Monday Inspiration and Encouragement (Volume Six)

I shared a couple of months ago that for a while now I have had a dream of sharing some Monday inspiration and encouragement on the blog. Life is hard and I know full well that in the difficult times it can be hard to find inspiration, so a couple of months ago I shared my first post (which you can find HERE and all of the Monday inspiration posts HERE) and I plan to routinely share with y'all different things that I have found to be really inspiring and encouraging from all different genres and hope that it will encourage and inspire you for your week! 

To be honest I have come to look forward to these posts the so much throughout the week. I have realized that it makes me look and find more inspiration than could ever be shared in one post in all different areas! It is so much fun! I hope that these things continue to inspire you!

{first} It would be impossible to not share my gratitude again for the overwhelming support of the release of the 2nd edition of Praying through Lyme Disease. As I shared in my post last Thursday, I am truly overwhelmed in the best possible way by your support of all of my writing, especially this book. Thank you so much!! Also... I know I said this last week, but If you are an aspiring author and have a dream for a niche specific book that you are having trouble getting signed to be published through traditional publishing... I can't encourage you enough to consider independent publishing. Run with your dreams and go after it. Your book and story is needed. You are the only one that can uniquely share it. 

{second} If you haven't already seen the above video be prepared to be amazed. Mandy Harvey is so inspirational and this audition of her overcoming all that she has brought me to tears. Absolutely amazing!

{third} Speaking of inspirational, my dear friend Mallory who has sweetly shared some of her story on the blog before (HERE and HERE) shared an amazing video of how God is healing her on her instagram yesterday. I had tears. The work and the dedication and the perserverence is simply beyond encouraging. If you haven't read Mallory's story you can connect with her on IG HERE and read her blog HERE. Mallory also does a podcast which is incredibly inspirational which you can listen to HERE.

{fourth} This past week I re-watched Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightley in it. There is always something in this story that just makes me sigh a happy, contented sigh. I haven't seen the movie in years and was reminded of the beautiful story and message that it brings. 

I did have a thought though that surprised me as I was watching. For years I have loved Pride and Prejudice (the book) and have re-read it many times. This past year though when I was re-reading the book and then this past week re-watching the movie I realized with a startling degree that although I love Elizabeth Bennet, there is a side of me that deeply relates to her sister Jane. This time re-watching the movie I found myself giggling at the "almost proposal scene", especially when the mother says "everyone act naturally" to welling up with happy tears when Jane responds to the marriage proposal of Charles Bingley. Anyone else feel that you are a mixture of the two sisters and love this scene??

If you are looking for a happy and encouraging movie, you can rent Pride and Prejudice on Amazon by clicking HERE. 

{fifth}I have shared this a couple of times but I continue to receive emails so I wanted to share it again. Since posting the above picture on Instagram in April I have been receiving emails asking what journaling Bible that I use. I use the ESV Journaling Bible (The Interleaved Version). The cheapest that I have found it for was on Amazon which you can find HERE. If you are looking for the non-interleaved version that looks similar you can find it HERE. 

{sixth} As some of you know one of my favorite parts of history to teach is about World War II, especially the heroes that lived during this time. I was doing some research for an upcoming project and came across this listing of women who had saved people during World War II. I knew a couple of these stories but not all of them and have been so inspired by the courageous heroism of these women. If you are looking to be inspired today or need a dose of encouragement click HERE. You will not regret the time you spend reading these beautiful stories of people changing people's lives. 

I hope that you are inspired and encouraged by these six things on this Monday! What about you? What is inspiring you recently?