Because I am a dork...

...I read parenting books. Yep, that's right. Parenting books.

I know that God made me to be a mom. In fact, I've known for quite a while. According to my sister, I came out of the womb saying, "I want babies! I want babies!" Uh, yeah. Something like that.
I know this makes me a dork and all kinds of weird in some people's eyes, but I figure...if I know what God wants me to do (at least in part), why not start reading up now? I don't want to stumble into the role of parent. I want to model intentionality to the kids that I believe God will one day entrust into my care. So I read parenting books. And plead with God the whole time that He would grow me into the godly woman He is preparing to lead these children.

Being a dork, I thought I would share with you some of the books I am currently reading. Take it or leave it = )

Book #1:
GREAT read. Here's an incredible thought: What if you raised your son or daughter to know and love Jesus intimately, then he or she went on to share the love of Jesus with 10 people, who went on to share the love of Jesus with 10 people, who...well, do you catch my drift? By intentionally pouring into your own child, you are potentially impacting the world for Christ. That is the basis of this book.

Book #2:

Because I have a passion and perhaps a calling to one day minister to kids from hard places, I am always interested in reading more about creative discipline methods. This book is a wealth of ideas...and some of them are pretty funny too = ) A great resource, in my opinion, and fully principled from God's Word!

Book #3:
I just started reading this book, but already I can tell I will like it. In this rush-rush culture, the family dinner has fallen to the waste side...a very sad turn of events, in my opinion. This book is all about reviving the family dinner and enhancing it to be a fun and meaningful family time! It is FULL of creative ideas, all the way from how to decorate the table to how to involve your children in the preparation process. There are recipes to try too = )

Book #4:
Because God uses the most unlikely people to change the world for Him, children are TOO SMALL TO IGNORE. God has a plan and a purpose for the children you touch shoulders with every day...and a reason why He has you touching shoulders with them. Great read.

Book #5:
This is not so much a parenting book as it is an EVERYONE book...because there really are FIELDS of the fatherless.

Book #6:
It's always a good thing, in my opinion, to better understand your child or the children in your life. To know what fuels their little hearts and fills their "love tanks"...important stuff!

Book #7:
I haven't read this one yet, but I'm excited to = ) The front cover gives a pretty good synopsis.

Book #8:
This is another one on my to-read-list. It is a memoir about one family's adoption journey into a large family...supposedly with a good dose of humor added. I will let you know = )

Book #9:
Many adoptive parents would say this is a must read for the parent of children from hard places. Definitely a great resource! The author, Karen Purvis, and her team also hold yearly conferences and have a website full of other great resources for foster/adoptive parents. I am really hoping to make it to one of her conferences soon!

Book #10:
I may be a dork, but I'm not stupid. I realize that parenting is a HARD job, but it is also a DIVINE privilege and RESPONSIBILITY. I'm not a parent yet {obviously}...and I know I can never be one without God's HELP and WISDOM. Yes, I read parenting books. I also spend a lot of time {often while reading the other books} praying that God would equip me for the role of parent...so that whenever He may allow me the privilege of taking on such a role, I will not just stumble into it, but will take it on with grace, humility, and God-strength.

So there you have it...a taste of my parenting-book obsession. If you know of any other good books, please fill me in...I'm always on the lookout = )