Books that changed me in 2011

Idle time was something I did NOT have in 2011... with getting engaged and then married a short 4 months later, changing jobs, moving cities and homes, and just trying to figure out how to do it all, I wasn't left with a lot of extra time. 2011 will be always be such a HUGE year for us but tonight on January 1, 2012 I realized that there were also a few books that really changed me and my perspective in the last year that I had to highlight. I'm always looking for new books that others recommend so if you're looking for a good read you have to check these out:

one thousand gifts. Can I just say WOW?!? My mom gave me this book right before I went to Uganda this summer and it couldn't have been a more perfect time. Ann Voskamp walks you through her journey of changing her perspective through life's ups and downs by starting a list of all the gifts God gives her each and every day. I started my list in Uganda and remember sitting, looking at the Nile river thinking I had SO much to be thankful for. Here are some little joys I wrote down:

1. African Adventure

3. Eyes heavy from fun

5. Songs that make you stop everything- no matter how many times you've heard them

6. Toenail polish and awaited pedicures

7. Spinning fan to relieve me from the African heat

1000 Gifts will rock your world and has permanently changed mine!

This one I'm only half way through. You can read more about it on my other blog, but again, WOW. Katie is an inspiration and reading about her journey really ignites something in my heart. It makes me want to a.c.t. To do something. And aren't those the books that really make a huge difference? The ones that cause us to step out and to really make this world a better place. Such a great read!