Thursday, February 28, 2019

A Few Recent Reads

I need to recap some of my recent review reads so I figured it'd be best to just do post with all of them. I've read some good books lately!

First up is this one...

10 Choices Successful Couples Make: The Secret to Love That Lasts a Lifetime by Dr. Ron Welch

You guys...this book is so good. I have read many books on marriage in the past and this one is truly one of my favorites. In fact, after I finished I told Matt that I wanted to read it together ASAP. What sets it apart from other books on marriage? It's not silly/cheesy and it has practical application exercises that can be done as a couple.

This second point is exactly why I want Matt and I to read the book together soon. I think application in this type of book can be majorly helpful. If I just out of the blue recommended that Matt and I complete all of the exercises he'd probably respond with "Why?" (and I'd respond that way, too!) but when a book tells us what to do, how to do it and gives us the tools to complete the task, it makes it so much better.

I also enjoyed that this book was practical and not overwhelming. I've read marriage books in the past that were just simply overwhelming - too much information for me to process and that doesn't help me! This book was straight-forward. Welch offered experiences from his own life but also included experiences of couples he worked with in the past. Real life examples are so helpful. It makes us feel less isolated in things we may be going through!

I highly recommend this book and am looking forward to Matt and I reading it together soon.

**Revell sent me a complimentary copy of this book.**

Next up...

The Way of The Warrior: An Ancient Path to Inner Peace by Erwin Raphael McManus

This book is HEAVY. Super heavy, in my opinion. McManus's goal in this book is to give practical tools to help the believer live in victory and walk in peace. While I do think this is achieved in the book by exploring ancient biblical principles, it is a hard read. It's intellectual and full of many complex thoughts and it is intense. Does that mean it was bad? NOT AT ALL! In fact, I think this book is incredible. It just isn't a book you can breeze right through and catch all of it. I think this book would be best read in small chunks (5-10 pages with a highlighter!) so that the reader can really digest the information.

This book is difficult for me to explain (as I'm sure you've already seen!) There is no doubt that McManus is passionate about what he is teaching and I think that despite the heaviness of this book, it is what kept me reading. You can feel the passion in the pages.

I also feel like this book is great for men. The tone, to me, is masculine and the stories are more appealing for men. I kept thinking of Christians who have maybe grown stagnant in their walk and this book helping to revive them and move to a new place with God.

I hope all of that makes sense.

**Waterbrook sent me a complimentary copy of this book.**

Third book...

Brave Love by Lisa Leonard




Lisa Leonad's  debut book is incredible. I was honored to be a part of the launch team for this book and I'm serious when I say that I could not put this book down! Lisa's story is raw and real and genuine and I felt like I was sitting right beside her and she was pouring her heart out to me. Lisa's life has been beautiful but also hard. She and her husband had been married a show time when they found out she was expecting their first child. On the day he was born, they found out he had a unique syndrome that would impact his and their lives forever. Lisa shares how she put herself on the back burner in many ways and, in the process, lost herself. I love the beautiful story of redemption and healing she shares. I have already passed this book along to a friend and cannot wait to keep telling people about it!

**As a part of the launch team, I received this book for free.**

When I Pray for You by Matthew Paul Turner 




The newest children's book from Matthew Paul Turn, When I Pray for You, is absolutely incredible. From the writing on each page to the illustrations, you'll be oohing and ahing and crying! It's a special book for sure.
Turner has a way with words that draw in people of all ages. Both of my boys (5 and 2.5) have enjoyed reading. The concept of praying for our children is an important one and I try hard each day to pray for our boys. This book put to words what I often pray for in my heart. It's incredibly neat to see the illustrations which are beautiful and inclusive. Children of all races are included and children with different uniquenesses are included as well and that is important and special. This book is definitely worth checking out! 


**I am glad I was able to be a part of this launch team.**


Wednesday, February 27, 2019

More

At the first of January, a friend asked if I had a word for the year. We discussed her word and I told her that I had not really done that before. Not opposed to it but just hadn't. Over the course of the week, God kept showing me "more". It was everywhere and I couldn't shake it. I decided that must be my word for the year.

I wouldn't say I've gone crazy about it but it has definitely been on my mind over the last two months. 2018 was a blah year for us in many ways.

This year we are believing for more.

More love.
More faith.
More trust.
More growth.
More fun.
More joy.
More adventures.
More friendships.
More health.
More blessings.
More opportunities to give.
More opportunities to serve.
More.
More.
More.

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

SOAP notes

Back In August, I joined a small group. Well, actually it is a large group with small groups within it. We meet every other week as a large group and split up into our tables and have small group discussion. Along with the group meetings, we are reading through the Bible. As we read through the Bible, we are writing SOAP notes and sharing those as accountability to each other. This process has been so helpful to me. I have been reading the Bible consistently for almost six months which is longer than I've ever read the Bible in my years as a believer in Jesus. 

Since it has had such a profound impact on me, I wanted to share it here. It may help others or it just may be something great for me to look back on in years to come. 

S is for Scripture. Whether you start with a daily reading plan, start from Genesis 1 or have some other way of reading, this is where you would write your scripture after reading. Choose a verse from the passage you read that stood out. Write that verse down. 

O is for Observation. What do you see in that verse? Why did it stand out to you? Was it a new verse or an old verse that stood out in a new way? Anything and everything you observe. 

A is for Application. How will you apply this verse to your life. I find it great to write an "I Will" statement here about how I will incorporate that truth into my life. Make it specific. 

P is for Prayer. Pray about that scripture. You can add more prayer than that, too, of course but in our group, we typically share our prayer specifically related to what we read. 

Like I said, this has been so helpful to me and has given me great insight into God's word! 

Monday, February 25, 2019

The Morgan's Movements 2019: Week 7

This was me one morning at Stroller Rollers. I thought I may die. 

We got a package in the mail one day and the boys were so excited! They helped me open it. 

It was a NINJA! Matt got a bonus at work and it included a free gift. This was our choice. 🎉🎉🎉

They also helped me in the grocery store by carrying the milk. :) 
  

Spider-Man tattoos for the win! 

We have significantly decreased screen time this month with most days not including any. It's been so good for all of us. It helps us all appreciate it when we do get to have ipad/tv time. This particular day, I was exhausted so I called in reinforcement. I couldn't handle these two and their cuteness. 

Matt made a run happen and this was the result...
  

Valentine's evening date night at home! Love him. 

Look at this sweet boy. 

Family Fondue Night!!! It was sooo good and sweet! 

We also gave the boys a few Valentine's gifts. 
  

  


  

Mason and his buddy, Thomas, love playing basketball together! 


Who is this big kid in his backpack? 

T-ball evaluation ready! 
  

While Matt and Mason went to the baseball evaluation, Maddox and I had a hummus date. 

He's the king of double and triple dipping. 

Watching his buddies...

We had Grandmom and Granddad over for dinner and introduced them to the game, Silly Street. 


Drinking up his coffee...
 


Cheers...

Daddy and the boys for movie time! 

I got some snuggles in! 

Matt and I had a quick date while Mason and Maddox were at AWANA! 

Airport park with friends never disappoints! 





Then we painted at the library! That was a blast! 

  

  


Reading time...

And sleeping time...