Marydean Draws

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November 30, 2016 books that shape me•christmas•gift guide•my favorite things

on my Christmas wish list: books!

I just love books and how God uses them to change me. I have to admit I’m not always great at finishing them, but I have great expectations!

Here is a collection of books I’d like to read this coming year:

A. The Green Ember by SD Smith (comes highly recommended by the Read-Aloud Revival’s Sarah Makenzie). This one is to read with the girls.
 
B. Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles that Can Radically Change your Family by Paul David Tripp (author of my favorite marriage book)
 
C. Teaching from Rest:A Homeschooler’s Guide to Unshakeable Peace
 
D. A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society by Eugene Peterson. That title alone . . . 
 
E. Uninvited: Living Loved when you feel less than, left out, and lonely by Lysa Terkeurst
 
F. New Morning Mercies:  A Daily Gospel Devotional by Paul David Tripp (actually, I already bought this one and started! It’s solid.)
 
G. Assimilate or Go Home: Notes from a Failed Missionary on Rediscovering Faith  by DL Mayfield
 
H. Your Inner Critic is a Big Jerk: And other Truths about Being Creative by Danielle Krysa
 
I. John Adams by David McCulough (because I’m terrible at history)
 
Have you read any of these and do you recommend them?

Any good fiction recommendations to round out my list? I love books that take me away from the pace of my real life. It seems to help my anxiety. I read two classic Anthony Trollope novels (think very slow-cooker novel pace) this past year and enjoyed them. You can get some of them free for the Kindle on Amazon (and you don’t need a Kindle to read them–you can download the Kindle app)! Or . . . just check your local library. 

If you’re looking for a can’t-put-this-book-down read, my friend, Sydney Betts, has written two novels set in Native American culture and they are FABULOUS, a breath of fresh air in the world of Christian fiction! She’s working on publishing the third now, and I can’t wait to read it. You can find them here.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. MBCW says

    December 1, 2016 at 3:47 am

    I love Teaching from Rest and we all loved The Green Ember. If your Christmas wishes aren't fulfilled you are welcome to borrow either!

  2. MarydeanDraws says

    December 1, 2016 at 3:48 am

    Oh yay–thank you!! Yeah, books aren't very exciting to buy for people, but something they humor me. 🙂

  3. Katie says

    December 2, 2016 at 12:17 pm

    I have read C, D, and I. All worth reading, and you may borrow C or D. I concur about Sydney's books. I love the title of H.

  4. MarydeanDraws says

    December 2, 2016 at 12:20 pm

    Oh thanks!! I woukd love to borrow them then (when I "finish" my current reading).

  5. Unknown says

    September 18, 2017 at 11:31 am

    Love these. Ty

  6. MarydeanDraws says

    September 21, 2017 at 2:14 am

    You're welcome!

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Welcome to the blog!

I’m Mary and I’m glad you’re here! Since 2014, I’ve been sharing encouraging words, fun Bible printables, and accessible art activities.

let’s talk about . . .

SEARCH THE BLOG

I'm going to be introducing new prints from my new I'm going to be introducing new prints from my newest print collection over the next few weeks. The gorgeous "Be Thou My Vision" hymn has always been one of my bestselling hymns , so I decided to add an additional version to my shop. This hymn was translated into English in 1905 by Mary Elizabeth Byrne (July 2, 1880 – January 19, 1931) from the Old Irish Hymn, "Bí Thusa 'mo Shúile." 

You can find all my new prints on my website here:
https://marydeandraws.com/product-category/new
I'm going to be introducing new prints from my new I'm going to be introducing new prints from my newest print collection over the next few weeks. Today, meet my print of the 1907 hymn "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee" by Henry Van Dyke. Does anyone else immediately have the amazing Sister Act 2 version of this in their head? 

I've never done an abstract, layered watercolor design around a hymn, but I really love how this turned out. I wanted it to look like a stained glass window in a church, but with a not-so-literal take. 

Mortals, join the mighty chorus,
Which the morning stars began;
God's own love is reigning o’er us,
Joining people hand in hand.
Ever singing, march we onward,
Victors in the midst of strife;
Joyful music leads us sunward
In the triumph song of life.

You can find all these on my website here:
https://marydeandraws.com/product-category/new
I'm going to be introducing new prints from my new I'm going to be introducing new prints from my newest print collection over the next few weeks. Today, meet my watercolor nature color wheel and color mixing chart! 

Each little creature and plant in the color wheel was hand-painted and then scanned and edited to fit in its slice of color. This is inspired by my watercolor classes, where I love to give an introduction to color theory. The second print is a simple watercolor mixing chart and shows the beautiful colors you can create just by mixing a few basic colors together! 

Lastly, there is also a sticker version of the nature color wheel! 

You can find all these on my website here:
https://marydeandraws.com/product-category/new
Another pretend podcast/weekly newsletter is up. T Another pretend podcast/weekly newsletter is up. This week you'll hear:
⬛ a REAL podcast update (with branding I've created)
⬛ history from the Boy Jesus in the Temple study this week
⬛ recommended articles and a podcast episode
⬛ two sports comeback stories and why I think they're encouraging

You can listen here or search for "Marydean Draws" on Substack:
https://marydeandraws.substack.com/p/marys-friday-newsletter-61226
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