Reading, Writing & Pondering

  Are you a creative person but feel like it is hard to find the time to do "your thing" as a mom? Create Anyway: The Joy of Pursuing Creativity in the Margins of Motherhood by Ashlee Gadd is a book that needs to be on your radar. Create Anyway is the book that I wish I had had when my son was little. I like how the book is written in bite-sized chunks, like busy moms need. It is full of encouraging stories and prompts for moms who want to incorporate creative pursuits into their lives while they work to be the best moms they can be. Gadd shares a lot about using bits of time here and there. I think that sounds realistic. I know I made a collage in a half hour one day and my creative bucket was full for a week. We all have those things we like to do and sometimes we need to squeeze in the time to do them.  Create Anyway has 19 chapters in it. Each chapter shares ideas and stories to encourage women to make time for their creative pursuits. Then at the end of each chapter th...

  If you are a young woman or are looking for a Bible for a young woman, I would encourage you to consider this Bible. The Young Women Love God Greatly Bible from Thomas Nelson is a Bible with a WHOLE LOT of study helps included. As the back cover says, The Young Women Love God Greatly Bible uses the SOAP Bible study framework--Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. There are 50 reading plans for reading through Scripture using this method. There are also topical reading plans about life's issues, such as fear and anxiety and friendship. This Bible combines devotions, profile of Biblical and historical people, other women's personal testimonies from all over the world, and letters from mentors to guide you when faced with a challenge. Women who made a difference for God's kingdom throughout history are highlighted throughout the Bible. The Bible is fairly heavy at about 4 pounds so it isn't one you likely want to carry to church or Bible study, rather is is one...

  Are you an "Anne Fan?" I've loved Anne of Green Gables for many years so when I saw this new Anne of Green Gables Devotional from Rachel Dodge, I could not wait to get a copy. The subtitle of The Anne of Green Gables Devotional is "A Chapter-by-Chapter Companion for Kindred Spirits." This book is full of all my favorite Anne of Green Gables scenes, trivia and gorgeous illustrations.  The book is relatively small, measuring approximately 5 by 7 inches in size. . .the perfect size to stick in your purse or book bag if you'd like to carry it along. There are 40 days worth of readings. Each reading starts with a Bible verse, goes on to the devotional message that includes scenes from the books, then a section that is written to help you apply the verses and readings personally and each day concludes with a prayer and another Bible verse. At the back of the book there is an author's note, an Anne glossary, and discussion questions. This beautiful Anne of ...

There is not doubt about it, there is a lot of scary stuff going on in our modern world. It is enough to worry adults, let alone kids.  Sissy Goff offers advice to young girls on how to overcome their worry and anxiety and focus on how brave they are instead in her new book, Braver Stronger Smarter: A Girl's Guide to Overcoming Worry and Anxiety . Braver Stronger Smarter was written for elementary aged girls but it can be used by girls of any age to learn practical ways to deal with worry, anxiety, and other overwhelming emotions. Actually, the book also offers girls who don't deal with those issues now a way to handle those emotions if they do come up for them. The book is divided in to three sections: Understanding, Help and Hope. Each section contains three chapters with some good advice and learning tools for girls in each section. Parents and caregivers are also encouraged to read the companion book, Raising Worry-Free Girls , as they work with a young girl. Braver St...

A Life of Lovely by Annie F. Downs is aimed at young women--high school and college age women. I have to confess I am a little older, well, I might even be a lot older. Yet, this book spoke to me. And I know it will speak to young women. I wish I had known about books like this when I was a young woman. A Life of Lovely starts with a note from Annie and an introduction. Then the book is divided into three sections: When lovely is lost, Collecting lovely,  and when I found lovely. Each section has  chapters full of Annie's relatable down-to-earth stories from her life and the life of those she knows. It just feels like you are sitting in a coffee shop visiting with Annie as you read the whole book. I enjoyed reading A Life of Lovely . I enjoyed reading stories from another Christian woman who shares her struggles and how she took them to God. . .but maybe it took some time to do that. I am encouraged by her real-life stories and how she is just so relatable. I am uplift...