Happy Friday, everyone! Here are a few of my recent favorites for this month.
For anyone who is looking for a literary vacation this summer . . .
Here is a fun quiz about the number of literary landmarks you’ve visited. Or you can use it to make it your vacation wish list: How Many of These Literary Landmarks Have You Been To?
For anyone itching to move . . .
Did you know that a third of all Americans would move to another state if they could? This fascinating map shows where people are most content (and discontent) with where they live. No shocker here, but apparently people in Hawaii are pretty happy to stay where they are. See where your state ranks: Map of States Where People Want to Move Away
For anyone in their 30s or 40s . . .
Beth Moore offers these words of encouragement to those who have come of age spiritually: “You didn’t know it was going to be like this. You had no idea what you’d stepped into. You think you must have done something wrong to make it this hard.” To Servants of Jesus in Your 30s and 40s
For anyone who has had a long year . . .
Kara Tippetts started a mommy blog called Mundane Faithfulness several years ago. She had no way of knowing at the time that she would later be diagnosed with breast cancer, and this would become a spot for her to share God’s faithfulness in the midst of her pain. This post was written by her husband, a year after her death. It’s a beautiful picture of how God’s grace shows up even in the hardest of years. A Long Year
For anyone who knows the dread of getting the c-word diagnosis . . .
If anyone you love has been affected by cancer, you will be touched by this true story by a mom whose son Chase was diagnosed with a brain tumor before his third birthday. You will be inspired by this little boy who is full of life and courage and laughter in the midst of a diagnosis his parents never would have chosen. To find helpful tips on what to say to someone who has recently been diagnosed with cancer, visit the Chase Away Cancer site. To read the whole inspiring story, you can order the book, Chase Away Cancer.
This is great. I love Beth Moore, not sure I considered myself to have come of age spiritually, yikes! Am I mature? As long as maturity does not require that you stop inventing ridiculous songs to sing to your children and mortify them. Oh, I took that state quiz and it told me that I should live in Alaska. But where we live now feels like a smaller and more gentle taste of Alaska. Remote Bible camp situated on an alpine meadow. We see deer, elk, bear, cougar, squirrels, sand hill cranes…all sorts of lovelies. My boys get to play in the mud and have pet chickens and I get to go on my morning walk with the sunlight filtering down through the Ponderosa pines. That 1/3 that wants to move, wouldn’t if they lived here I think!
Thanks for your lovely thoughts, Kristen Joy! Your little alpine meadow sounds delightful. And I hope you never become too mature to make up silly songs. 🙂