Book 9 of 50: When God Whispers Your Name by Max Lucado

Time for another book review.  Still trying to catch up :)

Available for Purchase Here

I was given this book, along with many others, by a friend.  I had just recently finished the Inkheart series on my Kindle and was looking for something to read on paper.  I have never read a Max Lucado book but I know he is famous for his Christian writing and is possibly the most famous inspirational author in America.  So I thought I would give it a try. 

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Here's the book description: "Do you find it hard to believe that the One who made everything keeps your name on His heart and on His lips? Did you realize that your name is written on the hand of God (Is. 49:16)? Perhaps you've never seen your name honored. And you can't remember when you heard it spoken with kindness. In this book, Lucado offers the inspiration to believe that God has already bought the ticket-with your name on it."

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Here are some of my favorite quotes:

"We treat others as we perceive God is treating us."

"Forgiveness is not saying the one who hurt you was right. Forgiveness is stating that God is fair and he will do what is right."

And a very long quote that is totally worth reading!

I choose love...No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness.  I choose love.  Today I will love God and what God loves.

I choose joy...I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance.  I will refuse the temptation to be cynical - the tool of the lazy thinker.  I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God.  I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I choose peace...I will live forgiven.  I will forgive so that I may live.

I choose patience...I will overlook the inconveniences of the world.  Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite him to do so.  Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray.  Instead of clinching by fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I choose kindness...I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone.  Kind to the rich, for they are afraid.  And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I choose goodness...I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one.  I will be overlooked before I will boast.  I will confess before I will accuse.  I choose goodness.

I choose faithfulness...Today I will keep my promises.  My debtors will not regret their trust.  My associates will not question my word.  My wife will not question my love.  And my children will never fear that their father will not come home.

I choose gentleness...Nothing is won by force.  I choose to be gentle.  If I raise my voice may it be only in praise.  If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer.  If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.

I choose self-control...I am a spiritual being.  After this body is dead, my spirit will soar.  I refuse to let what will not, rule the eternal.  I choose self-control.  I will be drunk only by joy.  I will be impassioned only by my faith.  I will be influenced only by God.  I will be taught only by Christ.  I choose self-control.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  To these I commit my day.  If I succeed, I will give thanks.  If I fail, I will seek his grace.  And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest. 

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Ultimately, I did like the book, but it didn't really live up the Max Lucado hype.  Also, it wasn't a novel.  Each chapter was a short look at life and God.  I was expecting a story with characters and plot, so it was difficult to adjust.  It would make a great bathroom book...ya know, something to read while you're "dropping the kiddies off at the pool" (My college roommate said that once and I love it sooo much! LOL) because each section is meant to be read quickly. 

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K, thanks, bye. 

Throw Up Thursday

Throw Up Thursday: The one time per week you compare your mate to mine.  Mine wins. :)




He may not know what it is I need, but he knows when I am in need of something.

And once I figure out what it is, he will do anything to get it for me.

Triplet Treats!

Disclaimer: I pretty much stalk my brother and SIL on FB.  I mean, we don't live in the same state and its the best way to get caught up and see pics of the bebes.  So, with that said... I hope what you are about to read doesn't make you think I'm a weirdo.  I'm just a very excited auntie, k?

First I want to share this "wedding wish" that a couple of friends left for Ricky and Anna on their wedding day.

Can you believe it!?

"Triplets, right away." :)

Now, here are Anna's baby bump pictures!

These are totally all on FB, but they're not all in a row.

I thought this was cool.

18 weeks, 6 days

20 weeks, 5 days

22 weeks

The theme for Anna's baby shower was...wait for it...

Three Peas in a Pod :)

How cute!

24 weeks, 4 days

I think this is 28 weeks, 2 days

30 weeks, 6 days

32 weeks

And if I did the pregnancy math right, which it is quite possible that I did not, the babies were born at 33 weeks and 1 day.  Full term for triplets is 36 weeks. 

Next I will probably do a post of pictures of each baby and a little bit about their individual journeys so far. :)

P.S. Is it totally weird that I'm posting such detailed posts about my nephews and niece and everything related?  Because, I just love every bit and want to help record it all :)  

Chinasaurs

These events occurred on June 1, 2012.

WARNING: Picture Overload

Ok, so I love China. And I love dinosaurs.  So when I found out that a local museum was having an exhibit exclusively for Chinese dinosaurs, I about flipped!  So a couple of friends, two babies, and I went to see it on opening night.

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 Kerry and I.

 I took more pics of the skeletons, but I don't want to ruin all the fun for you, so here's a sneak peak.

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Because it was opening night, there were lots of cool Chinese extras going on.

A Chinese Tea Ceremony. 

Paper-cutting station.

Your name in Chinese.

A Chinese musician. 

Paper lanterns.

A Chinese Lion Dance.

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Mariah chowing down on a spring roll. Yum!

Brookie and PayPay :)

 Kerry and her name in Chinese.

 Brookie's and PayPay's middle names in Chinese. 

 Brookie and PayPay exploring the other exhibits.

 Sisterly love! Awww!

Two tiny babies near a giant dinosaur leg bone? Yes please! 

Brookie LOVED this chair.

Fun time with Kelly! :) I swear, they love taking pics. 

Trying really hard to turn this knob. So cute!

 L to R: Kerry checking out an exhibit.

Kerry, Brookie, PayPay and Mariah next to the Guinness Record holder for large head.

A view of the crowd from the balcony.  It had thinned out a lot by then.

Oh, and last but not least, alcohol.  

Because what goes better with dead dinos then getting crunk!?

J/K.  I thought this was totally weird....there were tons of kids all around!

It was a lot of fun and I loved every minute! Oh, and I totally scored some pressed pennies (nerd alert!).

K, bye now. 

What's Missing?

This is me. 

My name is Kelly.

My favorite color changes every day and today it is teal.

My birthday is in September.

My favorite food is anything chocolate. 

I have three brothers, three sisters-in-law, two nephews and one niece.

I love to read.

What's missing from these pictures?

Keep scrolling.

Him.

His name is TJ.

His favorite color is red and always has been.

His birthday is in July.

His favorite food is chicken.

He has two sisters, two brothers-in-laws, two nephews, and one niece.

He loves to play video games.

What's missing from these pictures?

Keep scrolling.

Me.

But you've already seen me. 

So here we are together.

We were married on October 1, 2011.

What's missing from these pictures?

Keep scrolling.

Keep scrolling.

Keep scrolling.

Nothing.

Nothing is missing from these pictures.  

We are, for the time being, a complete family of two.  

There are no children in our pictures because that is the choice we have made.  

Yes, it may change in the future, either on purpose or by accident,
and maybe it won't, either by our choice or God's.

Either way, this is a complete family.  

Please don't think just because our number is smaller that we have less.

P.S. This is not aimed at anyone.  No one has said anything to trigger this.  It is just a feeling I want to share that in a world that is multiplying around me, I just want to be two.