Simply Tuesday, where do I begin? It is a book of grace, of moments, of God's whisper that His power is made perfect in weakness. It is a book that slowly comes into your life and changes you when you're not looking. It is a book that soon fills with pink highlighter marks and hurried penciled notes on almost every page. And for me, it is a book that changed my life.
But I get ahead of myself.
Simply Tuesday's purpose is for Christians to have "small moment living in a fast-moving world." Which is why I don't think that Emily would mind that I took my time reading it. It grew with my my freshmen year, comforting me in just the right times, often bring tears to my eyes.
Because Emily speak so much truth in this book. Truth that speaks to the soul. Truth the helped me understand the soul. Mainly, though, truth about the Truth, Jesus, and how He works among us even now.
She talked of how to be where we are, not where we want to be. She wrote on how to work for excellence instead of perform for perfection. She invites us to look for meaningful, soul-inspiring community and not competition. She describes how to joyfully sit with Jesus in the fog of life, in the crossroads of desire and disappointment. And in all of this she speaks with a Christ-centered focus that's refreshing and real.
Emily writes with such elegance and rawness that I ended up underlining every other sentence and wanting to scream out "YESSSSS" several times, even when I sat in public. Throughout the book I seriously considered if Emily and I were the same person because she oftentimes described life just as I see it. And then she talked of how Jesus taught her to see Him more clearly in this life, and I just had to freak out a bit.
One of my favorite quotes from the book, one that encompass the theme so concisely is as follows:
"Let's dig deep, not to create meaning where there isn't any, but to see Christ, our companion, where he actually is, not where we wish he was. Let's gently poke our sleepy souls, refusing to wait for a big event to wake us up. Let's stop running from ordinary time but begin to sit right in the middle of it." (page 48)
Oh how this book taught me to sit in the ordinary time and see something extraordinary. This extraordinary life isn't always beautiful, but is good and for the glory of God. This book taught me joy even in the midst disappointment. It taught me a soul-rest that transformed last year to something of true beauty.
All of this to say, I recommend this book highly to all of those seeking a soul-rest and adventure in Christ. In fact, thinking back on this book, I convinced even myself to read it again!
Because I want you to read this book so much, that I'm giving a copy of it away! All you have to do to enter is leave a comment. I didn't want to make this giveaway about gaining followers or promoting something, for something always seems fishy about that. No, I'm just giving it away because I so very much want to see what y'all think about it! (Too bad I don't have funds enough to buy a book for each one of you!)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Also, be sure to check out Emily Freeman's encouraging, soul-opening blog.
Leave a comment about one of the books that has changed your life. Do you now want to read Simply Tuesday? And y'all, I cleaned my desk for these pictures, and I'm pretty darn proud of it!
Princess Hannah
This book looks amazing. I will probably buy my own copy if I don't win this one!! :D GAH, just from that one sentence, I am already in love with her writing style!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for doing a giveaway, Hannah!! :)
~Megan<333
(megans-journals.blogspot.com)
You will fall more and more in love with Jesus and Emily's writing as you read the book. Almost every line is Twitter worthy, hehe!
DeleteThat quote you put in from the book DOES sound just like you! And yes, I would like to read this book. It's actually been on my "I Would Like to Have These Books" List for a little while, because of you!
ReplyDeleteI feel so honored! And yes, you must read the book!
DeleteWow, that book looks amazing! Thank you so much for having a giveaway for it! =)
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing! Best of luck for winning!
DeleteThank you for the giveaway, Hannah! I have heard of Emily before and I'm excited to read her blog! :)
ReplyDeleteI entered!
With love and all joy,
Allie D.
www.alliesblogdesigns.blogspot.com
www.friendlovesatalltimes.blogspot.com
www.sevenbloggersandtheirdolls.blogspot.com
www.sincerelyallied.blogspot.com
www.spreadingmyjoy.blogspot.com
Yes, she brings a breath of fresh air to the internet!
DeleteThis sounds so good!
ReplyDeleteAnd you are so sweet for doing this:)
xoxoxo
I know you will love it! And thanks!
DeleteHi Hannah! I found your blog through Allie's Featured Friday linkup, and I've been loving reading through your posts!
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds so good, and it's looking like I'll have to get my hands on this myself!
I'm so glad to meet you! And your blog looks so chic and professional!!!
DeleteWow! That looks like a super good book!!
ReplyDeleteI think it's redundant to say that I agree. Can't wait to see what you think of it :)
DeleteOHMYGOSH I NEED THISSSS! Thank you SO much for doing this giveaway! <3
ReplyDeleteYAY BOOK LOVERS AND CHRIST FOLLOWERS GEEK OUT!!!! And you're welcome :)
DeleteIt's great to read your review of this book - I have heard of the before, but never paid a lot of attention. Now I think it sounds like something I need to read! And your photos are pretty - cleaning your desk definitely paid off. ;)
ReplyDeleteIt deserves a little attention, so I gave it some! And yes, sometimes I just stare at my desk and smile.
DeleteI'd love to red this! Although, I will tell you right now, I'm not allowed to do giveaways, so I can't enter, sadly. >.< I'll probably by my own copy once I turn sixteen (I'm only allowed to buy books once a year, and that's my birthday).
ReplyDeletexoxo Morning
I am so sad about this. Why can't you buy books?
DeleteThe shortened reason: I'm the only book nerd in a family who doesn't read much, and my parents have an irrational fear of bookstores ever since they got trampled during what they didn't know was a midnight book release party several years back. It's kind of sad. :/
Deletea fear of bookstores... this makes my heart very heavy.
Delete...okay I probably shouldn't be laughing right now, but honestly I'm cracking up. I was just checking back to see who won the giveaway and saw this. Why were they at a bookstore at midnight??
DeleteI really want to read this! It looks great:) <3
ReplyDeleteYou would LOVE it, Grace. It helped me a lot, and considering we are so similar, it will probably help you too!
DeleteThis book sounds wonderful, this was a fantastic review. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
https://twilighttodawn.blogspot.com/
Thank you! I'm not too experiences with book reviews, so I just winged it :)
DeleteAND THE NEW BLOG IS FAB!!!!!!
If I don't win it, I'm buying it. From the snippet I LOVEEE her writing style
ReplyDeleteYOU MUST!!!!! The whole book is like that and even better!!!!
DeleteOh my goodness. I need this book in my life. I've been really trying to press into cherish the now instead of trying to plan tomorrow! Lovely post! I love to highlight and mark up books and then pay them forward and let them speak to other people, that's my favorite.
ReplyDelete-JR xx
This book may be the most marked up book I own! And it survived quite a lot, considering it lived in my backpack for almost a year.
DeleteYour review!! It's lovely. This book sounds amazing! I would love to read it sometime in the future. =) Godly devotionals have been a blessing in my life.
ReplyDeleteAnd, by the way, do you take those gorgeous photos?!
//Hosanna Emily
Yes, it is a lovely book! And yes, I took the pics!
DeleteDear Hannah,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for giving us all the wonderful opportunity to enter for this book, which by the way sounds amazing. I would love to read it! :-)
Love in Christ,
Ashley
creatingpreciousmoments.blogspot.com
ashleysyarnworks.blogspot.com
Thank you so much for this comment Ashley!!!
DeleteWow, this book encompasses so much of what I want in my life right now -- slow paced joy, intentional living, eyes fixed on Christ. It sounds amazing, and looks adorable (as do these sweet photos!) I love taking the time to dig into a good book. :)
ReplyDeleteP.S. I just looked up her name on my local library catalog, and found a different one of her books to check out. Thanks for the recommendation! She seems like a rad author. :)
Yes, all of those things are exactly what the book is about. It is one that you will love!! And yes, she has other books that are on my to-read list as well!
DeleteThis book looks wonderful! I'd really like to read it now... oh, for the money to buy all the books ;) as far as a book that has changed my life- other than the Bible- I'd have to say Mere Christianity, but C. S. Lewis! That book just changes your thinking. Love it.
ReplyDeleteI love C.S. Lewis! He is so intelligent and thoughtful! I haven't read Mere Christianity, but it is on my to-read list!
DeleteSounds like a wonderful book! Thanks for sharing. :D
ReplyDeleteIt is! Thanks for the comment!
DeleteI totally understand/appreciate the struggle of cleaning off your desk for the perfect flat lay lol--but this seems like a lovely occasion. I've never heard of Simply Tuesday before, but now I definitely want to read it!! I'd say the books that changed me are Captivating (by John and Stasi Eldredge, about God's special pursuit of the feminine heart) and Hiding Place (by Corrie Ten Boom, it's an incredible example of faith and trust in the face of awful circumstances), they're incredible!
ReplyDeleteYes, the desk is a great backdrop! I haven't read Captivating, but it sounds great! And I love The Hiding Place! Thanks for the comment!
DeleteThank you for the wonderful comment on my blog!!! I will be for sure taking a look into your blog!
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks! And I look forward to checking yours out as well :)
DeleteThose are some gorgeous photos! Such a lovely post!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I;m practicing and using my newest photoshop tools!
DeleteSounds like a very nice book. I have the same feelings about a book that's so good you want to buy it for everyone. I have the same book that I wish I could just give to every single person. Thanks for doing a giveaway! :)
ReplyDeleteI think that I get it from my dad. He buys so many copies of his favorite books to keep on hand- ready to give them away at a moment's notice.
DeleteThe photos you took of this book are simply breathtaking. Which may be one of the reasons why I'd love to win this book. ;) But I'd also like to win it because I think it is just so amazing how this book has influenced you and I love that you want us all to read it as well. <3
ReplyDeletexx Mackenzie
Thanks! I haven't done too many layouts like this, but I'm practicing! And yes, the book is sooo lovely! Thanks for the comment Mackenzie!
DeleteWhat darling pictures! I'm all hearted eyed over here, girl. ;) And I'm so excited for this giveaway, I've been meaning to give this book a read since it came out! Stay lovely,
ReplyDeleteAbbey Noelle
Aw, thanks so much Abbey! I loved taking these pictures, embracing my inner blogger. And this comment is a light to my eveing!
DeleteI've heard you say so many great things about this book that I am compelled to read it! I think it's so cool you're doing a giveaway and I love reading your blog :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Joy!!!! It means a lot coming from you!
DeleteI've entered! I pray you have a wonderful second year of college!
ReplyDeleteMrs. Micha
YOu've just made my morning a bit brighter Mrs. Micha! Thank you bunches!
Delete