Aaah. It’s the end of June and summer is halfway over. I’m not quite ready to start thinking about school just yet but it’s quickly approaching.
We enjoyed a quick visit with family in Louisiana at the beginning of the month but other than that, life is just trucking along in this weird half-quarantine world where things aren’t quite normal.
Here are a few things I’ve been loving this month. Some are fun and some are heavy but I think there’s something for everyone in this episode. (some links are affiliate)
- The Senator’s Children: Summer is usually the time of year when I slow down and read as much as possible. This summer is a little different, though, since I have a toddler who won’t let me out of her sight. But I did find time to read this book and I loved it. This novel follows the story of a famous senator, his family, an indiscretion, and the consequences that follow. It’s an easy read for anyone looking for a good story. Check it out!
- Songland: Peter and I discovered Songland last year and we have been watching it again this season too. I love getting to know the artists more in depth, and watching them work through their creative processes is so interesting. If you don’t know the premise of this show, four striving songwriters are invited to come sing their original song for a famous artist with the hopes that their song will be chosen and recorded by the artist. It follows the deconstruction and reworking of each song and the creativity that goes into it. This is right up our alley at our house since we all love music.
- Tenzi: This dice game has quickly become a family favorite! Brienne introduced it to us after she played it at a youth event and we all love it. The whole family can play, and it’s a fast-paced game that allows for lots of fun. If you don’t have it, grab it now! You won’t regret it!
And now let’s move to the heavier content. If you are anything like me, you’ve been trying to stay quiet and listen to different voices in the black community, trying to understand their hurt and their pain over the past few weeks. Here are a few resources that have been helpful for me as I’ve navigated this terrain.
- Just Mercy: I read this book several years ago and it completely changed my view of racism and the treatment of blacks, particularly in the deep south. Recently the movie was released so Peter and I watched it. It was an honest and deeply moving portrayal of the prejudices that still exist throughout our country. You can stream this movie for free through the end of June 2020 and I highly recommend it. If you’re reading this after June, you can still stream it for a small fee. And if you have the time, I highly recommend picking up the book too.
- That Sounds Fun Podcast: Ok, so this “sounds fun,” right? I mean, that’s the premise of this podcast. However, on this series of recent podcasts, Annie F Downs gave up her platform to Mike Kelsey, a black pastor at McLean Bible Church in Washington DC. He first interviewed The Color of Compromise author, Jemar Tisby, which was an honest yet encouraging look at the history of racism in America. On the 2nd podcast, he interviewed a panel of friends about what it means to be black in America. I loved listening to these Christian men and women who are living and leading in communities and churches that are predominantly white and how that affects their ability to be their whole authentic selves. Then on the 3rd and final podcast in the series, Kelsey interviews two leaders (one black and one white) who give tips and encouragement as we navigate our role in social justice issues. I highly recommend that you listen to all three of these podcasts.
Ok, so that’s it for this month. Let me know if you try any of my suggestions. I’d love to chat with you about them!