Hey friends!
I hope your April is off to a great start!
Mine has been full of fun starting with Spring Break. Me and the boys took a very quick trip to Pennsylvania for a few days to see our family. It was bittersweet because my husband was too swamped with work to come with us. We missed him! And I really missed his driving skills. When we road trip, typically he drives the whole way unless he gets tired. So I usually spend 10 hours reading, knitting (ok…I’ll be honest) on my phone. It’s quite relaxing!
Since my go-cart (as my boys call my little car, a Fiat 500 L) is very cozy for 4, I took my hubby’s minivan, and as it is his company car, our son isn’t allowed to drive it. So it just left me to drive the whole trip, 550 miles each way. And each direction, about 500 of those miles were in pouring rain. It was (insert sarcastic tone) delightful! But we got there and home safely, and that’s all that matters.
We arrived at 2 am and as soon as I stepped out of the car, I was warm. It was almost 70 degrees! I thought we had actually arrived to spring. But a few days later they got 3 inches of snow. It felt like we never left Michigan!
One of my best hacks to stay alert when I’m driving long distances is super counterintuitive. I actually listen to audiobooks or podcasts. That sounds crazy because you would think that paying attention to the book I’m listening to would be distracting, but for my ADD brain, it’s anything but. I have found that the level of focus I need to pay attention to the input of words actually helps me pay attention better to everything around me.
To prepare for such a long drive, especially knowing my boys would fall asleep on the way there, I loaded up with audiobooks to keep me focused on the drive. That’s why you’ll find them at the top of this month’s list. They were literally a life saver on our drive.
All this to say (which is another thing I’ve been loving…this phrase is perfect for a wordy person like me!)…here’s a few things I’ve been loving lately…..
Books
Twirl by Patsy Clairmont
What a fun book! I adore Patsy Clairmont! On more than one occasion I’ve hoped I’ll be like her when I grow up. She’s so fun, sassy, unique and she loves Jesus. He has rescued her from some major fears in her life and she gives Him the glory for it.
Twirl is the kind of book that you can read a chapter at a time. It is a compilation of essays about little things in life that really help to make a delightful life if you pay attention. There’s a chapter on bubbles, birds, trees, dancing. It’s a quick, easily read (or listened to…bonus that Patsy reads it herself which makes is so much more fun to hear it with her perky personality) book that made me laugh out loud and smile often. Each chapter ends with some questions for reflection.
If You Only Knew by Jamie Ivey
Oh my stars this book is good! I don’t think I’ve ever read (ok..listened to, and again, bonus points because Jamie reads this herself. A story this vulnerable is even more impactful listening to her tell it herself!) a book more transparent about sin struggles. It’s not my story to tell, but let me just say, a woman with her past without God working in her heart and life would not be a likely pastor’s wife. Only God could bring forgiveness, healing, and restoration in the midst of her journey to restore her. If you have ever felt shame, unworthy, or like you can never be forgiven, you need to read this book.
Music
The Reason by Travis Cottrell
I have never listened to Travis Cottrell’s music before, but since I’ve heard him on the Big Boo Cast a few times I got curious and looked up his new album that just released. It is a gem! It’s a combination of new songs and older worship songs that are just so beautiful. I typically don’t like new music right away, it usually needs to grow on me a bit, but from the first time I heard the first song The Reason, I fell in love.
The Greatest Showman Soundtrack
I know everyone is still obsessed with this movie and music, and who can blame them? The music is not just beautiful, it is inspiring. I have had some great conversations with God because of thoughts and questions this music has welled up in me. I just printed out some sheet music to learn how to play ‘This is Me’ I love it so much.
Movies
I have loved Mercy Me and the song I Can Only Imagine for years. But this movie, that shows the story behind the song, is outstanding. I had heard about Bart Millard’s father and the abusive relationship they had before his dad found Jesus, but this movie makes the change in his father palpable. It is a must see movie!!! It is appropriate (in my opinion) for middle school and up. Since my hubby and I went on a date to see it, our boys haven’t yet watched it, but we will be watching it as a family soon. I can only imagine (pun not intended, but appropriate) the great conversations that will stem from seeing this as a family. Having lost my father in law to cancer 9 years ago, this movie certainly pricked our hearts, and I’m sure my sons will relate to it in a very visceral way. I think it will be healing to them as they still miss their Papu. I do too.
Well, that’s it for April!
What are you loving this month? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
