Daybook

Out my Window: overcast, breezy, mid fall kind of day

Enjoying: quiet Sundays, time to read the Sunday Times, a break in the semester, slower days, beautiful weather, fall wood wick candles, fresh picked apples, a physical copy of a Daybook from a kindred friend, excellent visits with different people

Listening to/Watching: All things Assessment Techniques in Counseling and Psychopathology. Holy Post Podcast Holy Post Podcast. They continue to have interesting interviews. I continue to be grateful for others who are thinking through some of the difficult issues of our time. They have given me much to think about and my book list continues to grow.

Instead of cancelling Audible as I was planning, I ended up listening to two more books. At the recommendation of a friend, I started listening to All Creatures Great and Small https://www.audible.com/pd/All-Creatures-Great-and-Small-Audiobook/B002UZZAQW?action_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp&shareTest=TestShare This is a longer listen, but most enjoyable, sometimes a bit squirmy. I had read it out loud to my boys when they were younger and we loved it. Listening is definitely enjoyable. I am thinking I may need to give the PBS series a try this winter.

I was flying across the country, so I decided to download a faster book for my trip. I ended up listening to No Cure for Being Human. https://www.audible.com/pd/No-Cure-for-Being-Human-Audiobook/0593416090?action_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp&shareTest=TestShare I had read Everything Happens for A Reason which was enjoyable and fast, but also offered some things to think about. This one was the same. We definitely land in a few different spots on some topics, but it was still a good listen, although a bit emotional. I need to stop picking books that make me cry and laugh when I am flying. Thankfully it was my husband sitting next to me as the tears flowed.

I also watched a movie on the way out, thank you Delta, and Debbie for suggesting the read. Where’d You Go Bernadette? which also caused laughter and tears along with a few things to think about. It was an enjoyable watch. We have been watching lots of play off baseball.

Reading: By my bedside: For inquiring minds, Anatomy of the Soul: Surprising Connections between Neuroscience and Spiritual Practices That Can Transform Your Life and Relationships by Curt Thompson is still by my bed. I have a break in my classes this week so maybe I can finish it. It is good and I do appreciate it. Not sure why it is taking so long. I am carrying around and reading Deeper by Dane Ortlund. I was so moved and changed by his previous book Gentle and Lowly that I could not wait for this one to be released. So far it is good.

Book Launch World: It is that time of year in the publishing world for books to be released. So many authors I appreciate were releasing books, and I could not help myself from signing up to pre-read and help launch these books. I just finished my last one for the moment. It was helpful having this accountability to keep me ordering my days and give my brain a break from school books. Prepare Him Room by Susie Larson is now available. https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B08XLHLBX3&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_B905J7HXCGF4WTWY8JGH I always appreciate a good Advent and Lent book to help me focus. I am looking forward to connecting deeper with this one over Advent.

I also joined John Mark Comer’s new book launch team for  Live No Lies: Recognize and Resist the Three Enemies That Sabotage Your Peace. https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B08RHJBZML&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_1WVZ4ZDGRV903G6QTCYV This is a simple read about the challenging topic of spiritual warfare but connected it to our daily ordinary. It is very relatable and practical It was a great follow up to Holier Than Thou by Jackie Hill Perry.

But hear me loud and clear: Our war against the three enemies of the soul is not a war of guns and bombs. It’s not against other people at all. It’s a war on lies. And the problem is less that we tell lies and more that we live them; we let false narratives about reality into our bodies, and they wreak havoc in our souls.

John Mark Comer

After I signed up for the other two, I found out that Ruth Simon Chou was releasing a new book, When Strivings Cease, and was looking for a launch team. So I signed on. This book was definitely a perfect timing for my heart, mind, and soul. She shares her continued journey of learning to walk in grace when striving is so tempting. It is out now https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B08ZM9YCJR&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_76XCVDBYBWYMX42EWNJF

You can’t long for the approval of God and others at the same time. One always eclipses the other.

Ruth Chou Simons

My last Daybook I mentioned reviewing Ben Connelly’s A Field Guide for Genuine Community. My full review can be found here: https://inkblotlife.com/2021/09/09/genuine-community-book-review/

Rambling Thoughts: Remembering my why… I am not sure how I forget so fast. Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. When running programs or getting involved I always ask what is the purpose? Why are we doing thing? Is this something I should be involved in? Sometimes in my own life I forget and then make things way more complex and stressful than necessary. I recently took two more classes in counseling and loved digging in and doing case studies, etc… I started thinking maybe I shouldn’t be so focused, maybe I should expand and do this and that… I started researching and then got myself overwhelmed. Last night we had an unexpected dinner with some friends and were talking about many things. The homeless, prisons, and drug issues and more came up and I could feel the passion and desire to help well up in me. Then I was reminded while in Seattle I wanted to help the people struggling on the streets. This is my purpose in switching careers at 50. Remembering my why helps me to focus and to know my good yeses and useful noes. It is good to revisit it every once in awhile to see if things have changed but making things complex and adding more because I am able is not helpful.

Remembering the Who behind my why…Two year ago I joined a 30 day writing challenge and these posts are popping up in my Facebook memories. This post was in my feed this week Scared https://inkblotlife.com/2019/10/10/scared/ which reminded me why I am tempted to add more, or forget my why if I am honest with myself…control. It is that simple. I do not see how the plans I am following will turn out. I have no clue what the next part looks like. Expanding the plan is something I can control. I know what that can look like. And I can make it happen, but that is not what God is asking me to do. So this week God held up the mirror to my heart with these words and then graciously sent friends who He is growing and challenging to share their story that reminded me of the direction I am heading. And then as we walked away, I was reminded that God will let me know what I need to know when I need to know it. This goes back to trusting that God is good and He is for me.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10

Home: It is amazing what a little free time and beautiful weather can do to motivate me. Trying to catch up around the house by doing all the things that have been begging to be done. Got windows done and cleaned out the weed pit. This week I am hoping to get closets and cupboards under control.

Giving Thanks For: friends who are willing to wrestle through tough topics, trip to Seattle to visit my son, gorgeous spot to stay, amazing beauty in nature, unexpected dinner with friends, generous provisions, laughter, time, people who allow me to share their journey, candles, beautiful moon, sunrises, sunsets, nature, opportunities to learn, encouragement from professors, technology, God’s mercies, people who challenge and encourage me to think deeper and bigger about ideas and life, well cared for, my home, fall candles, rest, so much beauty in this world, good books, challenging thoughts, community, grace, God ordering my days, His provisions and reminder of His heart for me, forgiveness, refining

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