Books Read in 2008

At the beginning of 2008 I joined a challenge to read 10 books in 2008. I wasn't sure if I could read that many, but I made my list of books I wanted to read and set out to complete the challenge. I passed and I failed. I passed because I ended up reading more than 10, but I failed because I only read 3 that were on my list. I have included the books that I read here so that I would remember them for my own records. When I can't remember if I've read a book or not, it's nice to have a place that they are written down.
The 2 books that impacted me the most this year, were, The Gospel Primer (Vincent) and Safe in the Arms of God (McArthur). I highly recomend The Gospel Primer to everyone. New Christians all the way to those who have been Christians for 90 years. I liked it so much that when I planned the Ladie's Retreat this past fall, I asked the church to buy a copy for every lady that attended. It is an incredible reminder of what the Gospel is all about and how practical it is for our every day life. It is not just something that we learn about when we are first saved and then move past it. It is to be the center of our life. It is an easy read and can be ready devotionaly. I urge everyone to get a copy.
The other book, Safe in the Arms of God (McArthur), is one that I urge everyone who has had a miscarriage or lost a child to read. It was so healing. He writes with a Pastor's heart of compassion and brings you to a place of worship even in the midst of your pain. It had a definite impact on my life.
During this time of mourning and healing, while I was reading some heavy books, I also read the Little House on the Prarie series (thanks to my friend, Debbie!). It was so nice to read something so innocent and homey. Always a classic.
I quite enjoyed all the books I read this year, of course, Chris and Allen, your book was among the excellent ones! (Hunter Brown)
My goal for 2009 is to read 30 books. I'm not going to make a list of specific books, because as I learned this year that many more books come my way that I want to read. If anyone knows my husband and my Dad you know that they are recommending and reading new books every other minute. I do want to make it a goal this year to read more nonfiction.
This week, my parents took us to our annual beach house vacation. This is one of my favorite times to get some reading done, so hopefully I'll be able to start on my 2009 list soon!

(Amish Grace Babywise; Ezzo Betrayed; Windle By the Shores of Silver Lake; Wilder Empty Arms, Vredevelt Farmer Boy; Wilder Golden Wisdom for Today's Woman; Sims Hints For Parents; Spring Hunter Brown; Millers Little House in the Big Woods; Wilder Little House on the Prarie; Wilder Little Town on the Prarie; Wilder On the Banks of Plum Creek; Wilder Safe in the Arms of God; MacArthur Shopping For Time; Mahaney The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman; Gaines The Cross Centered Life; Mahaney The First Four Years; Wilder The Great Divorce; Lewis The Last Sin Eater; Rivers The Long Winter; Wilder The Inheiritance; Alcott The Gospel Primer; Vincent These Happy Golden Years; Wilder Treasuring God in our Traditions; Piper Young, Restless, and Reformed; Hanson When the Heart Cries; Woodsmall When the Morning Comes; Woodsmall)

A well-furnished mind

A well-furnished mind is like a beautifully appointed home; it has room for many things and must be kept with constant vigilance. Moth and rust mar and ruin the house in which no one lives. Simple neglect is more destructive than continual use. We often meet women who have ceased to grow because they have ceased to study, have ceased to be receptive and responsive. By forming the habit of reading and arranging for an hour with a good book in the day’s work, every woman, young or older, will increase her mental wealth and her facility to learn. A girl’s greatest charm is not in her graceful figure nor a beautiful grace; it is in her power to interest those whom she meets. To be an interesting woman one must have a bright and wide-awake mind. She must use her talents that they will increase. It is eternally true that to him that has, and exercises the gifts, more shall be given, while from him that has and does not use the gifts, there shall be a loss.
Margaret Elizabeth Sangster, Winsome Womanhood, Chapter Five: Her Books (from Heartthoughts)

Hints For Parents, Gardiner Spring

"Let children be taught that God sent them into the world to do their duty, to fill up their life with usefulness, and thus to honor his great name. If this generous principle takes its seat in their hearts, they will enjoy greater real happiness than if they sit in the thrones of princes, or become possessors of untold millions. . . Let children be taught that God sent them into the word for the sole purpose of obeying him, and bringing honor to his great name. If this principle rests in their hearts, and becomes a controlling influence on their lives, they will find contentment and satisfaction in the work God has given them (Colossians 3:23)."

Waiting. . .

Well, I had my membranes stripped yesterday (ow!) and I was really hoping that would send me into labor last night or today, but so far nothing new is happening. I'm having my usual contractions. People keep telling me that today would be a great day since it's leap day, she would have a unique birthday. Ryan thinks that might be a good idea then he could tell her she could date on her 16th birthday (she'd be 64!).
If nothing starts happening with our little Anna banana, then we have a fun evening planned (not that labor wouldn't make for a fun evening). We are going to our good friends Book Signing party! I have written before about their other book, Gid the Kid. Tonight, they are signing the second in the Heroes of Promise Series, Ten Gallon Sam. We have already bought the book and Rylie loves it! She also loves that they signed it for her, she always shows me where it says her name! Everyone should check it out on Amazon or other book retailers, or on their website!
After that, we are planning on going to a Wii party! Maybe that will get labor going! At the very least, I should prove quite amusing for my friends as I try to bowl, etc with my rotund shape!
I also can cross one more book off of my list, The Great Divorce, by C.S. Lewis. He is one of my favorite authors. I will work up a review of this book as well.
Hopefully the next post will be the announcement of our baby girl!

Accomplishments

My wonderful, hard working Mother came over today and helped me go through Rylie's room to get things ready for Anna. We packed away all of the too small/big clothes and decided to get rid of quite a few things as well. We rearranged her closet and dresser so now Anna has the drawers in the diaper changing table and the whole armoire to herself. I also washed all of her 0-3 month clothes and put them away. I realized that Rylie had too many baby clothes (due to hand me downs and her baby shower), so I packed two big boxes to give to my friend Becky who is also having a girl. It feels so good to have Anna's clothes all organized and put away. I have her little rattles and crib set and boppy, etc. all organized and ready as well.
I still need to go through all of Rylie's toys and get rid of quite a few of them. She has an overabundance and her birthday is coming soon. I'm sure Anna will acquire a few of her own as well. I also have bins of Rylie's clothes in each size in the basement, that I need to go through and get rid of some and organize the others so they are stored in a reasonable manner. My basement is rather scary at the moment, I considered posting photos but I might give some nightmares! I had toyed with the idea of having a garage sale, but the thought of storing piles of things until this summer gave Ryan and I the shakes. Instead I will call one of those charities that will come to your house and pick up your junk, I mean wonderful belongings that you want to donate!
I have several projects I want to get done before Anna comes (I think I'm nesting). I need to finish the landing, go through and organize the hallway, make my closet usable, go through the bedroom bookshelf, put important papers in the filing cabinet, the HUGE basement project, etc. I'm tired just thinking about it all!
Speaking of tired, I am exhausted after all that work today and am having not very pleasant contractions. Ryan graciously brought home a pizza so I wouldn't have to cook and Rylie is happily watching Cinderella.
Another accomplishment I would like to complete in 2008 is to take the reading challenge set out by Natalie to read 10 books in the year, specifically some out of your normal "reading comfort zone". When I first heard about this, I thought "no problem", but then I remembered I will have another daughter filling my attention so it may be harder than I thought. I need to make my list of the books I will read, when I have decided on them I will post it. Does anyone else want to take this challenge with me?