A good book

Ok, my two week post-vacation hiatus is over. There was a lot to catch up on for those couple weeks. But I am back and ready to go...

Now that I am not longer in college I have grown rather fond of books. They no longer represent a responsibility, but a joy. There is something about a good book that is just so refreshing. I never thought of myself as much of a reader, growing up or in college, but now as I continue to develop my writing I seem to enjoy good literature just that much more.

One problem I do have when I read is starting too many books at one time. Most likely I am reading 3 different books at a time. Yet, I think that is somewhat representative of my life at this point. I am usually not focused on one specific thing, but multiple. I may have a slight case of ADD there, but oh well.

Anyway, with technology constantly bombarding my life and a job where I continuously stare at a computer screen, I really love opening a book, reading the words and flipping the pages. I get a lot of satisfaction out of seeing how much I've read, let alone the story itself. There is something wonderful about getting lost in the pages of a book and leaving everything else behind.

There truly is nothing better than a rainy day, a blanket, a cup of coffee and a great read. I want to share with you the three books currently grabbing my attention.

My mom recommended this one. I've heard good things from lots of people, so I am excited to get more into it!

If you've never read a Mitch Albom book, you're missing out. He also wrote Tuesdays With Morrie and The Five People You Meet in Heaven. I absolutely love his stories and the way he writes. They're an easy read and usually tug at the heart strings, but its definitely worth it!

One Thousand Gifts was recommended to me by a dear friend who knows my appreciation for good writing. I've just started this one, but so far its a challenging book that looks at the human relationship with God....my favorite kind!








Grab a new book and rip open the pages...enjoy the simplicity of a good story!

PS- I'm always open to new book suggestions...so please share

Sometimes all you need is a good quote...

Every day that we wake up is a good day. Every breath that we take is filled with hope for a better day. Every word that we speak is a chance to change what is bad into something good.
~ Walter Mosley

Bahama Bound

So, I don't really have a lot to say today except for the fact that I'm just excited to go on vacation. I felt the need to post a blog instead of finishing up packing. It's not as if I don't already have enough trouble packing. I'm a really bad packer.

Let me rephrase that....I'm a really good packer. I just have a tendency to pack a lot of things. I have a really hard time making a decision ahead of time, especially with shoes. Oh man...shoes...

I usually think that I'll need all the things I never wear or use "just in case" but I never do and I usually end up not needing a lot of it. At least I've learned that about myself and I have accepted the fact that yes...I'll probably pack a lot of things I may not need. *Sigh* Oh well.

But a thought that keeps coming into my head today is the concept of trust, in all forms. Trust in God's plan, trust in others, trust in my own feelings and opinions. But in thinking about this, two verses keep coming to my mind.

Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart, lean not on your own understating but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will set your path straight.
~Proverbs 3:5-6

For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
~Jeremiah 29:11

So, today...let's learn to trust. That's my goal at least!

And for now...I'm officially on vacation :)

Good Soul Music

Every now and then I hear a song and just get obsessed with it, playing it over and over again...literally. Well, I happen to come across one of those songs this past week. It resonated so much with my heart and the lives of those around me right now that I just can't stop listening to it and singing unnecessarily loudly in the car when it comes on because...I do sing loudly.

 It talks about the blessings of God and what that can look like and how often we don't recognize many of those blessings. When I first heard the song, I thought it was such a sad song. But the the more I listen to it, the more my heart just rejoices and agrees with what is said. Take a look at the lyrics and listen to it for yourself (click on the album cover).  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Blessings by Laura Story

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home,
It's not our home

‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise

I love music. But I love even more when music speaks to the soul. There is nothing better than a song that speaks the language of your heart. I just love it...

Happy Friday:)