Well, it’s fall, y’all. I know that’s not news, but it actually feels like fall now in western Kentucky. We closed our pool, we’ve been wearing sweatshirts and jackets, Ben wrapped up his soccer and running club seasons, and our two favorite college football teams are having great seasons.
Highlights
Rachel keeps asking to go back on the “big, big Mickey boat,” so, obviously, our Disney cruise was certainly the highlight of our month. One of my favorite things about Disney vacations – the parks, the cruises – is the hospitality. I had to put some planning in before we went, but once we arrived on the boat our time truly felt like a vacation. For a mom who spends her days coordinating details for people, an actual mental vacation while on vacation is sweet.
That photo of us is from our stop at the top of a gondola ride at St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. I like soaking up porch views from all over the place!
Greg and I also spent an afternoon and evening in Nashville recently so we could have a date and see Ben Rector is in concert. I didn’t love our seats at the back of the main floor at The Ryman, but I loved seeing Ben Rector live and having time with my husband.
Favorite things
Partners in Care Foster Closet – I’ve had an idea to have a foster care closet for quite a while now. Greg and I have talked about it periodically, I’ve mentioned it to other people, but it just hadn’t been the right time to move forward. Until now! We’ve gotten to team up with a local foster mom to make this happen. It’s a new project that’s still coming along, but we have donated space, thanks to an area social services supervisor, and some donations of hanging racks with clothing for various sizes, toys, shoes, diapers, some medical equipment, and baby accessories. Partners in Care is operating as a project of our adoption and orphan care ministry at our church, so any donations are tax deductible. As foster families have new placements, we’ll be able to help provide them with some materials to make the transition a bit smoother. (You can learn more at Partners in Care on Facebook.)
Shellac fingernail polish – I feel a little unlike myself admitting this new obsession, but it’s true. Before I went to Washington D.C., I got my nails done for the first time in many years. I just wanted to because it made me feel fancier and more put together than my normal life. I got talked into shellac polish by a few other women in the salon. Y’all, it LASTED weeks, and really the only reason it needed to be redone a month or so later was I had chipped one thumbnail and the polish there. Plus my nails were growing out so much (another win for polish that keeps me from picking at my nails!) that there was an unpolished portion beneath the color that was starting to look strange. Anyway, that’s the story of how I came to love having professionally shellacked nails.
Chris Tomlin’s “Holy Roar“– This new worship CD takes me right to the throne of God wherever I’m listening. I reviewed the CD earlier this week and am giving away a copy, so be sure to enter to win by Thursday evening.
From the bookshelf
“A Secret to Die For” by Lisa Harris – I’ve been a fan of Lisa Harris for several years now, and her books keep getting better. This one is a fast-paced suspense novel with a touch of romance. The whole book takes place over just a few days, which kept me wanting to turn the pages. In addition to the case at hand, this novel touches on the value of vulnerability, processing grief while still living, and how God isn’t afraid of our doubts and questions. I like when fiction novels don’t shy away from important real-life messages and Harris does that well with this story. (I reviewed this one in a previous blog post.)
“Whisper Me This” by Kerry Anne King – I got this one for free several months ago, thanks to Amazon Prime’s monthly free book choices, and I really enjoyed it. I actually added some more books by this author to my to-read list, which is forever growing.
“The Almost Sisters” by Joshilyn Jackson – This fiction read had a lot of layers to its story, but it was well written and enjoyable.
“Hope Your Heart Needs: 52 Encouraging Reminds of How God Cares for You” by Holley Gerth – This is a new devotional I’m happy to have around here. (I also wrote a review of it earlier this month.)
“The Storm-Tossed Family: How the Cross Reshapes the Home” by Russell Moore – This is my current read, and I get the feeling I’ll be sharing more about it around here. Stay tuned because I’ll share more about this one.
On the screen
“Suits” – We finished the seven seasons on Amazon Prime. Obviously, if I’m willing to binge watch that many episodes without quitting it, I recommend it to you. Now I’ll be waiting for season 8 to be included with Prime.
“New Amsterdam” – A friend suggested I watch this one, and I’m glad I listened. Ryan Eggold (aka Tom Keen from “The Blacklist”) is the main character who drew me in.
What have you been watching, reading, and loving this month?
*****

Sounds like it has been a wonderful month in every way! And I am with Rachel on this one … I want to go back on “big Mickey boat” too 🙂
I’m with Rachel too! 🙂 Thanks for being here, Joanne!
Hi, Kristin! I always enjoy your month-in-review posts. And I’ve been looking at Russell Moore’s book, wondering if it’s something I need to read. . .sounds as if it might be.
I got distracted by a fiction book and one I’m reading for Bible study, but I’m really liking Russell Moore’s book. Thanks for being here, Michele!
So neat to hear about the foster care closet! Some folks in our former church started something similar in Knoxville called the Compassion Closet (https://compassioncloset.com/). Such a wonderful ministry. Both church groups and individual volunteers come in sometimes to help them sort through and organize donations.
I haven’t looked much at Amazon Prime’s monthly free book choices, thinking I probably would not be interested in most of them. But I should take a closer look!
We enjoy New Amsterdam, too. In some ways, the massive reforms the new medical director wants to take aren’t realistic (firing the whole cardiac surgery department at once), but it’s the kind of thing we wish someone could do! And many of the other reforms are implementable. But most of all I like the show’s heart when it focuses on the doctors’ and patients’ stories.
Oh, I’m excited to hear about another foster care closet! That’s awesome! The Kindle free monthly books are hit and miss, but there can be good ones in there. They’re usually new, which means it’s taking a chance, but they’re free, so no risk! 🙂 I agree completely about New Amsterdam. Thanks for being here, Barbara!
That is so exciting about your foster closet! Such a great resource for families helping kids!
Thank you! I’m glad you’re here.
I love the clothes closet for foster parents/kids time of transition. Wonderful! You have great ideas and I love how God keeps using you to help form community in whatever you do. Also….been thinking about trying out New Amsterdam. We love The Black List. If I get hooked it’s your fault! LOL Kidding.
I really appreciate your encouragement. I really hope the foster closet takes off and is a blessing to many families. Let me know what you think of New Amsterdam. 🙂
“The Big Mickey Boat” sounds wonderful! I have been debating about taking my grandsons on a cruise for a few years now. This sounds like one they would love!
We really love Disney cruises! The entertainment is excellent and so family friendly. I’m glad you’re here, Laurie!
Looks and sounds like you had a fantastic trip! I’ll have to check out that Chris Tomlin cd!
Be sure to enter to win your own copy in my post from earlier in the week! 🙂
You have rocked my world. I did not know about Amazon Prime first reads, but I will be following it now! laurensparks.net
Amazon started emailing me about it at some point – it’s such a great perk!