0 In 2022/ Book Review/ Product Recommendations/ Review

Life is Too Short for Boring Books – Here’s my Top Ten Books of 2022

If you know me, you know I love a good book. I don’t just read any book though; life’s too short for bad books. Before I begin a new book, I visit Goodreads and do a little research. A book needs a rating of 4 (out of 5) or better for me to begin.

Because my criteria is high, I’ve read some OUTSTANDING books this year. It was hard to choose just TEN for my TOP TEN of ’22. But here they are.

The Top Ten Books I Read in 2022:

1. I Guess I Haven’t Learned that Yet by Shauna Niequist

From left to right: Colleen, Kathryn, Shauna, Erin and Abbi

Review: Though I’ve only met/chatted with Shauna a couple of times – our lives have followed a similar course. We were born the same year and grew up going to the same beach. We both have dads who love to sail on Lake Michigan. We got married the same year, have two sons the same age, and lived in the same part of the country for most of our lives! Maybe this is why Shauna is one of my favorite authors. I own every one of her books. I wasn’t sure I’d like this one as much as some of her others. However, I loved every single page of her newest book.

Shauna and her family moved to NYC around the same time our family moved to Minnesota. Each chapter of this book is a story from her life, and what she’s learning in that story. I deeply resonated with her insights on transitions, starting over, and finding joy. I cried, I laughed, I stopped to think, pray, and express gratitude.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the book:

Get outside and be on the lookout for beauty, especially in nature, read books for comfort. Fresh air helps everything. The world is still good, still beautiful, still interesting and worth savoring. God is still good, still faithful, still kind.
Keep walking, keep loving, keep writing, keep praying. Keep learning, keep forgiving, keep apologizing, keep moving forward. Keep inviting, keep listening, keep opening my arms to all of life.
It doesn’t help to pretend everything is okay. Tell the truth. Allow yourself to be supported by friends and family.
I’m learning home isn’t singular. You don’t lose one, instead, your world and your heart expand with each new home and new set of experiences. The old ones stay and the new ones make your heart and your world bigger.

This was my favorite book of the year, and I will go back to it again and again.

2. Take Back Your Life by Levi Lusko

Review: This is a 40-day devotional that is PACKED with goodness. It would be an EXCELLENT book to start your year.

Here are a couple of great quotes from the book:

Thoughts are like trains, they take you somewhere. Instead of stopping a thought, REPLACE it. You have to actively FEED the POSITIVE and STARVE the negative.
You will FEEL how you speak and FIND what you seek.
Public victory comes from private discipline.
God loves the people in your life so much that He put YOU in their lives. He gave you a means to communicate with them so they could be better off because they encountered YOU!

3. Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri

Review: Part of why I wanted to read this book was because I loved the title. For an Enneagram 7 (the Enthusiast), the idea of “everything sad” being “untrue” just made me smile.

The book tells the story of a family moving from Iran to Oklahoma – written from the perspective of a middle school boy. Because I read it while I had two sons in middle school, I really connected with the author’s perspective and story. It made me laugh, cry, think, and learn. I was filled with joy by the kindness shown by some, and shocked by the cruelty expressed by others.

The book will give a reader an amazing, up-close perspective on what it looks and feels like to be a refugee in America. This book was outstanding, and I recommend it to anyone 14 or older.

4. Power of Place by Daniel Grothe

Review: This was the first book I read in 2022, and it was a FANTASTIC way to start the year. If you haven’t read it – I recommend it be your first book of 2023 (with Take Back Your Life)! The author is someone I admire and respect. He’s a great teacher and a fantastic writer. I loved his first book, Chasing Wisdom, and this second book is just as good.

The Power of Place is about the value of putting down roots and investing in the place you call ‘home.’

5. Becoming Mrs Lewis by Patti Callahan

Review: This book shares the beautiful relationship that developed between CS Lewis and Ms. Davidson. They were pen pals, later met and became great friends, and eventually married. I already loved CS Lewis, but this story makes me love him even more. The author did a fabulous job of re-creating their love story. I recommend the audiobook because the narration brings the story to life. It’s free on the Hoopla app.

Here are two quotes from the book that I loved:

God does not love us because we are lovable but because He is Love.
CS Lewis

Sometimes we want to stay and goof off in a mud pit when God has an entire seashore for us to play in.
CS Lewis

6. Hiding in the Light by Rifqa Bary

Review: This narrative unfolds the captivating journey of a young woman transitioning from Islam to Christianity. Her compelling tale resonated deeply with me, serving as a poignant reminder of the unparalleled freedom we enjoy in America and within our Christian faith, especially when contrasted with the experiences of individuals in other countries and adherents of different religions. Exploring our shared faith from a fresh perspective was truly enlightening. Unfortunately, it’s all too common to overlook the profound goodness of God when it has been a constant presence throughout one’s life.

I recommend this book to anyone on a spiritual quest or those 16 and above who identify with the Christian faith.

7. Fostered by Tori Hope Peterson

Review: This memoir delves into the life of a young woman who spent many years in and out of the foster care system. Candidly recounting her experiences, she unveils both the uplifting and challenging aspects of her journey. She is now actively engaged in bringing positive change to the broken system. If you’re interested in hearing a first hand perspective of the foster care system, or hold a genuine concern for the well-being of foster children, this book offers a compelling and insightful exploration.

8. Ground Zero by Alan Gratz

Review: I read this book with George, and we both decided that Alan Gratz is a fantastic writer! He pulls you into the story and makes you feel like you are part of the adventure. This is fiction, but gives you insight into what it must have felt like to be in the Twin Towers on 911. Great for any reader age 12 and up who may want to know more about what happened on September 11, 2001.

9. Home of the brave by Katherine Applegate

I read this with Clark, and we both loved it. It’s a short book that can be read in one setting. The author writes brilliantly and expresses such beautiful and deep emotion in very few words.

It’s the story of a young boy coming to live with his aunt in Minnesota to escape his war-torn country of Sudan. We felt the wonder, optimism, fear, sadness, and hope through the eyes of the main character (Kek). This would make a great read-aloud for parents and kids ages 8 and up.

10. The Choice by Edith Eger

Review: An outstanding book written by a survivor of Auschwitz. She writes about her escape “physically” from prison, and how she later learned to escape the prison of the mind. She is the female version of Victor Frankl (Man’s Search for Meaning). There are parts of this book that are really hard to read, but it’s also a book filled with hope and redemption.

The sign above the entrance to the author’s prison camp in Aushwitz says: Arbeit Macht Frei, meaning: Work Will Set You Free. Dr. Eger writes:

Work has set me free. Not the work the Nazis meant, but the inner work. Of learning to survive and thrive, of learning to forgive myself, of helping others do the same. When I do this work, I am no longer a prisoner. I am free.
Dr. Eger

Here are a few gold nuggets I pulled from the book:

You can live in the prison of the past, or you can let the past be a springboard that helps you reach the life you want now.
Get the feelings out. Expression is the opposite of depression. You can’t heal what you don’t feel.
You can’t feel love and fear at the same time.
It’s easier to hold someone or something else responsible for your pain than to take responsibility for ending your own victimhood.
Our painful experiences aren’t a liability, they are a gift. They give us perspective and meaning, an opportunity to find our unique purpose and strength.

You can’t change what happened, you can’t change what you did or what was done to you. You can choose how you live right now. You can choose to be free.
Dr. Edith Eger

Here’s a video to watch/listen to my reviews:

2022 Honorable Mentions:

What Happened to you? by Dr. Bruce Perry

Let’s Roll by Lisa Beamer

Daniel Boone by Janet Benge – if you want a great biography pick up any book by Janet Benge. Her books make my list every year.

Click here to check out my favorite books of 2023 and FOUR to read in 2024!!

Here’s my favorite books over the years.

Click here for the BEST of 2021

Click for the best of 2020

Click here for the best of 2019

Click here for 2018

Click here to follow me on Goodreads.

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December 30, 2022 By Kathryn

0 In 2022/ Book Review

54 Books I read in 2022

1. Power of Place by Daniel Grothe 10/10

2. Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan 10/10

3. Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate 10/10

4. Ground Zero by Alan Gratz 10/10 (Read with George)

5. The Self-Driven Child

6. Bear Town by Fredrik Backman

7. The Wise Woman Knows by the Help Club for Moms

8. The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

9. 10 Rules for Resilience by Joe De Sena 9/10

10. Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis 9/10

11. Will by Will Smith 6/10

12. Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets by Andy Stanley 10/10

13. Think Again by Adam Grant 9/10

14. The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate 8/10

15. The Choice by Dr. Edith Eger 10/10

16. I guess I Haven’t Learned that Yet by Shauna Niequist 10/10

17. Hiding in the Light by Rifqa Barry 10/10

18. I, Dred Scott: A Fictional Narrative about the Life of Dred Scott by Shelia Moses 9/10

19. Wishtree by Kathleen Applegate (with Clark) 8/10

20 through 23. The Boys Start the War series by Phylis Naylor Reynolds (with Paul) 8/10

24 through 26. The Bad Guys series by Aaron Blabey (with Luke) 10/10

27. Davy Crocket by Janet Benge 9/10

28. I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron 6/10

29. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak 9/10

30. Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund 7/10

31. What Happened to You? by Dr. Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey 10/10

32. Let’s Roll by Lisa Beamer 10/10

33. Daniel Boone by Janet and Geoff Benge

34. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald 10/10

35. Parenting your Ninth Grader by Kristen Ivy and Reggie Joiner 10/10

36. Wit and Wisdom 8/10

37. Taste by Stanley Tucci 7/10

38. Waymaker: Finding the way to the life you’ve always wanted by Ann Voskamp 6/10

39. Allies by Alan Gratz 8/10

40. William Booth by Janet Benge 9/10

41. The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver 9/10

42. Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri 10/10

43. Fostered by Tori Hope Peterson 10/10

44. Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan 8/10

45. Mental Toughness for Young Athletes by Troy Horne 7/10

46. A Burning in My Bones by Winn Collier 7/10

47. The Furious Longing of God by Brennan Manning 10/10

48. Douglas MacArthur by Janet Benge 10/10

49. Ronald Reagan by Janet Benge

50. Take Back Your Life by Levi Lusko

51. Personal History by Katharine Graham 10/10

52. You’re Not Listening by Kate Murphy

53. On Writing by Stephen King

54. The Passion Translation – My father-in-law gifted this Bible to me, and I’ve been reading it throughout the year.

In the next post I will share my top ten favorites of 2022! In the meantime, you can check out my favorite books of 2021 by clicking here!

Please subscribe or Follow me on GoodReads for all my book reviews.

December 28, 2022 By Kathryn

1 In 2022/ Family/ Motherhood/ Raising boys

Our Family’s Top Ten Favorite Board and Card Games

You don’t have to spend a lot of money on Christmas to make it memorable. Get a game or two and PLAY together. Your kids will remember your PRESENCE more than your PRESENTS!

Teenagers may act like they aren’t interested at first, but if you set the game up and ask them to play “just one round,” many will do it.

There is SO MUCH VALUE in playing games with our kids. You learn together, laugh together, and just get to BE TOGETHER.

Here are our family’s favorite games:

1. Uno

Ages: 5 and up

This is a classic family game and we love it because you can play with multiple ages and multiple people.

2. Telestrations

Ages: 7 and up

This game makes us laugh so hard our stomachs hurt. It’s like Pictionary but every person has their own “book” instead of a board. It’s so fun to play with a group of 5-6 people.

3. Wit and Wagers

Age 6 and up

We love this game because you are learning fun facts and learning while having fun! This is a great family game for kids ages 6 and up.

We don’t play by the regular rules, here’s what we do:

one person asks a question from the card
every player puts an answer on their little board
every player puts their color circle on who they think has the best anser
the person who’s closest to the correct answer gets a “chip,”, If your guess is exactly right, you get two chips, and if you put your vote on a winning answer, you earn a chip

4. Rat-a-tat Cat

Ages 5 and up

I like this game because it’s small and easy to travel with. It’s also fun and easy to play.

5. War/Garbage/Spoons

There are so many game you can play with a simple deck of cards.

6. Sequence

Ages: 10 and up. Needs four players.

7. What do you Meme? (*Family Edition only!)

Ages: 6 and up

This game will have everyone cracking up. It’s similar to Apples to Apples (which is another fun game) but with PICTURES. You pick the best words to go with the “Meme.”

8. Spot it

Ages 3 and up

This is a fun and easy-to-play game for kids and adults of all ages. You just have to SPOT something matching on the card you are holding with the card on the top of the deck. If you are the first one to spot a match, you get the card. The person with the most cards wins!

9. Rummikub

Ages: 5 and up

This is a fun game to play with friends. Best with 4-6 players. You make a row of matching numbers or ordered numbered tiles.

10. No stress chess/Chess

Ages 5 and up

My boys learned how to play Chess with the No stress chess game. Now they can play the real game.

Honorable Mention:

Heads up app

This isn’t a board or card game, but is basically a ‘charades’ or guessing game you can download on your phone. It’s super handy if you have a long wait with your kids!

Does your family have a favorite board game? Leave a comment!

Here’s how to make simple Salt Dough Ornaments with kids.

Here are some easy Elf on the Shelf ideas.

December 10, 2022 By Kathryn

0 In 2022/ Book Review

Four Fantastic Books I Finished in November

Amazon is having a Buy 2 Get 1 free sale right now! Get one for yourself and a couple for Christmas gifts.

Take Back Your Life by Levi Lusko

Rating: 10/10

Review: This book is one of the best I’ve read all year and is PACKED with goodness. If you just read one book in the next 6 months – pick this one! Get it for someone you love too.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes:

Thoughts are like trains, they take you somewhere. Instead of stopping a thought, REPLACE it. You have to actively FEED the POSITIVE and STARVE the negative.

You will FEEL how you speak and FIND what you seek

Public victory comes from private discipline.

God loves the people in your life so much that He put YOU in their lives. He gave you a means to communicate with them so they could be better off because they encountered YOU!

Smile and you’ll eventually feel better. Your body doesn’t know why you are smiling but will respond.

Here is an interesting Ted Talk with more info on this:

Do yourself a favor and GET THIS BOOK!!

On Writing by Stephen King

Rating 8/10

Review: I like to read books by successful writers on how to be a better storyteller. This is part memoir and part advice. I found it interesting and helpful.

You’re Not Listening by Kate Murphy

Rating: 10/10

Review: I read this book because I really want to improve my listening and communicating skills. The author does a great job in educating the reader on the art of listening and how necessary it is for life. This book encouraged me in HOW to be a better listener. I want to read this one again, there is a lot to learn and implement.

Ronald Reagan by Janet Benge

Rating: 9/10

Review: A very interesting biography about Ronald Reagan. I already liked this man – and this book reminded me why.

What have you been reading? Leave me a comment!

November 30, 2022 By Kathryn

0 In 2022/ Free stuff/ Motherhood/ Raising boys

A Cell Phone Contract and things to consider before (& after) giving your child a cell phone

Handing your kids a phone of their own is a big deal. You’re handing access to nearly everything in the world – the best and the worst. A phone can be helpful in many ways, and can be harmful in many other ways.

My recommendation is to hold your children off from getting a phone of their own as LONG as possible. The older and more mature they are before getting a device, the wiser they will be with their words and actions.

What your child posts online may be more permanent than their permanent record. What they watch online may have a permanent impact.
Parent Cue

5 questions to discuss before giving a child a phone:

1. What you post is public, even when you may think it’s private. It can be permanent. What are some examples of this?

2. Have you seen people say something online that they would not say to someone’s face? Why do you think that happens?

3. How are in-person relationships affected by devices for good or bad?

Examples for good: Connecting with family or friends who are far away.
Examples for bad: bullying or spending too much time on your phone and less time face-to-face

4. Who do you/would you like to follow online?

5. What rules do you think we need to put in place to keep you safe and monitor your time online?

Cell phone contract to review and sign together:

Parents, let your kids know from the beginning that you will be checking their phone periodically. This builds some accountability and may help them ’think twice’ about what they do on their phone. My son’s received texts that I’m so glad I saw. It has led to several teachable moments.
.

Also, I’d recommend your child charge their phone anywhere but their bedroom overnight. A middle school teacher told me:

If I could make a rule for all kids with phones, it would be to keep it out of their bedrooms at night. Kids are sleep-deprived because they’re on their phones past midnight on school nights and parents have no idea it’s happening,
Heidi Pitzenberg

What are your thoughts about children and cell phone use? Are there resources you use that help you navigate this new world?

Thanks for reading and for sharing your thoughts!

November 4, 2022 By Kathryn

0 In 2022/ Book Review

October 2022 Book Reviews and Recommendations

Daniel Boone by Janet and Geoff Benge

Rating: 10/10

Review: This was a fascinating story and history lesson about the great hunter and explorer, Daniel Boone. It gave interesting insight into what life was like in the 1700s. It made me grateful that I wasn’t born in that time, and also grateful for how hard our forefathers worked to pave an easier road for the rest of us! I recommend this to families taking a road trip. Great for ages 10 and up.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Rating: 10/10

Review: I was at a parent-teacher conference with my son’s reading teacher, and she had a sign posted of her favorite books of all time – and this one was on the list. I’m not sure why I’ve never read this classic book…but I glad I finally did. I was transported back in time 100 years and enjoyed Fitzgerald’s writing.

Parenting your Ninth Grader by Kristen Ivy and Reggie Joiner

Rating: 10/10

Review: This is more a journal than a typical book. The goal is to get you thinking and give you ideas about how to connect with and invest in your child. There’s a book for every age and grade level!

Wit and Wisdom

Rating: 8/10

Review: How weird am I that I read an entire book of quotes? Well, what can I say, I love a good quote. We will call this ‘research’ for future posts. 🙂

Here are just 3…

Wit, by itself, is of little account. It becomes of moment only when grounded on wisdom
Mark Twain

Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.
James M. Barrie

In matters of style, swim with the current, in matters of principle, stand like a rock.
Thomas Jefferson

Allies by Alan Gratz

Rating 8/10

Review: I was excited to read this book with George. I have a great uncle who was a paratrooper on D-Day, and I wanted to read about what the experience may have been like for him. My only complaint about the book is that the author introduces so many characters that it’s a little hard to keep track of who’s who. Overall though, this book makes you feel like you are storming Normandy beach. The author captures the intensity of the day without being overly graphic. Great book for teens or those interested in D-Day or WW2.

October 31, 2022 By Kathryn

0 In 2022/ Minnesota/ Things to do in Minnesota/ Traveling

Red Wing Travel Guide: Top 5 Things to Do!

Our family had the sweetest day in Red Wing, Minnesota and I wanted to share it with you in hopes that you would add this adorable town to your Bucket List.

Driving into Red Wing, we felt like we were back in Colorado. This historic town has a large bluff in the background, making it look and feel like a quaint mountain town.

Here are our top 5 favorite parts of the day:

1. Hanisch Bakery

First, start your day by fueling up at Hanisch Bakery. Hanisch has been voted the best bakery in Minnesota. Their food and pastries are made from scratch and absolutely divine. We purchased a loaf of cinnamon bread for $4 and my boys LOVED it! I was so happy with their coffee selection. They had about 10 to choose from – including my favorite flavor of all time – Highlander Grog!

2. Hike Barn Bluff

After fueling up, we hiked Barn Bluff. There are different trails with varying difficulty. We took the moderate path and it was just the right amount of exercise for four boys and their mom and dad.

It was a beautiful hike and you are rewarded with a beautiful view of the Mississippi River when you reach the top.

Fast fact: Poet and writer Henry David Thoreau hiked this bluff on his travels through Minnesota.

3. Downtown Shopping: Red Wing Shoes

After hiking, we explored a few shops in downtown Red Wing.

First the Duluth Trading company, then Red Wing Shoes.

A stop at Red Wing Shoes is a MUST when you first visit Red Wing. The store is half museum, half shoe store.

Fun Fact: There are painted boots around town. Make spotting boots a part of your adventure!

4. Visit Saint James Hotel

The Saint James Hotel is a great spot to explore, stay the night, and/or eat. We walked around to see the historic artifacts and visit the Ski Jump Museum.

Fun Fact: Red Wing was the Ski Jump Capital of the US

5. Eat good food!

We tried to eat at The Staghead – it had good ratings and was walking distance from the shops were were exploring, but they were understaffed and canceled our reservation. We jumped in the car and drove a mile down the road to Bayside Grill. My boys LOVED IT and said they served some of the best burgers they’d ever had!

Other spots to try? Scarlett Kitchen (at the Saint James Hotel), Red Wing Brewery and Rancho Loco.

Here’s a peek into our day:

Have you been to Red Wing? What would you recommend doing, seeing or eating next time?

Interested in reading more about Minnesota?

Click here for a Weekend Itinerary in Duluth, MN.

Click here to read my Minnesota Bucket List.

Click here to read 15 Fun Facts About Minnesota.

Click here to read the 20 gifts that Minnesota gave the world.

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October 22, 2022 By Kathryn

0 In 2022/ DIY/ Family/ Free stuff/ Games/ Memories/ Raising boys/ Things to do in Minnesota

Indoor and Outdoor Scavenger Hunt for Kids

My son Clark LOVES Scavenger hunts. But let’s be honest…who DOESN’T enjoy a fun hunt?

One year, my husband buried a treasure box in a forest, then created a treasure map for the boys to follow, find and DIG UP! (Best day ever! Best DAD ever!)

Another year, just as George was learning to spell, he created a scavenger hunt for his brother. He left kind and encouraging words for him to find around the house. (Best brother ever!)

For Clark’s 13th birthday, we gave him two hunts. One indoors (by himself) to find his birthday present, and one OUTSIDE with his friends. Both were a HIT so I wanted to share this idea with you!

Scavenger hunts work not only for a birthday, but also for Christmas, for a family night, or on any day you’re looking for something fun to do with your family. You could even have your kids create scavenger hunts for each other.

Here was Clark’s INDOOR birthday hunt:

(Thank you Pinterest and Google for helping me with these riddles)

Here is our OUTDOOR Hunt:

(Feel free to copy and paste to a word document, or print this and play!)

Good for kids 12 and up. Make sure each team has a phone/camera.

Scavenger hunt

Take a selfie of your entire team on the play set.

Take a picture of two people swinging.

Find the sidewalk chalk. Write an encouraging message on the sidewalk. (Ideas: You Matter. -or- You Got this! -or- Choose Joy) You will find the sidewalk chalk:

Find the secret message and write down what you see. Secret message is found:

Take a selfie with a dog or person out for a walk.

Trade a penny for something more valuable.

What is the mystery word written on our neighbor’s front door?

Find the little library and write down the name of one book.

Take a picture next to a fire hydrant.

Find leaves from 3 different trees and bring them back.

Take a picture of something red.

Take a photo of two of your team mates jumping in the air at the same time.

Take a picture of someone sitting on the park bench.

Take a picture of a house or mailbox with the number 2 on it.

Return home

Here are some ideas from my son’s 13th birthday:

Scrambled word = teenager

The boys loved the scavenger hunts!

What would you add or change? Leave me a comment.

Thanks for reading and please consider subscribing!

Click here to read “How to Host an Amazing Backyard Birthday”

October 6, 2022 By Kathryn

0 In 2022/ Book Review/ Product Recommendations

5 Books I Finished this Month: September 2022 Book Reviews and Recommendations

Fostered by Tori Hope Peterson

Rating: 10/10

Review: This book is fantastic and once I started, I couldn’t put it down. The author tells her story of growing up in foster care. Though Tori had a really tough life, there’s a thread of hope and redemption written through the pages. I highly recommend this book to anyone who works with children, or to a person who just loves a good memoir. I’ll share my copy with you if you’d like to read it.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes from her book.

I’ve written this book not so you can see what God did through me, but so that you will believe what God can do through you, no matter the odds.

The worst things that happen to us can open our eyes to how much God loves us.

When God is part of the story, chances aren’t the dictator anymore, miracles are.

Foster kids don’t have to fall into the tragedy the world destined for them. None of us do. God has the final say.

I don’t have to be afraid of my past because I am free from its power over me. I am free from what has been done to me and from what I have done. I’m free from my past symptoms and coping mechanisms. I am a new because of a madman of love first loved me.

Listen to part of Tori’s story in this podcast here.

Follow her on Instagram by clicking here.

Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan

Rating: 8/10

Review: This is a sweet novel book of what CS Lewis’ childhood may have been like.

Mental Toughness for Young Athletes by Troy Horne

Rating 7/10

Review: I’ve been slowly reading this book with my older sons over the summer and we finally finished it. It had some good tips for young athletes.

A Burning in My Bones by Winn Collier

Rating 7/10

Review: I didn’t know much about Eugene Peterson before reading this book except that he wrote The Message Bible and that he mentored my friend Daniel Grothe. This book is engagingly written, full of Peterson’s own words from letters and journals. However, I found it a little boring. Eugene himself was surprised someone would want to write a biography about him. He didn’t think there was much about his life that would be interesting enough for a book. He had a pretty normal childhood, and was a pastor at the same church for 30 years. In my opinion, the book was too long and told unnecessary stories and information. However, here are a few of my favorite parts.

Eugene Peterson was friends with the Jackson family (as in Phil Jackson, coach of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls). Phil Jackson wanted to play basketball but his ultra-conservative parents weren’t sure it was a good idea. However, when Phil’s parents saw that Eugene could play basketball, and still maintain his character, they allowed Phil to play. Phil became an NBA player, and then one of the best coaches of all time.
I loved reading about Eugene’s desire to translate the entire Bible in an “easy-to-read and understand” contemporary format. The Message was a book that Zondervan turned down. They thought the market was too saturated and it would be a failure. A little known company (at the time) called NavPress decided to take a chance on this book. The Message has sold more than 20 million copies.
I really enjoyed reading about Eugene Peterson’s relationship with Bono, the leader of the group U2. Here’s a short video about their relationship: https://youtu.be/-l40S5e90KY
Finally, it was fun that the author mentioned my friend Daniel Grothe in the book, especially since Daniel wrote an entire book about their relationship called Chasing Wisdom. Chasing Wisdom is a phenomenal book – I recommend it ten times over Burning in my Bones.

The Furious Longing of God by Brennan Manning

Rating: 10/10

Review: A short but beautiful book on God’s great love for humanity. This is a book I will come back to again and again. I loved how Brennan shared how healing happens when we pass on to another person what we have received from Jesus.

October 2, 2022 By Kathryn

2 In 2022/ Peek into our Week

A Few of My Favorites from Summer 2022

Here are some of my favorite summer moments and products.

My Morning Routine

Ted put two new Adirondack chairs together, and they were my favorite summertime morning spot. I sat out there almost every morning to read, pray, soak in the morning sun, drink coffee, and play with the dog. Slowly, one-by-one, the kids would join me out here to read, talk or cuddle.

Re-reading Romans

Maybe because I was on the porch and the sunshine was in my face, maybe because this book applies 100% to what’s happening in our world right now – but re-reading the book of Romans THRILLED me this summer. This book is filled with hope, inspiration, and clarity. I snapped the picture above of Romans 15:13 from The Passion Translation.

Ryan Trahan’s Youtube adventure

This summer, my boys were jumping on YouTube everyday to watch a YouTuber named Ryan Trahan travel across America with just ONE penny. I sat to watch with them one day and saw why they were so entertained by this (twenty-something) “kid.” Ryan’s adventure was so fun and we were all impressed with how he made enough money each day to keep moving forward. While crossing America, he also raised over a million dollars for Feeding America. If you are a parent looking for an entertaining YouTube video to watch with your kids, I recommend this one.

Feelin’ Fourteen!

Who knew roller skating could make you feel like a kid again?

A friend invited us to go roller skating with her and her son. I went for my kids, but didn’t know I’d have more fun than anyone else in the building.

Well, Luke says that he and I BOTH had the BEST time, and I’m glad we got to experience that together. There are not many things that a 40+ year old WOMAN, and an 8-Year-old BOY find the same level of enjoyment in – but we found something this summer on the roller rink. Luke and I skated until they turned the music off and asked us to leave.

Birk Dupes

Target’s Birkenstock ‘dupes’ have been on my feet all summer. I bought some for my sister and son – and we all love them. They look and feel just like the real thing, but are only $10. Click here to order yourself a pair.

Wordle/Quordle/Nerdle

These three games are my little brain-break each day. Have you tried them yet?

This Book

I’m absolutely loving this 40-day devotional by Levi Lusko. The author shares so many fascinating historical and science-based stories, and connects those to powerful truths from the Bible. I think you’ll love this book too! Great for ages 15 and up.

Bike Rides with my Boys

George, Luke and I all got new (to us) bikes and we’ve been on lots of bike rides this summer. Once again, this has me feeling like a kid again. Like roller skating, it is a GREAT workout! If you don’t have a bike, I recommend you look for one on Facebook marketplace and get riding.

Though those are just a few stand outs from summer, I also loved spending time with my family, my in-laws, reading good books, and taking “field trips” around Minnesota. After our LOOONNNG Minnesota winter, we enjoyed every warm day of summer!

I’d love to hear what you loved about summer. Would you leave a comment and tell me a highlight or two? (Click on the little ‘text’ box by the title to leave a comment.)

Thanks for reading!

September 16, 2022 By Kathryn

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