well that stings a little

"Both worry and stress reek of arrogance. Worry implies that we don’t quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough or loving enough to take care of what’s happening in our lives. Stress says that the things we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace towards others, or our tight grip of control." - Francis Chan, Crazy Love

psssst: you still have time to enter the big giveaway...

psssst again: my hot husband is famous...

i am bigtime

Well it has finally happened, (don't get all adoptionexcited here, it's not that yet!) my little blog/ventlet has reached a whopping 50 followers! And you know what that means for you!?!?

It really didn't take me long to decide what to giveaway either. I know you all thought it was a huge toss up when I threw that old chewed gum into the mix. So I went with something a little more practical and a lot more life changing than gum. I am going to give one uber lucky reader:

Crazy Love by Francis Chan. I have talked about this book before and I actually read it almost a year ago. It isn't a super-new-hot-off-the-press book, but it is a life changer. I am getting ready to reread it pretty soon as well. I had to put it down several times (especially in Chapter 4) and pray and meditate on all that God was revealing to me. I don't plug many books on my blog but it isn't because I don't read them, although I never want a book to be a substitute for the Word of God, it is because none of them affect me like scripture. Chan has packed scripture into every inch of this book and I truly believe he was led by the Holy Spirit when he wrote it. I hope you gain as much perspective out of it as I did.

Now for the fun part!

Rules for my very first of many? giveaway:

1. Eligibility. Giveaways are open to readers with US shipping addresses only, unless otherwise stated.
2. How to Enter. Please leave one comment on THIS post! And just for fun tell me your favorite book, fiction/nonfiction (yes Taylor I know the difference) Christian or not I won't judge...much.
3. Disclaimer. I'm sorry, but I can't be held responsible if you are too lazy/lost internet/got malaria and couldn't get to your computer before the stated deadline to comment. Your bad.
4. Entry Deadline Date. All entries for giveaways through this blog must be received within 7 days of the original post date.
6. Winner Selection. I'm gonna use Random.org so it ain't up to me folks! Although bribery is permitted.  A little. I like chocolate. 
7. Winner Notification. I'll let you know if you are the big winner-winner-chicken-dinner within three days after the official deadline.
8. Claiming Your Prize. Once I let you know you are the winner, you gotta respond to me in a timely manner (read: three days) with your name and address so I can get you your swag! If you don't we repeat this whole shindig again on Random.org and a NEW and more WORTHY winner will be selected. Don't make me do this people!

Now get to commenting!!!

like dandelion dust

Do you know who Karen Kingsbury is? Well you should. She is a Christian author, and she is great. Her newest book, Unlocked, looks amazing. Here is the promo video they have put together:



I seriously teared up during this!

What I am really excited about is this: it's the trailer for like dandelion dust, a new movie due out October 12th based on her best-selling novel.



Ok don't read anymore until you have watched it.

Hello! Talk about tugging on the heartstrings of someone in the throes of the foster/adoption front. Yeah, that's excitement you hear oozing from this post! I can't wait to see this, even if it means I have to drive an hour to the closest theatre. I am so there.

have it all

I just finished reading The New Eve by Robert Lewis. It was an incredible book that validated everything that has been going on in my life the last few months. He talked about seasons of a woman's life and what they were and what they meant. I am in the "newlywed" season, even though we have been married for 3 years now. Basically he means married with no children. He talks about being content with the season you are in and not living in past seasons or being too anxious to move on to the next season. I can tell you the latter is what is so hard for me! I like to run ahead of God.

This book was super reassuring though. It taught me a lot about being in God's will for my current season and furthering his kingdom NOW. You know by now that I quit my job as a teacher, and since school just started this has been a bittersweet decision. However I am tutoring at All Things Bright and Beautiful, taking care of sweet Ms. Alice on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and privately tutoring some pretty awesome kids from church. Not to mention I am still coaching the Emerald High swim team. I am a busy girl for sure! I am so thankful for all the opportunities God gave me after we made THE decision. There are still people that don't understand our decision, but maybe reading The New Eve would give them a better perspective. When Eric and I have children we have discussed that I want to stay home with them. I believe it is biblical. I also believe that you should not have children just to pawn them off on daycare or babysitters or school. Now with that being said I am not anti-working mom. There are definitely cases where it's not an option for mom to stay home, but when it is I am an advocate. I have so many friends who stayed home with there kids and they never once say "I wish I worked." However, I have heard the opposite statement come out of my own mothers mouth.

Basically the book boiled down to this. Eve took the apple, the forbidden fruit. She wanted to "have it all." I am redefining what it means to have it all.

I am done ranting for now...but if you get a chance I highly recommend that book. (And I don't recommend them often!)