It is time for the Thursday Thirteen and I am actually near a computer, so I thought I would throw a list up here. I am reading a memoir-esque book by Madeleine L’Engle, so here are 13 Quotes from Circle of Quiet:
- Ontology: the word about the essence of things; the word about being.
- This throwing ourselves away is the act of creativity.
- We not only escape time, we also escape our self-conscious selves.
- Creativity is an act of discovering.
- A writer may be self-conscious about his work before and after but not during the writing.
- It’s easy to say you’re a writer when things are going well. When the decision is made in the abyss, then it is quite clear that it is not one’s own decision at all.
- Success is pleasant; of course you want it; but it isn’t what makes you write.
- I always remind people about my birthdays; nobody is ever able to say, “But why didn’t you tell me?”
- The title of a book is as important as one’s right and proper signature on a check.
- …the friends of my right hand…
- Joy is what has made the pain bearable and, in the end, creative rather than desctructive.
- If something deep within even the most tentative and minor of artists didn’t think his work was good, he would stop, forever.
- It’s all been said better before. If I thought I had to say it better than anybody else, I’d never start.
And, I am nowhere near finished reading this one. I do love her writing. It leaves me with a sense of calm.
Heather
I keep wanting to do this Simple Woman’s Daybook that I see around. It comes from here. I snatched it from Dana’s blog. My blogging is so sporadic lately, and I apologize for that. I rarely get on a computer, since my laptop is still comatose. So, here is my Daybook entry for this Wednesday…
Outside my window… There is sunlight, for the first time this week.
I am thinking… that I want my house to sell quickly. I am also thinking about that Britney song by Bebo Norman. It makes my heart heavy with its truth. And I am thinking of how blessed I am.
From the learning rooms… Haydn has entirely too much homework to only be in first grade, in my (not so) humble opinion. He has nightly vocabulary review and a math worksheet. He always has 1 or 2 stories with related activities and a worksheet that involves some sort of around the house project. If I were still working full-time, the kid would never getit all done. He comes home from school with “green dots,” and that makes us very proud of him. He is a good kid.
I am thankful for… a church where I can hang out anytime, friends who know me and love me, any chance I am given to be creative and artsy, knowing God is always with us, and new opportunities.
From the kitchen… Leila and Matt gave us their old freezer, so I can fit more food in the house now. That means I go to Walmart less, so I spend less money, in the long run. Happy me! Happy hubby!
I am wearing… dark blue jeans and a green t-shirt that Corey brought me back from Florida. I also have on my beige flip-flops. It is a comfy day.
I am reading… A Circle of Quiet by Madeliene L’Engle, a SARK book and Sex and the City by Candace Bushnell (not great). I just finished Gilead, and it was beautiful. Before bed, I read Jesus for President by Shane Claiborne.
I am hoping… that ou house will sell quickly and that we will find a suitable place to live in Tupelo, soon.
I am creating… a slideshow for a friend and a scrapbook for another friend.
I am hearing… the sound of a lage air condition. Nothing else. I am in the youth building.
Around the house… there is clutter and laundry and boxes. I am trying to pack and keep up with regular housework.
One of my favorite things… is listening to Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult on CD when I am in the van.
A few plans for the rest of the week… pack more boxes, go to a Goodbye dinner for our friend and music minister, watch an Invisible Children DVD with my Small Group girls, fold laundry…
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you…
Laughter makes life livable.
Heather
I was given the opportunity to read and review Mark Batterson’s newest book, Wild Goose Chase, recently. More than opportunity, it was a true blessing. The book is inspiring without being fluffy. It is motivating without being cheesy. It is filled with knowledge, wisdom and, most importantly, Truth.
Here is the summary from the website (Chase the Goose):
Celtic Christians had a name for the Holy Spirit–An Geadh-Glas, or ‘the Wild Goose.’ The name hints at mystery. Much like a wild goose, the Spirit of God cannot be tracked or tamed. An element of danger, an air of unpredictability surround Him. And while the name may sound a little sacrilegious, I cannot think of a better description of what it’s like to follow the Spirit through life. I think the Celtic Christians were on to something…
Most of us will have no idea where we are going most of the time. And I know that is unsettling. But circumstantial uncertainty also goes by another name: Adventure.
You can also check out Mark’s Blog, which I plan to bookmark for myself.
If you want to read this book, be prepared to get off your bum and start living. Leave a comment on this entry and, next week, I will draw a name for a free copy. Please, be sure to leave an email address with your comment.
Heather
I have been unable to post about this until it was official, and then I didn’t have a computer to post with. But, here it is:
We are moving to Tupelo, MS, birthplace of Elvis. Corey has accepted a call to a church there.
I have so much I can write about this, but now that I am looking at this computer screen, I feel uninspired. Here are a few tidbits, however…
- This will be MUCH closer to his school (Memphis Theological).
- This will take a lot of stress off of Corey and our family.
- We will miss our church home, here, very much.
- I am nervous about new youth. Will they like me?
- I cannot imagine life without my girlfriends in close proximity. I am scared of that.
- What if I can’t make new friends?
- We are house hunting. And the “For Sale” sign is up in my front yard.
- The youth have a 2 story house that has been turned into an AMAZING coffee shop.
- Tupelo is very artsy, so that fits me well.
- The schools there are AMAZING. Seriously.
- The church has theater. YAY!
- They are starting a non-traditional worship service next month. We will get to be a part of that.
Well, I will try to write more soon.
Heather
I happened to be in Cokesbury during a sale, a few weeks ago, so I splurged on a copy of Crazy Love by Francis Chan. He is a fave speaker of mine, and this is his first book. I knew I would want my own copy to take notes in and underline sections. I am glad I bought it too. I let Cat borrow it when I finished and she just returned it. I will share some of my favorite quotes here: Read the rest of this entry…
I am currently on a SARK kick, since Cat leant me Transformation Soup. So, for the Thursday Thirteen, let’s have… Read the rest of this entry…
I was gifted with a review copy of Far World: Water Keep by J. Scott Savage. I finished it this week, and I loved it. It reminded me of Oz in many ways - fantastical creatures, etc… It also has a hint of Harry Potter (ordinary boy, prophesy, etc…) and even some Neverending Story, which I just rented for the kids this week. Here is the blurb to tell you what the book is about: Read the rest of this entry…
- Cat’s laptop
- Colored pencils
- Possibilities
- Seeing Amanda in the carpool line this morning
- Leila’s reaction when I asked her to take me camping
- Corey’s kisses
- New insight into scripture I have read before
- Mom’s Day Out
- scrapbooking papers
It’s Friday again!!! Woo hoo! I am loving this friday! Feel free to list your own happies and drop by Becky’s Blog and join the Mr. Linky fun!
With no computer working at home, I have been reading even more than usual (yes, this is possible). I am in one of those phases where I have a ton of books open at one time. Not to mention the ones I just completed.
- Reading the book Liz sent me from Hong Kong
- Highlighters
- Colored pencils
- Blank pages
- Notebooks and journals
- Mickey D’s for breakfast
- Borrowing Cat’s computer before I scrap
- Being asked to make special bday cards
- Pizza with Cat last night
- Seeing Amanda this morning
- David is at MDO
- Liking the pages I have done so far
- Crazy Love by Francis Chan
- Finishing Eclipse
- A happy from Chicago, thanks to Amandalicious (I LOVE YOU)
- My “Blog Off” shirt
- Thunder and rain and a lazy lazy day to do whatever
It is a good day to consider the blessings in my life. It is ALWAYS a good day for that. I read a chapter in Crazy Love, yesterday, that made me cry and think of Nat and miss her and wonder about myself and my future.
What are YOUR Friday Felcities. Dash over to Becky’s Blog and join us.
Heather
Since my laptop is out of commission, I am only online when I visit Cat’s house to scrapbook. So, here are 13 things I am doing when I would normally online at home:
Mrs. Kimble was Jennifer Haigh’s first novel, and it was also one of the first books I desperately wanted to read and could not get my hands on. Our library in Opelika had about zero selection of newer books (other than EVERY new James Patterson, John Grishm, Mary Higgins Clark, etc…). Read the rest of this entry…
- Laptop is currently out of commission.
- Will take around $300 to fix, so I am w/o the net for a while.
- Savannah did not get to come back for her 2nd visit.
- I will refrain from explaining that one. Suffice it to say, the lawyer was informed.
- I am at Cat’s, about to scrapbook.
- I tried to do my Wii Fit workout in the AM today.
- Bad idea. I feel sick.
- It is SOOOOO hot here.
- Spent the morning at the park with Amanda and her girls.
- Returned slipcovers to Target and grabbed a few items.
- Am on the 2nd Twilight book.
- I read and loved The Condition by Jennifer Haigh.
- Review to come when I have more time to blog.
- I also read part of 90 Minutes in Heaven.
- I have mixed feelings.
- That is a whole ‘nother blog.
Hope you all have wonderful weeks.
Heather
Why don’t I trust Him? He never lets me down and yet I still worry and fret and make backup plans. Really. Today, I made a backup plan. What was I thinking?