Summer reads

Let me say that I really love reading a good book. When I am in school I am forced to read a lot of great stuff (and some not so great stuff) that challenges my mind and influences/ refines my faith. Since I am not taking any classes this summer I get to read whatever the heck I want! So here's what had been on my nightstand / in my purse / in my suitcase so far this summer...



A Wedding in December by Anita Shreve
Good story, not to terribly deep, lots of character development.






Lullabies for Little Criminals by Heather O'Neill
Written well but the story is very dark, I'm just glad that I've never lived on the streets or had parents who were addicted to crack!







Light on Snow by Anita Shreve
A good story, I liked the shreds of hope that were appearing for the characters in the story. This book also made me wish it was winter and I was in a log home in New Hampshire (that's where the story takes place)





Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
This is Oprahs' book club book for the summer so Duh I had to read it. Great book that is written so well. The story is interesting for sure but not my favorite story I've ever read.




The Pigeon Finds a hot dog! by Mo Willems
The Pigeon books are some of my favorite kids books and I completed my collection with the purchase of this book. It is some brilliant literary work to say the least




The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
This has probably been my favorite book this summer. It's another story that describes a world that I know nothing about. It's slightly sad, but offers redemption and healing for the characters in the end. The movie is due out this fall so read the book before that comes out!


Currently I'm working through...

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
I don't know what is with me but again this is kind of a sad story but yet again I love it. Only a few chapters to go so I will let you know...





Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell
It's taking me awhile to get through this one but it's not for lack of content or depth...I just don't think my brain is there right now. So far I've loved what he has to say and I'm sure that in a few hours I would finish it and soak it in...just not yet.

The True and the Questions, a Journal by Sabrina Ward Harrison
Lindsey and I stumbled upon this book in Kansas City and we both love it. It is excerpts from her journal mixed with her art and then places for you to answer the same questions that she addresses. It's hard to explain but I think it asks some great life questions that you don't often find in print. I think that I'm going to use it in the fall for my small group. Why is it that some of the best questions about life and faith come from non-Christian writers?

Ok that's it for now, any reading suggestions for me to squeeze in before the homework comes?

Kansas to Florida and everything in between...

This month has been pretty jammed packed so far and last week was no exception. Last Sunday I jumped in the car with Tate, Kelsey, Cory, and Lauren and we drove to Kansas. Then while they went to camp for the week I grabbed some time with Lindsey, Drew, and Elijah in Kansas City and even a few days in Florida with Matt, Melissa, Bryce, Lily, and their cousin Garrett. It was a little random but such a great week. I appreciate the consistency of my friendships with Lindsey and Melissa and it was so great to hang out with their families for a few days. Here are a few snapshots from all of our adventures...

In the car (notice the DVD player in the middle, kids these days are so spoiled! I bet my parents wished that we had something like that on all of our drives.)
Melissa and Lily picked me up at the airport and we headed straight to the beach...rough huh!
Melissa, Bryce, Lily and I watching fireworks on the 4th
Looking at the gators at the UF campus, Lily was not so sure about being that close (there is one in the water right by us)
Misa and I
Thanks for the hairdo Lily!
Lindsey and I at the Kansas City art Museum
Eli sporting his Cubs gear at the art museum
Thanks to Tate I have been rediscovering the cd that Passion worship put out of Hymns ("Hymns - Ancient and Modern") and listening to it this week on the plane offered me some unexpected rest and perspective. My flight from Florida to Kansas was right at sunset and was absolutely beautiful. I sat there listening to Kristy Nockels sing "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty" and just smiled as those words summed up how content and thankful I was flying through the air watching the sun light up the earth below. This week God blessed me in Kansas, Florida and through everything in between.