Lindsey Nobles

Last Christmas when I was in Texas with my family, we went to this A-MAZ-ING independent bookstore in Plano, Legacy Books.

Legacy Books was the kind of bookstore where you get lost in books. You wander around for hours and discovering new authors, exciting adventures, and gourmet recipes. You sip on lattes while browsing through a magazine you would never buy. You find things you never knew you needed.

And after working for a bookstore chain for five years, this is quite a feat. Now-a-days, I walk into bookstores and have a hard time relaxing. I want remerchandise. (Anyone who has spent an extensive amount of time working in retail knows what I mean. It is hard to resist the urge to straighten, tidy, refill) Perusing a bookstore is much more fun than remerchandising. Take my word for it.

Baby Kate

I love all bookstores, but I really loved this bookstore. And thankfully so did my nieces. But don’t take my word for it. Check out their smiles. Each one of them. (more…)

On Saturday, I am headed to San Francisco and the Napa Valley. To say I am excited, doesn’t really cut it. I am elated, beside myself, about to burst.

My traveling companion is a good friend, Sarah, who I have gotten close to since I moved to Nashville. This summer Sarah is moving to Chicago – she got a fancy job to match her fancy degree from Owen — so this time with her will be exceptionally special. We will be joining forces with one of my best friends from Birmingham, Allison, who moved to San Francisco last year. I miss “Ali” so much and secretly pray that we will get her back to the South soon. Maybe I can convince her of this after a glass of wine or two? (Of course I am kidding, I would never do that ) (more…)

This Spring in my Crosspoint Community Group, we have been studying a book called Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero. Big title, right? It’s a big study too. It is the kind of book that makes you dig deep, ask tough questions, and work through your issues – and let’s face it we all have issues.

Last week the focus of the study was on Chapter 7, “Growing into an Emotionally Healthy Adult.” We talked about the importance of loving others maturely — treating them as human beings uniquely created by Christ instead of as a means to an end or an object. Easier said then done, right? During the conversation, Jenni Catron said, quoting Pete Wilson (who was perhaps quoting someone else but I have no idea whom – maybe this lady or maybe this man or maybe someone else entirely?), “Hurt people, hurt people.” (more…)

It is really starting to feel like summer. (If it would only stop raining here in Nashville? I swear you’d think we live in a rainforest with the way the weather has been.) I love summer. I don’t love the heat. But I love summer.

Here are 10 of my favorite things about summer:

1. Road Trips – trips to the lake, the beach, neighboring cities. For some reason, no place seems to far to drive in the summer. I need to start making some playlists on Itunes right now! (Some of my twitter buddies, helped me start a wish list. Now I just need to find some time to download.)

Macon and Anne Shelton - Lake Texoma 2008

2. Music Festivals – City Stages, Bonnaroo. One of my first jobs out of college was planning music festivals. And I love them. There is nothing better than being outside (when the weather’s nice), listening to good music, drinking a cold beer, and hanging out with your closest friends. This summer I plan on hitting CityStages (my personal favorite) and Bonnaroo (to see what all the fuss is about). I am excited because for the first time in several years, they don’t fall on the same weekend. (more…)

Last week, before the Compassion Bloggers were even in flight to Kolkata, I sponsored a little Indian boy named Deva. Deva is 3 years old. Deva is 3 years old and adorable. Devi is 3, adorable, and he needs ME. (I am not going to lie, it feel great to feel needed.) He needs me to help provide his most basic of needs.

It will not cost me a lot of money, only $32 a month, $384 a year. But my sponsorship will allow the staff of UTTHAN Child Development Center to provide Deva with medical care, nutritious food, health and hygiene education, schooling, field trips, cultural programs, and Biblical teaching. Also, UTTHAN CDC will train Deva’s parents so they can generate more income to support the family. That is right $32 a month provides Deva with not only food, medicine, and education, but also with hope and faith. (more…)