Advent and Uplift

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There are some really great things going on in the internet world.  One of the things I like to participate in is an advent during the Christmas season.  It enhances my current scripture study and really brings my focus around to Christ.  I love feeling the sweet spirit of love and comfort in my heart and this advent thing really helps. 

In years past, I have used our 24 Days of Christmas book of scriptures, stories and songs.  I have also read from the Book of Luke.  There are exactly 24 chapters...read one per day leading through Christmas eve.

This year I found a printable advent on Facebook.  It suggested actually writing out the scriptures.  And has been an interesting process.  As I have written, I actually ponder more fully on the Words.  It has been fun to change things up just a bit.

In addition to this, I have been working on listing my 1000 gifts.  Ann Voskamp, author of One Thousand Gifts and her blog called A Holy Experience shared this prompt for listing your gifts.  Sometimes I have to really think and ponder, and that's a good thing.

I've also found this really cool LDS Blog, She Teaches Fearlessly that has been posting daily Advent inspiration.  Who can't use a daily vitamin like that?

What have you been doing this Christmas season to feel closer to Christ?

For the Love of Books and Bookbub

 

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Hi, I'm Lisa, and I'm addicted to all things books and reading.  I could seriously disappear into my quiet, introverted reading life if I were allowed to.  Flipping through the pages of a book make me so giddy...Seriously, I was sniffing my daughters yearbook just last night.  But, lately, most of my book reading has been done on a reading app.  Because how could I resist carrying around a veritable library right in my purse.  I mean that is just a freaking dream come true.   But if I'm not careful, I can enter a digital download hell.  It's so easy to just click for a book regardless of the price...

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So here is the coolest thing I found, and maybe you've already heard of it, but it's called Book Bub.  You go online to their website and set up your profile with your favorite genre's, and they will send you a daily email with free and really cheap books for you to download from Amazon or Barnes and Noble and Apple.  Sometimes some really good authors test one of their books for free.  If they get you hooked, then you'll come back and buy more.

I love a good historical fiction/Romance so I have marked that category, but I've also marked Christian books because sometimes those romances can get a little too hot for me.  I've been known to delete one I can't handle.  But by selecting Christian, then I'll get information about clean Christian romances, too.  See how it works?  And if it's free and you don't like it?  Just delete. 

I'm not being paid by Book Bub or anything.  They didn't ask me to review their service.  I just love it so much that I thought others might too. 

What type of books do you enjoy reading?

Do you have an tips or secrets for us story lovers?

Christmas Books

I love books.  Nothing to hide there...From my most used card to my Kindle app, I'm a happy mama.  But, at Christmastime, I love good old fashioned Christmas story books.  I've been collecting here and there for a while.  I figure this is NOT simplifying, but they are so lovely and the stories so uplifting.  My particular favorite?  Snowmen at Night.  I seriously laughed out loud in the books store when I read it.  But, then I do love snowmen.

Some of the books are:

The Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp

The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck

 The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans

The Joy of Believing by Ardeth G. Kapp

Favorite Christmas Stories by Laura M. Hawkes

Christmas Penhaligons' Scented Treasury of Verse and Prose

The Christmas Sweater for children by Glenn Beck

When Joy Came a Golden Book

Mr. Finnegan's Giving Chest by Dan Farr

When Jesus Was Born in Bethlehem ~ Painting by Joseph Brickey

The Littlest Angel by Charles Tazewell

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss

The Annual Snowman's Ball by Mark Kimball Moulten

Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner

Snowmen at Christmas by Caralyn Buehner

The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore

and then, of course, there is my compilation of 24 Days of Christmas

You can follow the link for your own free copy here.

What Christmas books have become favorites and classics in your home?

 

Book Club and Treats

Last month I attended my first book club meeting.  Who wouldn't enjoy a night out talking about books and eating treats.  When they asked for volunteers for the next meeting place, no one raised their hand.  Then there was me, venturing out into new territory, trying to make friends and engage in community...I timidly answered, "I'll do it..." So this week I held the book club at my house...

The book of the month was Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg.

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I'm not much for writing reviews.  I'm afraid I'll reveal too much.  However, it is truly a lovely story, and a quick easy read.  You won't be sorry for having read it.  I was able to finish it on my car trip to Salt Lake.  It was written by the same author who wrote Fried Green Tomatoes.  I never read that book, but I saw the movie.

Christmas treats and books = a fun evening.

Have you read any fun Christmas books this Season?

 

Breaking the Shell

This proverbial introvert, the one who has been craving community and more purpose in her life, just accepted a social invitation.  Shocker, right?  Yeah, I'm shocked, too!

A Facebook friend, someone I actually know in real life, too, invited me to a book club meeting.  The invitation was there...the door was open...the ball was in my court....and so I clicked "will be going" on the online invite.  It is time to be daring!  Who would ever think a book club is daring, but my dears, it really is...Now it is my turn to psych myself up for a gathering of women.  I mean I love all things books and treats. But sometimes women are so dang scary.  Some women can be judgmental and mean spirited.  Past experiences have me cringing, but I will not judge these ladies on my past experiences.

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The book this month is "These is My Words" by Nancy E. Turner.  I picked up the book the other day at the library and have not been able to put it down since.  Loving the book will make the meeting just a little bit easier.  It is so nice to be invited and included.  I've tried to make it a motto to accept invitations, because if I decline, follow ups may be few and far between.

I'll let you know how it goes, in the meantime...Carry on

What activities do you find difficult and 

What do you do to overcome?

Summer Reads

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Since I have been laid up this summer with back problems, I have been doing a lot of reading.  I have recently discovered and have been enjoying Kristy Tate's books.  They are clean, fun and have some romance to them, too.  I also enjoy her blog, Kristy's Stories,  as she gives updates and insight into her works of fiction.

She is offering a special right now on Rescuing Rita.  It is 99¢ on Amazon.  It will probably go up to $4.99 like her other books.  I just bought Rescuing Rita today.  I haven't read this one yet, but I'm plugging her book because I'm cool like that.  But, really, also because I get a coupon for another one of her books.  This book junkie just can't get enough...

My Quest

I recently embarked on this tithing quest giving 24 minutes out of my day in study of the Word of God.  It is a quest in continuing to keep my light and lamp filled.  I've not hidden the fact on my blog that I am a member of the Church   of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or often referred to as Mormons.  It is what it is, and that is who I am.  A few months ago I decided to reread the Book of Mormon along with my study of the Bible.  I started approximately six months ago and read two chapters a day give or take and finished up just a few days ago.

There is a promise at the end of the Book of Mormon that says basically if you ask God if these things are true he will manifest it unto you.  I've heard many stories over the years of investigators having overwhelming epiphanies confirming it to them.  Feeling the Holy Spirit so strongly that it is almost like speaking to them. I have never had this kind of experience.  I'm not a miracle seeking person to keep my faith strong, but in all honesty, it would be nice.  So the other day when I finished reading, I prayed as if I were an investigator.  I thought and pondered on it.  But nothing...No Holy visitation, no booming message from God.  Then, ever so slowly this incredible sense of peace came over me and a thought entered my mind.  It was as if God were saying to me, "You don't need this, you already know."  And then I knew...

My next scripture goal to fill my 24 minutes will include the study of the life of Christ in the New Testament...

I have a special offer here on my blog.  If you are interested, check it out.

Broken

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I am broken because an extension of myself has broken.  I am a reader, I love it, I live it.  Words fill up my soul like bright rays of sunshine.  They bring me happiness.  I'd far prefer to curl up with good words and good books than a movie.  I know...SHOCKER.  But it's true.  It must be the introvert in me.  The other day, there was a perfect storm of events that led to my brokenness.

I had just sat down in a chair with my beloved Kindle and a diet cherry coke.  My lovely cat chose that moment to jump on my lap for some much needed snuggling.  Who am I to turn away the affections of Milo the cat?  So, I carefully laid my Kindle on the arm of the chair.  When Milo was through with me he stepped onto the arm of the chair to peer out the window, and as he did, he knocked the Kindle to the floor, quite accidentally I assure you.  He lazily looked at me then jumped down to the the floor and left.  He does nothing mean and intentional except for trying to eat my hair while I'm sleeping, but that's beside the point.

I bent to pick up my Kindle, which, by the way was still in its case, and this is what I found.

Quickly I remembered the extended warranty I purchased for just such occasions   Locating the receipt and warranty, I discovered it had expired just two days prior.  TWO DAYS!  And, in that moment, my heart shattered like the inside of that little Kindle screen.

I was attached to that little thing you see.  It easily slipped into my purse, sat on my nightstand or regaled me with tales while soaking in a warm bubble bath.  As it shattered, so did I.

I need to go shopping!

I've Been Thinking

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I've been thinking a lot lately about the word TITHING.  Tithes or tithing is a practice that goes back to Old Testament times.  I believe it was first mentioned in the book of Deuteronomy.  Tithing is a word that means ten or tenth.  People used to give of their flocks and fields.  Now, tithing has become more monetary.  We give often times over 10% of our income to various Charitable and Religious organizations that do much good to help the poor and those in need.  But, there is always more...

I really have been putting a lot of thought into this.  There is more that I can give;  I can give of my time.  There are 24 hours in a day, one tenth of that is 24 minutes.  I've been trying to give the Lord 24 minutes, bare minimum, out of the day.  This means that I spend at least 24 minutes reading scripture, pondering and praying.  This doesn't count time spent in service to others, just spending time with Him.

In a world filled with entertainment...movies, books, tv, internet, BLOGS, putting Him first has become increasingly important in my life.  A little time in the morning sets the tone for the rest of the day.  If He only asks for a tenth, twenty-four minutes doesn't really seem that much to give.

Read an update to my post here.   

A Shout Out

A dear blogging friend, Alene from Positively Alene, recently wrote a book called Graffiti that has just become available this week on Amazon.  While I can't review the book as I have not yet read it, I can tell you that she is an endearing, moving writer.  She currently has her book available for FREE on Amazon for download on your Kindle.  If you don't have a Kindle, then you can download the Kindle app to your computer or phone for reading.  It is my understanding that it is only available for the low price of FREE for one more day.  She only asks that you leave her a review when you are finished.  

**I was not compensated for my review.  Just giving a "shout out" for a friend**

Summer Day

Source:  ME

It's a good book, cool breeze, warm sun

chirping birds, grassy toes,

diet cherry coke drinkin'

kind of summer day

Spa Day

I often tell KT or Ladybug that I'm heading to the spa.  You know you don't have to have a lot of money to go to the spa.  After my SITS day, I felt I needed a welcome break.  You know, we famous people do need a break every once in a while.  Being famous can be so exhausting...Welcome to my spa...

1.  Lounge chair (check)

2.  Kindle or paperback book of choice (check)
3.  Icy drink (iced herbal red raspberry tea) (check)

Unfortunately my spa is only open during the Spring, Summer and early Fall months.
Today I am working another lengthy registration.  
I will be dreaming and longing for more spa days like this.

Dystopia

I have a fascination with Dystopian Society.  Dystopia is a society in a controlled, repressive state often disguised and promoted as being Utopian.  I suppose my fascination comes, in fact, because there is often truth in fiction.  I can see bits and pieces of our current society intermingled with these fantasy worlds.  While being entertained, it also scares me.  

Some books I have read and enjoyed in this genre are:

 The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins

 (Hunger Games, Catching Fire & Mocking Jay)

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The Matched Series by Ally Condie

(Matched, Crossed and Reached *releasing this fall*)

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My latest obsession is the Divergent Series by Veronica Roth

(Divergent, Insurgent, and a yet to be named and released third book *releasing fall 2013*)

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I have been told that I should read the Giver.  

Any other Dystopian suggestions for me?

Some "Light" Reading

What's on your "Light" reading list?

Suffering by Comparison

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I have a multitude of abilities, but I am not an expert at anything, and sometimes that is downright discouraging! I am an okay mom, but by comparison, I totally lack. I can crochet, sort of...I love photography, but am I really THAT good? I used to scrapbook and make cards but someone was always better. I used to enjoy playing volleyball, but got yelled at once because, well, I SUCKED. I can whip up a pretty tasty meal, I think, but there is always someone in the family who thinks its disgusting. I think I can pen a fairly interesting blog post at times, but am I really that successful of a blogger, I mean rarely do I get a comment?  My housekeeping is decent, but no model home!  I read the scriptures, but there is always someone with a far greater knowledge and understanding than I.  I can run and run and run, but I haven't been able to run my booty off yet...  I used to sing in a group, which was kind of fun, but was NEVER asked to do a solo...can you guess why?  hahaha

I guess what I am trying to say is that I feel like I suffer by comparison.  I want to find that one thing that I do very well.  I don't want to be mediocre anymore.  I want to be amazing...I like the quote from The Help by Kathryn Stockett when Minnie says, "You is kind.  You is smart.  You is important."

I have recently started reading the book called "You Are Already Amazing" by Holley Gerth.  She writes like we are girlfriends, friends, acquaintances sitting across the table from one another over a cup of Hot Chocolate or Coffee or whatever your drink of choice is....  It is a fun book to read but also very poignant at the same time.  I am truly enjoying it and am hoping to realize exactly what her title says. 

Why is it so hard to embrace how God made us while comparing ourselves to others?  

Why is it so hard to find our own talents and shining abilities?

Why is it easier to listen to Satan's fiery darts than 

to the sweet promptings from Heavenly Father?

 

Wise Words...

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These are such wise words.  You can buy the print at the above link.
(I figured I better give credit where credit was due on that one.)

The quote reminds me of this book I have been reading.  

It is truly amazing and insightful.
Beautifully written almost poetic in nature.

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There is no better way to simplify your life than
showing gratitude for what God has given you.  

Ann points out how to do that through her beautiful writing.
I am in love with this book 

and  a hearty thank you to my friend Tamara
at Rocky Mountain Writer for sending it to me.