I got lost in a book this week.
I plopped down on a couch, simply to look at the cover of a book that caught my eye. Before I knew it, I had been reading for over an hour. It was WONDERFUL and SO relaxing!
Ironically, the book was not one that would typically hold my interest -- it contained a lot of history! But, somehow, I was captivated. The book was sitting on a table in a room with a grand piano and a gorgeous chandelier. (I was at The Castle Inn at Riverside in Wichita, KS.) I have no doubt that the ambiance of this particular room made the book that much better!
The book was titled, "Love Letters," and contained envelopes and packets that held replications of actual letters from known names like Dylan Thomas and Robert Browning. My favorite letters were the ones that were written by men who in the wars and anxiously awaiting to get home. The art of writing can be so beautiful -- I love it!
This morning, I spent some time in a book called, "Getting Rid of the Gorilla." One of the things I want to work on in my own life is the act of forgiveness, as it does not come easy for me. A friend from church recommended this book to me. I am really becoming quite fond of it because it doesn't dwell on what I already know: why I should forgive, how to forgive, etc. Instead, the tone of the book is very 'understanding' and encouraging, and the book reconfirmed to me how much God truly loves me. That is exactly what I needed today.
Until next week,
Sarah
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Week 8, PRABE #7
This week has been a race against time, and it's only about to get faster. As such, I have not been able to complete my reading all in one piece but in several, shorter increments.
I am very close to finishing "The Five People You Meet In Heaven." I have nothing to complain about regarding this wonderful book with wonderful real-life lessons (a great thing about Mitch Albom books), other than the fact that it has made me cry. This book is about a man who dies in an attempt to save a little girl in an accident. The moment before his death, he feels two hands, and the very next moment, he is in his afterlife. He discovers that upon entering Heaven, you meet five people who explain your earthly life. He longs to find out so many answers to questions he had in life, but primarily, he is left wanting to know if he was able to save the life of that little girl.
I am considering watching the movie of this story, but I have a feeling that it won't hold a candle to reading the book!
The other book I have been reading when I have short moments of time is "Laugh Yourself To Sleep: Offbeat Devotions for the 'Unconventional' Woman." This book has definitely prompted some giggles and has truly been a FUN read. I recommend it to anyone who is needing some light, funny content.
Until next week,
Sarah
I am very close to finishing "The Five People You Meet In Heaven." I have nothing to complain about regarding this wonderful book with wonderful real-life lessons (a great thing about Mitch Albom books), other than the fact that it has made me cry. This book is about a man who dies in an attempt to save a little girl in an accident. The moment before his death, he feels two hands, and the very next moment, he is in his afterlife. He discovers that upon entering Heaven, you meet five people who explain your earthly life. He longs to find out so many answers to questions he had in life, but primarily, he is left wanting to know if he was able to save the life of that little girl.
I am considering watching the movie of this story, but I have a feeling that it won't hold a candle to reading the book!
The other book I have been reading when I have short moments of time is "Laugh Yourself To Sleep: Offbeat Devotions for the 'Unconventional' Woman." This book has definitely prompted some giggles and has truly been a FUN read. I recommend it to anyone who is needing some light, funny content.
Until next week,
Sarah
Friday, February 17, 2012
Week 7, PRABE #6
I am so lucky to have a friend at work who shares her books with me! :) I finished up One More Day, and I started another Mitch Albom book yesterday, "The Five People You Meet In Heaven."
Wow. I'm not sure what it is about these books, but I am in. love. "One More Day" was a little more sad than the others, but it was still a great book full of real-life applications. It really made me stop and think about what I do with my daily gift of 24 hours, and whether or not what I'm doing is a.) worthwhile and b.) making me a better person.
Several parts of this book made me think about different circumstances that people are facing that we may be completely unaware of, and I specifically began thinking about my role as a teacher with my students. I need to always remember that each child will be entering my classroom with a different story, and some of those stories are not going to be pretty.
One of the quotes that reminds me of students says this: "...there's a story behind everything. How a picture got on a wall. How a scar got on your face. Sometimes the stories are simple, and sometimes they are hard and heartbreaking."
I pray that I will always remember this as I continue my days as a teacher. Kindness and gentleness should always be present with these little, impressionable lives.
~Sarah
Wow. I'm not sure what it is about these books, but I am in. love. "One More Day" was a little more sad than the others, but it was still a great book full of real-life applications. It really made me stop and think about what I do with my daily gift of 24 hours, and whether or not what I'm doing is a.) worthwhile and b.) making me a better person.
Several parts of this book made me think about different circumstances that people are facing that we may be completely unaware of, and I specifically began thinking about my role as a teacher with my students. I need to always remember that each child will be entering my classroom with a different story, and some of those stories are not going to be pretty.
One of the quotes that reminds me of students says this: "...there's a story behind everything. How a picture got on a wall. How a scar got on your face. Sometimes the stories are simple, and sometimes they are hard and heartbreaking."
I pray that I will always remember this as I continue my days as a teacher. Kindness and gentleness should always be present with these little, impressionable lives.
~Sarah
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Week 6, PRABE #5
Over two lunch periods, I started AND finished another Mitch Albom book. (Yes, I love him!) This book is a non-fiction work, called, "Have A Little Faith." Albom writes about one of the most difficult tasks he has ever faced in his life: writing the eulogy for his rabbi. This rabbi isn't just another "man of God." He has been with Mitch from the very beginning, watching him grow up, guiding him along the way, and teaching him valuable life lessons.
My favorite quote from the book will be one that I hold onto for a long time. I think it is so appropriate for all of us in this class, as future teachers.
"The most inspirational man I knew only reached his potential by helping a child reach his."
It will forever be my prayer that I will always do my best to help my students reach their potential, and by doing so, I will reach mine.
Until next week,
Sarah
My favorite quote from the book will be one that I hold onto for a long time. I think it is so appropriate for all of us in this class, as future teachers.
"The most inspirational man I knew only reached his potential by helping a child reach his."
It will forever be my prayer that I will always do my best to help my students reach their potential, and by doing so, I will reach mine.
Until next week,
Sarah
Friday, February 3, 2012
Week 5, PRABE #4
In the past few years, I have developed an intense interest in autism research. As such, I enjoy reading various books about the topic, ranging anywhere from sensory issues and eating habits to immunizations and behavior analysis.
The book that I have been enjoying this week is titled, "Mother Warriors: A Nation of Parents Healing Autism Against All Odds," by Jenny McCarthy. In this text, Jenny has collected a number of personal stories from parents who are raising an autistic child. Some of them express concern regarding immunizations, some express the frustrations of daily battles, and others express heartache and grief from losing a young child.
I like this book because it is really making me think outside of the box. It makes me set my personal views aside and consider someone else's true situation. While we can certainly take a stance on something, it is important to remain open-minded about others' opinion, especially when they have first-hand experience with the matter at hand, such as having a child with autism.
I look forward to finishing this book in hopes of learning more about this topic which has greatly affected my own family.
Until next week,
Sarah
The book that I have been enjoying this week is titled, "Mother Warriors: A Nation of Parents Healing Autism Against All Odds," by Jenny McCarthy. In this text, Jenny has collected a number of personal stories from parents who are raising an autistic child. Some of them express concern regarding immunizations, some express the frustrations of daily battles, and others express heartache and grief from losing a young child.
I like this book because it is really making me think outside of the box. It makes me set my personal views aside and consider someone else's true situation. While we can certainly take a stance on something, it is important to remain open-minded about others' opinion, especially when they have first-hand experience with the matter at hand, such as having a child with autism.
I look forward to finishing this book in hopes of learning more about this topic which has greatly affected my own family.
Until next week,
Sarah
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