love to paint

One of the best books that I've read in the past two years is Love in the Driest Season by Neely Tucker .  It is a memoir about adopting a girl in zimbabwe, the foreign press, racism in America, biracial marriage, and many other things.  It opened my eyes about why we should care about Africa.  Before I read that book, I was very ignorant about why the United States helps Africa to the extent that we do.  I am thankful that God helped open my eyes with that book. Since reading that book, I've read several more memoirs hoping for a similar eye opening experience.  I enjoy reading about people's lives and what they've learned along the way.  Sadly, I have read several disheartening memoirs since that first one.  But, I've still held out hope that I'd find another enjoyable one to read. And I did. Two weeks ago, I sat down with Choosing to See, written by Mary Beth Chapman with Ellen Vaughn .  Two years ago, the Chapmans youngest child Maria di...

Two days ago, I started reading Mary Beth Chapman's book Choosing to See.  It was a rough night and I had just received the book in the mail that day for review.  God is so gracious in the little things.  I pulled it out and laid on our bed.  I began reading.  I felt comforted and strengthened as I read.  My hope was renewed by the Lord in those moments. I haven't listened to Steven Curtis Chapman's music in a long time, but many of his lyrics are in Mary Beth Chapman's book and I began singing them in my head.  I was reminded of how powerful his songs are.  The video above is of a song from the album Beauty will Rise.