What I'm Reading: February

I mentioned a few days ago that I like to read.

I also mentioned that I'm going to start writing about what I'm reading, about what I'm learning.

In order to set attainable goals for my reading during the first half of this year (My only [big] goal for the second half of this year is to bond with my new precious while nurturing my bond with the original.), I've decided to write a monthly post (y'all can keep me accountable) to document the books that I plan to finish during the month. I'm excited.

Without further adieu, here's what I'm reading in February.

Ephesians (The Apostle Paul)
I shared with y'all that I've been having a bit of a struggle lately in my consistency with reading the Scriptures. (This is a lifelong struggle for sure as I intend to be a lifelong Bible reader.) As I was typing that vulnerable sentence a couple nights back, I text a few of "my girls" to ask where they're currently reading. (We all know that I have no girls [YET?] but there are a few females on planet Earth for whom I take personal responsibility.) Jessica responded that she's just starting Ephesians. Sweet! Me too! Anyone care to join me? I'll be posting any new, significant thoughts as the LORD leads.

Hosea (Hosea, Son of Beeri)
Taylor (Mink) also responded the she'd just started Hosea. SCORE! This text has been difficult for me as a lifelong mistress hater. But God has been busy about the work of healing my heart from past wounds. God has also shown me how I am always the adulterer in our relationship and even filled me with compassion for the unfaithful woman. I am pumped to hear (and share) the new insights He has for me.

The Gospel According to Matthew (Levi, Disciple [maybe])
Because I try to consistently read the life and teachings of Jesus.

Kisses from Katie (Katie Davis)
The story of a young Jesus-follower who left the comforts of an upscale Nashville adolescence for the slums of Uganda. Along the way, she founded Amizima Ministries and took in over a dozen Ugandan girls as her own. As someone who struggles to show compassion to the suuuuuuuper needy (you know - the bleeding, HIV positive, absolutely poor), I am both excited and nervous about the ways in which this book shifts my paradigm.

The Ministry of Motherhood (Sally Clarkson)
After reading the Mission of Motherhood last month, I cannot wait to dive into another Clarkson book chockfull of mothering wisdom. (I'll have to wait as it's on order from Amazon. Patience.) I am even more excited about this book than I am about all that I learned from The Mission .... because The Ministry ... promises to focus on the example of Jesus with His disciples and all that His patterns and teachings lived out alongside His men can teach us about our influence with the little disciples God has entrusted. Yippee for round two with Mrs. Clarkson!

Paper Towns (John Green)
I failed to mention my final two purposes for reading: 1. My own entertainment because, let's face it, winter is dreadful most any way you slice it for a South Georgia pregnant girl in Michigan. Sometimes we need an escape. (I read and John colors my book pages with his crayons. Win-win.) 2. I read to bond with my husband. Josh loves to read, and John Green is one of his favorite writers humans and I've yet to read anything the man's written! (Note: Josh has never read Jane Eyre, so we're even.) This year, I intend to read Josh's favorite Green novels in the order in which he loves them (his favorite first). He has already decided which I'll love the most/least. We'll see if he's right in a few months (maybe weeks ... we'll see how good they are as he couldn't put them down and finished each in a matter of days). Yep. A good little bonding exercise for my marriage.

So, there you have it: What I'm reading - February edition. What about you? What are you reading to pass this dreary miserable month during which I was born? Haha!

Happy February!