Read and Reviewed: April 2012

I may have only read three books this month, but I'm still one book ahead for the year so it's okay.

16. When I Don’t Desire God by John Piper
This book is for the tired heart, darkened by joylessness. Piper offers hope to the hopeless and explains the means to awaken joy in the cold heart. I took notes as I read, uncommon for me, and it drove me to the Word time and time again. This book challenged, taught, and encouraged me. I commend it to you.

17. The Book Of The Dun Cow by Walter Wangerin Jr.
A novel concerning a Rooster and his Coop. This is the story of this Rooster, Chauntecleer, and the goings on within his Coop, the fight against the evil Wyrm living within the earth, and a Dog with a large snout and a Dun Cow. Within its pages are good and evil, hate and forgiveness, and loving sacrifice. Read it for yourself. Your time will not be wasted.

18. When The Darkness Will Not Lift by John Piper
This is basically a short version of When I Don’t Desire God (see book #16) although the back cover does not tell you that. I recommend the longer version if you’re going to just read one. This one was a great reminder and a summary, and although you would not guess it from reading the back cover, seems to be written to the friend of the person walking in the darkness rather than that person himself.

A Tribute: The Bogners

My scheduled time working for Matt and Hope with their children, Kaylyn and Emily, has ended. I hope that although my weekly time with them is over that this is not goodbye. I write this as a tribute to this family as I look back and remember fondly my time with them.

Matt: Thanks for the help with my car when the battery died. You came and picked up my couches and stored them in your shed. You invited me to be a part of your family, and I am so incredibly grateful.

Hope: Our little texts back and forth each week about my schedule with my, "Yup" and your, "Yep." The car ride to Ocean City for you to speak at that conference, and Emi chipping her teeth on the coffee table at the hotel. Your home became my home too when I felt alone in a new city. Thank you for caring about my heart and not being soley professional. It was so needed and I appreciate your encouragement.

Kaylyn: I remember swinging butterfly style, you sitting on my lap, on the swings at the park. Doing cartwheels, and playing tag. Going for walks around the pond, and catching butterflies in the backyard. Making bracelets out of bandanas and flowers out of tissue paper. Being silly; telling stories; making dinner together. Playing volleyball with balloons in the living room. You teaching me how to play Headbandz and playing with my hair while Emi napped. You reading sections of your books to me. I love your caring, sweet heart, KK, and I thank you for making me a part of your family.

Emi: So many trips to parks and playgrounds and the library and Hands On House and Park City. Coloring. Playdoh. Candyland. I loved playing with rocks out on the porch for hours, your creativity inspiring me. Crafts. Games. Tag. Teaching me how to dance to music. Making meals. When I met you, your favorite word was, "Stuck," and now you have grown into a little princess. Thank you for loving me well.

There are so many, many memories. My heart is full. I am blessed to know you and work for you; to love and invest in your children. It was an honor and a priviledge. I thank God for you.