A Semi Book Review

Is it possible to hate a book and love it all at the same time? Well if it is, then that is how I feel about Ann Voskamp's book, One Thousand Gifts.

Here are the reasons that I didn't like the book:
1. The writing style- I really hate poetry. I know that probably makes me a bad person, but I do. I would rather someone just say what they mean instead of using flowery language to dress up what they are saying to the point of people having a hard time understanding what they mean. I mean, come on, just say it like it is. Anyways, Ann rights in a very poetic manner, and it was like torture trying to get through each chapter. However, if you like poetic writing, this book is for you.
2. Redundancy-For the most part I felt like she just kept saying the same things over and over again. I found myself page after page saying/yelling, "I get it! Let's move on to a new point." I almost feel like I could have read the first chapter and the last chapter and still have gotten the same value from the book. Some people may enjoy the redundancy and the reinforcement of the point she was trying to make, but I didn't.
(Note: I know the internet is smaller than we like to think, so Ann if you are reading this, keep reading. It gets better, I promise. And sorry for dissing your writing style. I'm sure it is perfect for some people).

The previous two things made the book a pain-staking read for me. I was so glad to be done reading it. But even with all of those negative things, this may have been one of the most enlightening books I have ever read.

The whole premise of the book is about thanksgiving, or as she calls it "thanksliving." She believes that to really live this life to the fullest, and to have the most joy possible, we must live a life of thankfulness to God in every situation. The book title comes from a project that she did to make a list of 1,000 gifts. Her list not only consisted of the common things that people often list as things they are thankful for (family, friends, house, etc.) it also included the most random little things ("laughter at twilight, glow of the front porch light, the last cry of geese"). She argues that with each act of acknowledging and offering thanksgiving for a gift from God (no matter how small and no matter if it is in the midst of a difficult circumstance), that we are able to bask in the love of the Father. This produces joy and great intimacy with Him.

This idea of a life of thanksgiving, really affected me. I tend to be a complainer (that may be a bit of an understatement), and I also have a tendency towards jealousy (another understatement). I know that both of these things are sinful, and I long to rid myself of them. As I was reading the book, I realized that the best way to combat these things in my life is to constantly express my thankfulness to God for the gifts he has given me (even the ones that manifest themselves in difficult ways). There is not as much of an urge to complain when you are focused on the positive. And there is no need to be jealous of others when you count the ways that the Lord has blessed you on a daily basis. A life of thanksgiving causes you to live fully in the present, reflect with gratefulness on the past, and trust the Great Provider who holds your future in His hands.

I don't really know if there has been any outward change that people have noticed in me after reading this book (although I hope that there has been), but there has definitely been an internal change. I have experienced the Father's love in ways that I have never experienced it before. And although I will never be rid of the sins of complaining and jealousy, I have found that in those moments where I want to complain or am feeling jealous, if I will just take a minute to count the gifts I have been given, those feelings subside.

I am so thankful that I read this book, even though it was hard for me to read. I have now started my own list of 1,000 gifts, and I am loving the effects that it is having on my life. And I would encourage you to do the same. I pray that Thanksgiving will not just be a day in our calendar where we stuff ourselves with food and say a few things we are thankful for. But rather, I pray that it will be a way of life--that every day we give thanks to the Giver of all good things for his abundant gifts.

The Love Affair

So, I have begun a love affair. No, not with a man, but with my new Crock-Pot. I have only used it once, but let's be honest, it was love at first sight. I mean, it's kinda like having a personal chef that will cook for you all day and then deliver a delicious meal. I'm hooked.

My inaugural Crock-Pot meal was this "Super Easy Crock-Pot Soup" that I found on Pinterest. It was indeed super easy, and it was also super delicious.

Super Easy Crock-Pot Soup

1 can of Rotel
1 can of corn
1 can of black beans (drained & rinsed)
2 frozen chicken breasts (I couldn't believe that you could use frozen chicken breast! I hate thawing meat.)
8 oz cream cheese (I used 1/3 fat cream cheese)
1 packet dry ranch dressing
1 tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
Put all ingredients in crock pot and cook 4-5 hours on high. Shred chicken, and enjoy!