on my nightstand...

I'm reading some great books right now, and just want to pass them along. I just finished Donald Miller's "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" and ate the thing up. It's a really interesting premise...all about how to look at your life as a story, and then really figuring out if you're living a compelling, interesting narrative. His own story takes off, after he is confronted by two guys who want to make his first memoir into a movie and they all realize his life just isn't that compelling on the screen. So he makes very intentional decisions as to what parts of his story he wants to put to the side for a while, and what parts he wants to pursue because there is mystery, intrigue and perhaps some good personal character development potential along the way.

I haven't stopped thinking about this book since I started reading the first page.

I'm halfway through Beth Moore's "So Long Insecurity" and that's about right. I'd say about half the time I'm still dealing with this horrible vice, and the other half of the time I'm feeling good and full of confidence :) Here's to hoping the last half will get me to the place where I can say, "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough and gosh-darn-it, people like me."

Sara sent me Madeleine L'Engle's "Waking on Water." The funny thing is that Sara had me read this when I worked for her and I remember devouring it then. And now as I read it a second time, I can't believe how new every thought and page is. This book is changing my thinking on vocation and how I can use my gifts more intentionally. Paired with Donald Miller's book, these two are giving me lots and lots to chew on.

And finally, "What to expect" has become a staple. My baby is six inches head to rump right now, which makes me feel good and productive. People still are surprised I am five months along, so I try to stick my belly out a bit extra when I tell people I'm five months now. It helps with the large, drawn-out, "You don't look five months!" It's funny how that should be flattering, and yet I always am left feeling like maybe I'm not eating enough or giving this baby enough room. Next Thursday we have our ultrasound and I can't wait for the doctor to kindly tell me everything is looking good in there.

Happy reading everybody!