I have been sort of quiet here lately. I’ve been getting a new book proposal ready and playing a little with writing some fiction, which is mostly just way too fun. Morgan and I briefly went to Washington DC for a conference, where I got to speak to a room full of amazing campus ministers about our great need to belong and to be sent out to love others.
(By the way, I love Jesus. I love campus ministry. Really, really, I do.)
I hope you’re having the most fantastic summer. I’m working on a short ebook for all my email subscribers in August, so if you haven’t subscribed, please do! I’ll be sending out that information in about a month, and you don’t want to miss it! You can sign up right over there to the right in that teal box!
Along with all the writing/book pitching/traveling/speaking, I’ve been indulging in some lovely ways of enjoying our summer, and I wanted to share them with you. So here you go! My current summer favorites:
- Chef’s Table France:
I won’t get to visit Paris this summer, but I do get to watch this documentary series. I’ve already watched all the other Chef’s Table episodes that are in English, but these french ones are full of beautiful stories of success and art and food. The bonus here is that they’re downloadable content on Netflix, so you can watch them when you don’t have WiFi on a plane or on a road trip.
- All the card games!
A few years ago, we taught our kids how to play Spoons. At that time, they couldn’t even deal AT ALL with losing that game. But now they can and we had the best time playing it the other night. We’re also playing Tripoly and 9 card Golf (these rules are similar to ours, but Kings are worth -1 points when we play). And I have to say, I think it’s time the boys learn to play Hearts and Spades (and by “learn” I mean they will be losing to me and Morgan, of course, lol). - This Madewell shirt
Why is it so hard to find a tshirt that looks good and is comfortable?? I don’t even know, but a simple tshirt with a pair of jeans is the best thing ever. And this one is my favorite right now, although the white is not bleach safe, so wear that one at your own risk if you’re messy with spaghetti, tacos, and ice cream like I am.
- Audio books from the library
Please, please tell me that you use your library all summer long! If you haven’t been to a library recently, you are MISSING OUT! The library is like Netflix, except it’s free and it has books, audio books, ebooks, music, books on CD, movies, magazines, and more! Go! Go to your library! If there’s a book you want to read or a movie you want to watch, but it isn’t on the shelf, PUT A HOLD ON IT for pity’s sake. (This is so easy and I recently learned that people rarely do this. I was shocked! The librarian can help you, but you can do it from home on your computer or phone!) When it is returned, they will email you when you can come pick it up! (I recently learned that we can put holds on brand new books that haven’t been released yet. I died. This means we can get a new book right away when the library gets it. Be still my beating heart!!) But the audio book thing is amazing for road trips with your kids. We will be reading either Redwall or Al Capone Does My Shirts or a Penderwicks book on our vacation this summer. - My backpack from Amazon
I bought this for an international trip we took earlier this year, but it is majorly coming in handy this summer. It’s comfortable to carry, has various pockets and places for me to put my keys and wallet and headphones and books, my huge laptop fits in it, and it has access from the back which is particularly helpful on a plane trip. Winner winner, for sure.
