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The Power of Thoughts, Entanglement and an Emotional Affair: My Interview on the Mud Stories Podcast

October 8, 2015 by Amy Leave a Comment

Heather and I recorded her podcast episode last Saturday. It was a last-minute one, although I’d been thinking on it for weeks. As I was sitting there, a message popped up from Jacque, would I, could I, record my emotional affair story for her podcast Mud Stories? Do you know, though, we’re 10 years out from this relationship and 4 since the eBook and I’ve never really spoken out loud about it publicly? But without hesitation, I said yes. Remember how God has been calling me to speak this year? Yeah, this is one of those open doors I’m walking through.

I find God’s timing is impeccable to have both my sister and I sharing our stories of brokenness and redemption the same week in the same format. It’s a tale of two sisters, both with very different stories, but at the heart, finally learning that God is the lover of our souls.

It’s my prayer that even if we don’t share the same story, that you too would be beckoned by our Savior in your own mud, throw off whatever entangles you and fix your eyes on Him.

Listen right over here.

Divergent Movie Review

March 21, 2014 by Amy 4 Comments

Looking for a short thumbs up or thumbs down? Look no further: GO SEE IT!!!

For all the others looking for the scoop:

Y’all. I always know when my sister and I look at each other with cheesy grins throughout the entire movie that we have a fangirl-worthy movie on our hands.

So, forewarned, my inner fangirl is writing this.

So, the beginning of the movie was pretty strong on its own. I thought the writers did a great job of setting up what was going on for those that hadn’t read the book. Ashley Judd does a wonderful job of playing Tris’s mom.

Surprise #1: “Fitz” from Scandal is Tris’s dad. Clearly I didn’t do much ~~fangirling~~ research on this movie beforehand. When he showed up on stage, both of us were whisper-screaming, “FITZZZ!” The only thing that would have made this even better is if Olivia Pope was involved somehow.

I loved watching the scene when Dauntless members were jumping off the train. Very classic book moment realized on screen.

Watching Tris pick Dauntless, jump off her own train and then jump down into the Dauntless headquarters were all great moments too.

Then.

Four shows up.

Holy cow, y’all. This is the part my sister and I look at each other and were like, yeah, this movie just got good.

Surprise #2: Four is Mr. Pamuk from Downton Abbey that died in Mary’s bed!

So, yeah, I’m not sure what to say here except that I’m a fan of Mr. Theo James.

He’s quoted as saying, “I know I often get a job because of how I look. I hope that I keep the job because of how I act.” From someone in the audience, I’d say he does. I heard that Veronica Roth basically swooned when he auditioned.

He was the perfect amount of coolness to Tris and yet showed just the right amount of interest in her as their relationship progressed. It really was a journey watching them through the movie. Even though their romance was actually secondary to the main plot, it was my favorite part. Of course.

The writers also did a great job of including pivotal moments like Christina getting nearly killed and Tris getting saved by Four from a band of guys trying to hurt her.

The Ferris wheel scene was just great too.

Oh, and all the dream stuff where you were watching their fears was just wonderful too. I was wondering how they would handle that and they totally pulled it off.

One of my favorite scenes, though, is at the end when Tris and Four are saving the Dauntless members from killing Abnegation and Tris and Four face off. Watching them fight after he couldn’t even stand watching her fight the others was equal parts riveting and terrible.

My only complaint about the movie is that Peter’s character didn’t come across the way I remembered him. He was much less intimidating and more Class Clown looking than I-could-kill-you kind of looking and acting.

Beyond all that, I love the movie for the reason I loved the book—I like exploring the idea that we’re all a little of everything. We don’t have to fit in a box (or faction) and we can be who we really are and that can, in fact, save us. Watching all that through an action-packed, romantic lens…sigh…well, it just makes a girl happy.

I’ve rambled a bit here because it’s been two days since I saw the screening and I’m trying to remember all the wonderful things about it. Suffice it to say that if you read the book, you should definitely check it out and I’ll be shocked if you’re not pleased. If I think about it enough, I might even be willing to say that in some ways, I liked the movie better. Yes, I’m gasping too. Perhaps I couldn’t like it so much had I not the read book, but still. I’m pleased with the movie to say the least.

Check it out this weekend and let me know what you think!

Oh and one other unrelated note…it’s now going to be super weird seeing Tris and her brother Caleb play Hazel and Augustus in Fault in Our Stars. Right?! At least we have until June to work that out.

I was provided two free tickets to the screening. All opinions are my own.

What I’m Into – January 2014

January 31, 2014 by Amy 20 Comments

Oh, January. What a month you were.

What I Did

This month will forever be known as our “the wreck” month. We spent so much time on Autotrader, Craigslist and in car lots trying to find our next car.

We also worked hard to get our budget back on track after ~~Christmas~~ last year. We broke out the envelopes, spreadsheets and watched our mint.com account like a hawk.

Between me and Lexi both getting sick and several snow days, we also had a lot of family time together. I realized yesterday afternoon when I went to get the kids from school that I had not been outside my house other than in our yard since early Monday evening!

If you missed the post earlier this week, I knocked out one of my yearly goals this week and finished my first sewing project. I found I loved sewing and actually, finished my second project this week! Emma helped me make her a nightgown that you see above. This second project was actually much easier than the first!

What I Listened To

We’ve been entertaining ourselves with the Frozen soundtrack. We love the song “In Summer” most. We also have been singing “Do you Want to Build a Snowman?” during all the snow. Did you hear there’s a sing-along version coming out this weekend? We might just have to go.

What I Watched

I know I put this in last month’s post, but we continued to race through White Collar and finished up to Season 4 where Netflix stopped. We continue to enjoy all of the characters on the show and it was great watching Neal evolve at least a little bit through the last seasons. The relationships are just fantastic–Peter and Elizabeth, Neal and Peter and Neal and Mozzie. All such great dynamics.

I’m also watching Downton Abbey and Sherlock this month since they’ve been back. I had to rewatch Sherlock twice this week to get everything that happened. So great. Sherlock was especially good with the little boy at the beginning and his speech was just wonderful—in an awkward and terrible sort of way.

And here’s something I’m not watching: American Idol. I got out of the habit with the judges last year and even though I hear good things about the panel this year, I’ve been enjoying all the time I have in the evenings without it. If there’s a must-see performance, feel free to leave it over on the Facebook page for us all to enjoy. Jen Hatmaker’s list last night about this season nearly has me convinced to check it out, though.

What I Read

The Paris Wife – This might be the first book that I just could not get into and sent back to the library unfinished. I can’t pinpoint one thing in particular I didn’t like. All I know is I spent two weeks making such little progress I decided I didn’t care enough to finish and it was wasting my time.

The Secrets of Happy Families – I mentioned this book in yesterday’s post. I think it’s a great book for anyone to check out. While a lot of it deals with families with kids, I can see it being applicable to just about anyone. We’re all a part of some type of family, yes?

Notes from a Blue Bike – This book by blogger Tsh Oxenreider comes out on Tuesday and I’ll be talking more about it next week. In short, I’ll say it’s a good one.

So, that was my January. What things have you been into?

Linked up with LeighKramer.com

Twitterature – April 2013

April 19, 2013 by Amy 6 Comments

Joining with Modern Mrs. Darcy for her monthly link-up for books called Twitterature. The premise of this link-up is to share short, casual reviews of books we’ve been reading.

The past month has been busy as I finished up several books in one weekend and then started my Growth Plan which includes a ton of books.

I’m trying out a new gallery plugin to display the reviews–let me know what you think!

Pursued by Jud Wilhite

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Whether you consider yourself a “good girl” always striving to be perfect or a “bad girl” with a past, Pursued will remind you God wants you just as you are.

BundleoftheWeek.com: Marriage Resources

February 4, 2013 by Amy 2 Comments

Good Monday morning to you!

Very excited to share that my eBook Entangled is part of BundleoftheWeek.com’s marriage package this week!

image courtesy of bundleoftheweek.com

If you’re not familiar, BundleoftheWeek.com packages several related books each week and sells them at a fantastic rate.

This week’s marriage bundle includes 5 books worth over $30 for only $7.40!

Here’s what you’ll get this week:

15-Minute Marriage Makeover by Dustin Riechmann ($10)
15-Minute Marriage Makeover is more than an ebook; it’s a plan designed to refresh your relationship, add sizzle to your sex life and bring more happiness to your marriage. And all of that in just 15 minutes a day! The exercises in this book focus on the four pillars of a happy marriage — communication, romance, intimacy and finances — with time management tools, mini lessons, couple time tasks and a weekly date night to review the topic of the week.

A Simple Marriage by Corey Allan, PhD ($4.99)
Written to help you experience more in your marriage, A Simple Marriage: The Path to Experiencing More in Marriage and Life is a compilation of Corey Allan’s experience as a husband and counselor. Not only will it show you the foundational principles that are present in every marriage and an understanding of where you currently are in your relationship, but it also provides the encouragement, tools and steps to help you invest in your marriage today, whether your spouse is interested in participating or not.

Stripped Down by Tony and Alisa DiLorenzo ($8.99)
In Stripped Down: 13 Keys to Unlocking Intimacy in Your Marriage, this husband and wife duo show you how to create a solid marital foundation by placing God at the center of your relationship, establish family boundaries, improve communication, make your bedroom a sanctuary, have fun together and much more. With frank conversation and practical advice, this ebook will walk you through exercises to invest in intimacy and reconnect with your spouse.

Entangled by Amy Bennett ($4.99)
Through her own story, Amy gives readers an honest, detailed look into an emotional affair and how God restored her marriage. In Entangled: Recognizing Your Emotional Affair & Restoring Your Marriage, she shares what an emotional affair looks like, how to get out of one and — most importantly — how God can meet your deepest need for the love you’re seeking.

The Husband’s Guide to Getting Lucky by Marla Taviano ($2.99)
With Marla’s candid humor, The Husband’s Guide to Getting Lucky clues guys in to the way their wives operate and gives them practical suggestions for being husbands their women want to make love to. Although it’s written primarily to men, The Husband’s Guide to Getting Lucky provides insight for both men and women into what makes their other half tick and how to achieve a fulfilling sex life.

Love this bundle, especially since I’m sharing it with my online buddy Marla Taviano. Hi, Marla!

Praying these will be great resources for you and your spouse!

This post includes affiliate links but I’m glad to share this bundle affiliate link or not—I’m kinda partial ;) Thanks for supporting Permission to Peruse!

A Kindness and The Valley of Vision

January 10, 2013 by Amy 13 Comments

I’m feeling a little spoiled this week. Not even the fact that our 3 year old washing machine decided to die Monday night has deterred me from celebrating a small random act of kindness. You’d like to hear about it and celebrate too, yes? {Oh, and there’s a giveaway at the bottom}

Last week I got a direct message on Twitter asking for my address. Immediately, I thought it was spam but after a quick conversation realized it was not. One of my long-time Twitter friends Joshua had seen something I’d posted online and wanted to send our family a gift.

I couldn’t for the life of me remember saying we needed or wanted anything in particular so I waited to see what might be coming.

I was all smiles when I opened the package Tuesday night to find two books–The Valley of Vision and Godspeed.

I don’t even remember where I heard about the book The Valley of Vision anymore. Somewhere in the social media world is all I recall. The collection of Puritan prayers has been on my Amazon wish list longer than any of the others.

Upon opening, I did an ohhhhh… I immediately remembered someone recently posting a picture of The Valley of Vision on Instagram as one of four books they had purchased for the new year. I had commented saying it was on my wish list and I needed to bite the bullet and get it.

Joshua hadn’t commented and I didn’t even know he had read it. Actually, I’m still assuming that’s where he saw that I wanted it. He had a copy sitting in his office and decided to pass it on as a family gift. He also sent Godspeed, a book his pastor (and boss) had written.

Scott and I were so blessed to be recipients of this random act of kindness. We agreed we wanted to read them together. It was such a small gesture, but huge in my eyes. Please don’t doubt the impact a small gesture can make on someone.

I cried the first three prayers I read. All of these were written hundreds of years ago by Puritans—Christians that were very devoted to prayer and meditation.

I don’t know how much I can reprint here but I wanted to share snippets of a prayer I read this morning.

It’s entitled “Morning Dedication”

Let those around me see me living by the Spirit,
trampling the world underfoot,
unconformed to lying vanities,
transformed by a renewed mind,
clad in the entire armour of God,
shining as a never-dimmed light,
showing holiness in all my doings.

Let no evil this day soil my thoughts, words, hands.
May I travel miry paths with a life pure from spot or stain.

May I speak each word as if my last word,
and walk each step as my final one.
If my life should end today, let this be my best day.

Whew. That last line is a doozy.

I don’t know if you can get the full effect of the prayer but there’s something about it that centers me.

I’m all for talking with God in conversation and just putting my concerns and worries out there as they are. But, I admit, having these as a guided prayer, reminding me of the basics, if you will, and knowing they were written hundreds of years ago by Christians following the hard and narrow path has been quite a blessing.

Not only are they a gift in and of themselves, knowing they were given as a gift has made them all the more powerful.

So two things today—do that random act of kindness and consider buying The Valley of Vision.

And finally, in the spirit of passing on the random act of kindness, I’d like to pass on a copy of a book on my bookshelf that meant much to me—The Life You’ve Always Wanted by John Ortberg. Just leave a comment and I’ll randomly (ha) pick a recipient.

Favorite Things 2012

December 21, 2012 by Amy Leave a Comment

OK so I missed The Nester’s Favorite Things 2012 Link-Up but I’m still going for it! Maybe you’ll find something for that last-minute gift or you’ll know what to spend all those gift cards on next week!

Travel Coffee Cup

Please, please, please dump those metal travel mugs and pick up one of these. Tastes so much better!

Neutral Lipstick

I went on the hunt for the perfect neutral lipstick from Mary Kay and Whisper won hands down. It’s my go-to color for everyday.

Hart of Dixie Season 1

I fell in love with the folks of Bluebell this year. Hart of Dixie Season 2 has been a little sketchy but Season 1 is DVD repeat-worthy.

Mary Kay Tinted Moisturizer

I started using this during the summer when I didn’t want thick makeup on and I loved it so much I just keep using it.

Blue Suede Shoes

2012-02-23

Unfortunately the exact blue suede shoes I bought from Nine West are no longer available but they do have similar ones available. I thought I’d only have one or two outfits to wear with these but it turns out they’re extremely versatile. Who knew?

Leopard Print Shoes

And on that note, my leopard print shoes have gotten more wear than almost any shoe I own this fall. They work as a neutral and give just about any outfit some extra interest.

Love Does

Love Does just might be my favorite book not just this year, but of all time. Totally inspiring, worthy of multiple reads, applicable to anyone, this is a must-read book. (My detailed review)

Alrighty, that’s a few of my new favorites from this year. Would love to hear one of your favorite finds from 2012!

Words

July 25, 2012 by Amy 8 Comments

I finished a book Kaitlin sent me last night called Thirteen Reasons Why. It’s a teen novel based around a girl that commits suicide. Now, before you check out, it’s not as depressing as it sounds.

The premise of the book is before the girl commits suicide, she records a tape for each of the 13 different people (reasons) that she pinpointed that led to her death. Before she dies, she sends the tapes to the first person on the list and then insists they listen to all of them, pass it on to the next person and if anyone fails to do it, the tapes are released to the public.

One boy that she did like and liked her is on the list and that’s who we follow as he listens to all the tapes.

It may seem a little grotesque to read an entire novel which serves as a suicide note but the story reads like a murder mystery, each chapter unfolding how the person affected this girl’s life.

I finished it in 3 sittings and I can’t shake the book from my mind today.

As you can imagine, many themes emerge from the book but I walked away remembering we’re all connected and even the tiniest of encounters, words, or actions can greatly affect those around us, even if they aren’t directly said or done unto a person.

I thought specifically about gossip and how I really have struggled with that over the years. Not that I made up lies and spread them or purposely spread untrue things. But I think at some points in my life I prided myself in knowing something another person didn’t. It took a few times of breaking confidence and hurting people’s feelings that I learned my job was not filling a person in on the finer points of someone else’s life.

Gossip is not just hateful or untrue talk. It’s ANY chit-chat over someone else’s personal life. Sure, there’s a time and place for talking about specific situations but overwhelmingly, it’s just plain old gossip.

Proverbs 18:8 from the Message says it like this: Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy; do you really want junk like that in your belly?

It’s junk. Just plain old junk.

Track your conversations for a week and you’ll see pretty fast if this is an issue. If it is, stop it. I can say this because I had to say it to myself at one point. Just quit talking about e’erbody else!

In the book, you really see the affect of gossip and people’s opinions of each other. They drove this poor girl to her death. Let’s not believe the lie that our words don’t have the same power.

Curious, I looked up in the Bible about words and I determined there’s only two ways it refers to words. Life and death. That’s it.

Either your words are defiling, rash, corrupting, obscene, angry, careless, wrath-provoking, foolish OR your words are healing, graceful, life-giving, salty, gentle, satisfying, and joy-inducing.

Which is it?

Let’s be a people whose words heal and not hurt.