June reads pt 2- goal check in

2020 reading goals... So how am I doing?

• Keep reading books that stretch/grow my point of view - working on this, intentionally picking up one book (at least) a month by a more diverse/different than me author/subject.
• Read more of the books I own - working on this- 1 more off my Unread Shelf this month- purchased 1- so I guess they cancel each other out.
• Read a few more classics- Anna Karenina is top of my list this year - I started Anna K the other night- it's my slow steady read for July- maybe will take me to the end of the month, summer, year? I guess we'll see.  It's been sitting on my shelf for 16 years or so- still had the bookmark where I left off way back then, obviously I needed to start over. 
  
• Keep a reading journal- review more of my books here. -trying at the very least to do a monthly or bi-monthly, depending on how many books, report/wrap-up.  I would like a physical reading journal- I may get a new bullet journal to devote to reading...or maybe I'll just start adding book pages interspersed through the one I just started... I don't know.
• Be more intentional about the books I pick up, read things that make me a better person - this one feel like a duplicate of  the first one... 
• I set my goal on goodreads at 50, sometimes that feels like a lot, sometimes not enough...but this year I want to be more about the experience and than just page count. -6 months in- I've hit 50

If you missed the June Reads Part 1 <<-- click there

The Current by Tim Johnston

Third time's a charm a guess. It took me three tries to finish this book. I started reading the print version from the library last summer sometime I think.  I didn't get it finished before I maxed out the renews and had to return.  I then checked out the kindle version. But for some reason it just didn't really hold my attention.  I set it aside in favor of reading something else and never finished.  When this year's Summer Reading Guide came out- I was of course also looking over last year's to see if there were any I still needed to read.  This one glared at me unfinished. I put the Kindle book on hold again. And this time I flew right through it.  So maybe timing is everything. 😆

Beach Read by Emily Henry

From MMD Summer Reading Guide- I also heard her talk about it on her podcast.  I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook. January is spending the summer at her late father's beach house on Lake Michigan which she inherited. She is a romance writer who has lost faith in love and thus has severe writer's block for her next book.  Her next door neighbor winds up being her college rival Augustus Everett. Also a writer... they make a bet which involves swapping genres and seeing who can finish and sell the book first... 

“You know that feeling, when you're watching someone sleep and you feel overwhelmed with joy that they exist?”

“When I watch you sleep," he said shakily, "I feel overwhelmed that you exist.”

“That’s the key to marriage. You have to keep falling in love with every new version of each other, and it’s the best feeling in the whole world.”

Called to Rise by David O. Brown

This is the story of the author and his career with the Dallas Police Dept.  After he left to go to college he began to notice changes in his neighborhood- not for the good.  He feels called to leave college to join the police academy.  Then serving the rest of his career in his home area. He served over 30 years and eventually became to Police Chief. 

I really enjoyed this book. His story is hopeful and inspiring all though not without its own heartache and tragedy. I think my biggest take away from this book is we all control how we see the world and how we react to it. I highlighted oodles of things in this book- below are just a few of my favorites.

It was more than a friendship; it was, for me, an opportunity to see the world through a different lens...And along the way, I discovered what I still know—that we’re all far more alike than we are different.

All our lives come with a series of defining moments, those pivot points at which our decision to go left, turn right, or remain still determines all that will come after.

If those young dealers had applied their instinctual entrepreneurial savvy to legal businesses in their neighborhoods, those communities might have been transformed for the better. Instead of destroying the lives of people who looked like them, they could have provided decent grocery stores, home-remodeling shops, safe entertainment venues and attractions for families, elder care and transportation for seniors.

I’ve chosen to live in that space of thankfulness—and it is a conscious choice, because our default mode as humans is to dwell on what goes wrong.

We will make progress only when we set aside our assumptions and really start listening to each other—now more than ever.

I honestly thought I would have one more at least finished by now- but in the last week I couldn't stick with anything and switched books depending on my mood.  I thinks I read bits of like 8 different books- seriously.

But overall June stats-

This month: 7

Total read in 2020: 50

Kindle: 6   Print: 0    Audio: 1
Library:6   Owned: 1   Prime Borrow: 0

Unread Shelf: 0 print - 1 Kindle
Purchased: 1

Favorite: I think my favorite was Beach Read this month.  It was funny and engaging. A nice departure from the heaviness of the real world. 

Disclaimer: it is a romance read and a tad bit "open-door" also fair amount  of bad language...

Things that give me H O P E & Joy -

The beauty and glory of the sunrise each morning- this was from my walk with the pups this morning.

God's promise in a rainbow- seen on my drive home last night.

This week I read this verse in one of my devotions...

 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.  Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 (NIV) 

 "Always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else." What a different world we would have if everyone purposed to do this.

This prayer from War Room- I echo Miss Clara's prayer- Raise them up LORD! 

I am praying for our country. 

We have a marvelous, wonderful country. Open your eyes and look for the good. BE the good. Certainly there are injustices and we should fight against them. 

But there is also so much good, we can be kind and respectful.  We can listen and grow.  Build up...don't tear down.

Rhett made this gorgeous wall hanging for our living room! I really, really love it.

This song from Garth Brooks has been in my head all week. --> We Shall Be Free

"When the last thing we notice is the color of the skin,

And the first thing we look for is the beauty within;

When the skies and the oceans are clean again,

Then we shall be free.

We shall be free, we shall be free.

Stand straight, walk proud,

'Cause we shall be free."

Yesterday on my run I listened to another GirlTrek Black History Bootcamp. 

 

I really enjoyed hearing about Georgia Gilmore and how she helped sustain the Montgomery Bus Boycott using her superpower which was... cooking! So naturally she intrigued me.  I googled her later to learn more and even found this children's book written about her- which I ordered. Because I have a thing for kid's books and this one looked so delightful.

Pies from Nowhere: How Georgia Gilmore Sustained the Montgomery Bus Boycott 

Last night was our church book club.  Aimee came over to my kitchen and we zoom-called together the other participants.  I was pretty fun. We discussed Becoming Mrs Lewis.  Which overall I liked pretty well. 

Here is our next selection. We will be meeting July 30th.

The Killing Tide by Dani Pettrey

And ending off today with this guy because Chance. I mean how bad can life be when you have this guy for a companion.

Happy Friday! Have a safe and happy weekend! =D

June Reads Pt 1

I can't believe June is half way over already! Our library opened yesterday for curbside pick up- I am eagerly anticipating picking up my stack of books!

Here are two goals I set at the beginning of the year- 

• Be more intentional about the books I pick up, read things that make me a better person 
• Keep reading books that stretch/grow my point of view

I'm not sure I have done too well on that thus far.  At the end of May I looked at all the authors I had read so far this year- very predominately- white women- who lets face it are a lot like me... so working on that. I'll still read the same books I always have- mushy love stories make me happy- and part of the reason I read is to escape and be happy. Throw in a dog and it doesn't get much better. But I also want to read to grow. To learn. To understand. To help make the world Better.

Here are my the first 4 books I have read this month.  All of them have been on my kindle. 3/4 from the library.

1- Field Notes on Love by Jennifer E. Smith

This was a fun light read. From the 2019 Summer Reading guide I believe. 

"I’m starting to realize that a lot of people don’t put much stock in dreams. They think of them like these faraway planets they never really expect to reach."

"Most things are easier than you think,” she says. “It’s deciding to do them that’s hard.”

2- It's Okay Not to Be Okay: Moving Forward One Day at a Time by Sheila Walsh

This is one off my "unread" kindle shelf- I purchased it January 2019. I've read a few other books by Sheila Walsh. I believe I bought this one when it was on sale or something. I was scrolling through all the books on my kindle looking for an uplifting read and this one caught my eye. It was soothing and balm on my weary soul in the days that I read it.  I think its wonderful to know we don't have to have it all togther, we don't have to be perfect, its ok to be weary and broken. Jesus fills in all those broken places- making us whole.

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly." (Matt. 11:28–30 Message)

"it’s a process, and God is in it with us, all the way."

3- The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

I read this book because it has shown up on  a lot of  "racially diverse" reading recommendation list in the past couple week - and it was available from the library on my kindle right then.  I have a few others on hold.  One of my goals this year was to read things that stretch me as a person, things from people different than me. I don't feel I have really been doing that- thus far.

This is the story of a 16 year old boy, Khalil who is shot and killed by a cop during a traffic stop. Starr his best childhood friend was with him in the car and witnessed the incident. She is the primary character in this story.  I feel the need to give a strong warning of the language in this book.  Its a lot of bad language. I felt the whole story was pretty true to life.  I will say it unfolded pretty much as I expected it to. But I thought the characters were fantastic. I really loved Starr and her family. The look into their perspective and feelings through all the events that took place. It is a YA novel but also really enjoyed seeing some of the dynamics of Maverick and Lisa (Starr's parents) relationship and marriage.  It fulfilled that "real life marriage" thing I was talking about in earlier posts.  They had a really solid marriage and that part of the story made me feel so happy. Overall I thought this was a really great read. Its funny how a book can make you feel so sad and so hopeful at the same time.

“What's the point of having a voice if you're gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn't be?”

“At an early age I learned that people make mistakes, and you have to decide if their mistakes are bigger than your love for them.”

4- Mrs Everything by Jennifer Weiner

I heard the author talking about her new book, Big Summer on the WSIRN podcasts.  she also mentioned this one. It came in first from the library on my kindle. I didn't really remember much of anything about what it was about going in.

Basically it covers the lifetime of two sisters- Jo and Bethie. Told from both perspectives in alternating chapters. A format I really like.  I like seeing the story from more than one point of view.  The story starts as little girls in the 50's to modern day.  It covers a plethora of issues from family, to race, to women's issues and sexuality. 

“She loved [her daughters]. More than that, she admired them. They would be better than she was: stronger and smarter, more capable and less afraid, and if the world displeased them, they would change it, cracking it open, reshaping it, instead of bending themselves to its demands.”

Our First FIRE! =D

Last week Rhett ordered a firepit kit- he and Ryan built it on Friday.  The perfect addition to our lovely backyard.  Saturday we had our first fire! 

Chance mostly pouted that we let Bruno join the fire too...

Sunday morning the boys and I walked down to the creek.

Sunday was also Bruno's Gotcha Day!

Baby Bruno

I made these Blueberry Sweet Rolls with Lemon Glaze from the Magnolia Table Volume 2 cookbook. I currently have the digital version from the library but I am 90% sure I will be purchasing it. These rolls were so delicious! Mikayla says I should try at least 2 more recipes before I decided for sure- she also says I should weed out my collection before buying anymore... I said maybe I could just reorganize my cookbook shelf to better accommodate my collection.

We planted our garden yesterday! We are so excited to have a legit, actual veggie patch this year! I tried planting a garden one year at our old house.  Basically it was an all you can eat buffet- for the deer. I don't think I was able to harvest a single thing.  Here's hoping...

For Today {June 9, 2020}

Looking out my window 

Sunshine!  I am so happy summer is upon us.

I am thinking 

About our country. So much anger. So much HATE. Everyone yelling. No one listening.

I am thankful 

For time with family. Legs that can run. A heart that beats. Dogs. Music. Prayer. 

One of my favorite things 

I'm remembering how much I love running. I ran over 50 miles in May.  That has to be one of my highest monthly mile totals. I'm enjoying the OneNY500K challenge and am still contemplating that fall Marathon....

My progress on the OneNY500K

I am reading 

The Hate U Give

In my kitchen 

I have to brag on Hannah here.  She has started making French Macarons. Amazing.

Board room 

Post Script 

Last night we did a video on my page- Amy's Pampered Kitchen.  We made BBQ Chicken Bowls in the Quick Cooker.  I also seared tofu in the small cast iron skillet for Mikayla. It came out amazing.

Mikayla's BBQ Tofu 

Shared Quote

A moment from my day 

These knuckleheads still thought they needed a walk at 5:30 AM on SUNDAY morning! The upside- it got me out the door and I had time to run 5 miles before Church!

Closing Notes: I am praying for our country. For our people. For hearts to be opened. For Understanding. For Peace. For Hope. 

Today I am...

Lord, bring peace, hope and healing to our land. I pray every person would open their hearts, eyes and mind to see their fellow Americans as such and as dearly loved children of God. 

The morning sky always fills me with Hope.  Pictures never do it justice.

This morning as I went for my walk with the pups, I listened to this podcast.  I found it interesting. I don't even know how I found it- one of those rabbit holes I fell down on intagram last night. But I plan to listen to more.  The thing I loved most- was just listening to two college friends chat, connect and laugh- halfway across the world from each other. Just two women. Period. 

There were some things I agree with, some that I don't. But that's how you grow- listening and reading- trying to see things from the other point of view. I want to be better. I want to understand more.

A question from this episode-  What five words most describe your identity? 

For me I would say- Christian, wife, mom, compassionate, loyal.  What about you?  I think we should all reflect on who we are, who we want to be, who God created us to be.

I have a lot of really complex, confusing feelings right now.  I'm not very good at articulating them. They are all just swirling around inside me.  Causing a boatload of anxiety.  I've been looking/reading/watching/listening to a lot of people from all different viewpoints. 

Our country feels so broken. 💔

This morning as I sat at the table- post walk.  Pouring out my heart in prayer.  I opened my devotional to this verse at the top of the page. 

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you.

                                                                                                                -Psalm 55:22

It felt like God was speaking right to my heart.  I let His peace wash over me. Gathering strength and hope for the day.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, 

but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, 

but also to the interests of others. 

Philippians 2:3-4 ESV

Don't We? Won't You?

This week has been hard- this year has been hard.  It feels like the world is self destructing. 

My heart feels sad and heavy.  

I am struggling in all this to know my place. I'm struggling to even know what the truth is. 

I confess when I hear Black Lives Matter my reaction has been one of annoyance. Thinking - well, yeah but don't ALL lives matter. One person is not more valued than the rest. Black, White, Old, Young, Unborn, Gay, Straight, Liberal, Conservative, Democrat, Republican...whatever...people are people.

This week one of my facebook friends posted this and it felt like a light bulb. 💡

Saying BLACK LIVES MATTER- doesn't negate that ALL the other ones matter too. We all Matter.

Clearly there is a problem in this country. It makes me feel sad, hurt and angry. 

We have to do better. 

I feel like maybe my world is smaller than it should be.  My views smaller than I realized. I thought the world was a good place- you know overall. That America was better- but it turns out- it is not. 

But it can be.  Each person has the power to make a difference. To...

 

We are all the same. We are people...just people. Every person is precious. Loved and Made by God.  

We need to stand TOGETHER. I am praying for our Black Brothers and Sisters. For our Police Officers and Military.  For our Leaders. For our President. 

Now is the time to come together. Not to point fingers. Not to Hate. But to join together and figure out how we can LOVE.  How we can be LIGHT.

On a bit of a side note: Writing and journaling is something that helps me. If there are any Bible Journaling people out there- Illustrated Faith has this printable set available for Free right now in the Print n Pray shop- click HERE to check it out.