Can you believe it’s Ash Wednesday already? Lent definitely snuck up on me this year. So let’s compare notes. Growing up, this was always an interesting topic of conversation with friends and classmates: “What are you giving up this year?”
This year, my husband and I have decided to give up watching television. It’s become a mind-numbing routine and we hope to change that. Instead, we’re going to exercise, play old fashioned board games, and read. Sounds like we’re 80 years old, but I think it will be a much needed change from the constant technology we surround ourselves with everyday.
As a family, we’re going to read Bringing Lent Home with Mother Teresa: Prayers, Reflections, and Activities for Families. 
{30 days of pinspiration} Day 18: Young House Love
I read the entire book cover-to-cover and came away feeling much like I do when I read their blog – so inspired. The majority of the tips are really quite simple, and even if some weren’t necessarily my taste, my head was still spinning with ideas.
I thought I’d end this post with a picture of a project I’m working on, influenced by the book. Specifically, it’s Tip #143: Find Free Art. I went around the house, looking for a few things I could add to my gallery wall in the nursery. Here’s what I came up with:
- I’m not sure where I acquired the print of the Madonna, but it’s one of my favorites and I think it would look lovely in the nursery.
- The pressed flowers came from the bouquet the boys gave me when I came home from the hospital with our girl. I’m thinking one or two of them would be sweet in a little square frame.
- The kangaroo card was J’s first birthday party invitation. I love the vintage vibe.
- The crayon drawing was made by my sister years and years ago. She painstakingly drew each flower and circle. I love the design so much so I’m hoping to cut a piece out and add it to the wall.
{30 days of pinspiration} Day 10: Quiet Strength
His book, Quiet Strength
All in all, I enjoyed it. Some parts were easier to read than others. I stumbled through the name-heavy parts as well as some of the game play-by-plays. But the life lessons alone were worth the read. So many nuggets of truth. I jotted many of them down; I know they will be helpful as we raise these boys of ours.
Food for thought from the book:
“To whom much is given, much is required–whether it’s privileges, responsibilities, or material items. And if God has given you a lot of ability, I believe you should be held to a higher level of expectation.” –from page 19
During one season, he studied the book of Nehemiah:
“I learned three key truths from Nehemiah. First, Nehemiah’s opportunity came in God’s time, not his own. Second, Nehemiah diligently prepared his mind and his heart so he would be ready when God’s time arrived. Third, Nehemiah needed to be prepared to take on the problems, doubt, and adversity that would come his way both from the outside and from within.” –from page 87
What he expected of his players as a head coach (I love this list for my boys too!):
- “Be a pro.
- Act like a champion.
- Respond to adversity; don’t react.
- Be on time. Being late means either it’s not important to you or you can’t be relied on.
- Execute. Do what you’re supposed to do when you’re supposed to do it. Not almost. All the way. Not most of the time. All of the time.
- Take ownership.
Whatever it takes. No excuses, no explanations.” –page 116
{book review} Kisses from Katie
Book #1 of my 2012 Reading List: Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis
This book is so hard to describe. It is wonderful and joyful, inspiring and yet so heart-breaking, passionate and sad….so many conflicting emotions all wrapped up into one book!
If you’ve read Katie’s blog, you’ll know how easy it is to fall in love with her. Her enthusiasm and passion for the people of Uganda is contagious. Her book is much the same. So much food for thought! Here are a few passages that really resonated with me:
“I see thousands of deep brown eyes and feel thousands of little brown hands and I know that even on the hardest day, stopping is worth it. A life changed is worth it, even if only one. God’s love made known is worth it, even if only to one. I will not save them all. But I will keep trying. I will say “Yes”. I will stop for one. –page 205
“Help me to hurt, not just a little, but the way you hurt when your children are overlooked and perishing. Help me to never be too busy or too comfortable to remember the people who suffer. Help me to never stop desiring to do something about it. Lord, help us to remember that as the body of Christ, this is our responsibility. Thank you for loving us, even when we forget. I never, never want to forget again.” –page 224
You can read her blog here. You can support her non-profit organization, Amazima Ministries, here.
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Ever heard of Brooke Fraser? This song replayed in my head most of the time I was reading this book.