Just Show Up: The dance of walking through suffering together

I believe community is something that, if we are honest with ourselves, we all desire. The title of this book says it all; just show up. Taking that first step is crucial to any relationship especially one that involves suffering.

In January of 2013 my grandfather passed away three days before my birthday, it had been expected but no less heartbreaking. I flew from Seattle to Alabama to be with family. I always knew that I had thoughtful friends but when they picked me up from the airport a few days later and very late at night I was overwhelmed by their kindness. Dressed in birthday hats and armed with giant pictures of me as a kid they greeted me at baggage claim. And then we had cake. In the simple, yet profound act of showing up they helped my hurting heart. In a moment when I wanted to cry they helped me to smile. And I've never forgotten it.

This book brought about so many tears and just as many smiles. When you see such an honest, heartfelt example of community and friendship you can't help but be encouraged. Just Show Up is like reading the open hearts of Kara and Jill. They are so transparent with their lives and it's awe-inspiring to read about. Their hears for Jesus are awe-inspiring. this is a book to share with friends and family because it is such an honest picture of wholly relying on Jesus during the hard.

It's a practical book that can add much to any friendship or within any community. The questions at the end of Kara's part are such good internal conversation starters and I feel like they add so much to this book. They really get you thinking and practicing what is being written.

About the book:  Just Show Up (David C Cook, October 2015) Kara Tippetts's story was not a story of disease, although she lost her battle with terminal cancer. It was not a story of saying goodbye, although she was intentional in her time with her husband and four children. Kara's story was one of seeing God in the hard and in the good. It was one of finding grace in the everyday. And it was one of knowing "God with us" through fierce and beautiful friendship. In Just Show Up, Kara and her close friend, Jill Lynn Buteyn, write about what friendship looks like in the midst of changing life seasons, loads of laundry, and even cancer. Whether you are eager to be present to someone going through a difficult time or simply want inspiration for pursuing friends in a new way, this eloquent and practical book explores the gift of silence, the art of receiving, and what it means to just show up. Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1Guvl0N

I received a copy of the book for review purposes only. I was not compensated in any other way for this review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Beyond the Ashes

Beyond the Ashes is a sweet summer read. Set in San Francisco during the rebuilding time after the 1906 earthquake this story and the characters in it will capture your attention beginning on page one. This is a historical book that has depth of setting as well as depth of characters.  Ruby, one of the main characters, is a determined spirit that struggles with fearfulness and fearlessness and it is such an interesting combination.  Karen Barnett does well to create a voice for each character while giving us a look at the struggle of rebuilding and recovering. I thoroughly enjoyed this book beginning to end. 

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1IGu1bg

About the author:

Karen Barnett is the author of Beyond the Ashes, Out of the Ruins, and Mistaken. Named the 2013 Writer of Promise by Oregon Christian Writers, Karen lives in Albany, Oregon, with her husband and two kids. When she's not writing novels, she loves speaking at women's events, libraries, and book clubs.

Find Karen online: website, Twitter, Facebook

I received a copy of the book for review purposes only. I was not compensated in any other way for this review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

A Friend in Me by Pamela Havey Lau

Friendships. I remember making my first friend in preschool and getting a Minnie Mouse postcard in the mail when her family took a trip to Disney World. I still have that postcard.
 

I've learned a lot about friendships in my 29 years. And being a good friend is something that I think I can constantly be working on. So when A Friend in Me by Pamela Havey Lau was brought to my attention I relished to opportunity to read some insights from someone who had made friendships and those relationships a priority in her life and who knew what a blessing that those same relationships could be in her own life. I was excited to dive in to this book.
 

What I enjoyed most about this book was the authenticity of Pamela's writing. This is a book that comes from experience, good and bad and sad all rolled into one story. It's the story of how these friendships and relationships that we share with younger and older women can serve as reaffirming reminders of the gospel in our lives as well as their lives.
 

One of my desires in life is to be a good friend. To be someone who cultivates friendships and through whatever experience I have, am able to share that with others. I have the pleasure of meeting weekly with three teenage girls and I love our time together. We eat ice cream, go to Chipotle, and talk about life together. It is a humbling thing to be used by the Lord in these girls' lives. I've witnessed them grow and connect with me and also with each other. Every week my heart is encouraged by them. I read this book for them. I know I am not the perfect leader, I don't have all the answers to life's questions, but I don't want to waste their time.
 

A Friend in Me has shared practical life experience on how to make time with others more impactful. Lau shares her heart when it comes to mentoring those younger and also how it is important to seek out a mentor in your own life. This is a book that does not back down from difficult topics. Lau is blunt and honest about questions we should ask and conversations that we should have. After having finished the book I wasn't left with a downcast attitude of "I have done everything wrong" but instead felt encouraged. Encouraged not only by Lau's words but by examples of women in my own life.

 

I received a copy of the book for review purposes only. I was not compensated in any other way for this review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Never Say No by Mark and Jan Foreman

Never Say No by Mark and Jan Foreman

I am not a parent.  Maybe one day I will be but I did not choose to read this book on hopes of being a parent. I chose this book because children have been a reoccurring theme in my life. My experiences with children have ranged from monthly nursery duty to being a nanny for 2 ½ years.  Now I find myself teaching preschoolers each Sunday and meeting weekly with teenage girls. Oh, and I even have a degree in secondary education. I am around children a lot. And no matter the amount that I’m around them I want the time to be well spent and purposeful. And I believe that it can.

My hope for this book was to find ways and advice on speaking love and being affirming to the teens and children that I teach. I understand I’m not the parent but I do take seriously the role that I’ve been given.

Never Say No delivered on all those points. Walking from childhood to adolescence to adulthood with Mark and Jan was such an enlightening and fun ride. Like they said, “This is not a blueprint for parenting.” The Foreman’s do a wonderful job of painting a broad picture with excellent and practical advice on how to parent well all the while making the purpose Jesus. 

The tone of this book is that of parents that thoroughly enjoyed being parents and now grandparents. Listening and learning from those who love what they do, I think, can inspire that same authenticity in others.

Wherever you are in your journey of parenthood or like me, just involved and invested in children around you, you will benefit from this book immensely. When you read this book sit down with a highlighter and get ready to underline!

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1PL7VrW

I received a copy of the book for review purposes only. I was not compensated in any other way for this review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Casual Friday

I work at a bank. I sit at a desk located near the front door so everyone who walks into the bank must walk by my desk. In and out. One of my duties is to greet the patrons as they go...in and out. Again, I work at a bank and on some days, especially Fridays, people walk out with thick, green stacks of money visible in their hands.

Side-note: If I were ever to walk out of a bank with a stack of bills you would not know it. I would put that money in my purse so fast and discreetly. Maybe this thinking comes from living in Seattle and learning not to trust people to not mug me in the parking lot. I suppose it's the small-town nature of where I live that allows people to be so trusting of fellow neighbors.

There are three basic types of people that walk out with their money in hand.
1. The person who just holds it in their hand and walks out. (aka the realist)
2. The person who walks out counting their money. (aka the flaunter)
3. The person who has their money stacked on top of boxes of coin. (aka the business owner)

Watching these people exit the bank gave me an idea. What if I sang to them? Money related songs of course. For example, to the flaunter I might sing, "It's like the more money we come across the more problems we see." To the business owner I might sing, "I've got bills, they're multiplying." You get the gist.

Let me be honest a moment. My job isn't super exciting. Highlights include, and in no particular order, a baby goat coming inside the bank, the case of the forgotten gloves, and a Thursday customer encounter that is something to look forward to all week. I may not be saving the world but I am doing my best to keep customers happy and co-workers in touch with the correct people. I've been here three-ish months and am now able to correctly match faces with names. I work with a lot of women so it was confusing for a bit.

It also took me three months to become a part of the casual Friday work-wear group. Each Friday I would show up to work to see everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, wearing a bank shirt of some color. No one said anything when I didn't wear a pink embroidered button-up or blue collared shirt. How could I get one of these shirts? Was it a secret club you had to be invited into? It bothered me but finally I was saved. Someone asked me to join the club. Today is my very first casual Friday where I actually match my co-workers. It's something akin to the infamous motorcycle hand wave. It's a pretty big deal.

However, there is one mystery that eludes me still. The mysterious manila envelope. Daily, these envelopes appear on desks. Every desk except mine that is. I see them passed around between loan officers, customer service representatives, and new accounts. They are heavily marked with black Sharpie, thus reaffirming their importance and only peaking my curiosity.  I could ask someone and have all my questions answered but I enjoy the air of mystery. One day I will know they answer. Maybe that day is today.

Today is Friday and payday.
"Just got paid, Friday night,
Party hoppin', feelin right
Booties shakin', all around"

The opportunity to sing the phrase "booties shakin" is quite exciting. I do wonder how customers would react to being sung at? Would they dance along with my tone deaf riff or look at me like I was insane? These are the question I ask myself.

All about the Benjamins,
KARI