Howdy Folks!

It’s been a busy week on the blog.  I actually posted something (actually two somethings) other than a Weekend Roundup.  Crazy.  Something else that’s crazy: cray-cray.  Apparently it’s a word now.  It means crazy.  Did you know this? I heard cray-cray used for the first time last weekend at my mom’s sixty-fifth birthday bash.  Don’t even ask.  By the way, when I say “birthday bash” I’m referring to a quiet dinner with just the five of us and Mom and Dave.   And when I say quiet, I mean not quiet at all for three reasons: Emily, Steven and Lauren.  Back to cray-cray.  I don’t even know how to properly spell it.  Then again, “properly”could never apply to such a word, at least not in my book.  But what do I know?

Anyway, I’ve had the joy and privilege of being part of several book launch teams this summer and into fall.  In fact, two of my book reviews went live earlier this week.  I’m working on completing the third of four. (Jody’s book–so exciting!) I want to spend some more time with Jody’s review because it’s especially dear to me, though the short and sweet version can be found on Amazon under the pen name NKT because I’m clever that way.  But I’m afraid “I liked it” and “You should buy it” isn’t going to cut it around here.  I’m too long-winded for that.  I’ll get my act together, hopefully sooner than later, and hit publish in a few days (or more).  Hint: Jody’s book is a refreshing little nugget of truth about a certain holiday that formerly threw me into panic mode faster than you could say Ho Ho Ho.

If I haven’t bored you to death with all this book talk, you can read my review of Shalom Sistas: Living Wholeheartedly in a Brokenhearted World by Osheta Moore here.  I feel like an idiot when I say sistas instead of sisters, but I’m a Shalom Sista through and through.  You may recognize Osheta from her blog Shalom in the City or her podcast, also called Shalom Sistas.  Gals (and guys?) this one totally changed me.  And let’s not forget Melanie Shankle’s Church of the Small Things: A Million Little Pieces That Make Up a Life, which is the other book I talked about. Here it is.  Melanie’s book is positively hilarious, and tender to boot.  You may have heard about Melanie from, I don’t know, say one of her three previous New York Times Bestsellers.  She also writes at The Big Mama Blog and has a podcast with the charming Sophie Hudson called The Big Boo Cast, which is about absolutely nothing but I cannot stop listening to it.  How else would I know about the wonders of Organic Rose Hip Oil as a moisturizer, booties, the next must-see show on Netflix and college football?  Yes, you heard me right: college football.  Seriously, I hate football but I want to listen to Sophie and Melanie talk about it.  I’ve even found myself thinking about cheering for the Huskies this fall.  But not really, because this is me we’re talking about.  Anyway, you could find both books on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Christianbook.com. Oh, and Melanie’s book can also be found at Target. I’m not going to bother with all the linky-links.  After all, that’s what our dear friend Google is for.

OK, enough about books.  Here’s this week’s roundup.  If you’re new around here, the Weekend Roundup is what happens when I pull from the work of fellow Hope*Writers and showcase them on this little writing spot on the web, which sounds lovelier than saying that I feature them on my blog. Also, Weekend Roundups don’t always happen on the weekend.  Because, you know, life happens.

First off, here’s the lovely Caroline Saunders.  I hate to say it because it’s such a cliché and all, but this one made me LOL. You may remember Caroline, because you got to meet her for the first time in last week’s Weekend Roundup. This is the first of a new series from Caroline about her pastor husband, who happens to be a sort of Brad Pitt-Aaron Rodgers lookalike.  It’s also about the f-bomb and ice cream. I don’t know about you, but after the news of Sunday night’s massacre in Las Vegas, I needed a good laugh.  You can read Caroline’s piece here.  Have fun with it.

Speaking of the horrors that happened over the weekend, please read this one by Leigh Sain.  I didn’t want to read it at first since it’s called Why We Have to Talk to Our Kids About Las Vegas, but I’m so glad I did.  This world is a dark place, but to God be the glory.  That is all.

I don’t remember where I was or what I was doing, (though I’m pretty sure I was listening to a podcast), when the conversation shifted and the question was asked: “What does it really sound like when women and men of faith say things like, “I’m praying for you,” or “I’ll pray about that.” Pie in the sky, I’ll tell you, that’s what it sounds like. That’s why I loved Shauna Lettellier’s reflection about prayer the time she spent with her grandparents before freshman year. Excellent storytelling, Shauna, excellent.  Here ya go.  I’ve linked to Shauna’s work before, a few weeks back I believe.  I’m too tired to find it now.

What would a Weekend Roundup be without me talking about anxiety or sharing something by Elli Johnson of The Hippo Chronicles? I linked to something similar last week, but this is a quick, yet thoroughly helpful, read.  Whether it was the Holy Spirit’s prompting, or my own dumb luck, I’ve discovered that many of the same things help me through a funk or when I’m feeling particularly overwhelmed, along with writing and playing the piano. I just didn’t put two-and-two together until I read Elli’s list.  If nothing else, this summer I learned that walking Chloe (while taking deep breaths) is not only good for my body, but also good for my soul.  By the way, I’ve been able to leave Chloe’s bags of carrots behind twice in a row!  If you have no idea what I’m talking about, check out this old post from July.

I originally concluded this Weekend Roundup with a prayer from me to you.  However, my  clumsy fingers bumped the mouse or something, because now it’s gone baby, gone.  It went something like this: May God bless you and keep you this weekend and always.  May he surprise you with something new about himself.  May you see him in unexpected places.  May he blow you away, time and again, with his wild love for you.  He’s crazy about you, I hope you know it.  Amen and Amen.

N.