MollyMadonna.com

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gleek!

There’s nothing quite like the synergy among a group of folks with the same passion and ambition to do something and do it well. This weekend was no exception at the first ever Gleek Retreat, held in Holland, MI at the beautiful and cozy, Into the Woods Retreat Center. It was a delight to be among 35+ amazing bloggers, their ideas and insights in tow. As I look to launch mollymadonna.com into a space where readers feel welcome, included, safe and informed, I’m so grateful to have had the privilege! A few highlights:

-getting the chance to glean from some amazing, well-versed bloggers-extraordinaire, including Melissa Summers, Donielle Baker, Katie Kimball and Courtney Velasquez

-Hearing from Neil Chase from Federated Media

-Speaking on a panel with Melissa and Neil about working with companies and PR

-Spending the night as a “sleeper” and enjoying all of the amazing camaraderie and food (thanks, Second Floor Bakery for the yummy midnight snacks!) that went with it

-The INCREDIBLE swag bags, provided by a great number of dedicated sponsors (my personal favorites include my new, shiny red Eco Usable water bottle, gift certificates from Canvas People and Uppercase Living, the latest Eric Schrotenboer CD, and tomatoes and a cookbook in sweet packaging from Red Gold). I was also excited to win a french press, coffee (Tulip Time Blend:) and a mug from the one and only JP’s Coffee

Did I mention that I learned some practical and helpful tips and tricks of the blogging trade (so good for me as someone re-entering the blogging world and hoping to do so on a connected, effective level)? The sessions and breakouts were fantastic!

One last detail not to miss about Gleek Retreat ’10…its beautiful and intelligent creators, Jodi Schaap and Stacey Heneveld. These two were brilliant for coming up with the notion to gather bloggers together in West Michigan as they did, and they arranged every last detail to the hilt. Kudos, ladies, on your determination and all of those late nights planning and prepping. We’re grateful!

All in all, my first experience as a “Gleek” was one for the books. Great people, great info, great food, great location, and…great new motivation for me to be back and blogging again. As the weekend winds to a close, I’m all kinds of inspired and re-energized. May mollymadonna.com be all the better for it!

gleek on 🙂

mm

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Find Your Strongest Life, Marcus Buckingham

Find Your Strongest Life

To be fair, Find Your Strongest Life isn’t the type of book I’d typically pick up. I was so intrigued, however, by the few endorsements I read–I couldn’t resist. In FYSL, Buckingham addresses a primarily female audience regarding happiness and success in every aspect of life–home, work, family, and all of the extras that fill up our days. Buckingham prefaces his Strong Life Test with stories of real women who have met both success and frustration in their lives over time, revealing commonalities, differences and the ways that decisions, determination and discernment have led them down paths with very distinct outcomes. Undoubtedly, any woman looking to improve some aspect of her own life will find traces of herself within the pages.

My copy of Find Your Strongest Life is now marked up with underlinings, arrows, exclamation marks, stars and the like. There’s not a page that didn’t shed some light or add value to my understanding of where I’m at today, where I’ve been, or where I want to be. If you recognize that there are areas in your life where you desire more success, happiness or fulfillment, this book will add value to your journey. It never hurts to learn more about who you are–especially when you’ll draw closer to your passions and your strengths in the process. Women of the world–find your strongest life! 🙂

This book has been reviewed in conjunction with Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Bloggers program.

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A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, Donald Miller

Donald Miller A Million Miles

A Million Miles in a Thousand Years reads to me like a very long journal entry–a stream of consciousness, almost, that refreshes because of it’s honesty. Donald Miller writes in reflection of his “story” process, brought to light by the opportunity to re-write his personal story for the big screen. As Miller realizes that he can effectively edit his life into a new version, he also acknowledges the greater lessons he has learned by living the life he’s already (and actually) lived–then guides as to how one might extract more meaningful “life” in the future.

I love that Miller recognizes the story in every one of us, and I particularly appreciate his candid, casual candor throughout. Miller writes in a way that makes you feel human; makes you feel like the air you breath and the laundry you’ve just finished might actually mean something you can’t yet see, but that the memorable accolades of yesteryear may not have defined us for eternity the way we once thought they did. The basic structure of a good story, Miller reflects, is “a character who wants something and overcomes conflict to get it.” This interpretation gives me hope. I’ve not met a single person who didn’t want something, then seeking to overcome an obstacle to get to where they wanted to be. This translates to me in a very tangible way. It speaks life into each of our unique stories and spurs us on, hopefully to pursue the greatness of God’s design for our lives, and the Kingdom that awaits us–welcoming our stories and our light.

A Million Miles in a Thousand Years was reviewed in connection with Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger Program

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Fearless, by Max Lucado

fearless.cover

Imagine your life without fear. In his latest release, Lucado approaches some of the most common fears we face, from worst case scenarios to violence, from protecting family to death, from financial insecurity to dissappointing God–and in each case, he eases the fear factor with solid reasoning, backed at every angle by confirming and reassuring scripture. Lucado relates personally in every chapter, sharing anecdotes from his own life, those of familiar names like Woody Allen and David Robinson and others that make ones own fears feel normal, tangible and conquerable all at once.

I thoroughly enjoyed Fearless, at first reading it without realizing how much I needed to reflect on the truths within its pages. Each chapter met a new level of concern–for me or for someone I know. I especially appreciated Lucado’s eight worry-stoppers in chapter four, making note of the very tangible way he suggests to acknowledge and eliminate areas of worry in our daily lives. Applying this new approach to fear–praying, heading off worries, evaluating the things I worry about most and letting God be enough in the process are all perfectly timed reminders!

Fearless is almost conversational–as if it were a chat over a good cup of coffee or tea. To read it is to sit down with a counselor for a “first session,” without any of the intimidation or fear you might expect would ensue; to reach the final chapter is to determine that you will no longer fall victim to your own fears as you once did, but rather that you will lean on a new, more complete understanding of the promises and love that Christ has to offer your life. Read it. Finish it. Then claim the truth that Lucado so articulately sets free in Fearless, and step a little more lightly into the day set before you, that you might “arise, and not be afraid!” (Mt 17.7)

Fearless was reviewed in connection with Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger Program

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The Noticer, Andy Andrews

The Noticer

Have you ever thought to yourself, “What difference does it make?”, or “What difference do I make?” Have you found yourself, or your life, in a state of unrest, unhappiness, unfulfillment? There are so many things that we think, do or say on a daily basis that we don’t necessarily recognize as important, life changing, even consequential. In his latest novel, The Noticer, Andy Andrews addresses the power of perspective in our lives, bringing to the forefront its capacity to change–not only our own lives, but the lives of others as well. Andrews’ character Jones speaks to a broad audience that almost any reader will resonate with on some level. He crafts a story that weaves the varying lives of a coastal town into one, common fabric that is hard to put down.

The Noticer is a refreshing read at a time when life for so many is filled with its challenges, dashed hopes, and discouraging turns. Within the first chapter, Jones becomes a friend you want to get to know better–a “best friend,” as he terms it, to many. I found myself rexamining my own life as Andrews reveals the lives of others, chapter by chapter. Surely there is a valuable nugget of wisdom (or three!) for anyone who takes the time to invest in this book. This will be one you want to read again–and one to pass on to those who matter to you most!

The Noticer was reviewed in connection with Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger Program 🙂