Saturday, June 29, 2013

What I'm Into - June 2013

My roommates and forever friends. Coming up on our 10 year Friend-aversary!

Well, it's been almost 3 months since last I blogged...what is that even about anyway? 

Probably has a little to do with laziness.
Or a little with a lack of any coherent enough thoughts to throw out into the wild west of the internets.
Or busy-ness (what a cliché).
Or just general malaise.
Who knows, really...

But what I do know is I'm ready to dip my feet back in it and I needed something non-committal, non-intimidating, and non-heavy. So, I'm gonna tell you what I was into for the month of June and link up with What I'm Into over at HopefulLeigh! I know you're just dying to hear it, so let's get going!

Books I've Read:

Oh my gollee, you guys. THIS BOOK. Dr. Brown is a shame and vulnerability researcher and this book is chock full of insight from her research. I've been learning a lot about how dangerous shame is and how very much NOT of God it is the last couple of years and this book brought it all into clarity. It also brought me a defining moment of clarity about the "work" I'm meant to be doing. I'm still processing that one and figuring out what it will look like for me. But...just...read this.

I mean, it shouldn't be all that surprising to see Shauna's name round these parts again, considering my last post was a review of her newest book. Just whatever, man. I'm fairly certain Shauna is my spirit animal (I don't even know) and I cannot get enough of her words. This is her second book and I'm devouring it, just as I have all of her others. In the middle of this one now.

Books on My Nightstand:

Maybe this one has something to do with my moment of clarity while reading Dr. Brené...maybe. But wouldn't you like to know?

She spoke at a women's event at our church and I kinda fell in love with her. And because it's physically impossible for me to walk by a table piled high with books for sale and not buy one...well, now this one is on my nightstand.

On My TV (by which I mean, my laptop screen):

I watched all four seasons in about three weeks. That may have something to do with why I haven't blogged in awhile (at least for the last three weeks). I am SO IN LOVE WITH THE BRAVERMANS.  I am also apparently fairly masochistic since the show made me cry every. single. episode. I just so appreciate that they tackle tough stuff and don't gloss over it. And that the characters are all flawed. Nothing makes me angrier than a "perfect" character. Plus, I heart Lauren Graham always and forever...even if she is kinda playing the same character as in Gilmore. Whatever...I don't even care. Anxiously waiting September for Season 5...fingers crossed for Sarah and Mark!

In My Ears:

A New Liturgy by Aaron Niequist
Yes, this is Shauna's husband. But that's not the point. The point is that these four modern day liturgies are transforming my prayer life and have become one of the places I can commune with Christ most honestly. The website describes "each Liturgy [as] a 25 minute journey of music, prayer, scripture, and space that helps open us to The Almighty in any location, season, community, or emotion". And that's exactly what they have been for me. This last month, I've been particularly focused on the "Lord, Have Mercy" liturgy as I've lit my vigil candle and cried out for mercy for a number of reasons and on behalf of a number of people. SO looking forward to Liturgy #5 being released in July.

Other Random Stuff I'm Loving:

-ice cold Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy...thank the heavens it's found its way to the West Coast
-sweet time with college roommates
-watching God's faithfulness revealed in the long anticipated marriage of my friends
-a weekend with my husband in OKC
-celebrating Mr. Ford's 28th birthday
-SCOTUS rulings on DOMA and Prop 8
-finally getting the bid for the work on the Ford Ranch nailed down
-walls coming down in the most unexpected places (figurative walls...no literal ones, yet)
-time and conversation with my Mom

I promise I'll be back soon with more to say...perhaps a check-in on my "OneWord"?

But for now, what about you? What have you been into this month?

What I'm Into at HopefulLeigh

5 comments:

  1. Hi Ashley! Your read and reading books are all faves of mine - minus Feinburg's, which I haven't actually gotten to yet. :)

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    1. Hi! Thanks for stopping by! Brené and Shauna are some of my all time favorites. Just love their words. :)

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  2. You updated the blog! Yay! I read the book by Brene Brown earlier this year and I really loved it too! I am a research nerd, so it was right up my alley. Also, Parenthood IS LOVELY. Eric and I are obsessed. I am ready for the next season!

    Can't wait to see you SOOON!

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    1. Parenthood is probably my favorite show since Gilmore. It must be Lauren Graham. And we can chat about her work IN PERSON in a few months! WOO-HOO!

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  3. I'm so glad What I'm Into inspired you to post again! I think they're such fun posts to write.

    I haven't read any of Brene's books yet but I saw her speak a few years ago and it changed my life. Such a good, good message. Shauna Niequist is a favorite- I found I read each of her books at the exact time I needed to. I love what her husband has done with liturgy as well. Bird By Bird is one of my go-to books. I often reread favorite passages while I'm working on various writing projects.

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