READ:: I Will Carry You by Angie Smith

This is one of those books that I put off reading for years. I knew what the book was about and honestly I didn't know if I could handle reading about their story of their daughter's death. As a parent myself, I can't even image that. 

But there's where I went wrong. This is not just a story about death, but this is more a story of life. It's the story of how they celebrated their daughter's life. How they made her apart of their lives even when they knew her chances of life were slim. They believed in a miracle, they believed in a bigger God. 

I sat reading this through tears in my eyes many nights. It took me a while to get through it all because I wanted to take time to process all the words. I'm so glad I read this book. They are open and honest about their dealings with grief. I love their honesty. I love their realness about it. I love that she was real about her conversations with the Lord.

Her anger, her disappointment and her fears.

When people are so honest it helps us relate to them, it helps us to feel human and connected with them. I love that even in pain and sorrow they choose joy even when it was hard. Even when they didn't want to. They choose to still believe in God and know that his will mattered, that he would be the comforter and give them peace. 

This book is a must read, it tells a beautiful story of God's grace and goodness even in the face of tragedy.  

READ:: Mended by Angie Smith

I read two Angie Smith books in a row, I was a blubbering mess. Her books are deep, and they are a perfect compliment to my deep thinking, emotional side. I love her writing and the was she just makes the gospel real. This book was so different. 

Mended are lots of different stories of brokenness and how God uses our brokenness to make something whole and beautiful. I love this thought and I love how God can use anything in our lives that we go through to minister and bring glory to his name. 

Mended has a bit different style to it, in that there's a story followed by application questions and things to think about. And at the end of each passage there's a prayer that she prays over you and one that you can pray yourself. 

It really is a great book, I enjoyed hearing her stories and those of others. It made me remember all that God has brought me through. All that he's done in me, and all that I have surrendered to the Father. 

READ:: The Nesting Place

I remember finding The Nester's blog shortly after we moved to Arizona. I had been blogging myself for a little over a year around that time, and was just starting to read home decor blogs. It was during a season of life where we had just lost our first home due to me getting laid off from my job during a season in 2008. We had just moved into an apartment here in Arizona that began a longer season of apartment living than I ever thought we'd have. 

It was during that season that I found The Nester's blog and her message about "things don't have to be perfect to be beautiful." 

I love that message, and there's a lot of meaning and heart behind that. A message that I really took to heart during that season of life when I was living in an apartment that I didn't really care for, a new mom and just trying to make sense of the season we'd just come out of. 

I got this book for Christmas and I devoured the first few chapters in just a few hours. The book gives you a great glimpse of their background and their lives in the homes they've lived in. If you follow her blog you already know they've lived in so many homes over the years, where she's made the best of what she's had keeping that same perspective in mind. 

I loved that. I was challenged by that so much. 

I firmly believe your home is your sanctuary, a place to feel safe, a place to make your own. 

I love that this book is part Godly wisdom and part practical decor tips. She gives you some great tips and tricks on making your home your own. But she also challenges you to think outside the box, use what you have and make your home special. 

A few of my favorite lines from the book

With enough money anyone can create and pretty home but it takes intention to create a home. @thenester #nestingplacebook

The best way to crest a beautiful home is to be thankful for what you already have. #truth @thenester #nestingplacebook

If you've read her blog before you'll love this book. If you've never heard of her before you'll love it. She's real and genuine and reading this book is like sitting down for coffee with a friend. Pick up the book here*

*affiliate link used

READ:: It Starts with Food

I'm almost at the end of my Whole30 journey. I've mentioned several times before how I loved reading this book. It truly was the most valuable resource in terms of understanding the "why" behind Whole30 and the foods you put into your body. 

I highly suggest reading this book before starting the Whole30 eating plan. I kinda cringe even calling Whole30 and eating plan because really it's a lifestyle change made more than anything else. 

This book will help you sort out the whys behind it all, the science behind it all and give you lots of great tips along the way. I really enjoyed the meal map and meal planning sections in the back of the book. I also found the section about kids and their eating helpful & insightful as I have children of my own who I'll be transitioning to this lifestyle. 

This book is a great companion to have during your Whole30 journey. I found myself referring to it several times over the last 23 days. If you're thinking about doing Whole30 I suggest picking up a copy of It Starts with Food first and then diving in, you'll feel more confident after reading this book for sure! 

purchase yours here. 

READ:: For The Rights Reasons by Sean Lowe

Guys, I'm excited to share with you the latest book I finished on my reading list! I was able to get an advanced copy of Sean Lowe's new book coming out January 27th appropriately named 'For the Right Reasons.'

I've been a long time fan of The Bachelor series, I've been watching for far to long and it's my one guilty pleasure. 

I especially enjoyed Sean's seasons, one of those reasons was because he loves Jesus. And I knew that his season of The Bachelor would be different than other seasons before. I think he brought a freshness to the "type" of guy that is The Bachelor. He brought back some integrity to the show. I loved watching he and Catherine's wedding. It was one of the most Christ centered ceremonies I've seen. I loved that they glorified the Lord in the whole thing. Right there on live t.v. the name of Jesus was known. And Sean's Dad was adorable during their wedding. 

So anyway back to the book; 

The book gives you a glimpse into Sean's upbringing growing up in Texas. His college years and then eventually leads into his time on The Bachelorette and then becoming The Bachelor.

The book is filled with lots of great behind the scenes details about his time on both shows. Really gives you a great glimpse into how the show's production goes down. But, more than the juicy behind the scenes details I appreciated Sean's candor about his past, his failures and his honesty about his relationship with Catherine after all the cameras stopped rolling. You get to read about their struggle during his time on Dancing with the Stars and how they made it work. 

They go through things every relationship does, but they just had another layer of the public. And they handled it with God's grace. It's awesome to see his faith played out, and how his family's love and grace opened the door for his wife Catherine to know Jesus in an intimate way. 

This is the number one this I loved about this book, more than the juicy Bachelor details I loved that Sean's glorified the Lord in this book. He pointed it back to Him. 

If you're a fan of the show or even more so of Sean & Catherine you'll love reading this book. Who's excited to get your hands on this? Will you be reading? Order your copy here. 

As part of the street team I received an advance copy of this book for the purpose of a review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.