12 Books for 2016

One of my goals this year is to read 1 book a month.  The following are my picks for books this year.  I found them from various places.  Some books are from authors/pastors/speakers I've come to respect.  Some books are recommendations from friends. 

Reading helps me to engage in my life more as it has me thinking about how to become a better Jesus follower, wife, mom, and simply an all around better person. 

All of my reads this year are non-fiction.  Don't let me fool you, I love fiction books too. Though in this season of life I have a desire to know Him more.  I have a desire to successfully steward the opportunities I've been given for Him. 

So here goes! 

1. Instructing a Child's Heart by Tedd and Margy Tripp

• I got this book for Christmas from a dear friend of mine. 

2. Strong Mothers, Strong Sons by Dr. Meg Meeker

• I've read this book before and loved it so much.  The subtitle is, "Lessons Mothers Need to Raise Extraordinary Men."

3. Undaunted by Christine Caine

• Been meaning to read this book for years. The subtitle is, "Daring to do what God calls you to do." 
• I heard Christine Caine when I lived in Missouri and fell in love with her zeal for the Lord and her teaching style. 

4. The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor

• The subtitle is, "The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work." "When we are positive, our brains become more engaged, creative, motivated, energetic, resilient, and productive at work."
• I listened to a podcast called Entreleadership Podcast, Episode #121.   Shawn Achor was the guest speaker and my mind was blown.  I cannot say enough about it. I'm looking forward to reading this book.

5. The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko

• It's about average millionaires and how most of them start from nothing, live very frugally, and end up being entirely successful.  It slams the millionaire stereotypes of flashy cars and big houses. 
• I've read some of it, but I'd like to read through the whole thing.

6. The Legacy Journey by Dave Ramsey

• Many of you know, I am a Ramsey fan.  This book is about what the Bible says about money. I got one from the library, but I'd like my own copy so I can highlight and underline all over it. 

7. The Good Fight by Les and Leslie Parrott

• It's a marriage book about how conflict is good in a marriage when it's handled correctly. 

8. For the Love by Jen Hatmaker

• I've never heard of this author. I had a friend, Sharon, post a picture of this book way back.  I screen shot it and forgot about.  Decided to give it a look. 
• The subtitle says, "Fighting for Grace in a World of Impossible Standards." 

9. Ever After: Life Lessons Learned in My Castle of Chaos by Vicki Courtney

• This one is kind of random.  Saw it on online as a Bible Study and decided to read the book instead. 
• It's about being a wife and motherhood. Basically my life. It's about my life. 

10. Start by Jon Acuff 

• Fabian has been raving about this book. 
• The subtitle is, "Punch Fear in the Face, Escape Average and Do Work that Matters."

11. Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin

• The subtitle is, "What I learned About Making and Breaking Habits--to Sleep More, Quit Sugar, Procrastinate Less, and Generally Build a Happier Life."
• I heard her on the Entreleadership podcast, Episode #101.

12. #Stuggles by Craig Groeschel

• I listen to Groeschel's sermon podcasts very frequently.  Love his content.  The subtitle is, "Following Jesus in a Selfie-Centered World." 

Let me know if you decided to read one or more! I'd love to read them with you so we can discuss them. :) 

A Year in Review and What's Next

This is going to be one of those New Year's Resolution posts.  If you're reading, I am assuming you want to. I hope!

This past year was intense and took a lot of faith building.  As a family, we've really worked on the idea of Life Balance as Fabian has had about two jobs for most of the year.

I think this picture is hilarious.

Life balance isn’t about a 50/50 split. It’s about being 100% present.
Life balance isn’t about doing everything for an equal amount of time. It’s about doing the right things at the right time. - Christy Wright

It's about quality not quantity.

2015
Malachi entered our family this year.
Benaiah turned 2.
We had our 4th wedding anniversary.
We moved into a new home in a wonderful neighborhood.
Fabian had the opportunity to be an Interim Youth Pastor to an amazing church in Channelview.
He got promoted at his job and got to be located 15 minutes from home.
I set a personal goal to lose 10 pounds, and lost 12 pounds.
We are 4 days away from paying off our car loan. :)
We paid off 13,976.36 in debt in 2015.

We've had so many good changes this year! My scripture for the year was "Many are the plan's in a [woman's] heart, but it's the Lord's purpose that prevails." As I'm about to write my goals for next year, I'm keeping that scripture in mind.

2016
This year is going to be an exciting whirlwind, I'm sure.  We have lots of changes coming in the next months!

1. I'd like to be intentionally grateful more.  I am a firm believer that we choose to be happy.   By being grateful, it's easier to be happy, joyful, and most of all content.

2. The obvious goal. I'd like to lose 15 pounds.  I don't pretend to be naive to the fact that I'm a curvy girl.  :) I've been that way since Junior High.  I strive for healthy, not small or skinny. I enjoy losing weight slowly. I've taken on Trim Healthy Mama. My mom told me about them and I really really like it! I, in fact, made a chocolate cake this week for my sweet tooth from a recipe in their book. It was delicious. Believe it or not, it was sugar free. I hope to share more about it in the coming months.

Corpus Christi (My home.)

3.  I'd like to read one book a month. I've made my list and will be posting about which books I'll be reading soon. Reading is vitally important.  If you tell me you don't like to read, I'd say you haven't found the right book yet! Reading gets my brain working and thinking.  I've read books this past year that made me a better Jesus follower, wife, and mother.

4. This is a huge goal for us this year as a family. We'd like to pay off $20,000 in debt. That's not all our debt, but it's a large chunk of what's remaining!  Our money is not ours.  Our money is God's.  We want to be good stewards of His money.  That means continuing on this journey. If not 2016, we'll be debt-free in 2017!

5. Blog more this year! Yes, including about finances and budgeting! Finances are such a HUGE part of our lives.  It affects everything we do. I don't feel that money is talked about enough. If it means sharing our past money mistakes in order to detour others from making the same mistakes then I'm going to keep sharing.

 I write this blog to encourage, uplift, and inspire.  I'm hoping you will find it so!

Happy New Year!

Love,
Leah

P.S. This is the evolution of their brotherly relationship.