READ | What Keeps You Up At Night by Pete Wilson

If you've been hanging around this blog for any amount of time you know that I'm a big fan of Pete Wilson's books. I've read all of them since the release of his first book Plan B. I've had the honor of being apart of his book launch teams the last two books. His most recent book is What Keeps You Up At Night which came out earlier this Spring. 

How to find peace while chasing your dreams is the tag line of this book, and as we explore many different themes in this book one repeating theme in this book is that of fear, and how it holds us back. Holds us back from pursuing God, and how it holds us back from pursuing what God's placed on our hearts. 

When I first read this book earlier this year my husband and I were praying through some tough decisions in our life. Many of them required steps of faith, and reading this couldn't have come at a more timely reminder that God loves us and he's for us. He's the giver of life and the author of dreams and plans for us. 

I also love the author explores leaving things (our dreams and plans) open to the Lord and what he'd want to do. We can't hold tightly to things, that's not what God calls us to do. He often calls us to step out in faith, action and see what he does with it.

It's so comforting and eye opening to me when you realize that you don't have to do anything but trust in God and have faith. And he works out the rest. Take yourself off the hook, out of the equation and just let God work. Have faith and be obedient to Him. 

Wow! That's so freeing isn't it? I hope you'll be encouraged to read What Keeps You Up At Night, it's a great book full of wisdom and encouragement for your faith walk. Pick up your copy here. 

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Disclosure: I received a copy of the book as part of the launch team to review. All opinions and thoughts are my own. 

READ | Balancing It All.

Rounding up my month of August books was 'Balancing it All" by Candace Cameron Bure. I really enjoyed reading her other two books that I decided to read this one too, this is actually her 2nd published book, I just read them out of order. 

What I really loved about this book is that is really gives you a great picture of her life. She's open and honest about sharing parts of her life and story that have shaped who she is today. I love that we get a behind the scenes look into her acting career. Her marriage and how she met her husband, and lots of personal details about her faith and how she came to know Jesus. Stories like this help me to relate to the author and I love how open she is about sharing her life with her readers. 

She is the first to say that she doesn't do it all, but gives practical advice for how you can make things in your life a priority and in doing that you'll find a sense in balance. I've always believed that first starts in our relationship with Jesus and this book lends to such encouragement in that. 

It really is all about Jesus first and when your priorities are set in Him, he really helps you sort out the rest. I also loved reading her thoughts on marriage and what that looks like in the eyes of God. This book was such an encouragement for me. That I am doing it right. That When God is your focus you can't go wrong. 

Buy the book here.

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READ | For the Love.

I was so excited when I heard that Jen Hatmaker was coming out with a new book this August, I pre ordered it as soon as I could! I started this book last Wednesday during nap time and finished it Thursday evening. 

It's probably the fastest I've read a book in a long time and it marks my 4th book for the month of August. 

I was talking to a friend of mine who was also reading the book and she said "It was like a big hug." I thought to myself you know what she's right, it was like a big giant hug. It felt like a conversation just between her and I. I loved that. 

There's so much goodness in the pages of this book it's hard to know where to start. But some of my favorite parts were the essay's to her kiddos called "Dear Kids." The essays to the church and church people. This is where she really got me, tears people, tears! She just cares and loves church people immensely and I related a lot to her words about these things. 

Love for coffee. Nuff said. I related. 

This last quote is just so good. It's the quote she tells her kids in the book, but I think it's a great quote for all of us to remember as it applies to our lives. We all can be kind. Be ourselves and love Jesus. We all should. 

This book was such an encouragement to my soul. A much needed pep talk and kick in the rear on things I could be doing better, things I want to be challenged with, and things I want to grow more in. 

I highly suggest this book. You love it. Get it here. 

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Dancing Through Life Book Review

Two book reviews in 1 week! I know, I know. But I've been reading a ton ya'll. Can I say that? I know I'm not Southern or anywhere close, I was born in California for the love. But in my heart I'm a cross between beachy California girl and Southern belle. 

You follow me right? 

Moving on, back to the book...... 

If you were a child of the 80's or early 90's you probably grew up with DJ Tanner in your home! Well, now she's all grown up and I've been a fan of hers since I was a little girl. We're about the same age she and I. I feel like I know her, but with out really knowing her. You feel me here?! 

I have followed her career a lot over the years, I tend to do that with people I like. Celebs and all. I watched her on Make it Or Break It back in the day, and I can't tell you how excited I am about this Fuller House show coming to Nexflix! 

I read her first book Reshaping It All a few years back, and so I was excited when I saw she had a 3rd book coming out about her Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) journey and how her faith helped her through the weeks of competition. Appropriately called 'Dancing Through Life- Steps of Courage & Conviction'

One of my favorite chapters was chapter 4 'A Clean Slate' where she talked a lot about finding JOY in your circumstances. That choosing to be joyful is God's idea and how it effects your over all attitude is major! 

This resonated with me so much, because much of the last 6 years I've chosen to be just that, in circumstances that weren't what I'd choose first. God has been teaching me a lot in this area and I was so blessed by reading her words and thoughts on this. It was such an encouragement to me. 

If you are a fan of Candace or DWTS or both, I promise you'll love this book. Put it on your Fall reading list now, you know you need something for those school carpool lines mamas! You can purchase the book here. 

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And just for fun, while I was reading the book as Candace recalls each week of dances. I found myself wanting to see them again. This was such a fun season and you can really see her progression as a dancer and how much fun she's having. Below is a video I found online of all her dances she did through out the season. 

Simply Tuesday Book Release + Review

I was excited to be able to read an advance copy of Emily P. Freeman's new book that comes out today! Simply Tuesday. Let me tell you friends, this book couldn't have come at a better time, and I think it's such a God thing. Pretty sure he knew I needed to read these words.

God speaks to me a lot through words, reading and music. He uses the words of others to confirm things in my heart he's speaking, to show me something he wants to teach me through what others are learning or have learned. 

This quote from the book is one of my favorites, it just speaks volumes to me. The older I've gotten, the more God has shown me that there is value in the small. Small beginnings, small moments between me and Him. Small moments with my family. There's worth in the small, and it should never be overlooked or looked down upon. 

I know there have been many times in my life where I've been behind the scenes on things, or helped from a far. I haven't had the leading role, and haven't been in the fore front but God reminds me time and time again that's where he has me. My talents are being used there, and he hasn't forgotten me. 

Reading Emily's words reminded me and confirmed what God's been speaking to me about smallness. 

Don't be distracted by smallness, instead celebrate it and see what God wants to teach you. 

One of my other favorites excerpts from the book is this one:

Small was Jesus' whole life, how he came, how he lives, how he died, even whom he revealed himself once he rose again. Small is the position of my soul.

I just love that simple reminder. I'm repeating that to myself over and over again when things become overwhelming, when Satan tried to attack me with something I know isn't from God. When I need to say "no" to things in my schedule. When I need to breathe. 

I also love that she encourages you to take a step back, slow down and that's ok to do. It's hard for us to conceive in this fast paced, do it all world we live in now. But those simple slow moments with Jesus are my favorite. 

Pick up a copy of Simply Tuesday here. I promise you'll love it as much as I did! 

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I was apart of the Simply Tuesday book launch team in exchange for my review I received an advance copy. All opinions are 100% my own.