Jessica Shook's Blog, page 4

My Month in Books: February

As a reader, I don’t claim to be always on top of the latest hits. I’m not apart of any Book of the Month programs, and sometimes I’m a moody reader. Meaning, I choose what book I read next based entirely on what I feel like reading. (I’ve been in book clubs before, and often, they caused the rebellious teenager in me to revolt and holler “You can’t tell me what to do…”)

All that to say, in my monthly round-up of books read, you’ll see my diverse taste. But that might help you, as a reader,...

Seeing Opportunities in the Interruptions

“Come off by yourselves; let’s take a break and get a little rest.”

~ Mark 6:31, The Message Bible

I can’t even imagine the kind of emotional drain Jesus went through on a daily basis, but I can relate to the rest of that verse when it says, “For there was constant coming and going. They didn’t even have time to eat.”

Doesn’t this sound just like parenting young children? Every time I need to get some rest or work done, they see me or find me. I am rarely alone, barely even have time to coo...

How You Can Get Best-Selling Books FREE!

My son was staring at the bookshelves in our living room and asked me, “Have you read all of these?”

When I answered, “No,” he asked how many I had read. The truth is, I’ve read less than half of them.

Does that keep me from getting more books? No way. In fact, a friend of mine tagged me in an article this week on my Facebook page about why it’s so important to surround yourself with more books than you could possibly read. Phew.

Of course, this article talks about buying books to fill up you...

Pitter Patter – When Disappointment Tries Your Faith

Some of you may have heard this story. Some of you lived through this story with me. I’ve shared it with friends; it’s been included as a testimony in a mentor’s book, but this is the first time it’s appeared on my own blog.

I share it now with you, my readers, on the other side of heartache to tell you, God is faithful and able. Always.

In 2012, we welcomed our third child into the family: a beautiful boy, with a mop of dark hair and ever observant eyes.

But what very few people knew was the...

4 Things You May Be Forgetting to Celebrate

Have you seen all of these new national holidays being celebrated? I’m even guilty of heading out to get ice cream on National Ice Cream Day. (Although, I am a devout believer that every day is National Coffee Day. Am I right?) But are we forgetting to celebrate some far more important things?

As a homeschool mom, I wanted to add extra fun into our weeks and celebrate unusual (and sometimes silly) holidays when I ran across this blog post. It lists 106 holidays to celebrate that are fun for k...

The Balanced Life Myth And Bouncing Balls

Someone told me the other day that I had it all together. I’ll tell you what, I had to laugh. And I had to let them know that they were all wrong! I do not have it all together. Sometimes I don’t feel like I have anything together.

Case in point: today. Or this week for that matter. I feel like this week I’ve been running around like a headless chicken, not knowing which side is up or what day of the week it is. Today I was in minor crisis mode all day, and by the time I got home, I was exhau...

What Are You Waiting For?

I love traditions. One tradition that we have started is to take our kids ice skating over the holidays.

I automatically picture my kids over the years ice skating and each year wearing a bigger skate size, getting taller next to the railings, and no longer having to grasp a hand as they drift smoothly across the ice. I picture their smiles and imagine their laughter, even as their voices get deeper. I’m telling you, I’m a sucker for a tradition.

The first year we went, my two youngest boys w...

Don’t Let Your Gifts Stay Hidden + Backstage Pass to Shrapnel Scene

Have you ever uncovered a gift weeks after Christmas or a birthday that was hidden away from your children deep in your closet so they wouldn’t find it…but you didn’t either?

I hate when that happens. And yet I let it happen last year. Not with a physical gift, but with a gift of mine that I hadn’t drawn on or cultivated since my teen years.

When I was writing Shrapnel there was a scene where I included song lyrics. The scene was very pivotal for the character, Scott, and for as long as I had...

In Its Place – Poem

 

 

 

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How I Find Time to Read – Even with a Busy Life {Plus My Reading Goals}

A question I get asked the most is how I find the time to read…even with four kids.

The same way I wonder how people find the time to work-out every day or stay caught up on their laundry or watch all their Netflix shows. We choose our priorities.

My simple answer is: I don’t find time to read; I make time to read.

I know, I know. It’s easier said than done. So, how do I practically make time to read? Here are a few tips that I practice. 

1. Keep a book with you.

When you have a book with yo...