Summer Reading

This summer i've read more books, that i've actaully wanted to read, and have therefore enjoyed, than ive been able to in a really long time! They have really contributed to the work Christ has done in my life this summer... and since transformation is crucial, i thought i'd pass along the titles.
Don't Waste Your Life, John Piper-- it's an easy read, yet deeply challenging. Not to live for what the world esteems as important... but that the Cross of Christ would direct our steps and to live for the supreme glory of God is what we were created to do.
Prayer, Philip Yancy-- this book is a humble and straightforward attempt to understand and reveal the truths about prayer and the prayer life of a follower.
Strong Women, Soft Heart, Paula Rineheart-- this book hit me right between the eyes. It's a convicting and deeply compassionate look into the heart of a women... the hurts we've experienced and how often we let those hinder the joy created us for, and damper our ability to love others as Christ has loved.
Walking With Christ, John Eldrege a intimate look at the life of a man and his attempt to practice the presence of God over the course of a year. The prayers, thoughts, convictions, and life stories of how God is intimately involved in our daily lives and how he desires only joy for us. That requires wholeness, in HIm, and holiness in our ways before him.

I recommend all of these to you... they are amazing!!

When A Cow Wakes You Up

So every July ranchers bring their cattle up to the National forest... i guess to let them eat and get all fat before sausage season. So we knew they were coming... and i was prepared. They told me that hundreds and hundreds of cows would be traveling the road... but i didn't think it would be as entertaining as it actually was!!
On wednesday... the day before i knew they were coming... my family and i were driving out of the valley... only to come across them already on the move.


So... they only got a little bit up the road that day! Good thing...
But... thursday morning... July 10th was the day everyone prepared me for. We had set up fences and everything...
So my family left around 7am... and i went back to sleep. At about 9 i woke up to a harmonious mooing from my window. Yup. the cows were here. I jumped out of bed to make sure the fence was closed... too late. They had already broken through our makeshift fence... and we now grazing our pond, and everywhere else. There were a lot. Hundreds. Quiet the scene!!
So i shooed off a few to find that they are easily scared : ). Anyway... i chased off probably like 50-60 cows yesterday. In my basketball shorts and my rainbows... not to cowgirl... but that's alright! It was funny. Here's the video i made... right after i woke up. Hence the low manly voice! : )