Listed below are the titles of books and stories that made richer the spring days of May.  A wonderful realization has come to me that an idea that was presented to me a couple of years ago is true.  Good books are mentors.  This has been a tremendous discovery!

The Books;

Jessica’s First Prayer by Hesba Stretton  ~ My 12 year old daughter told me that this is one of her favorite books, that she has read it more times than she can remember.  Then she invited me to read it, so I did.  Truly a wonderful story.

The Cat that God Sent by Jim Kraus

Cleaning House, A Mom’s 12-Month Experiment to Rid Her Home of Youth Entitlement by Kay Wills Wyma, my response here

The BARE NAKED TRUTH, Dating, Waiting, and God’s Purity Plan by Bekah Hamrick Martin, review coming in June

Audio ~ Books, Sermons, Letters, etc

Letter from Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King, Jr.

For the Children’s Sake ~ I am part way through this one.  This is a book that may end up in my basket of gifts to give to new mothers.

What are you reading?  Who are your literary mentors?

 

Looking forward to “seeing” the hope in Nicaragua next month!

Just about when I recently finished a lengthy reading “assignment” (a couple of books I agreed to read and found that I had to really push to finish) a book that was requested from our library arrived.

Cleaning House: A Mom’s Twelve Month Experiment to Rid Her Home of Youth Entitlement by Kay Will Wyma arrived from the library at exactly the right time!  We’ve had a out of the ordinary spring this year, with snow and freezing temperatures pretty late, so our garden is several weeks “behind.”  Builder is away and I don’t enough hours in my days to get it all done, inside the house and out.

First off I need to tell you something.  Throughout the book the author discussed several areas where youth entitlement had unintentionally taken residency in her home.  As I read these, I was very blessed to think about my own children and realize, those particular areas are not ones where we struggle. It brings a great deal of joy to me when I think about how ready to give and serve our daughters are.

 (before it sounds as if I don’t think we have any struggles, it wasn’t long before different areas of “entitlement” came into view)

In any case, there were some great ideas that came from Cleaning House.  The first was the idea of meaningful work.

 Over the last year each of our youngest three daughters have sponsored a child through Compassion International.

These sponsorships came about through different circumstances and while our daughters are not old enough to “work” they found ways to try and cover the sponsorship.  We have been happy to make up the difference.

Janeth, Tanzania

This arrangement is fine, but we realized that they are very capable of working and caring for our yard this summer as a way of earning funds for the sponsorships.  And a meaningful work plan took shape.



Sreeshma, India

So, a master plan has been approved by all parties and the jobs have begun.  The girls are responsible for all of the gardens, mowing, sweeping, animal care and clean up.  They scheduled the days they work and have plenty of time for finishing school and other “summer” stuff.  We will pay them an hourly amount once per month that they will be able to use to purchase a cashier’s check to send for their Compassion sponsorships.

It is my hope that actually working for the funds to support these precious kids will reap a bountiful harvest for each of our daughters.

What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of wounds that will heal my shame?
And a God who gave life “its” name?
What do I know of Holy?
Of the One who the angels praise?
All creation knows Your name
On earth and heaven above
What do I know of this love?

 What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of Holy?



Mueller State Park, Tree Chair

linking with Amanda

Despite my dislike of Christian romance fiction (or any romance fiction) over the past year I have read and reviewed several.  This spring I have been pleased to find two books of this genre that will go on the bookcase for my girls to enjoy in a few years time.

Like Sweet Sanctuary, The Promise Box delves deeply into the spiritual lives of the characters.  This is the part of every “story” that is told to me that I look for, “where is God’s hand, grace?  Where is His deliverance.”  It is refreshing read stories where the characters are doing the very thing I hope to be doing, what I encourage my children to do ~ to search their hearts, to seek God’s grace and direction for their lives.

The Promise Box by Tricia Goyer is book 2 of the Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series.  An advance reader’s copy was provided to me by Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my opinion.

My dreams for my children ~ For each to know the hope of the calling of the Lord.  For each to know the value of serving others and hard work.  For each to know she is loved beyond measure.

What are your dreams for your children?