What I Am Reading Wednesday

4 Apr

Liberty Park

Hello friends! We made it back from our New York and New Jersey excursion very late Monday evening. Catching up on grocery shopping was an easy task especially with the free bakery cookie the kids look forward to. The laundry and house cleaning are another slow turn of the page however.

Central Park

I enjoyed an unusual amount of mommy reading time as the kids flew with Ron on the trip north. What a good man to let his wife enjoy alone time two rows back while he entertains the littles. I touched the Kindle app on my iPad free of too many distractions and enjoyed the ride. (Potty breaks did involve some tag team effort a few times). Thank you honey!

So, what did this hands free mama read on the plane? So glad you asked. Chinese drum roll please…

 

God made the heart of every married person to be romantic, and to feel the passion that springs out of romance. He designed your hearts to need a regular cycle of romance and passion. Living without this cycle is death to your marriage and will put you both at a great risk for an affair. So, let’s get to work on your romance. ~Dr. David Clarke in Kiss Me Like You Mean It: Solomon’s Crazy In Love How-To Manual.

Ron and I were privileged to hear Dr. Clarke speak at our church four years ago. He is a local Christian counselor with a multitude of experience. Dr. Clarke’s writing style is equally witty, somewhat cheesy, and super helpful as his live seminars. I highly recommend this read for all post-newlywed couples. Especially if cheek kisses, air kisses, or quick pecks are a usual methods of kissing between you and your spouse! (See chapter’s 9 and 10)

I first heard about Dr. Clarke’s new book from my friends Karen and Danny who blog about marriage at Marriage Bytes. Dr. Clarke also blogs weekly. Check out his blog here.

Here is one more NYC shot for the road. I will start Tour de NYC next week. Until then, that is what I am reading this Wednesday; what about you?

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What I Am Reading Wednesday

28 Mar

Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me; I lift my lamp beside the golden door!~ Emma Lazarus

This week we are preparing for our spring break trip to New Jersey and New York City. Our book basket is filled to the brim with books which reflect our future travel. Here are some of our favorites from the week.

This wonderfully illustrated book is full of an easy-to-follow story line as well as chalked full of wonderful facts on the bustling city of New York. It captured both the children’s attention levels and kept them throughout the story.

A beautifully illustrated story of the construction and journey of Lady Liberty from Paris, France to New York.

Miffy loves NYC and our kids loved Miffy as well as the real-life photographs of many monumental sites throughout New York City.

Here are a few I would recommend on New York for children second grade and older.

Laugh if you will, but this is where I am getting my factual background for our trip up to the top of the Empire State Building…or at least the observation deck on the 86th floor.

Emily continues to move through the Little House Series. Currently we are reading

A poem that Ma wrote in Laura’s autograph book is one that I desire to commit to memory.

If wisdom’s ways you wisely seek,

Five things observe with care,

To whom you speak,

Of whom you speak,

And how, and when, and where.

Today we read chapter 17, Name Cards.  Our eyes widened and lips turned upward in a smile when to our delight, Almanzo asked Laura to go for a ride in his enviable buggy behind the beautiful Morgan horses, Lady and Prince. Ah, romance!

Joshua currently enjoys reading

We are working on learning his colors. However, he most enjoys making the animal noises.

I am continuing to read


That is what we are reading this Wednesday, and you?

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What I Am Reading Wednesday

21 Mar

{Alternately Entitled} What I Am Eating Wednesday

My favorite mom and pop store in my hometown was a hardware store. The wood flooring easily indicated where everyone was in the store as a hollow sound resonated with each step.

The bins and bins of bolts, nuts, nails, and screwdrivers provided ample opportunity for my sister and I to rummage. Perhaps the old-time feel came from the Coca-Cola machine. When you put your quarters in, a beautiful glass bottle rolled out to your palm. The cool refreshing drink was made even more delicious by the quality of the packaging and the novel experience.

This is the way that millions feel about the popular fast-food chain, Chick-fil-A’s, service.

Coca-Cola and Chick-fil-A have a relationship that goes perhaps 80 years back.  Founder of Chick-fil-A, S. Truett Cathy was selling Coca-Cola long before he “invented” the chicken sandwich. As a young boy, Mr. Cathy learned the power of a profit. He would buy a 6-pack case of Coca-Cola for 25 cents then sell each one door-to-door for a nickel each. Making a nickel’s profit per case.

Mr. Cathy recently published, Wealth is it Worth it?

This is a fast, insightful read that I would liken to the easy reading of,Who Moved My Cheese?: An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life. Mr. Cathy uses brief personal stories and narratives of other wealthy men and women to help the reader determine if wealth is worth the cost. Multiple pages interspersed throughout with insightful business and life-quotes make great inspirational points that readers will walk away quoting.

The Chick-fil-A story is one that teaches readers the power of business which considers consumers as customers with a story, not merely a means to make money.

Additionally, Chick-fil-A is committed to helping you write new stories in your family with special nights like Daddy Daughter Date Night.

Last night, my husband and I received a copy of Wealth: Is It Worth It? at our local Chick-fil-A Customer Appreciation Dinner.   Here are some photograph highlights:

 

As our final parting gift, we were given a first taste of Chick-fil-A’s new chocolate chunk cookies due in stores next month. I ate mine this morning with a hot cup of black tea…it is the best chocolate chip cookie that my mama didn’t make! Be sure and purchase one in April. It may be the treat to eat while reading Mr. Cathy’s book.

 To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us. To have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A.” ~Chick-fil-A Mission Statement, Wealth Is It Worth It

That’s what I am reading this Wednesday. What about you?

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What I am Reading Wednesday

14 Mar

Last week I finished the book,Gilead: A Novel, in which one character extends a blessing to another:

And he took his hat off and set it on his knee and closed his eyes and lowered his head, almost rested it against my hand, and I did bless him to the limit of my powers, whatever they are, repeating the benediction from Numbers, of course–“The Lord make His face to shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. Nothing could be more beautiful than that, or more expressive of my feelings, certainly, or more sufficient , for that matter. Then, when he didn’t open his eyes or lift up his head, I said, “Lord, bless this beloved son and brother and husband and father.” Then he sat back and looked at me as if he were waking out of a dream. ~Gilead, p. 241

Outside of the Bible, this was the first time that I had read of a ceremonial blessing in print. What are the elements of a blessing? What is a blessing?

For starters take a look at what a blessing isn’t:

Please excuse me as this is one of the most often quoted movies among our friends. It is right up there with Dumb and Dumber. If you have made it this far in life without viewing either of these movies then suffice it to say there is no need to change that!

As I was saying, a blessing. A blessing as specified in the Old Testament and outlined in the book I am currently reading,

includes four parts:

  • meaningful touch
  • a spoken message
  • attaching “high value” to the one being blessed
  • picturing a special future for the one being blessed
  • an active commitment to fulfill the blessing

The first element, meaningful touch is where we will camp today. The research on the importance of physical touch for all individuals, not just newborns, is amazing. Physical touch as small as brushing someone’s hand in the exchange of money increases our favorability of the encounter. I sometimes purposefully avoid contact when exchanging money or my credit card…maybe I will revise this practice.

Wisely or unwisely, I find myself avoiding self-initiated physical touch with people of the opposite sex. Thankfully, according to my husband, I am not a flirtatious woman so I really should feel free to give a pat on the back, a side-armed hug, or a reassuring squeeze to arms of both men and women. According to the research that Gary Smalley and Dr. John Trent present, it is very good for everyone’s health and well-being including the one providing the meaningful touch.

This goes for rapport with clients and patients as well. A neurosurgeon tested this theory by touching half his patients on the arm or leg. The half that received these reassuring touches felt that the doctor had been in their room twice as long as those not touched! (The Gift of the Blessing, 1986, p. 42)

At times, the smallest act of touch can be a vehicle to communicating love and personal acceptance. ~The Gift of the Blessing 

Do you feel as if you have missed out on being blessed by another? Is there someone that desires your blessing and you have knowingly or unknowingly withheld it? The Blessing: Giving the Gift of Unconditional Love and Acceptancemay be a wonderful resource for you.
That is what I am reading this Wednesday. What is on your bookshelf?

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What I Am Reading Wednesday

7 Mar

 So please, oh PLEASE, we beg, we pray, Go throw your TV set away, And in its place you can install, A lovely bookshelf on the wall. ~ Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

My Shelf

In, Money, Possessions, and Eternity, Randy Alcorn ties in money, the Christian life, and money in light of heaven. According to Mr. Alcorn’s research, 50% of all marriages end in divorce, and 80% of divorced people indicate that financial issues played a primary role in the cessation of their marriages.  We must possess money as a tool rather than risk money possessing us.

My study of this subject has reinforced the reality that we were made for only one person and one place. Jesus is the person and heaven is the place. Our purpose should pervade our approach to money. IF it does, the door will be unlocked to exhilarating Christian discipleship, where “following Christ” is not merely a comforting but meaningless cliche; instead it is an electrifying, life-changing reality. ~Randy Alcorn

I am almost finished with this wonderful book for mothers. Due to the thoughtful, Christian world-view of Sally Clarkson, I have added many new practices to mothering which include: listening to classical music with the children, increasing the focus on teaching about creation, and the a renewed sense of teaching good manners to our children. This really is a must read for all moms of young children.

Ron’s Shelf

In this book, John MacArthur challenges the modern day use of the word servant.

Children are made readers on the laps of their parents. ~ Emilie Buchwald

Emily’s Shelf

We checked out the Winnie the Pooh DVD from the local library then were delighted to find a gently used copy at the local thrift store. We will be reading a chapter a day during lunch time as Pooh is now a favorite with both children… not to mention their mother!

Nana was in for a visit and read oodles of chapters to Emily from this classical story by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Joshua’s Shelf

 Dumpy the Dump Truck is a delightful tale from the very talented Julie Andrews Edwards and her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton. Dumpy is an old dump truck that would have been discarded if it had not been for a sweet little boy, Charlie, and his obliging grandfather, Pop-Up. Joshua loves Dumpy and is learning to name character’s from this book.

Lightening McQueen’s fan club members take note! Joshua loves Racin’ From A to Z because he loves Cars the movie.

This familiar series is a favorite of both of our kids. The rhyme and wonderfully illustrated dinosaurs provide a cute way to teach responsibility and good behavior during everyday tasks our children encounter.

What are you reading today? We welcome your suggested reads!

 

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What I Am Reading Wednesday

29 Feb

Everyday in our home a page is turned. As we turn the page on the gift of today, we also turn the pages of wonderful books that we are blessed to own or have on loan from the local library.

My Shelf

I lead a homeschooling mama’s network group at our church. All of the experienced mom’s recommended this book. I wholeheartedly agree that it is worth the read. It is like a daily devotional for homeschooling parents.

I bought this Pulitzer Prize winning novel at a local thrift store. Marilynne Ronbinson beautifully writes from the perspective of a dying pastor to his son. The writing is rich, providing a resourceful read for aspiring writers and bloggers like myself.

Sally Clarkson has wholeheartedly won a place in my heart with her thoughtful and encouraging writing for moms. Her insight is profound and I soak up the wonderful view of motherhood contained within the pages of this book.

Emily’s Shelf

We began reading the Little House series in December. Emily has fallen in love with Mary and Laura and all the Ingalls family. We devour one book after the other during bedtime readings.

This beautifully illustrated and well written children’s book retells the Easter account with tenderness and care. It is such a thoughtful read. Emily requests, “Let’s read it again.” A great resource from our local library and one we may add to our shelf to celebrate Easter each year.

I was so excited when I found this book as our Nana will be here to help us plant sunflower seeds on Friday. Mortimer’s Christmas Manger is one of our all-time favorite Christmas books. The children were very happy when I bestowed this little surprise this morning. They love Mortimer almost as much as I do.

Joshua’s shelf

Joshua began potty training two weeks ago. By potty training I mean that he knows when he has to go and will go on the potty once or twice a day. We are still in regular diapers at this point with a pull-up thrown in here or there for good measure.

He absolutely loves this book and requests that I read and re-read it as many times as I will comply. He eagerly finishes the lines when I pause sounding puppy-dog-tails adorable every time he says “poop.”

We bought this book for Joshua’s first Valentine’s Day and it continues to be a treasured addition to our children’s library. He, requests this book by asking for, “Hallinan,” the author’s last name. He loves the parts where the little boy colors on the wall, falls and skins his knee, and is watching “TB,” TV.

This is one of my favorite children’s books. The rhythmic rhyming and alliteration is easily memorized and rich with synonyms. A wonderful book conveying love between a mama and her baby and the trials of getting little one’s to bed the first time.

Ron’s Shelf

 My student pastor husband is reading this book by Andy Stanley. It is one of those that I will be snatching whenever I get through my mommy homeschooling books…maybe by next summer.

Ron actually bought this book for me a few years ago. He knew that I wanted to read about Patton and surprised me with this wonderful resource. Patton is a very colorful war hero in our nation’s history. His views on religion and life greatly differ from my own. However, his love and knack for war is what stands out most in my memory. Excellent historical read.

What are you reading this Wednesday? We would love to hear your suggestions as well.

Keep the pages turning! 

*By clicking on the images above you can view these books for purchase on Amazon.com.  As an Amazon affiliate, our family will receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for visiting This Temporary Home. Blessings to you and yours.

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