the edge of divine

Sandi Patty's latest offering for our reading enjoyment is  The Edge of the Divine: Where Possibility Meets God's Faithfulness. 


The book focuses on Sandi's journey with her weight issues and her decision to have lap band surgery. The book allows the reader insight, sometimes too much, into her life to include her move and its effect on her family. I guess, for me, Sandi Patty has lost her luster.  I find her and this book a little self-indulgent. 


I hate to be completely negative, however, as she did share a battle that I am fighting as well. It's nice to have a book from a Christian's perspective about triggers and why we overeat. The book is one that I may turn to when I need a motivational pick-me-up. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone who doesn't have a weight problem.


This book was provided by Thomas Nelson for review.

these are a few of my favorite things

And, Yep! Sound of Music is one of them......

However, I have some new favorite things to share.......

VivaBeads
These beads are made of clay and hand-painted. The jewelry is great, and not that expensive. I just bought this to carry my school keys on. I really want a couple of the necklaces and rings (Christmas, maybe? hint, hint, Steve!)

World Craft Village

WorldCrafts is a collection of unique and beautiful handmade items from around the world. These high quality products are fairly traded items, which means they are produced under non-exploitative conditions by artisans who are paid a fair wage.

When you purchase WorldCrafts, you join with other caring people to provide income, improved self-esteem, and hope to artisans living in poverty. 

I especially love this tote which also comes with wooden handles.

Take One
This is a new series from Karen Kingsbury, Take One, Two, Three, and Four. Sadly, I am on the last one, and the next book continuing with these characters doesn't come out until next year.

You can, of course, purchase these at amazon.com or get them free at your public library!

Watoto Children's Choir
We were privileged enough to hear this choir while at the SBC this year. They are amazing, and their story more so.

my thoughts

I've had several blog posts floating around in my head lately and honestly just couldn't muster the energy to put any of them into cohesive thoughts enough for one full post.

So.......

I decided to just post my thoughts on several subjects instead. Maybe, or not, I will come back to some of these and see if I can a form paragraphs about them later!

Whale Wars

1. This is the most bumbling group of idiots ever to take a boat onto the high seas. Do you watch this show? We just laugh, and of course, Steve (being a Navy man) just cringes whenever they do stupid things. Case-in-point: last night, one of the "captains" (his ship was the one that got destroyed by the Japanese) created a FIRE and burned a hole in the workroom while he was playing around with some of the equipment.
2. The Bob Barker was rammed by the Japanese which resulted in a hole in the hull where water was pouring in. They have no pump with which to get the water out, so they were scooping it up and putting it into a bucket to dump!
3. Honestly, I could go on and on because these people are stoopid.

Parenting Adult Children

1. As a parent, I thought once the kids were adults I would no longer have to worry constantly about them. Boy, was I wrong!
2. At what point do we as parents give up and let the kids come back to us in their own time when they've gotten mad? This is not what I wanted for my relationships with my adult children. Do I make the first move or should she? I don't know. I'm hurt and confused.

Chris L. of The Bachelorette
1. You were the best contestant ever.
2. I know you want to be near your dad and brothers, but please, the education world needs you.....get back to your chosen profession. Kids need more role models like you in their lives! You can landscape on the side.
3. I don't blame you for not wanting to share anymore of yourself on TV, but seriously, I'd love to watch you for two hours every Monday night. Yummy!

So, you can see that I have many thoughts. None of them are that important......but soon, I will be doing another "my favorite things" post that you will surely enjoy! AND, I know you've been wondering.....because that's what you do.......wonder what I'm wondering.....Imma is going to be making a statement soon.


Until then, Peace out!

is it friday yet?

Good grief! I had no idea what I was praying for when I requested a job. I am seriously out of practice when it comes to getting up early and doing so much physical labor. Thankfully, I will have some help tomorrow as I have conned my kids and husband to come on out and lug books for me.

Ahhh....the challenges of a working woman. I love it, you know I do! It's funny how my focus has shifted from all things church-related to not even thinking about church-related things. I like it! As a pastor's wife, sometimes I hear and see things that I really do not want to know. I'd rather know NOTHING than too much. It's not that I am not interested in the life of our congregation, I am, and I love them all dearly....yes, even the ones who write anonymous letters....ha! I'd just rather not be "in the know" about everything.

It's also very different working because my focus is not primarily on what Stevie, Shea, and Luke are doing. It gives them more freedom....for which I know they are eternally grateful....to do their own thing without my constant input. I do, seriously, try to contain it, but it JUST spills out!

So, working, works for me. Really. 

back to work

Whew! I am tired. Last night found me in the bed at 8:30. I felt a little overwhelmed, but today was so much better. I have a ton of work to do before next Monday, I don't know how I will ever get it all done. However, all teachers feel that way at the beginning, and somehow everything turns out fine by the first day of school. So, if I'm absent you know where  you can find me.......moving books around....I'm reshelving the entire library!!

back to school

I can't believe that the summer is over. It seems like except for the first couple of weeks in June, we stayed pretty busy and on the road a lot of the time. However, it's done and it's time to move into the new school year.
This year will be different as I am going back to work after an 18 month forced sabbatical......not being able to find a job and all. Steve will begin his doctorate, Stevie will go back to college, and Luke will begin high school.

Where has the time gone??

It's been fun, but I know that from now on things will likely be different. Once the kids start high school, things begin to change. They don't want to spend all of their time with you anymore, and sometimes they don't even want to travel with you.....although, I don't really anticipate that! Luke will be doing marching band which is an all-consuming activity what with practice, ballgames, and competitions. He's also been challenged (read threatened) to get all As this year as the time for grades to really matter are upon us. Scholarships don't win themselves, ya know.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to the start of new things. The days just keep getting better and better!

sliding rock

Sliding Rock is located in Pisgah National Forest near Brevard, NC. We took the youth group up there and let them experience it. The water was COLD!!

Christian

Caleb

Luke

Will

Stevie

Heather

Landon

When they tired of sliding, they hung out in the frigid water.