May Digest

An Amazon score, free books, an interview and more

It’s May 8 and you’ve had all the May jokes you can stomach. Today, here’s some encouragement for you.

EXCUSE ME, SPOTIFY?

I remember years ago using Spotify, which started charging unbeknownst to me, and I just couldn’t cancel it. Maybe I was spoiled by the perks of no ads or just lazy, but I just learned AUDIOBOOKS ARE INCLUDED IN PREMIUM! How am I just learning this? I know I’ve seen a few books randomly pop up (and immediately thought that was weird) when I searched words, but before you purchase an audio version of the book, go peek at Spotify if you’ve got Premium and see if they have the book you’re looking for. If nothing else, it might help you make progress on the stack of books you already bought like me! If you’ve got Pray Confidently and Consistently in you’re TBR pile, you’re in luck! It’s available for free in Spotify!

LIVING RENT FREE IN MY HEAD

We know phones can be a distraction, but doesn’t this photo just say it all? I want to be in the moment like these fans were when Rory McIlroy won the Masters. Was anyone at The Masters? How painful was it to know you couldn’t just whip out your phone? How did they communicate this and was it annoying or a relief?

IF YOU DON’T LIKE HOUSEWORK

You need Phylicia Masonheimer’s latest book Every Home a Foundation. It’s equal parts practical and spiritually challenging in the best way with how we see our homes. I haven’t read anything like it. And hey? If I can change the way I experience housework, that’s a pretty big chunk of life isn’t it?

RUG REC

Part of the mold remediation meant tossing out FOUR rugs. Rugs aren’t cheap, so this was a bummer, but I found a few on sale at RugsUSA. My favorite was the one for our bedroom. Right here. An almost 8X10 for $100! It’s $145 now—still an insane deal for that size IMO. I haven’t done a tour on Insta of the house now that we’re back in. Do y’all care about things like that? You won’t hurt my feelings if not. 😝 I’m not exactly a decorator.

FAMILY MOVIE NIGHTS

We’ve been introducing the girls to movies from our youth. Troop Beverly Hills was a fave of mine but also Parent Trap, Freaky Friday, Little Giants, Mighty Ducks, Brink, Xenon, Sandlot (obviously). We just watched National Treasure 1 and 2. These nights have been such a nice time of nostalgia as well as letting our girls in on jokes that we get to share as a family now. “Beverly Hills what a thrill!” and “FOR-EV-ER” has a whole life. What favorites should we add to the list?

MUCH TO MY DAUGHTERS’ DISMAY

I bought this jacket from Amazon that fits like a glove and reminds me of a well-worn American Eagle jacket that 21-year-old Valerie lived in. My girls hate it, and I can no longer tell if that’s good or bad. I’ll take anything that reminds me of my adventures in Philly and New York, and 100% confidence wearing mostly white Hanes tanks and ripped jeans. It’s lightweight and my stylist friend says jackets always class up an outfit, so you’ll find me rocking this, a tank, and jeans for the foreseeable future.

DO THIS THIS SUMMER

Two summers ago, I hosted a Bible study of Find Your People, and I was blown away by the friendships that came from it and even how it shaped our church in surprising ways. I just posted to Facebook to see who wanted to join and made some new friends I never would have met had I cherry-picked. I’m doing it again, I think with this study and praying God will lead the right people to the group!

I WAS PREPARED FOR THE WORST

I got asked to do a profile for a local magazine about Val Marie Paper and after a recent church member shared his story with the local news and it went viral for all the wrong (and incorrect) reasons, I kinda freaked thinking this was a gotcha piece. But who’s gotcha’ing little old me? It turned out to be a really sweet interview where I got to share the gospel, advice for parents with prodigals and more. I’m trying to hunt down a copy so if you’re local and know where to pick up a copy of Acadiana Lifestyle, let me know!

PASTOR WIFE THINGS

We got back from Dallas last night around midnight. We attended Watermark’s Church Leader Conference, and this is basically Disney for church staff. Watermark does an incredible job showing hospitality to the point my husband literally said, “I’m conditioned to be in my feels here.” To which I replied, “That’s why I come.” Strictly to see him cry. But also, I come home refreshed, too! Highly recommend it to any church staff. They’ve already got dates set for next year! My time away from the internet has given me fresh eyes for the people before me, and I am so excited for what the Lord is doing right now in our church and town. Never underestimate your reach. The internet is a great place to encourage others but the impact we can make in our living rooms is so good.

ASKING QUESTIONS

Each week I share a post that covers a question we talk about, then I close with 3 questions to ask God in prayer. It’s a weekly prompt to grow our listening and abiding muscles. Here’s what we’ve been talking about:

• You have to pick! Which pain do you prefer?

• Why our goal list hates us. And what to do about it.

• Easter’s over. Now what?

• An honest assessment of what it’s like to be around me.

• A cheat-sheet of the last year’s of questions to keep in your prayer journal.

CURRENTLY READING

My friend brought this up when I asked what she was reading. She loves books as much as I do and she bluntly said she’s not reading as much because she doesn’t just want another book on the same topics she’s been reading. And I felt that so deep!

I’ve got lots of books I’m tinkering with but can I just say it? I want to be wowed. I want to read books on topics or things that I haven’t read before, not just the same topics in a slightly different packaging. Give me your best recs! What’s wowed you lately?

Val

Fast Company shared famous paintings with cellphones and it’s wild to imagine! Check it out here.