books that are our favorites

We are still battling the monster sickness called the flu over here.  We just love each other so much we decided to share.  And no amount of scrubbing with bleach or slathering hands with germ-x or washing linens several times a day has been able to keep it from spreading.  I really thought we were completely over it and I was surprised that Astair hadn't caught it.  But my hopes were short lived and my pretty little girl is now the last one under the weather.

I made homemade chicken noodle soup.  Used the last of our silver shield.  Packed the fridge with fresh berries and broccoli.  Replenished our supply of emergen-c.  And by the way, would you have any home remedies you would like to share?  This tired and desperate mamma will try anything!

I think I've avoided writing this post for some time now because I knew I would be tempted to throw myself a pity party.  Write an "It's my blog and I can cry if I want to" type of post.  A sick house= a humongous work load.  And I haven't been keeping it all together as well as I would have liked.  Okay, that's not entirely true.  The truth is I have failed miserably.  Miserably.  And I don't handle failure (in myself) very gracefully.

Thank God He does.

And He had to remind me that I haven't disappointed Him.  I can't disappoint Him.  He knows what I'm made of.  He remembers that I am dust.  It was HIS breath that filled my being and made my lifeless form pulse with life.  When I am the weakest, when I've reached the end of my strength and I readily admit it, that's when grace flows and His strength knows no bounds.  

It's almost like God releases a sigh of relief, "Phew.  I've been painfully watching you struggle and I've been waiting for you to hand it over to me!" 

So, I'm handing this house over to you, God.  And my weary mommy brain as well.  Come show us what you've got!

(What you just read was only the intro i.e. a much needed mommy venting.  Now on to what this post is really supposed to be about...)

We've been snuggling a lot and reading libraries of books.  My mom sent me a family collection of Vintage Little Golden Books and Wonder Books that my dad had back in the fifties.  We LOVE these old books! Every one is a priceless treasure.  We never tire of them.

We have several other favorite books as well.  Here's a few:

The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Loyd-Jones

I think I could write an entire post on this amazing book.  I still might do that.  My kids are enraptured by every story.  And I can't read it without weeping.  I've been known to sneak away for my devotions carrying only this book with me.  It's the stuff our souls are made of.

My ABC Bible Verses by Susan Hunt

I remember memorizing scripture for Sunday School as a little girl.  It amazes me that I can still remember those verses.  They truly are written on my heart and God brings them to my mind when I need them the most.  I want that deep well of Life to be available for my children.  This book makes it easy and fun!  Thaddeus, at five years old, has already memorized scriptures.  Some of the verses are a little long for my two year olds to remember, but they are growing just by hearing the Word of God.

The Christian Mother Goose Trilogy by Marjorie Ainsborough Decker

Okay, so maybe this one is really just my favorite.  Astair likes it, too.  But she likes it more for the pictures then anything else.  The pictures are so imaginative and playful.  And the rhymes are anything but ordinary.  I grew up reading these books and loving them.  The stories are delightful and yet full of moral muscle.

Hello, Sun! by Sheila Walsh

We've loved this book.  It reveals the heart of our Father toward His children in a way every little kid can understand.  We never look at rainbows without claiming them as a gift, a very personal gift from a very personal God who loves to give us gifts.

I'm learning that sometimes those gifts are wrapped up in ordinary days and unassuming moments, just waiting to be unwrapped for the treasures they are...