My Favorite Books of 2014

I read a lot.  I have books every.  On my nightstand.  In my car.  In my purse.  In the kitchen.  In the living room.   My philosophy is if there is spare time then pick up a book.    I will not read just anything.   I believe that anything I read leaves an imprint of some kind.   So I am very choosy about what I read.  Fortunately, even though I am choosy (some say picky) there are so many wonderful things to read.

My favorites books in 2014 were:

Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi

One night in our Life Group one of our friends mentioned this book.   I had heard of it and even read excerpts from it, but had never made the commitment to read it.  After he brought it up in our discussion, I finally sat down to read the entire thing.   It made such a huge impression on me.   Maybe it is because Muslims are so prevalent in the news or maybe it is because one of my sons was assigned to go to a Muslim mosque for school, but my heart very much open to know more.  I feel so much better equipped to pray and witness to this group of people.  My heart was definitely softened in a way I didn't now it needed to be.

The Best Yes by Lisa Tyrkerst

"Not every assignment is God's assignment for you."   I cannot tell you how life changing this sentence and so many others from this book were for me.   I did this book as a Bible study.   My book is marked up and written in because it came as just the right time for me.   I am still learning to say God's best yes for my life every single day.

Sheet Music by Kevin Leman

My sweet husband and I will celebrate 25 years this year.   Do you know what we gave each other for Christmas?  Date nights.   We love spending time together.   We have developed an intimacy over the years.   I loved reading this book again and being reminded of some of his date night "recipes". 

Praying God's Will For My Son by Lee Roberts

 I love this little book.   Anything that helps me pray more specifically for  my boys makes me happy.




Keepers of the Covenant (The Restoration Chronicles Book #2) by Lynn Austin

When Lynn Austin announces she is releases a book I go straight to Amazon and pre-order it.  Does that tell you how much I love her books?   Keepers of the Covenant is about the Old Testament story of Ezra.   One of my favorite parts was seeing the culture of this time.   It makes the Bible come alive for me like never before.   I cannot emphasize enough how good all of Lynn's books are. 


In the Field of Grace by Tessa Afshar

It was a win/win to have not only Lynn Austin, but Tessa Afshar put out a book in 2014.  Both Christian historical authors.    The only problem with reading these authors is that I read they too quickly.   In the Field of Grace is the story of Ruth, Naomi and Boaz.   I have read this three times because it has given me a new appreciation for Jesus as my kinsmen redeemer.   Read it.... you will understand!

Raptor 6 by Ronie Kendig

My husband and I both love books with story lines involving special forces/FBI/law enforcement.   We have read several series by Kendig including her recent Operation Zulu series (so good!).  I received Raptor 6 for review and now we can't wait to read the next two.   Raptor 6 involved national security and hackers.   I had a hard time putting it down to go to bed.

Poison Town and Sky Zone (Crittendon Files Book #2 and #3) by Creston Mapes

I finished the Crittendon Files series.   These books are edge of your seat, gripping, and never know what is going to happen next kind.   They are not predictable which I love.   He addresses issues which you would easily recognize with the help of Jack Crittendon, a journalist.  Never a boring moment! 

Firewall by Diann Mills

Like I said, I like FBI fiction.  This involves a bomb attack in an airport.   I really should not have read this right before my boys got on a plane heading to Belize, but other than that I loved this book!! 


I am always on the search for new books to read.  What are you reading?  What were your favorite books for 2014?

I Hope God Has Photo Albums

I have been trying to finish our family album for 2014.    I love looking through our family albums and seeing how the boys have grown and all the things we have done.  It is easy to forget all the amazing things we have done together as a family.

As I have been working, I have been thinking that I would really love it if there were photo albums in heaven.   Today is Epiphany.  The day we celebrate the wise men finding Jesus.   I would love to see pictures of Jesus then.   The Bible say the wise men were filled with great joy.   That makes sense to me.   Being in the presence of Jesus fills me with great joy too!  

Wouldn't it be awesome to see Jesus as a newborn when the shepherds came to see him?  When the wise men came to deliver their gifts?   When he was learning to walk?  Eating his first solid food?  

Every Mom thinks her baby is precious when he/she does new and amazing things.  How overwhelming must it have been for Mary?  When she told her family and friends that Jesus was incredible, smart, amazing, wonderful... she wasn't even bragging!   There really aren't words to describe Jesus.   I guess that is why I would love to see pictures.  

I get teary eyed finishing up one year of pictures of my boys.   I am pretty sure I would be overwhelmed at seeing amazing pictures of Jesus.   Jesus who was completely God, but willingly took on the form of a baby so that he could grow into the man who would save us from our sins.   If there are photo albums in heaven, maybe someone else should hold them because I may smudge the pages with my tears. 

Emotional Eating

The smell of our supper cooking is wafting through the house.  We are not having a complex supper.  I threw together a sausage and cheese quiche.   Somehow the smells give me such a feeling of comfort.    In a lot of ways I hope that they do the same for my boys.  Or do I?  

I have known for a long time that I am an emotional eater.  When I was little my favorite time of day was when my Daddy arrived home in the afternoon to eat supper.   He worked two jobs for most of my childhood.  However, everyday at 4:30 he would arrive home and we would eat supper as a family before he would leave for his second job.   I loved that time.    Laughing, talking, eating.   I guess subconsciously I associated the smell of supper cooking with the soon arrival of Daddy.   

Because of my lifetime association of food with such a wide range of emotions (happiness, anger, depression and frustration), I have come to accept that I am going to have to be more intentional with both my emotions and food choices.  

I mentioned this to someone in my family and they said, "You are going on a diet?"  No.  I simply want God in control of my emotions instead of letting my emotions controlling my eating.  

Why am I writing all this on my blog? Because I feel like getting it out of my thoughts and writing it down will make it "real".    So there you go.... it is now real.  

Essential OIls Rant

Essential oils are the latest fad.  My facebook and twitter feed are filled with people trying to get people to try them.    Let me say I am not against essential oils.  We have tried peppermint oil to help Little Guy's migraines.   I even add a little lavender or vanilla oil to our sheets.   However, for the most part I have ignored it until recently some people decided to make ridiculous claims.

"Essential oils will kill/cure/prevent cancer."

"Essential oils will cure/prevent chronic illness."

That was when I began to notice just how crazy this had gotten.   Let's be real.  All of these esssential oil companies are multi-level marketing companies.  For the most part, the people who sell these products know nothing about medicine.   

I have a friend who is a certified aromatherapist and ER nurse.   She says you should never ingest essential oils or apply them full strength direct to your skin.   I trust her a lot more than I do some housewife who is trying to sell me products from some multi-level marketing company.

Next time you see someone talking about these oils.   Pay attention to what you see.  They not only use and ingest these oils, they are giving them to their children.  

I recently went to a family event where one of our family members was diffusing essential oils.   A diffuser doesn't just stay in the room you are using it.  It wafts all over the house.  We all had to endure those disgusting smells for the entire time we were there.   

I am not sure who started this fad, but someone somewhere is making a lot of money.   Eventually it will fade away just like every other bandwagon that people like to jump on.   Hopefully this one will fade away sooner rather than later.

Thanksgiving 2014

We spent our second Thanksgiving in Wears Valley, Tennessee with my husband's family.   Wears Valley is tucked between Townsend and Pigeon Forge.  It is quiet and beautiful and out of all the tourist craziness.  

My brother and sister-in-law made all the arrangements and were waiting for us when we arrived.   We could spend days with just them.  We are more than family.  We are friends.   It was fun to have our nephew and his wife join us for the week also.   My nephew is a successful architect and they are busy completing gutting and renovating their new home.   To say their schedule is insane is an understatement.    I was more than thrilled to have my sister-in-law's dad join us.   He and I have a "partners in crime" type relationship.   We pick on each other and tease each other like crazy.  

My partner in crime, Ron, and I

One night while we were there he had been teasing and I decided to get him back.   Ron is a big coffee fan so I pretended to take him coffee.  However, the cup was filled with confetti.  Just as I got to him I "spilled" his coffee in his lap.   It was so funny, but now he is planning his revenge.   *insert mysterious music here*

One of our goals while at the cabin was to get some pictures.   We do not have photos of the grandparents with their boys or grandchildren so we wanted to make that a priority.  Of course it was snowing/raining the morning we planning our photo session so it was quite a challenge, but we did manage to get a few.  

Thanks to my amazing sister-in-law's organizational skills we had incredible meals. In fact, my boys are still talking about her chicken tetrazzini.   I organized myself to help with breakfast and snacks; however, the mystery of what happened to my silver freezer bag may never be solved.   I packed it and after that it disappeared.  It has never been seen again.   Our best guess is that an animal took it off.   I guess they enjoyed all those sausage cheddar muffins and ingredients for other food.

We definitely did not stay in the cabin the entire time.   It is just too beautiful not to explore the surrounding areas.   The boys went hiking.  We also enjoyed riding the downhill alpine coaster which is basically a go-cart on a roller coaster track.   There was go-carts, shopping, movies, pizza, and lots of football!

Waiting to ride the alpine coaster.  It was cold!!

Uncle Larry and Big Guy share a love of music and vinyl records

Big Guy exploring Laurel Falls

Little Guy ... King of the world!

I realized after I got home that I didn't get a picture of my husband and boys together.  But I did get a couple of my boys.    Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  

Thankful for Thanksgiving break

Thanksgiving break... oh how we need you!   Just a few days of down time from this crazy, busy, mind draining schedule of school.   Physics, physical science, Apologetics, trigonometry, research writing, study skills, economics, digital design class... those are just a few of the classes that keep us moving day to day.  By far, 8th and 12th grade has been our most challenging year.  

So for the next week we will tuck away all things "school" and enjoy relaxing with our family.   Thank you, Lord, for these down times and this time called Thanksgiving!   We have so much to be thankful for in our life. 

Senior Lock-In

Schools were out for a fall holiday this past Monday so Big Guy and his senior friends thought it would be a great time to do something fun.   They planned a Lock-In and convinced our awesome worship pastor to let them stay overnight at their house.   They all promised to come to the three hour Christmas rehearsal if he would let them so I think it turned out to be a good trade off.  *smile*

All crashed in the living room watching movies.

Waffle House

A great group of Senior friends!

When everyone else left church for the evening the kids played "capture the flag" and "sardines" in the church.   So much fun.  I know my youth group had the best time playing "sardines" in our church and it was tiny compared to our church.  

They all piled up in their cars and went to the late showing of "Mazerunner".  When that let out they were hungry so they went to one of the only places open after midnight... Waffle House.   From what I heard they put away a TON of food!

After that they went over to the pastor's house to crash in their living room where they would talk and laugh all night.    Another great senior memory made for sure!

Molding and Shaping

A deep voice is coming from the dining room.  It is familiar, but also so unfamiliar.  Something so new to me. 

It is my oldest son.   Talking with his study group about an assignment they are trying to complete for his Apologetics class.    My son is very quiet, reserved and introverted.  However, I have quickly come to realize that the entire group has given him the leadership reigns.   I know he did not volunteer for this because this is not his nature.   However, I am listening to him confidently facilitate this discussion.   

I would like to point out that I am not eavesdropping on him.  We are in our normal routine.  Since he works in the dining room whatever he does is pretty open.  

Still, it is unique to see this new side of him.   One of the members of their group has answered the question wrong.   He is the only one.   It would be easy to say, "You need to correct yours." but  I hear my son say, "I would like to hear more about what you are saying.  Clearly your opinion is different which means we all clearly have something to think about before we make our final submission."   In the end they guide this one around to realizing where he misunderstood.   However, it would have been so easy to dismiss him as wrong and go on.

Senior year have had so many moments where I have wanted to cry.  Today has been one of those days when I have seen how God is molding and shaping him in the man He wants to be.    Today was such a surprise.  I can't wait to see what else God uncovers in this amazing young man He has blessed me with. 

Days Like This Remind Me

Sipping my coffee watching the sweet family of deer nibble their morning feast.

All the windows are open to let in the crisp refreshing air that we are experiencing today.

The smell of freshly cooked sausage and biscuits are wafting through the house hopefully tempting my breakfast hesitant boys to eat.


It is quiet. 

We have no outside appointments on our agenda today.  

Church is tonight, but that is such a natural part of our life that it is not considered a check on our list, but as natural as breathing. 



We will study, talk, laugh, read, have lunch together, study some more and enjoy the day with no interruptions.   If we decide at some point to hop in the car to go to the library to research or get ice cream, we can.  With no guilt or worry.

Days like today are why I love the beauty of homeschooling.  

Thank you, Lord, for giving me days like today in the midst of our busy schedule to remind me of why I love this so much.

Operation Mighty Men

I woke up this morning excited about football.  I wandered into the kitchen to grab my coffee and and flipped on Game Day.  As I was waiting for my brain to catch up to the caffeine I was reading a few emails and Twitter.  

All of a sudden I was awake.  I saw a message from Cliff.   Here is what it said:

"The largest child sex trafficking bust in law enforcement history is about to begin.  Prayers are appreciated."

Wait?  What?  What did I miss?

I began reading through Cliff's other messages and found what I had missed in his other messages.   Cliff had put together a group of men to execute what would be the largest sex trafficking bust in law enforcement history.   They nicknamed their group after David's warriors from the Bible. 

For months they not only had prepared physically and mentally, but they had prepared spiritually for this mission.  A mission to rescue kids as young as 10 and as old as 14.  Ten year olds.  They are worth more Cliff says because they are virgins.   Which makes me sick to my stomach because it insinuates that the 14 year olds are not.   Oh the horrors they have already seen.  

They arranged take downs in three cities simultaneously.   They arranged with these evil men to have these children brought in for "parties" as the men posed as clients.   Once there they would rescue them.  

Not long after the sting began Cliff messaged that they had been introduced to an 11 year old boy that they were willing to sell for sex.   After that introduction, the team loaded up with five trafficking chiefs to the sting house.    Those of us being kept informed were praying and waiting for updates.  My stomach ached for Cliff and his team, but especially for those children.   Over 100 children who were within minutes of freedom.   They had no idea.  They were literally about to be set free.   Please, Lord, allow it to all go smoothly and flawlessly.

When they reached their destination they sat down to eat and broker their deal.  Imagine sitting down to eat and talk about how much you were going to pay for a child's life.   To rescue them like these men were doing I would pay anything.  To do what most people would do with these children.... sick, unbelievable, evil.   My stomach hurt.

Soon they had an entire notepad listing the children and how much they were worth.   Five young ten year old girls wept as they thought they were being sold for $1,000 because of their status as  virgins.   I weep for the thought of all the ten year olds today who aren't being rescued and will be sold.   Oh, God.  How can you stand this evil world?

I felt grounded again as Cliff messaged us their purpose. It came from Psalm 82:4, "Rescue the weak and the needy. Deliver them from the hand of the wicked."  

My coffee is cold and football means nothing to me as I sit here waiting for Cliff's next update.  Waiting to see if that crucial moment when they announce that they are law enforcement has gone well.   I am praying God's light will shine in the midst of all that evil darkness.   That those precious children will see these Warriors for what they are.  A extension of God's saving grace.   Hope.  A future.  

I cannot imagine what it feels like to be that team as each minute that passes seems like an eternity.  One hour passes and I pray that no news means that they have taken the traffickers captive and are comforting those children.   I pray as I wait.

Finally he posts and says, "They are safe!  100 children have been saved."

I weep.  I laugh.  I am so relieved.  

I also know this fight isn't over.  It is so far from over.   These 100 children are only a tiny portion of the sex trafficking problem around the world.  

How did I become aware of this problem?  Through an incredible man named Cliff Graham and an organization, Operation Underground Railroad.

Get involved.  Pray.  Donate.  Tell someone.  But don't pretend this problem doesn't exist.   You know now and you are accountable... to God.

Blue Cards and Forgiveness

I am going to physical therapy three times a week for my feet.   If it isn't one thing it is another, you know? 

Anyway, physical therapy lasts about an hour and while they are working on my feet I usually chat with the people around me or the therapists working.    I have had some great talks.   It amazes me that every moment of every day is a mission field. 

Today, a woman who works in another department, came in.   She needed to talk with my therapist, but stood around to chat.   Someone asked her if she were married.   She responded by saying, "I have done that once, but never again.   I just play around and save up my blue cards for Sunday."   I had no idea what she meant so I asked her.  

"Oh I just write my sins on the blue cards and turn them in."  

I was surprised.   I was also curious.  I asked her what church she went to and she told me.   After a little more discussion I discovered that the "blue" card was pretty much a prayer request card, but apparently one slot said "do you want to be forgiven of your sins?"  

I asked her if she felt turning in her blue card gave her forgiveness of her sins.    She wasn't sure.   In fact, she said right now she was so determined to sin that she was "saving them up" until she was ready to turn them all in at one time.  

I wish I could tell you that we had a great coming to Jesus moment together.   We didn't. However, we did have some great time of discussion.  I tried to just listen to her and tell her that God was such a forgiving God.   He didn't care about blue cards.  He just cared about our heart.  

I had to walk around for another part of my therapy, but when I came back she was waiting.   She told me goodbye and thank you.  

I hope I get to see her again.  I hope I get the chance to talk, but if not I pray God continues to whisper in her ear that He loves her and that He is there to offer forgiveness willingly.  

Catalyst 2014

Catalyst has been going on in Atlanta.  I wish I had been there, but I have been following the Catalyst hashtag (#Catalyst14) on Twitter like a stalker.  

Here are some of my favorite quotes from just two of the amazing speakers.



Christine Caine
Twitter
Website

“The pain of recovery is sometimes worse than the pain of the injury. Allow Jesus Christ to heal your soul.”
“We have a lot of leaders that want to change the world, but don’t want to change themselves!”
“We must refute the lies of the enemy with the truth of God’s Word.”
“If Jesus is not enough for the Church/Christians, how can we claim He is enough for the world?”
“The church isn’t reaching the world because it’s too busy keeping Christians on life support.”
“If we don’t build our Spiritual Core our world is going to collapse.”
“Praying the sinners prayer does not heal you. It saves you…”
“We need to replace the lies of the enemy with the truth of God; to do so we need to know the truth of God.”

Andy Stanley
Twitter
Website

“The church must capture and keep the minds and hearts of students.”
“If we start to dumb down what has been made clear, where does that stop?”
“The church must stop expecting outsiders to act like insiders, while insiders act like outsiders.”
“The church should be the safest place on the planet to talk about anything, including same-sex attraction.”
“Jesus doesn’t take sides; He takes over.”
“Christians need to be known not for what we’re against, but for Who and what we are for.”
“Why create churches for 50-year-olds and let culture have the students?”
“What is this generation of students worth? EVERYTHING!”

Precious Seconds

I spent almost three hours this weekend going through all the photos that I had boxed up.  You know the ones.  Photos BD (Before Digital).   Tons of pictures that I had taken when the boys were younger, but never got around to scrapbooking.  I had great intentions, but I was just the worst scrapbooker ever.   But that is a different story.  *sigh*  I am preparing them to be scanned. 

Looking at all those reminding how fast time has gone.  My boys have grown up so quickly.   I am so thankful for every second I have had with them.    All the laughter, tears, growing, learning, and playing.    They have grown up a lot since they were my sweet little skateboarding guys, but every day is still precious.  I have a feeling every day will always be.

And Then Life Changes

Look at these sweet seniors.  Enjoying Labor Day at the beach.   The sixth one from the right is my Big Guy.  A senior.  I can't believe it even though in my head I know it is true.   This picture only represents a part of the seniors that make up our church youth group.  I know I am biased, but they are a pretty special bunch.  

They went into their senior year with plans to enjoy every second.  Weekend trips.  Sunday night suppers.   After school hang outs.   Squeezing every last second of fun out of their senior year.

And then life changed.   Last Thursday the sweet girl in the picture on Big Guy's left holding his hand was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.   Nothing else in the world mattered but our sweet Anna.  

Today she is in the hospital.   Starting chemotherapy to shrink the tumor so they can hopefully remove it with surgery.    Please be praying for Anna.   She has an incredible sense of humor, is intelligent, has a compassionate heart for others, is beautiful inside and out and has an incredible faith in our Lord.  

One Plus One Equals Three

Our church has had the most beautiful brides this summer.   It has been very special for me because each of these young couples hold a very special place in my heart.   Each wedding I have sat beside my sweet husband and we have whispered the vows to each other.  These vows have embedded themselves in our hearts since that day we said them 24 years ago.  

We are praying for each of these precious couples as they start their lives together.   Our greatest prayer is that they will always know that one plus one in marriage should equal three.  Bride + Groom + God = Marriage

 

"Above all, love each other deeply, 

because love covers over a multitude of sins."

                                                                    1 Peter 4:8

Getting Ready for School

I ordered the boys' school i.d.'s today.   I cried.  I have been doing that a lot.   It is Todd's senior year.  I am starting to think that we need a book similar to the baby book.  The baby book let us record all of the boys' firsts.  I need one that let me record all of these lasts.    It feels like there are so many.   Like today... ordering his last homeschool i.d.  

Mission Belize 2014

 My guys took a mission trip to Belize this summer.  It was something they planned, prayed, worked and saved for for almost a year.    They left out early (think 3:00am) to fly down.  Once they arrived they climbed on buses to drive to their destination.   They made one stop along the way to eat at a little restaurant named Slim Jims.   The boys said their first meal in Belize in was amazing!

 Once they arrived at Orange Walk they immediately jumped into action.   Kids showed up from everywhere wanting to play soccer. 

Each morning e-teams went out to pray with people in the villages and invite children to afternoon VBS.

 Those who weren't walking through the villages were back at the church doing very hard work.   The guys moved gravel and dug trenches.  They also dug holes for new septic tanks which the church was hoping to install.  Sewer systems are something we definitely take for granted here in the United States.

 This parakeet was a pet of one of the ladies that Little Guy visited while on e-team.

 Most of the meals were eaten at the pastor's house.  The guys talked about how awesome it was.   Big Guy brought home a bottle of the hot sauce which was eaten at every meal.  It was eaten on everything.   The guys said the empanadas, the fry jack, spaghetti, you name it they said it was yummy!

 The guys said out of all the pictures they took there was just no picture that could appropriately show just how crazy hot it was in Belize!