Leggings, Haiti + Jimmy Fallon: My Summer (Reading) Vacay

Have you ever heard of anyone comparing wedding planning to a vacation? Me neither. What about moving? Or doubling up on job duties? Yeah, that's what I thought.

While the last several months have certainly had their share of stressful moments, they've also included an unexpected reprieve thanks to the opportunity to pre-read Jen Hatmaker's "For the Love: Fighting For Grace In a World of Impossible Standards."

Officially launching today, this book has provided a much needed reminder of God's grace along with a refreshing, encouraging perspective of the freedom I can experience with new chapters in life.

From hilarious fashion commentary to insightful worldviews, "For The Love" offers gentle yet straightforward reminders of realistic Biblical expectations in an unrealistic, Pinterest-driven world.

All that, plus Jimmy Fallon-like thank-you notes? Yes, please. (You can see how I survived the summer.)

So this book that's made me laugh, (good) cry, think more deeply, use fun phrases and get to know a new tribe of friends is now available to the public. How could I not share the news?!

"For the Love" is available at Barnes and Noble and amazon.com, and you can learn more about it on Jen Hatmaker's website.

Enjoy!

 

 

For the Love.

Something incredibly exciting happened to me!

(Yes, I was engaged to the love of my life in December. NOT a small deal, by any means. I love this man -- I really, really love him!, and I am not one bit freaked out about spending the rest of my life with him. Which will be a completely separate -- and possibly really long -- blog post. And yes, my foot surgery worked out two summers ago and I can grocery shop for myself again. Wow. I mean, wow. That was miraculous. And yes, believe it or not, I have [kinda] stopped biting my nails. Let's face it. Even kinda is pretty big for me.)

Yet my excitement in this post stems from something else. (Can you believe there's more?!)

Yet...there is.

:: deep breaths ::

My incredibly intuitive, super wise sister suggested I apply to pre-read and help promote a favorite author's book, and guess what?

I was selected.

If you know me, and you know my penchant for reading, it's kind of a big deal. I mean, let's face it, even if you don't know about me and books, IT'S KIND OF A BIG DEAL.

For the love of PETE, y'all! I'm on an official book launch team! Woohoo!

So I'm slightly excited, and have made 499 new friends, and get to tease out quotes from Jen Hatmaker's new book, and for. the. love., I am p-u-m-p-e-d.

So please, watch this space. I am reading as fast as I can adequately consume the book and keep up with my work and relationship and family duties, and you know, it's one of those things I pretty much don't want to end, because I'm just a geek.

For the love!

Wordless Wednesday. (iCheated.)

On the Big Screen: The Help (No Spoilers)

I just left the theatre, where I saw "The Help" on the big screen.

The movie was superbly done, and addresses a subject that is more talked about now than in the past, but is still hairy: race relations.

I am from Mississippi. I am not proud of the slavery my state participated in past years. Most of us aren't.

That's not all, though.

There are many things I'm not proud of that people I love have done. I still love the people, though, especially in cases where they change, and see the need for a difference, and at the time, sometimes might not have known better.

Sometimes, I've been that person. I'm thankful my friends and family love me anyway. I'm guessing we all are, and that we're grateful for those who believe in us and the improvements we can make.

That's all on that subject.

My favorite thing about "The Help," which I blogged about after I read the book, is the way the story's told. The writing and use of voice are excellent, and from the perspective of a former Jackson junior leaguer, certain nails are hit squarely on the head. I really want to meet the author.

My thoughts for those who haven't read the book: read the book. See the movie. Share it all with a friend.

My thoughts for those who have read the book: see the movie. Share it and the book with a friend.

Well done. Very well done.