We Must Be Brave

I finished this book last week. I hadn't heard of this book and picked it up on a whim at the library when I was there with my girls.  Rarely do I get library books for myself there.  I have a stack plenty big at home to read and who knows if I'll get it read on time to return it, but it was good read.  It isn't my fast favorite or anything like that, but it was a very good read.  I did struggle with some of the writing and the English culture clues I had to think on a little harder since it isn't normal for me, but the story was compelling and sucked me write in.  I cried through parts of it in a way that makes me know I'd have to make similar choices in the best interest of the children. 

John

• Jesus is the light of the world and was there at creation
• When Jesus came His own people didn't recognize Him
• John tells people about Jesus and that he is unworthy to even untie Jesus sandals
• Jesus starts collecting followers
• Jesus performed His first miracle at a wedding turning water into wine when His mother let Him know the wine had run out
• Jesus went to the temple and Jerusalem for Passover and He knew all people
• Jesus love for the temple motivated Him to throw out the money changes and corrupt business buying and selling in the temple
• A Pharisee, Nicodemus, comes to Jesus and believes He is from God, but even as an important Jewish leader, didn't understand
• We must be born again to enter the kingdom of heaven (Holy Spirit)
• Jesus and John the Baptist were baptizing followers and John was happy more were going to Jesus: Jesus = more important, John = less important
• God gave Jesus the Spirit fully
• Believe Jesus = eternal life
• Pharisees had heard of Jesus so He left Judea for Galilee via Samaria
• Jesus asks a Samaritan woman for a drink at the well; He tells her of the living water and her 5 husbands and she tells the town the news
• He stayed in Samaria 2 days and many believed
• A King's officer from Capernaum went to Galilee for Jesus to heal His son; Jesus sends him away telling him his son will live; he and his people then believed
• Jesus heals a man, sick 38 years, at the pools on Sunday and Jews begin to persecute Him
• Jesus authority comes from God; Jesus is the Son and works to please God, not Himself
• Jesus fed 5,000 who had followed Him with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish; then He went to the hills alone
• The followers went ahead in the boat on high waves, when Jesus walked out on water to them, calmed them and their boat was at their destination right away
• Jesus is the bread of life (His flesh); whoever believes has eternal life
• Spirit gives life
• God leads people to Jesus
• Jesus knew who believed and who would betray (Judas)
• Jesus brothers don't believe and people aren't talking openly about Jesus in fear
• Jesus teaches what comes from God, not Himself or other teachers
• Don't judge by looks, but by what is right
• Jews wanted to kill Jesus but He kept teaching because it wasn't the right time and some people were confused why He could keep teaching if His death was wanted
• They try to arrest Him; Jesus says not yet, but soon I will go where you can't find me
• The Holy Spirit will soon come for people
• People didn't agree with each other about Jesus {and they still don't today}
• The people bring Jesus a woman in adultery and ask if they should stone her for her sins; Jesus says the person without sin can throw the first stone; they all left, but Jesus
• Jesus is the light of the world, God is His witness
• Jesus does only what is pleasing to God and to know Jesus is to know the father, but people don't understand
• All honor comes from God
• The people bring Abraham, their father, to the discussion claiming Jesus cannot be greater than him, but Jesus says He was before Abraham and people throw rocks at Him
• People believed God talked to Moses and Abraham but not Jesus
• Jesus heals a man born blind and the Pharisees question him
• Sheep follow the voice of their shepherd because hey know him; follow Jesus, know his voice
• A good owner/shepherd protects His flock and doesn't leave when a wolf comes; He calls his flock together
• The people through they knew God better than Jesus
• Mary and Martha's brother Lazarus died and they sent for Jesus; Jesus went knowing he was dead and wept with them, but they went to the tomb and Jesus rose Lazarus from the grave
• Caiaphas foretold Jesus death to save many, the Jewish people
• Mary poured expensive perfume on Jesus days before the Passover (preparation for death)
• Leading priests decide they want Lazarus dead to since that miracles is making believers
• Don't say 'father save me' but 'father, bring glory to you'
• Jesus didn't come to judge but to save
• Accept Jesus people = accept Jesus = accept God
• Jesus washes disciples feet
• Jesus talks of His death and Judas betrayal
• Jesus tells Peter he will deny knowing him 3 times
• Jesus is preparing a place in heave for His followers in the many rooms
• God will send the Holy Spirit to His people
• I am a branch, Jesus is the vine; can do nothing without Him
• Love each other as Jesus loves us
• Jesus is a friend
• Jesus followers don't belong to the world
• Jesus tells of what the Holy Spirit will come do
• Short term sadness at Jesus leaving will lead to long term joy
• Jesus will have victory over the world
• Jesus prays for His glory and His followers and those His followers teach to be safe, to join Him and to see the glory
• Judas leads them to arrest Jesus in the garden
• Simon Peter cuts of fa servants eat that comes to arrest and Jesus tells him to put the sword away
• Jesus is questioned by leaders and officials and Peter denies knowing Him
• Jesus connects one of His followers with His mother as family on the way to the cross
• The Jews choose to crucify Jesus and He dies and is buried
• Mary Magdalene finds the tomb empty and gets the followers
• Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene and she rushes to give the message to the followers
• Jesus appears to the followers in locked rooms twice
• Jesus did so much more on Earth than is written
• Jesus appears again
• Jesus tells Peter to take care of His sheep
• Don't worry what Jesus is doing in another person (no comparisons); focus on your work Jesus leads you

A couple questions I had when reading John:

• Why does the writing describe one as "the one Jesus loved?" Why not list the name?  Jesus loved them all.
• There was a week between the first two times Jesus revealed himself to his followers after his resurrection, where was be the rest of the time?

Hope Heals

I finished this book on vacation last week.  It was an amazing story of love.  Yes, it was a story of hope too, but love was certainly profound throughout the story.  In sickness and in health commitment.  Their unwavering commitment to kindness, faith and each other is inspiring. 

Lilac Girls

This book has been on my to read list for awhile, and a co-worker recently had offered it up to borrow.  So of course I jumped at the chance!  In exchange I lent her The Alice Network, which is similar in nature and content. 

This book was an excellent read and compelling story of the strength of women and the challenges I fortunately cannot relate to in my life, but have compassion and love for the strength these women show in their suffering.

A friend of mine also recently told me that people who read stories are some of the more compassionate and loving people.  I hope that is something good that comes of my reading! 

Cereal

Ruth told me this morning when I poured her cereal into the bowl that she didn't need milk with her cereal.  It takes the flavor away from the cereal.

Elinore woke up this morning and the first words were: mom, my birthday is soon! She is SO excited for her upcoming birthday and her first birthday party with some friends from school.

With Love, Mom

I finished this book of short essays about being a mother of daughters and being a daughter while we were on vacation.  It was a good read, and may be even more impactful as my girls age.  It's a reminder to be a present parent and daughter.