Childhood memories

I've been indulging my inner-child recently as I have read the entire Trebizon school series. As a child I loved any school-based stories; the thought of escaping from family and the school I knew, and going to a school like Trebizon or Malory Towers filled many an hour! The fun teachers, the dormitories, the midnight feasts, the swimming pools, the weird and wacky borders, the mysteries...

As an adult I loved the same things; oh to be able to go back in time and to have nothing to worry about except what subjects to take or which boy to talk to, or to solve who stole the perfume from the dormitory. But I can escape for an hour or so (the books aren't very long and I read quick) and then it's back to reality with a bump, with only the memories of fun and happiness lingering...

Unfinished business

It's very rare for me not to finish a book, but recently two books have been put down to be read now more... They are A week in December by Sebastian Faulks and Earthly Joys by Philippa Gregory.

I just haven't got into them! Since having Zoë I'm finding I need to read books which are easy and I can read when I'm half asleep, and these are not easy.

Has anyone read them? Should I pursue or give up?

The Hunger Games

It has been a long time since I devoured a book in the way I have The Hunger Games (sorry for the pun...!) I have literally been walking around the house with the book in my hand and my husband has frequently had to remind me of the time or of something more important than I should be doing!
I had avoided this book for a while as I don't really like futuristic books. I have studied 1984 and The Handmaid's Tale in English at school and was really turned off by the unrealistic content. The details was too specific and, especially with 1984, I could see how far off reality it was. But I have to admit I was intrigued and when I have some spare Tesco vouchers to spend, I decided to go for it.
I have not been disappointed! Although this book is set in the future, it is not full of technological details or specific dates which will be proved wrong in a few years time. You may think me a prude, but I also enjoy the lack of swearing and sex!
I have just bought the next book on my Kindle app so am about to start Catching Fire. Will let you know what I think of it...

Letters

I'm going to briefly review two books which I have read recently. The first is “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” by Mary Ann Schaefer and the second is “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen” by Paul Torday. These are both books which were recommended to me and, if I’m honest, I probably wouldn’t have read otherwise. I generally stick to authors I know and styles I enjoy. But these books are written in a very different style. “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society” is written in the form of letters between a London-based author, Juliet, and various members of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. It’s 1946 and letters fly back and forth with stories of life in Guernsey under the German Occupation. The tone of the book is light-hearted, but it doesn’t shy away from the more difficult aspects of life in and just after the war. I love visiting Guernsey and have enjoyed seeing the island in a different light through this book.

My second book, “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen” is written in the form of diary extracts, email correspondence, letters, press comments and interviews! Initially I found it slightly bizarre as I am used to a straight-forward story, but as I got into the story I really enjoyed the use of different means of communication to convey the story. The basic plot of the story follows Dr Alfred Jones, a fisheries scientist, who feels that something is missing in his life. He is asked to help to create a salmon river in the highlands of Yemen – so he has to figure out how to fly ten thousand salmon to a desert country and persuade them to fish there! The story flows along in a predictive way, until the end where there is an unexpected twist in the story!

 

Go and have a read and let me know what you think! (Comments always welcome...)

Music and lyrics

As I'm having less time to read than before Zoë was born, I'm finding myself listening to more music and specifically the actual words that are being sung. Here are some of my favourite lyrics that I have heard and sung recently:

Each strand of sorrow has a place
Within this tapestry of grace;
So through the trials I choose to say:
"Your perfect will in Your perfect way".

I love the phrase 'tapestry of grace'. Life is like a tapestry that God is creating; he sees the beautiful picture, we see the 'messy' underside. But all those messy bits are contributing to the beautiful clear picture on the other side which we will only get to see at the end of life.
(From The perfect wisdom of the Lord, Stuart Townend & Keith Getty)

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes
[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

Each day is a new day given to us by God; whatever happened yesterday is in the past; whatever happens tomorrow is in the future and not worth worrying about yet. Lamentations 3:22-23 says: "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
(From 10,000 reasons, Matt Redman)

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapour in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours.

I am God's because of what he has done for me, not because of anything I have done! Wow!!
(From Who am I, Casting Crowns)

I'm sorry if you've been near me whilst I've been singing along...!

Taking stock

How are you?

It's always good to look back and reflect on life. How has life changed for you in the past 6 months? I hope you've had some good times, but I expect you've also had some tough times; life is full of ups and downs.

My last six months have been the happiest yet toughest so far! With the arrival of Zoë Grace I have experienced the blessing and joy of the gift of a baby, yet have had so little sleep, my routines have been dispupted, there is another person in our family to consider etc. etc. etc.

My weekly devotional this week is encouraging me to take stock:
1. My relationship with God: Has it changed? Have I explored new ways of connecting with God? What's been my response to spiritually dry times?
2. My relationship with my husband: Are we enjoying parenting together and communicating honestly? Are we creating space for physical intimacy?
3. My relationship with baby: How am I adjusting to a constantly changing routine?

Something for me to ponder on this week...

(From Soul Food for Mums, by Lucinda van der Hart and Anna France-Williams)

Speaking love

Which muscle is the most destructive in the whole body? But can also be the most encouraging?

The tongue! It weighs only 56g (2oz) but can build people up or crush them. The Bible refers to it over 1000 times (tongue and lips 100 times, mouth and lips 400 times, and words 500 times) often telling us to mind our tongue and be careful what we say. So, here are some 'Responsible tongue management' tips:

1. Take responsibility for your words and begin to exercise restraint
"I said, ‘I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth while in the presence of the wicked." Psalm 39:1

2. Listen more and speak less
"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." James 1:19

3. Get rid of iffy language and inappropriate humour
"But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving."" Ephesians 4:3-4

4. Refuse to gossip
"Do not go about spreading slander among your people." Leviticus 19:16

5. Avoid arguments
"Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels." 2 Timothy 2:23

Ephesians 4:29 probably sums it all up in one sentence:
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. "

Isn't the Bible a practical book?!

(From Having a Mary Spirit: Allowing God to change us from the inside out, by Joanna Weaver)