A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS

FAVORITE NEW BLOG: Jasmine L. Holmes: Not a Mommy Blog

From Jasmine's "about" page: "This blog is my attempt to create a little corner of the internet to reach out and encourage women in all stages of life." Jasmine does just that.

Young, female, black, Reformed...could she be any more of a target for public dismissal, ridicule or hostility? And yet, Jasmine reveals a wisdom beyond her years as she writes with courage, clarity, grace, humor and transparency. Her posts consistently challenge my thinking and encourage me to live out my faith in the day-to-day.

FAVORITE LOCAL BUSINESS: Soleil Garden Center

Located on the north side of Union City, Tennesse, at 2317 Nailling Drive, Soleil Garden Center provides a wide variety of plants and garden supplies to meet your landscaping needs. A walk through the Grand Pavilion is like a walk through the Garden of Eden.

But the beautiful plants, gurgling fountains, and unique gift shop are not the reason I love Soleil. I love Soleil because of the people who own and operate Soleil Garden Center. They treat my youngest, one of their employees, like family. According to my daughter, not only does she work at a place that looks like a fairy garden, surrounded by beautiful flowers and plants, but her bosses make her feel appreciated and truly loved. Helen sincerely looks forward to going to work every day, and I think that says a lot about the people she works for!

If you live in Northwest Tennessee, stop by and say Hi! You can check out their Facebook page HERE.

FAVORITE READ SO FAR THIS YEAR: Changes That Heal, by Dr. Henry Cloud

I am reading a lot of books this year. Back in January, I set a goal of reading two books per month. I have averaged a book a week. Fiction, theology, history, biography, technical books on writing, classic literature, old favorites, new releases...I am trying to keep it varied!

Twenty books into 2018, my hands-down pick for if-you-only-read-one-book-this-year-make-it-this-book is Dr. Henry Cloud's Changes That Heal. Okay, I admit it: I am totally blown away that a book on mental health is trumping even C. S. Lewis for me this year. Maybe it's the timing.

From the back cover: "In Changes That Heal, Dr. Henry Cloud, a renowned clinical psychologist, combines his expertise, well-developed faith, and keen understanding of human nature in a four-step program of healing and growth."

Reading through this book, I feel like Dr. Cloud has been a fly on the wall in my physical house...and in my heart house. Numerous case studies bring clarity to the various topics Dr. Cloud discusses, and his practical, easy-to-understand advice has been a game changer for how I understand myself and how I relate to others.

These are a few of my current "favorite things" - what's on your list of favorites?