Author: Laurel Luehmann

Things worth remembering

• hiking, bridges, and chili
• writing more letters and journaling more profusely
• so much mud
• the first snow of the season
• pizza and The Village
• raking cornstalks and hauling bales
• the Christmas lights adventure
• the face paint that didn’t come off
• the loudest game of Life I’ve experienced
• accusations, meme-worthy moments, and a toast

What I’ve been reading

The Boys in the Boat – Daniel James Brown

This book came highly recommended from my dad, and I’ve so been enjoying it! I love the variety that the triple timeline provides.

50 People Every Christian Should Know – Warren W. Wiersbe

Still enjoying this one!

These High, Green Hills – Jan Karon

I’m still sad they tore one of my favorite characters from me, but – no surprise – this book was a joy.

The Mouse and the Motorcycle – Beverly Cleary

Toy! thought Ralph indignantly. This ambulance is carrying medical supplies to the sick.

Rereading this one was so much fun! I love how the author really captured what it feels like to be a child longing so much to

The Doll People – Ann M. Martin

It had been forty-five years since Annabelle had seen Auntie Sarah. And forty-five years is a very long time, especially for an eight-year-old girl.

I enjoyed this book when I was younger, and it’s been fun to read through it again!

From the journal

Even here, in this present darkness, Your goodness is writing comeback stories in the flesh and bones of the wounded and wounding. Great are You, Great are You, Lord! What mercy this is!

There is hope and there is beauty, in and beyond this present darkness.

I know that even when this life feels dry, You are the source of living water. Don’t let me forsake You in pursuit of temporal, more visible wells.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase something through one of the links I share in this post, I receive a small commission…at no extra cost to you.:)

Things worth remembering

• joining a new Bible study
• blood sausage conversations
• live music and sunlight
• the bonfire and the northern lights
• all. the. stairs.
• creating a fake crime scene for a Sunday school lesson
• leading worship with a friend
• prayers answered and prayers refined

What I’ve been reading

Cathedral – Maya Joelle

You are worthless, and yet you deserve so much more than you are given. I tear you apart with contradiction.

This book has become my go-to collection of poetry for autumn, and I’m savoring it. It really is a gem.

50 People Every Christian Should Know – Warren W. Wiersbe

“Life is the only cure for death, not the prescriptions of duty, not the threats of punishment and damnation, not the arts and refinement of education, but new, spiritual, Divine Life.” – Christmas Evans

This is essentially a collection of mini biographies, and what a joy it’s been! Learning about the lives, ministries and habits of such giants of the faith has been refreshing and a challenge for me in the way I live my life.

These High, Green Hills – Jan Karon

“You didn’ say nothin’ to th’ Lord ’bout my beans,” Louella reminded him.

“I didn’t?”

“Jus’ th’ cornbread,” she said darkly.

Yes, another Mitford book! It’s just as cozy and humorous as I was expecting.

Frost Light – Danielle Bullen

“We all think that we are so brave, so selfless lifting these things that we are too selfish to see don’t even need to be carried alone.”

Still enjoying this one!

From the journal

Cleanse, Father. Heal. Do all that must be done to make me the truest reflection of Your heart that I can be.

…it’s been so good for me to hear the stories of relatively short lives that left a deep impact on the church, not because of their scrambling to be all and do all at once, but because they delighted in the presence and work of God and framed their life around it.

Struck again in Matthew 1 by the value of upright men quietly walking difficult paths in obedience to the Lord.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase something through one of the links I share in this post, I receive a small commission…at no extra cost to you.:)

I keep saying this, but…what a month! XD

Things worth remembering

• dancing the Jitterbug with my grandma
• the county fair
• watching the trailer races at aforementioned county fair
• INTENSE heat and humidity
• the concert that wasn’t and the subsequent sunset
• songwriting with a friend
• a photoshoot with friends and a host of mosquitoes
• the fights that were much more enjoyable to watch than the baseball game
• more intentional reading
• getting the notes for Project Redemption from my developmental editor (!!!)

What I’ve been reading

Holy Hygge – Jamie Erickson

Who you turn to when the stakes are high – when the responsibilities are mounting – says a lot about whom you trust.

Guys, I FINALLY FINISHED IT!!! As in, you won’t be seeing this book pop up over and over again in the monthly recap posts as it has been lately. XD It was a good and thought-provoking read with a healthy dose of questions to lead to action steps.✨

Giants in the Earth – O.E. Rolvaag

The sun had no strength these days. It peeped out in the morning, glided across the sky as before, yet life it had not until toward evening, as it was nearing the western rim of the prairie. Then it awoke, grew big and blushing, took on a splendour which forced everyone to stop and look; the western sky foamed and flooded with a wanton richness of colour, which ran up in streams to meet the coming night.

Goodness, this novel on pioneer life in the Dakota Territory has been fascinating. The author gets into the heads of his characters so well, and the descriptions of the prairie are gorgeous. (The book does contain a good amount of mild language…just something to be aware of.)

Once There Was a Bear: Tales of Before It All Began – Jane Riordan

“Oh,” said Tigger, who couldn’t quite remember if a hum was something to eat or something to sit on. “Tiggers like those, too.”

The Winnie-the-Pooh books by A.A. Milne are some of my favorites, and the author of this prequel did a stellar job preserving the spirit of Milne’s characters and narrative style! This book has been an absolute delight.

From the journal

Oh, but Jesus, my story was never supposed to be about me and my achievements, anyway. It’s all about You being strong through me, even when I can’t seem to take a step forward.

Can’t I trust the seedling to the hands of the One who planted and watered the seed in the first place?

What made this July memorable for you?

❤ Laurel