Category Archives: Movies, Music, Books

Thoughts about what we watch, hear, or read.

Desire Conference

One of my favorite resources to recommend to friends is the Desire Conference—a free download through the iTunes Store.  With eight sessions of incredible teaching (that I’ve now listened to about three times), you won’t be disappointed!  A friend recently told me she found this audio material life changing and just what she needed.

I’m listening to Session 2 again this morning and taking notes.  Here are a couple quotes to share with you:

Don’t ask yourself what the world needs.  Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that.  Because what the world needs are men and women who have come alive.

The only way you can get through this life living and loving well with a sense of focus and mission is to do it like He (Jesus) did—from the heart.  The power comes from within.  You cannot start from the outside and try and go in.  You can’t start with “well, this is the right thing to do, the responsible thing to do” and then generate enthusiasm for it.  It doesn’t work like that.  The Law is a set of standards which we feel the pressure of from the outside.  The spirit, the freedom, of grace, and the heart set free, comes from within.  –John Eldredge

Go to iTunes, search for “Desire Conference” in the iTunes Store, and start listening!  It may change the entire trajectory of your life.


Wisdom from Caroline Ingalls

On November 15, 1881, Ma Ingalls wrote this in Laura’s autograph book:

If wisdom’s ways you wisely seek,

Five things observe with care,

To whom you speak,

Of whom you speak,

And how, and when, and where

Your loving mother,

C. L. Ingalls

Kayla and I read that yesterday in Little Town on the Prairie and wanted to share it with you.  :)

Little House

Last night Kayla and I finished Little House on the Prairie, our second Little House book.  My heart broke when the Ingalls Family found out they had to leave Indian Territory—and the very next day at that!  Pa and Ma were in the midst of planting their garden and dreaming about the bounty it would produce when they received the news.  To leave behind the little house and the land they loved would have been such a challenge.  They were disappointed to go, yet they chose to have good attitudes and focus on what really mattered—the fact that they were together and that they would face the next challenge together.  Tomorrow we start the next book.  We can’t wait!

Jen’s New Favorite Movie

Though this movie appeared in theaters in 1994, I just saw it for the first time Monday night.

Balance Ball

Shortly after Madeline was born, Aaron bought me a balance ball (also called a Swiss ball), an exercise mat, and a Total Body Workout DVD. 

Book Recommendation

I recently purchased a copy of “Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World” for a friend’s birthday (Bonnie, I hope you don’t read this before it arrives in your mailbox!). It’s a book I read during my pregnancy, and it’s definitely a book filled with great insight and wisdom.

My Current Favorite CD

I love solo piano music. If you do too, maybe you’ll enjoy my current favorite. Read on for more information.

The Return of the King

Despite the fact that I’m a huge fan of the first two movies, until Tuesday of this week, I hadn’t yet seen Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. The movie has been out since December, but I kept missing my opportunities to go. But after the long delay, the wait was well worth it.