by Kimberly | Jan 11, 2018 | Books
My favorite genre of books is (well, besides cook books) memoir or biography. I think they are important for so many reasons, but today I just want to tell you the most important one.
For believers, memoirs/biographies matter so future generations will know your life and what you believe.
In an age of social media, we often get so wrapped up in taking a pretty picture or engaging SEO stats, that we forget about what really matters. This life is not all there is. There is life after this life and that is eternal. So, what we believe about Jesus and the Gospel in this life will determine (based on the grace of God) what our next life looks like.
Jessica Ronne, in her book, Sunlight Burning at Midnight, not only decided to tell her story, one mixed with pain and smiles, but decided to keep Jesus in it. Since He is clearly the author of our stories, we need to know what He does in them. What does His word say? Where does He move us? What does he bring to our lives that make us look directly at Him?
And what I’ve known now for the last 6 years is so true, in reading this book, and in living my life since those last 6 years: God is big enough to wrestle with us – when we bring to Him our questions, our misunderstandings, our unbelief. As Aslan would say “draw near”.
Jessica is giving one of you readers a chance to win your own copy. To enter: just tell me what memoir/biography is your favorite.
by Kimberly | Jan 8, 2018 | Books
Our boys are 5 and 4. And if there are a few things we’ve learned over the years it is that our boys are different…and our boys are always changing.
What works one day may not work the next and yeah, most of you will understand.
Some nights our evening family worship time (right before bed) works great. Other nights it is a complete disaster. That doesn’t mean we give up.
It might mean we change things up a bit.
And this book right here has helped us change things up a bit.
In the morning, my mister gets up with the boys, get the older one off to school on the bus, then eats breakfast with the younger. And this book has been a great addition to the breakfast table. It shares a verse and a short devotion, perfect for his preschool attention span.
And you can use it in whatever way suits your family:
- If you are homeschooling, you can trace the verse, have your kids journal this verse, memorize the verses, etc.
- You can write it on a home chalkboard for your kids to see throughout the day.
- You can read it together over a meal or at night.
- You can pray it over your children as they go to bed.
- You can journal these verses as their mama and give it to them when they are older for them to see how you prayed for them and how God answered.
However you choose to use it, know that it is the Word of God, and it is powerful to bring about change in your kids’ lives (and yours).
And you can win won from Tommy Nelson Mommies. Just share with me which one of the above ways you would use if you had this book. I’d love to hear!
Thanks Tommy Nelson for this book and for the giveaway book. All opinions are my own.
by Kimberly | Jan 8, 2018 | Uncategorized
I’ve not always enjoyed having a birthday that was so close to Christmas. Hint: most of the time we were out of school for my birthday which usually would be great, but that’s how I saw people and got anything for my birthday (other than from family), so if you were out of school most people forgot about it.
But, now I thoroughly enjoy it because it prolongs that year just a bit for me. Most of my new year’s resolutions don’t start until after my birthday because you know, you want to eat cake! 🙂
So, 2017 wasn’t really a great year for lots of people, and it wasn’t a stellar year for me though it had highlights.
Let me first tell you about the highlights:
- We bought a home. We moved to the Augusta, GA area and were able to buy a home. We had owned a home before but not since living in ATL, and now we can get settled. I like being settled (as long as I get to travel).
- I was asked to do many cool lettering projects including a styled shoot which was published twice (here and here) and to letter t-shirts for a concert tour/album release.
- I surpassed my reading goal.
Ok, but really, 40 was not my favorite year.
I had to start again, again. Building community at 40 is hard. And ATL was hard enough as it was. When you are 10-20 years older than most of the people in your same creative field, its difficult to feel like you fit in. Social media doesn’t always help, but it also has been good to build community.
Fear was the word that permeated 40/2017. Insecurity in my health (colitis flare ups, autoimmune diagnosis, weight gain). Insecurity in my relationship with Christ. Fear of failure as a wife and a mom. Fear of how my boys will turn out. Fear of not being liked. Not in a 13 sorta of way, but in a 40 sort of way. Fear of never being good enough to measure up to anything. Fear of always being mediocre at everything I do. Never excelling at anything. Fear of loss: both my grandfather and my mom have been in the hospital and just sick in the last few months.
So, when people ask me what I want for 2018 and 41: just please be better than last year.
For 2018: Peace is my word of the year. I want peace in my relationship with Christ. I want peace in not-striving. I want peace in our home. I want peace in my body.
My verse for this year you will find above:
Since God created the world and everything in it is upheld by his words and his power – there should be no chaos in it – only peace.
Isaiah 45:18
by Kimberly | Jan 1, 2018 | kcreatives photography, photo shoot
Welcome to 2018. A few days ago I had the privilege of taking some family photos for some friends who were in town. The wife/mom/aunt is from here and I know them from Durham. Its fun when people come visit! 🙂
It was cold and I had the boys with but we made it work and had a fun time. We ended the time with some play on the playground.
The Savannah Rapids is such a perfect place for photography. Great lighting, different places and backgrounds, water, sun, wood, barn, perfect for family shots.
by Kimberly | Dec 31, 2017 | Books
Well, this may be the first year that I’ve ever set a book reading goal – and surpassed it!
So, next year I’ve upped the number by just saying “I want to beat this year”. I’ve got some reading goals for next year, but that’s for next year – so stay tuned.
Below are the books I read in 2017 and the ones with the talk are the ones I enjoyed the most.
What was your favorite you read in 2017?
What are you looking most forward to with reading in 2018?
The Magnolia Story
Nothing to Prove: This was my first Jennie Allen read and it was what I needed at the time I read it. I thought it was great!
Magic of Motherhood
Martha Washington: An American Life: This was the first in my First Lady bio books. I really loved how it focused on her and not her husband.
Mr. Popper’s Penguins
You Are Free
A Letter from Lancaster County
Fools Rush In
Between Heaven and the Real World: Definitely my favorite of the year. I sobbed all the way through it and I’m not allowed to mention SCC’s name in our home I don’t think for a while. So good! I love biographies!
Dreamland Burning. Another great one. YA. Injustice. Racial terror.
Dear Mr. Knightley. First of three I’ve read by her this year. And I really enjoy her writing. Weaving faith, romance, literature, travel. This one was my favorite
Gracelaced
The Bronte Plot
Winter Kisses
A Change of Heart
Trusting Grace
Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck
Seeds of Hope
Austen Escape
The King’s Locket
Hidden Christmas . Tim Keller. Easy to read Tim Keller. Fabulous look on Christmas.
Kinfolk Table. I probably have notes on every page of this biographical compilation cookbook with stunning photography.
She Reads Truth. If you need a book to encourage you in truth right where you need it, this is it. But, word to the wise, don’t read it in public. There were many chapters I sobbed reading it while on the bike at the gym.
Letters to Grief
Earth Psalms
Growing Up
Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing. I love this. Its a re-read. And I’ll probably re-read it every year.
