2017 Books

How to Survive a Shipwreck by Jonathan Martin

Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher

After You by Jojo Moyes

The Selection by Kiera Cass

The Elite by Kiera Cass

The One by Kiera Cass

Be Known for Something by Mark MacDonald

Executing Grace by Shane Claiborne

My Notorious Life by Kate Manning

How To Be Here by Rob Bell

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

Guilty Wives by James Patterson

Peril at End House by Agatha Christie

Songs of Willow Frost by Jamie Ford

The Girl with Seven Names by Hyeonseo Lee

The Light Between Oceans by ML Stedman

Hillbilly Elegy by JD Vance

Passenger by Alexandra Bracken

The Professor by Robert Bailey

If I Run by Terri Blackstock

If I’m Found by Terri Blackstock

Vision in White by Nora Roberts

Of Mess and Moxie by Jen Hatmaker

Wayfarer by Alexandra Bracken

Falling Upward by Richard Rohr

The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen

Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann

Wool by Hugh Howey

Bad Christian: For everyone who loves Jesus, but doesn’t fit in church by Cathy Hutchison

Shift by Hugh Howey

Dust by Hugh Howey

The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy

Membership Matters by Chuck Lawless

Velcro Church by Ken Hemphill & Mike James

The Polygamist’s Daughter by Anna LeBaron

Beyond Belief: My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape by Jenna Miscavige Hill

Between Black and White by Robert Bailey

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

The Chemist by Stephenie Meyer

The Girl Who Dared to Think by Bella Forrest

Coming Clean by Kimberly Rae Miller

Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown

The Kiss of Deception by Mary Pearson

The Heart of Betrayal by Mary Pearson

The Beauty of Darkness by Mary Pearson

Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

A Wind in the Door by Madeleine L’Engle

What I look for in an elder

Our church is going through an elder search process. I honestly didn’t think much about it all until a few weeks ago when I decided that I really needed to start thinking about who I would like to see serve as an elder in our church.

But before I could do that, before I could come up with any names, I found that I needed to take a step back and really think about what I thought were the characteristics of an elder for me.  What kind of person would I throw my support behind?  What kind of person would I trust and feel like I could go to when I needed help?  What kind of person would I really trust to shepherd myself and my family?

I am a list-maker, so I decided I would make a list and see what happened.  So, on the way to work in my van (where I do all of my great thinking), I started my list.  I’d love to hear what you would add to the list.

  • Notice people
  • Interested in the lives of others
  • Pray for others
  • Approachable
  • Keep confidentiality
  • Ask others how they are doing
  • Listen – REALLY listen
  • Open about their lives
  • Honest
  • Appreciative
  • Open heart
  • Generous
  • Encouraging – Uplifts others (positive thinker)

This is not an extensive list, and others probably disagree with my list.  But for me, these are the things that I looked for in an elder. And after I created my list, choosing names was easy and fun. 

What is on your list?

10 things I want to do around Dallas

I’ve been thinking about things I wanted to do around town, and before I forget them I wanted to write the list down.  Maybe I’ll even come back and cross them off my list as they are completed.

Here’s the list:

  1. Go to Alamo Draft House – it looks fun!
  2. Top Golf – I’ve been told that I don’t have to know what I’m doing, so I’m in!
  3. Go to Look Cinemas – a few of my friends rave about it
  4. Go to an opera at the Winspear Opera House – I’ve been to a concert there but not a full-blown opera
  5. Go to Breadwinners – the food looks amazing and the atmosphere looks cool!
  6. Lockhart Smokehouse – the one in Dallas.  I love that area, and I’ve been wanting to try it – DONE!
  7. Pecan Lodge – while we’re talking about barbecue, I had to throw this one in.  Never been there, but I’ve always wanted to go.
  8. iPic Theater – yet another movie/eating experience I’d like to try
  9. Perot Museum – maybe in 10 years when it’s not as crowded!
  10. Eat at a food truck – either at Klyde Warren or the food truck park.  I’ve never eaten at one, and I’m dying to have the experience! – DONE!

What is on your list of things to do around town?