Wherever the River Runs: Review and Giveaway

It is an unusually cold and rainy September day, as I stand at the sink washing dishes. I turn the facet from cold to hot with a turn of the wrist, easily pouring warm water over my hands, sponge, and dirty pots. I look outside the window, seeing kids pedal their bikes past my fence sending my dogs into a barking hysteria.

I see a neighbor drive by, pull into their drive, and close their garage door before they even turn off their car. I wonder where they came from. I wonder if they had a difficult day. Then God nudges my heart.

Do I know my neighbor's needs? If I answer truthfully, no. I can't even tell you their names. I justify my disinterest by reminding myself we don't live here permanently. I brush off the desire convincing myself how awkward meeting strangers is. But a voice deep within speaks confidently. Nudges gently. Tells me to go.

God has told me to love. To open my heart, home, and life. Not under the conditions of convenience or recognition. Not so I can stamp another box in my passport as I visit dark countries. Not so I can check off my good-doer list.

But so that I can love. Like He loves me. So that I can share life, hope, mercy, grace, and forgiveness. 

I blame Kelly Minter. I blame her beautiful words, her witty humor, and her obedience to travel to the depths of the Amazon, and to then write a book about it. I can't un-read, what I have read. I can't un-know what God has revealed to me.

Wherever the River Runs is Kelly's story of how God lead her to the Amazon, to tribes of forgotten people, and opened her eye's to God's heart. It is a story of seeking. And finding.

"I wasn't sure in what ways my life would change, but my 'normal' life - my American one with the catalogs and dreams, the bills and closet full of clothes - could no longer remain the same... I'd soon realize I wouldn't have to reside in the Amazon to live amid a river of people whose burdens needed carrying. I needed only to look around me."

You guys, I can't recommend this book enough. Kelly is such a beautiful and amazing writer, and her heart is even better. Her words so capture this remote and forgotten land that you feel you are right beside her, swinging on a hammock, looking at the stars, and dreaming God size dreams.

And luckily, I have 1 book to giveaway courtesy of Family Christian (US only).

You can enter to win by:
*Commenting on this post, telling me how much you really want to win. 

*Share this giveaway on Facebook and/or retweet on Twitter.

*For additional entries you may follow Family Christian on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, or Tumblr. Leave a comment on this post for each link you follow. 

A random comment will be selected Wednesday, October 1 at 8:00pm. I will contact you via email.

You guys. Seriously. Get this book. Like, now.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Family Christian. I wasn't compensated in anyway, except for receiving Minter's book to review. All opinions are my own, of course. 

Giveaway closed.

The winner is: Dede! 
Congrats! Please contact me with your information. 

Lend Me Your Hope

Sometimes I don't know what to say. I don't know how to express what I thinking, feeling, and needing. I know you feel the same. What do you say to someone like me? What do you say to someone who has lost. Someone who has deep, unspeakable pain.

This anonymous author explains my needs so well.

Lend Me Your Hope

Lend me your hope for a while,
I seem to have mislaid mine.
Lost and hopeless feelings accompany me daily,
pain and confusion are my companions.
I know not where to turn.

Looking ahead to future times
does not bring forth images of renewed hope.

I see troubled times,
pain-filled days,
and more tragedy.
Lend me your hope for a while,
I seem to have mislaid mine.

Hold my hand and hug me;
listen to all my ramblings,
recovery seems so far distant.
The road to healing
seems like a long and lonely one.
Lend me your hope for a while,
I seem to have mislaid mine.

Stand by me,
offer me your presence,
your heart and your love.
Acknowledge my pain,
it is so real and ever present.
I am overwhelmed
with sad and conflicting thoughts.

Lend me your hope for a while.
A time will come when I will heal,
and I will share my renewal,
hope and love with others

Stitch Fix: My September Box

This week I received the best package at my doorstep- my September Stitch Fix. I cancelled my box for August, so I was starting to go through withdraws.  

(Ps. You can cancel, adjust, and move around your delivery dates, free of charge. No hassle friends. Amen.)

I polled the internet on what I should keep and it was really fun reading everyone's opinions. Luckily no one said, "Ugh. You look terrible in everything. Send it all back." Everyone was so sweet and encouraging, making me feel like I actually picked these things out on my own. Here are the final standings:

1. Knit Cardigan 

2. Polka Dot Dress 

3. Sheer Kimono 

4. Blue Tank

5. Jeans

I weighed each comment heavily and after a deep mental turmoil finally made my decision. The dangerous thing about this service is that it is so hard to send back items you actually like; but I forced myself to keep only the things I really really wanted. 

1. Skies are Blue Knit Cardigan $48

Guys, I really liked this cardigan. The color isn't as annoying as the picture shows and the thickness will be perfect for fall. However, I already have so many things like this so it just wasn't worth it. I could easily keep this and wear it weekly, but I'm trying to step outside my solid-color-wearing box. So, while this was a fan favorite, and rightly so, I didn't keep it. Send back.

2. Pixley Polka Dot Dress $68

Adorable. Comfy. Soft. Good quality. All the things I look for in a cute little dress. And if Arkansas was experiencing typical weather, I would probably keep this. But alas, the weekend this box arrived it was cold and rainy... and there was no way I could imagine wearing this little number, layers or not. I just can't justify spending $68 on a dress that I won't wear until next spring. Send back.

3. Papermoon Sheer Cardigan $38

Now this is what I'm talking about. This kimono has a fun, colorful pattern that can work for fall or spring. I have absolutely nothing like it and the price is just right. Everyone who chose this top wins. The prize is bragging rights. This was an easy decision for me. Keep.

4. Papermoon Cross-Back Tank $38

You guys didn't get to see the back detail, but I loved this tank. The length was perfect, I loved the color blocking style, and the price was good. But again, I couldn't justify buying such a summery top when the weather is getting cooler. Cardigan...layers...blah blah. I know. But it just wasn't worth it. Send back. 

5. Cut From the Kloth Sonja Straight Leg Jean $78

It has been so hard from me to find jeans over the past few months. My pre-pregnancy jeans are fitting again, but my body isn't the same shape as it use to be. Hence, I've hated shopping for pants. So when I saw this pair of jeans my stomach dropped. However I sucked it up, literally, and slipped these babies on. And I loved them. Like, seriously, I reeeeally liked them. But they were about a size too big, which was a nice surprise and a good problem to have. I tried to persuade myself to keep them but I could slide them off without unbuttoning them; not exactly reliable coverage. Sad day. I plan to adjust my pant sizes on my profile in hopes of receiving better fitting jeans next time. Send back.

And that's a wrap. I'm surprised how much I liked every item. While I didn't keep everything, I really wanted to and it just goes to show how great this service really is. The person who invented this is a genius...I want to be their best friend.

 Did you like the kimono? Don't you love trying on pants to realize they are a size too big? Is the weather strangely cold where you are too?

Please use my referral link if you want to get your own Stitch Fix. It will give me $25 to put toward my next box and you will get a fun and personalized box at your front door. And let me know what you get in your box too!

This post was meant to be about something

As the title suggests, this posts was meant be about something. Fall. Football. Memories with friends.

But you guys, I'm sick. Like, unable to get out of bed, stomach churning sick. And it sucks. No matter how old I get, I still feel like a child when I'm not well. Please tell me I'm not the only one.

I think I caught the stomach bug that is going around and it is no joke. So I reluctantly called into work and prayed that this would be over in 24 hours like "they" promised.

So, now I'm writing this post to tell you I'm not able to write a post. Stupid, yes. But I hear sickness can do that to someone.

Until next time...