A few blogs I'm reading lately...

I rarely read actual books lately.  Actually I've never been much more than a beach reader anyway.  I will occasionally get on a kick and read an entire series of books during the summer, but it's not looking promising for the summer of 2013!  I'd like to blame my schedule, because as you know it's hard to read and drive or read and cook or read and do laundry.  Those are the things I do most when I'm not working on LifeWay stuff or selling oil and vinegar or at the pool with Sarah or crafting with Sarah.  And if you believe I'm crafting with Sarah I have some beachfront property right here in the KC metro area I'll sell you before you read my last post.

I digress...

The point is that I'm not much of a reader.  However, I do find time to catch up on my favorite blogs from time to time.  I'd love to start sharing a few of my favorites every week and hear some of yours.  Blogs are such a fun, quick way to keep up with everything from friends and family to trends in fashion or new recipes. I read several blogs weekly, but many I just read whenever the mood strikes or I have an extra minute or two.  Tonight I'll share just a few of my regular reads.

If you are a Southern gal or you know one, please do yourself a favor and check out boomama.net.  Boomama is Sophie Hudson from Alabama, and she's a riot.  I do not know Sophie personally, but I swear she's lived my life. She's one of the best storytellers I've ever read, and her tales of life in the south are just simple hilarity. In fact, her brand new book, A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet, came out this summer.  I read it in two nights.  My best friend and I must have called or texted each other 50 times in that 48 hour period just to say, "I swear that's us!".  If you aren't southern, then you might not totally get it, and you might be even more convinced that all us southern gals are out of control after you read it.  Then again, you might just understand me a little better if you check out Sophie's blog.

A local blog that I keep up with is lessonsfromaisle12.blogspot.com by Angie Wilkinson.  I count Angie as a personal friend even though we rarely see each other.  She is a fellow mom, women's minister, lover of Jesus and Bible study, and KC suburbanite.  I appreciate Angie's honesty and biblical perspective on everyday life as a mom, friend, daughter, and wife.  Angie has helped me with a couple of LifeWay events and I wholeheartedly believe that she will have a great book of her own out soon!  For encouragement in this crazy mom life, head over to Angie's blog!

I can't write about my favorite blogs without mentioning the ONE blog I read EVERY DAY.  If you are involved in any kind of women's ministry at all, you have to subscribe to blog.lifeway.com/womenallaccess. My friends at LifeWay Women update that blog daily with fresh encouragement for your walk with Christ as well as resources for your ministry.  A variety of folks guest blog for them, and I've even written a few things myself.  I retweet, share, text, and email this blog to poor Natalie (my church' s women's team leader) far more than she would like simply because it's so good!  Natalie would probably appreciate it if you all would check out the blog, and tell them Gayla sent you, simply in hopes that I'll stop bugging her!  The funny thing is that I'm pretty sure she subscribes to it but I just keep sending it to her...just in case she missed it.

And lastly, though this isn't a blog, I couldn't end this post without screaming from the rooftops about the best book I've seen in forever.  My brilliant, humble, Godly husband and pastor just had his first book released last week.  Refresh, A Moment with God in the Middle of Your Day, was released on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Refresh-Moment-God-Middle-Your/dp/1938514246) and Barnes and Noble (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/refresh-blake-mckinney/1115757166?ean=2940016798394). Blake's dreamed of writing a book, and we've prayed for this for 20 years.  These devotions have been written brilliantly for the purpose of refocusing you on God's love, mercy, grace, and specific direction during your everyday routine.  I know I'm biased, but it's a great addition to your devotional library.  It's actually trending on Barnes and Noble as one of the hottest moving books so maybe I'm not the only one who thinks it's worth the read!

I'd love to hear what you are reading!  What books or blogs not only entertain you but also make you think or bring you encouragement?  Let me know if you have a blog of your own!