Back into Blogging

I'm feeling burnt out on Facebook. Don't get me wrong, I like reading about my friends' lives, but I tired of being constrained to a brief status update. So, I'm hoping to blog a little more this coming year. Here we go:

I'm trying to read 2 books that better myself each month this year. That can't be too difficult, can it? Well, it's a challenge with four kids, but I'm up for it. January's books were excellent, and I'll tell you a bit about them, as long as you realize that I am NOT a writer or a reviewer by nature. :-)

In January I read:

1) Going Deep: Becoming a Person of Influence by Gordon MacDonald.

This book is an interesting read since it combines a fictional congregation in New England and the deep topic of discipling the next generation of leaders in the Church. This book, along with it's predecessor Who Stole My Church? What To Do When the Church You Love Tries To Enter the 21st Century (I read it in December), really challenged me to pray more about how God can grow me deeper in my faith and how I might help others go deeper, as well. I definitely recommend this book.

2) On Becoming Childwise by Gary Ezzo and Robert Bucknam

We are participating in a parenting class at our church beginning this Sunday and going for 17 weeks! It's called Growing Kids God's Way. The class was developed by Gary and Ann Marie Ezzo. Since the class wasn't starting until Feb and I was desperate for some ways to better relate to our 8 1/2 year old, I decided to jump in and read his book on parenting the ages 3-7. The book was eye opening. Not only did I find many great ideas for relating with my kids and training their hearts, but I also found that many issues lay in me. Though this book does not use Scripture directly, it is based on Judeo-Christian values. I highly recommend it.

Now, for my February reading...

1) Money Saving Mom's Budget: Slash Your Spending, Pay Down Your Debt, Streamline Your Life, and Save Thousands a Year by Crystal Paine

2) On Becoming Preteen Wise: Parenting Your Child from 8-12 years by Gary Ezzo and Robert Bucknam