse, from Proverbs 18:10. 

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected."

I know the wording there is "strong tower", but doesn't that remind you a little bit of a structure like a lighthouse?  It seems similar to me, because it's just what my mind sees when I see those two words. 

Have you ever seen a lighthouse in person?  I have, and it is definitely a sight to behold.  It is almost always a tall structure, and there is a light at the top of it that rotates in every direction.  I just found out (thanks to Google) that it is usually placed in a dangerous area to help ships navigate in or around that place.  There is such a spiritual picture in this for me! 

When I looked up the cross references for this verse in my bible, here are some verses listed beside this one in Proverbs. 

The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my mountain where I seek refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  Psalm 18:2

...for You have been a refuge for me, a strong tower in the face of the enemy.  Psalm 61:3

I will say to the LORD, "My refuge, and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."  Psalm 91:2

He is my faithful love and my fortress, my stronghold, and my deliverer.  He is my shield, and I take refuge in Him; He subdues my people under me.  Psalm 144:2

The fear of man is a snare, but the one who trusts in the LORD is protected.  Proverbs 29:25

I love all those descriptive words that describe who God is: rock, fortress, deliverer, God, mountain, shield, stronghold, refuge, faithful love, protected.

Like a lighthouse provides light, and guidance for the sailor, that is what the Lord is for us who love Him.  It says "the righteous", but if you are a believer and follower of Jesus, then that is you and me.  The Lord does so much more than that, though, He does all that I listed in the adjectives above.  This is one reason I love to sing songs about Him as my shield and deliverer. 

What does this mean for us today?  It means that even though trials come, we are lovingly protected by our Father in heaven.  It doesn't mean that things will always go the way we plan and hope for, but it does mean that even when things are uncertain and scary, we can lean on Him, and He will get us through whatever we face.  God is sovereign, and He is always good, no matter the circumstance, because He is God.

This means that God is trustworthy.  Proverbs 3:5 and 6 tells us to trust Him and He will guide us. 

It means that God will help us, always.  Psalm 121:2 tells us that our help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

So, when I pray about whatever I'm facing, whether just a normal day in my life or a particularly difficult time or situation, I pray to Him as my helper, my strength and strong tower, my shield, my protector.  He is all those things to me, and many more.  I am praying that this encourages someone today!  Know that before I hit the "publish" button, I prayed for you. 

Love to all!

the weekend and catching up

I didn't mean to take a blog break, but I have to say that I'm glad I did, because last week was a little crazy.  Three birthdays in two days is always a bit much, but after those two days are over, I'm always so relieved.  It's crazy!  Monday last week, was particularly busy, and we had so many overlaps in our day with time, that Todd stayed home from work to help out with it all, because I am no Super Woman. 

Jonah and Noah had the best day of their lives to date, and got their driver's licenses. 

And this was them, driving off, while I stood in the driveway and cried.  (I'm over it now, no worries.)  Other things we had going on that day was the fact that Drew took my car to school that morning, Todd had a few errands to run around town, one of which was Costco to pick up the makings for our dinner and the birthday cakes, I had an appointment to get my hair cut and colored, and Todd took the boys to get their licenses.  I also had laundry to do, a house to clean and get ready for company (a full house), and dinner to get ready in time.  Plus, I had about twenty two people in the house.  It was a great night with family, though, and Jonah and Noah are still living their best lives, driving all around town. 

On Tuesday, I had a low key day around the house and cleaned up again from the party, and put things away, then I read a book most of the afternoon.  That night I had dinner out with one of my besties, which is always something I look forward to.  We were celebrating her birthday and catching up from late January. 

Wednesday was more of the same, and every day during the week, lots of people were coming and going.  I love it when that happens, and I love having a house full of friends.  It was spring break week around here, so there were lots of people for them to hang out with.  That night, Todd and I went downtown for a dinner out and double date with his parents.  It was fun!  We thought it was about to storm, so we ate quickly and came home, but it didn't start raining until almost ten.  I wish we had known that, so that we could have walked around a little, but it was also nice to come home and put on pj's. 

Sometime during the week, I visited my happy place and picked up a few new books. 

And finished most of them.  This one above was SO GOOD!  I LOVE very descriptive writing, and this author writes that way. 

I went out with my mom on Thursday and we ran a few errands together.  I needed to put together a gift bag for one of the students that was at our church this weekend.  We had a singing group, The Voices of Mobile, in church yesterday for a concert, and they were staying at host homes around town, then some of us put together some gift bags for them. 

On Friday, I had lunch with my dad, and then later on took him home.  Before I left his driveway, I had to take a picture of the beautiful day.

The clouds that are like that are my favorite type of cloud, and the weather was amazing. 

Other notable things from the week:

We had a ton of people in and out all week. 

My car was gone more than it was in the garage, and I wasn't the one driving it around.

We ate out WAY too much.

That being said, I didn't cook at all, because I don't count hot dogs and Rotel as cooking.

I read a ridiculous amount last week.  I finished three books in a week, two on Saturday alone.

Books are my love language. 

I had TWO daddy/daughter dates, one with my dad on Friday and one last night with my stepdad after church.  Books are NOT actually my love language, but quality time is, and that filled my heart up.

Sunshine and warmer temperatures make my heart so happy.

Chip loves his toys, especially when they're all around him.  He can play with two at once, holding one in his mouth and nudging the other with his paws.  It's like he's playing soccer with them, and it's the cutest thing ever.

Meanwhile, Crash is getting old and has partially lost his mind, because two times last week, he bit the other dogs. 

And Callie is just Callie, and is as nervous as ever.  She loves my dad, though, and follows him around the house when he's here.  It's really sweet and endears her a little more to me.  She is special. 

I can get lost in book stores for hours, and my Saturday trip to Barnes and Noble reminded me of this. 

I love to sing, most of you know that, but yesterday morning when we were rehearsing with those sixteen students from University of Mobile, it was something special.  They brought such energy to the stage and I am so glad I was able to be a part and on praise team that morning.  I love young people, and I loved meeting all the alto girls, and hugged them all when I met them.  (I'm sure all their moms would thank me for this, I know I would, if someone was sweet to one of my boys when he was away from home!)  It has been proven that singing helps to reduce stress, and I have experienced that.  Aside from just the singing part, I love to worship the Lord, and I'm always so thankful to be able to help lead in this.

On a much lighter note, I was reminded for about the eighth time, what a blessing from the Lord Kroger Click List is.  I do not say that jokingly!  I ordered all my groceries for the week as I waited on church to start last night and Drew is picking them up on his way home today, between eleven and twelve.  Praise! 

Well, I suppose I'll wrap this post up and get moving on my day.  Today is back to normal for us, whatever that means, and I have a list of things I need to start on.  Thanks for reading my blog.  :)  Love to all! 

birthdays/weekending

Because life and being busy, I have no recent pictures of my sons.  Even if we weren't busy, I still wouldn't have pictures, because rarely do they pose for me or with me.  Maybe tonight I'll get some.  Our family is coming over to celebrate, along with some friends, and today is the busiest day of all busy days.  There are so many things going on, that Todd and I are sharing responsibilities today and dividing and conquering. 

Yesterday was Jonah's and Noah's sixteenth birthday!  They're going to get their licenses today.  Todd is taking them while I go to a hair appointment at the same time.  This is the day I've been dreading for the last sixteen years.  After today, all of them will officially be "set free" to drive, and I know by now, that means a whole lot less togetherness.  I have such mixed emotions about it all, because it is sad, but it's exciting to experience them all grown or growing up.  The older they get, the more I love their ages, and the teenage years were nowhere near as bad as I'd heard. 

They'll forever be "the babies" to me.  And around this age. 

I love those little faces.  Noah is the one on the left, Jonah on the right.  I'm pretty sure this was their first time to ever play miniature golf, and I think we were on vacation. 

I may have cried three times on Saturday, but I'm good now.  Until they drive off the first time, but whatever.  I'm fairly certain Noah is planning on driving himself and a friend to get a Redbox movie tonight.  Jonah is driving them to play football tomorrow with some of the students from church.  For now, we're all just sharing vehicles, and then hopefully in a couple of months, we will get one vehicle for them to share for now, at least, because who in the world can afford two at once?  This was always one downside to twins. 

Today is Graham's twentieth birthday.

Twenty sounds so much older than nineteen!  He's already living out a responsible life, so it won't be that different for him, but I look forward to great things for him this year.  I have no idea if he'll do this or not, but he is contemplating moving out in the next few months, and getting an apartment with a friend.  He works full time, he volunteers with the sheriff's department in our county, he spends time with friends whenever he can, and for now, he just keeps spending his money on his truck.  We've encouraged him to do this while he can, that will not always be the case once he does move out on his own. 

Aside from all things birthday, I was so glad to pick up my hubby from the airport Friday night.  We picked up some food from the Costco food court to bring home to eat that night.  He enjoyed most of the day at home on Saturday, then he and Graham ended up working a shift that night, as a favor to the guy Todd always works with.  We had church yesterday, then I had choir practice, and as soon as that was over, I ran to Kroger to grocery shop for the week.  Todd is making my Costco run for me today, for which I'm grateful.  I may have lunch with my friend and old neighbor today, then I have a hair appointment at one thirty, while Todd takes the boys to get their licenses.  Drew is at school this morning, then is coming home to switch vehicles, and then is going straight to work for the rest of the day.  It's spring break week, so normally his hours at from three fifteen to six fifteen, but this week everyday he will be going to work right after his classes.

It's a busy day.  And week!  I know the boys are all glad to be out on spring break, and that they'll be able to drive this week.  How fun for them, right?  Insert crying face emoji here.  Well, I have a million things to get started on, so I'd better run.  Thanks for reading!  Love to all. 

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday, friends!  I love this day already, and it hasn't started.  It's my favorite week day, my dad is coming over for lunch and to visit for a while after, it's the start of spring break week for the local students around here (and my own two), and my favorite man is coming home!  A little time away from your spouse is always good for the marriage (absences makes the great grow fonder), but I'm officially ready for him to be home. 

I'm linking up with Andrea from Momfessionals, and her friends, for this blog post. 

I mentioned yesterday how this week had been weird for me, and I had some extremely lazy days.  It's because Todd has been gone.  I think that when he is away, I change, and end up neglecting all the things I usually keep up with on a normal week.  Having one less person's laundry to do makes a bit of a difference, but not so much that I shouldn't neglect the laundry all together.  I did that.  I washed two loads this week.  Even with five people here instead of six, that is not good.  The other way I change is that I miss having him here to talk to at night.  Even if he's just here and we don't "talk"...having him here makes a difference.  I miss him when he's gone for this long, and it's like I just try to fill all the time by reading a lot and watching tv a lot at night.

I usually read a lot at night, while he watches tv, but this week I did a lot of both.

This is one of my favorite pictures of us.  And in honor of me being glad he's coming home.

On another note, anyone knows me knows how much I love the scripture writing plan I do every day in my quiet time.  This week that writing took me to one of my favorite passages. 

I love these verses, and the promise they hold.  It's so good to read something like this when you're going through a tough time.  These afflictions are light and momentary! 

When I was a teenager, I watched the show Beverly Hills 90210.  It wasn't JUST when I was a teenager, but also while I was in labor with Graham, at the hospital.  (Yup.  True story.)  I always loved Luke Perry on that show, and his character that he played, Dylan.  I heard last week that an official reboot of the show is being talked about and planned, and later on in the week, I heard he had suffered a massive stroke.  But when I heard on KLove that he died, I was so surprised. 

(Sidenote: I love that KLove mentions people in pop culture, and that when they mentioned this, they asked us to pray for his family.  I did that while I was driving, on my way home from taking something to Graham on Monday.)

When I saw this, I laughed at the accuracy of the statement, because for anyone who is near or in their forties, they can sympathize.

The bottom part cut off, but it said, "WE ARE NOT OKAY."

He was my teenage crush, along with every other girl in America in the nineties. 

On a lighter note, I got to spend some time with one of my best friends this week, and after we ate lunch and visited, I got to babysit her precious little girl. 

I took a bag with quiet time things inside and a book to read, but all I did was sit and watch her play, or I played with her.  She is so much fun right now, and I adore her.  This has to be similar to how grandparenting must feel.  It's fun!

On Wednesday, I went to bible study, and then afterward, went to lunch with another of my best friends.  We ate Mexican food (give me ALL the chips and salsa) and caught up on each other's lives.  Even though she lives here now, we don't see each other that often, but it never matters.  We always just pick right back up.  We've been friends for at least a decade now, and I will forever be so thankful for how God knit our hearts together in those early days. 

Friends are good, but friends who point you to Jesus?  The best.

I show you this old picture of my oldest son's truck, because the one I took last night was terrible quality, but we rode in his truck to my mom's house last night for dinner.  It is so TALL.  It may not look like it, in the top picture, but trust me, it is.  I had to use this to get into the thing.

No shame.  It worked.  I used it to get out, too, once we got to Mom's.

They all laughed at me, but whatever.  I didn't kill my back this time, like I did the last time when I tried to get in without help. 

I love spending time with my boys.  I'm so proud of them all, and I genuinely love being with them.  The teenage years were always years that I dreaded when they were young, because of what people always said, but they've turned into my favorite years of all.  I love the relationship we all have, and how much fun we have when we're together.  We laugh, they mess around with me, and I with them, and we talk about EVERYTHING.  They're all about to be one year older, but I'll write more about that next week. 

Thanks for reading my blog!  I hope you have a great weekend.  Love to all. 

catching up and other random things

My husband left town on Monday and comes home tomorrow evening.  That being said, it's been a really weird week for all of us, it seems, and I've been useless most every day.  Ha!  I was so exhausted on Monday morning, that I literally did not do one thing that day except lay around and watch television.  I feel so lazy, writing that, but it is true.  I had ordered my groceries the day before while I had some free time between praise team practice and church, so after I dropped Toddley off at the airport, I headed straight to Kroger to pick up our groceries for the week.

Click List for the win again!

I'm not even sorry for saying that again.  It's a blessing from the Lord, and you know I don't say that lightly. 

I read some books last month, and I said I would do a book review, but I don't think I'm going to do them anymore.  I did one last month, and it just didn't "feel" right, so I took the post off of social media.  Here is the thing, with the books I read.  I love to read.  That being said, I read books by different authors and in different genres, because they start to feel redundant, if I stick to just one type book.  For instance, for years, all I read was Christian fiction, but I had to expand my horizon, because I could guess how they all turned out.  When you love to read as much as I do, and reading as much and as fast as I do, I need different books and different authors.

So I can read books that have language.  I can overlook words and not even "say" them in my mind as I read.  I cannot overlook God's name used in vain, nor can I overlook sexual scenes.  If I come across that like I did in one of the books from February, I just skip that part all together.  Different people read different things, and what I find acceptable to read, others may not.  Because of that, I don't want to share about books anymore.  I'll share the ones that I find worth mentioning though. 

I jumped on the bandwagon and read the book Where The Crawdads Sing.  Because of a few parts, I would rate it PG-13.  The book is about a young girl who is abandoned by everyone she ever loved, and totally neglected.  She raises herself, and eventually finds friendship in a young man who had been friends with her brother.  With his help, she learns how to read and how to write, because she never went back to school, afraid that the teacher would find out that she was living on her own as a young child.  I'll stop there, but the book starts with her at the age of about six, and it takes place in the nineteen fifties, then it goes through her life.  I don't want to spoil it, but trust me, this is a great book. 

The other one I read that was heartwarming was a book called Night of Miracles, by Elizabeth Berg.  It's the story of a few different people, whose paths cross.  My favorite character was an elderly lady, who is a cooking instructor.  The story had a Mitford feel to it, and it takes place in a very close knit community.  Those are my favorite kinds of books.  It did seem like there were a couple of parts the author could have left out, but I just skimmed right over them and skipped about a half page or so. 

I read an additional four books in February, and if you really want to know about them you can reach out to me privately and I'll share.  One of them I loved, but it was so disturbing, that I think I lost sleep for a few nights.  That may have been why I was so exhausted on Monday.  

It was a pretty good book month for me.  I am trying to watch less Netflix/Hulu and read more this year.  So far, so good.  I read eight books in January and six in February.  I'm on my first one still for this month.  Needless to say, I've been to the library about a hundred times, it seems, and I am going every couple of days.  

I had lunch with one of my very best friends yesterday after bible study, and it was DELIGHTFUL.  I love when I can just freely speak with the ladies that God has given me, and I have four such women in my life.  They know me very well and know my heart, and I can say things to them I'm unable to say to anyone else.  That is a real friend.  Also, if a friend doesn't point me to Jesus, I question the friendship.  I love the type of friends that are the praying friends, and that is how I became so close to two of the ladies in my life.  Christa (above) is one of them.  We ate Mexican food, of course, because it's a requirement.  We always either do that or sushi.  

Um, also?  I've never noticed those wrinkles before.  

I'm rolling my eyes at myself.

That's about all I've had going on lately.  Getting ready for my hubby to leave this week, and then a few other things here and there.  I've enjoyed having Drew around this week, it was his spring break.  He has enjoyed sleeping in every morning.  He has still worked all week, but the mornings off for him have been nice and restorative.  Graham has worked a couple of nights this week, and I want to say something about it so much, but I don't think I'm supposed to, unless you're my real life person, and I'll talk about it with you.  He had a blast both nights, though, and may be doing it again in the near future.  

Tonight we are having dinner with my mom and stepdad at their house, and I am excited about that.  We'll go out there when Graham gets home from work, and stay for a while to visit.  

Well, I need to do laundry.  There is a ton.  I've been lazy in that department too, but necessity is forcing me to get back to it today.  Thanks for reading my blog!  Love to all.  

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday, friends!  It's my favorite week day because with it comes the weekend, and it's the day I see my dad.  I am linking up with Andrea from Momfessionals, and her friends, for this blog post. 

It's been a really good week.  My sister Debi was in town for about five days, and I got to spend lots of time with her, Trish (another sister), and Mom.  Quality time is my top love language, for anyone who knows me even a little.  It was a fun few days, and it was good seeing her.  She was here in September for my nephew's wedding, but her whole family was with her (which was awesome) and tons of people were always around, so we didn't get to spend a lot of time together. 

Quality time together is my favorite. 

I posted this the other day on Instagram, and said that I was dreaming of warmer days and date nights with this guy, and though it's not warmer yet, we are having a date night tonight.  I can't even remember when we last did something, just the two of us.  Probably, it was around Christmas.  January and February are always crazy months for us, and I'm not even sure why.  Date nights are my favorite (hello, quality time), and I'm looking forward to ours tonight.  Now I just have to figure out where I want to go eat, and what we'll do after dinner!  I know it'll involve a trip to Costco, because we need a few things before he leaves town on Monday.

This event is my favorite kind of night at church.  It's a night of praise and worship, it's NOT a concert or a performance.  We are singing a few new songs, but they're awesome and easy to sing along to, and I am so excited.  We did a run through on Wednesday night to rehearse with the whole orchestra and with microphones, and it wasn't any old rehearsal, at least for me.  We had a worship service that night!  I love to worship the Lord.  If you're local, you should come join us for this!  It's at Collierville First Baptist Church.

One day of scripture writing this week was out of Psalm 34, which is one of my favorite chapters in all of the bible, and I loved reading it again on that day.  It also happens to be a current favorite song of mine on Spotify, Psalm 34, by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. 

Speaking of the bible, today we started reading Luke.  My church family is reading through the New Testament this year, by reading a chapter a day for five days a week.  Reading the word of God in this way, and with my church family, is my favorite.  We use the HEAR method: Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond in prayer. 

And another favorite part of my quiet time each day is writing out scripture.  Today is March one, and that means it's time for a new plan.  Want to join me? 

Thanks for reading my blog!  I need to get started on this day.  Have a great weekend, and love to all.