This weekend, I pray someone hands you a gift right out of the blue by way of unexpected encouragement. I pray that tucked inside that encouragement is the knowledge that you’re seen. I pray you know in all your tired places the cool relief that your life, your work, and your creativity are appreciated. And may you feel the truth of this soften the stubborn hard places.
I pray that as you move about your weekend, may you be inspired to also encourage someone else–no matter how incomplete, imperfect, or inadequate your words and actions feel. And above all, may you have the opportunity to draw close to Christ in whatever way is your favorite.
In the Wild Blue Yonder
What I’m Reading:
The Hardest Peace: Expecting Grace in the Midst of Life’s Hard by Kara Tippetts Backstory: we started attending a new church around Thanksgiving of last year, and it turns out the church we go to is the one that planted a local church where Kara’s husband preaches. So, thanks to mutual church friends, I repeatedly found Kara’s posts flecked across my facebook feed and began following along.
Kara is currently battling stage 4 cancer. Doctors have said she doesn’t have too much time, and the manner in which she lives the gospel as she prepares for dying has me in awe…and in tears. Her book just released October 1st, and when I went to get a copy from Mardel’s, they had to pull mine (as well as another waiting customer’s) from a just-received box in the back of the store. Hometown girl’s words are leaving their mark! I haven’t started it yet, but if the book is a fraction as good as her blog, I’ll love it. Not only is her story incredible, but her writing is phenomenal.
I Want God: Forever Changed by the Revival of Your Soul: Lisa Whittle never fails to encourage me as a woman, mama, and writer. She is insanely smart and one of the kindest, most supportive women I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. Her writing is bold and genuine, poignant and gracious. I can’t wait to dive into her book (which, I think, has one of the best subtitles in the history of forever.)
Atlas Girl: Finding Home in the Last Place I Thought to Look: I started this book at the beginning of the summer but had to set it aside on account of book writing. I’m thrilled to pick this memoir back up again. Emily Wierenga is basically a giant heart with arms and legs, and that quality makes her writing gracious and warm. Her prose simply illuminates the page–and my own heart. Also? All proceeds from Atlas Girl go toward the non-profit The Lulu Tree, an organization dedicated to preventing tomorrow’s orphans by equipping today’s mothers.
What I’m Doing:
Photo from Southern Living.
Faith and I are going to make a couple of these mumkins for the front porch this weekend. Happy Fall to us!
Who I’m Following:
Photo from Hopeologie’s instagram page.
Instagram continues to be one of my favorite ways to connect with folks. I follow Hopeologie on instagram because their pictures and words help me exhale a little deeper. I am also a member of the Hopeologie site, and I love following along with their hope-filled encouragement for the home, family, and soul. In addition to articles, membership to Hopeologie includes access to podcasts and free printables, like these two pretties by Annie Barnett:
Have a wonderful weekend, friends. Much love to each of you.
This weekend is a biggie for me. I took today (Friday 10/3) off work and cooked 4 loaves of bread and a little over a dozen cookies for our church’s craft/bake sale tomorrow 9 – 4. I will be working 10 – 1 to help sell stuff.
Pray we make a lot of money to help pay off our fellowship hall we had built a few years ago!
The pictures look wonderful. I just love love love the fall season. I can see God’s handiwork in it clearly!
Thanks for the book recommendations! and just the blessing of encouragement and hope. We live in Woodland Park and are retired Navy and your blog is always refreshing. This is the first time I have commented but I read it every time!
Irene
Irene, what a gift your note is! Thank you.
My husband and I were just in Woodland Park yesterday. So much beauty in that town.
Wonderful to meet you. Much love.
This WAS a breath of fresh for me. Thanks for this today Kristen.
Thanks also for the recommendations of these three wonderful books…I dream of books… 😉
May you be blessed as you bless others!
Hi! I just stumbled on your blog, it is so lovely! I love that you have a book for military wives, I live in a military town where I see women come and go so often. I know it is so hard on the military wife but it is hard on the women left behind as well. I wish that you had hard copies of your book, it is something that I would love to have and hand out to new friends coming to my town or to old friends leaving on their next adventure. If you ever do make copies that could be handed out please hit me up on my blog, or my email. I will be adding you to my reading list!
Tessa, so wonderful to meet you!
Actually I do have hard copies of my ebook for military wives available. You can find all the details here: http://kristenstrong.flywheelsites.com//the-book/
Just click the button that says “$2.99-buy the PDF.”
I will email this to you as well, but I wanted to leave it in a comment so others could reference it, too. Thanks so much for your kind words and encouragement. Much love to you.
I always love when authors share their current favorites 🙂 I love finding fun new things to check out & your post didn’t disappoint (then again, your posts *never* disappoint)! How did your pumpkin full of mums turn out? Such a beautiful idea! I have to admit, though, I had the Air Force song playing through my head on repeat as I read your words, since the line “Into The Wild Blue Yonder” just above the books lol!! Am I the only one that happened to? 🙂
Hi Heather! Yep, I do the same thing. Rather unavoidable, I think, given our ties to the Air Force. Heh.
The mums turned out great! Easy and not very time consuming. You can see them on my instagram page here if you’re interested–> http://instagram.com/p/tvqV5Pv1Ez/?modal=true
Thanks for the encouragement, Heather. You are a dear.