Browsing Category

books & things

books & things life lately

Instead of writing: life lately…

Surviving shingles, which was the single worst thing to ever happen to me.

Creating space for my husband to be creative.

Sleeping eight hours a night, or at least aiming for it.

Reading this and that, both of which have been fascinating.

Dreaming of what I’d like to say to women in a book someday.

Watching LOST with my stepsons.

Cooking one new recipe per week.

Learning to homestead, by tilling and planting and preparing for pullets.

Purging my house of clutter and clothes, when kids aren’t home to contest.

Writing down goals each month and not meeting all of them.

__

But my fingers itch and my iPhone’s voice memos fill up and the words just come while I sit in bubble baths.

So I’m ready to write again.

books & things life lately

the sacred space

About a year ago, we got ahold of Amber Brooks‘ album, Still I Rise.
In true Kincaid family fashion, we listened to it over & over for weeks on end. Our kids were probably singing her tunes in their sleep. One day, Avery asked us to play the song “with the lion in it.” Chris was humbled and excited. He thought Avery was talking about one of his own songs that references a lion, a lullaby he wrote for the boys. It’s called, “Sacred Heart” and you can listen to it here
Once the song finished playing, however, Avery politely informed us that it was not the song he wanted to hear. He was referring to one of Amber’s songs. We laughed out loud & obliged him. After all, what better way to teach our kids about God’s pursuit of man than through song? And especially during this season, I’m crying out for Him to show up again & again, like He’s promised. He is faithful, and though I am pretty much terrified about the next few weeks…I know He’s got it on lock-down.

Happy Sunday!

Vote For Us @ TopBaby Blogs! The Best Baby Blog Directory
books & things life lately

the sacred space

It’s been awhile since I’ve shared a tune with y’all for The Sacred Space spot!
I’ve decided to highlight my dreamy husband’s music for the next few weeks, as he’s got a killer Christmas album for sale. We’d love to share it with you!
Chris has been making music for decades now. This holiday record became a pet project about five years ago, and we’ve been sharing the fruits of his labor in the form of a pressed CD for three seasons now! 
Feel free to check out WWW.CHRISTOPHERKINCAID.COM and give the whole album a listen. You can download And Winter for $6 or order a hard copy for $10! I promise – it’s worth every penny.

Enjoy one of the album’s tracks below. Chris did a devastatingly epic version of “What Child is This” and even allowed yours truly to sing on it!
books & things life lately

the sacred space

This morning, Christopher played his last Sunday as a part of the Warehouse242 community. We’re leaving the church in order to pursue a staff position for Chris somewhere else… Right now, he’s spread pretty thinly amongst a few different churches in Charlotte.
This morning was definitely emotional.
Tears ran down my face throughout the entire worship set.
The team played “Doxology,” one of my favorite tunes…
it’s by a local artist named Mark Mathis.
Mark is daddy to Sparrow, the sweet baby girl with the heart defect.
We’ve been raising money for the Mathis family by selling Chris’ song, “Bird Sonnet” online.

books & things life lately

the sacred space

This morning, Lucas gave me a precious gift….

He got himself and the younger boys up and fed everyone breakfast.
I slept until 0830! Praise the Lord!

In honor of the eldest Kincaid boy, I am sharing his favorite worship song this morning. It’s by a wicked talented and anointed artist named Phil Wickham and it’s called, “You’re Beautiful.” Happy Sunday, all! Enjoy your first full day of NFL football!

books & things life lately

the sacred space

I had this post scheduled to publish yesterday (Sunday), but it didn’t! Oops.

On this Sunday, we’re soaking up the last of whatever summer has to offer – in a North Carolina beach house, with four other couples. It’s our bi-annual Joy Explosion (best friends) vacation! I am so thankful for weekend getaways.

In honor of the sand & sea, I give you a beautiful old African-American spiritual called, “Wade in the Water.” This version is sung by a a sweet gospel family, the Staple Singers. This song embodies the definition of “rhythm & blues.” Take a look at the stories behind the song. So powerful!
Happy Labor Day, y’all!
books & things life lately

the sacred space

Something special is coming to Letters to Ames on Sundays, starting today!
I’m calling it the Sacred Space. It will profile fun spiritual songs I come across, for your listening pleasure. Regardless of religious beliefs or musical tastes, I find beauty in all types of music. I hope you can, too!
To kick this series off with a bang, I’m sharing an old gospel tune, “Victory is Mine.”
It’s a foot-stompin’, head-bobbin’, hand-clappin’ church song.
This version is sung by a Southern gospel diva by the name of Dorothy Norwood.