Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Favorite Reads from 2017

I read a bunch of books this year. Some of the books I read were rereads. Some were books that were new to me. Here are my favorites from this year.

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
Some friends recommended this book to me, and I fell in love with Flavia (the protagonist) and her penchant for exploring death.

How to Talk So Kids Can Learn - At Home and In School by Adele Faber (et al)
If you work with kids - or have kids - this book can be really helpful in working through how to communicate well with them.

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
I loved this retelling of the classic Grimm's fairy tale.

The Card Catalog by Carla Hayden
I really enjoyed learning more about the card catalog and how the technology has changed over time.

Hidden Figures by Margot Shetterly
The phenomenal true story of the black female mathematicians at NASA whose calculations helped fuel some of America’s greatest achievements in space. This was definitely one of my favorite reads!


Any books you read in 2017 that you recommend? I'd love to hear your recommendations.

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Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Christmas Carol

The kings they came from out the south,
All dressed in ermine fine;
They bore Him gold and chrysoprase,
And gifts of precious wine.

The shepherds came from out the north,
Their coats were brown and old;
They brought Him little new-born lambs—
They had not any gold.

The wise men came from out the east,
And they were wrapped in white;
The star that led them all the way
Did glorify the night.

The angels came from heaven high,
And they were clad with wings;
And lo, they brought a joyful song
The host of heaven sings.

The kings they knocked upon the door,
The wise men entered in,
The shepherds followed after them
To hear the song begin.

The angels sang through all the night
Until the rising sun,
But little Jesus fell asleep
Before the song was done.

Christmas Carol by Sarah Teasdale


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Tuesday, December 12, 2017

All My Heart This Night Rejoices

All my heart this night rejoices
as I hear far and near sweetest angel voices.
"Christ is born," their choirs are singing
till the air ev'rywhere now with joy is ringing.

Forth today the Conqu'ror goeth,
who the foe, sin and woe, death and hell, o'erthroweth.
God is man, man to deliver;
His dear Son now is one with our blood forever.

Shall we still dread God's displeasure,
who, to save, freely gave His most cherished Treasure?
To redeem us, He hath given
His own Son from the throne of His might in heaven.

He becomes the Lamb that taketh
sin away and for aye full atonement maketh.
For our life His own He tenders;
and our race, by His grace, fit for glory renders.

Hark! a voice from yonder manger,
soft and sweet, doth entreat, "Flee from woe and danger;
brethren, from all ills that grieve you
you are freed; all you need I will surely give you."

Come, then, banish all your sadness,
one and all, great and small; come with songs of gladness.
Love Him who with love is glowing;
hail the star, near and far light and joy bestowing.

Dearest Lord, Thee will I cherish.
Though my breath fail in death, yet I shall not perish,
but with Thee abide forever
there on high, in that joy which can vanish never.

All My Heart This Night Rejoices by Paul Gerhardt, translated by Catherine Winkworth


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Tuesday, December 05, 2017

30-Day Giving Challenge 2017 - Week 5

"We praise you, O God, our Redeemer, Creator;
in grateful devotion our tribute we bring;
we lay it before you; we kneel and adore you;
we bless your holy name: glad praises we sing."
- Julia C. Cory

I am thankful this year to be able to take time to focus on being grateful. I'm also enjoying being able to purposefully focus on giving to others. Here are some of the opportunities I had this past week.

Tuesday - donated to the Salvation's Army Red Kettle drive
Wednesday - helped with the children's ministry at my church
Thursday - helped with the ladies' ministry at my church

I've enjoyed taking extra time during November to focus on others. I'm thankful for the opportunities I've had to hopefully make someone's day just a little brighter.

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