What I'm Reading | The Royal We

When I first saw the book The Royal We I immediately fell in love with the cover.  I'm guilty of judging books by their cover.  I'm definitely a sucker for buying things based on their packaging rather than the actual quality of the product, which I blame on my marketing background.  Luckily for me, the cover lived up to the pages inside.

I brought this book to Europe with me with every intention of having time to read it while traveling from city to city, but that didn't happen.  I didn't even open the book until I was sitting on the plane heading home.  Right from the beginning, I was hooked.

As someone who fell in love with London a few years ago and is fascinated with the Royal Family, this was such a fun book to read.  It resembles a lot of Will and Kate's relationship in a fictional sense and if Kate had been American.  The prologue hints at the ending, but it was great to see how the story unfolded throughout the fun, loving, ups and downs of the relationship (& friendships) you couldn't help but root for.

This book is perfect for any London lover, England enthusiast, or girl who has a serious fairy tale complex.  I would love to read a sequel, too!

Cheers!

Your Beautiful Heart

The other day I got home from work and running errands to an apartment with no power.  My phone was at about 10% and my computer at about 30% with no internet.  The sun was starting to set by this point so I lit some candles and dove into one of the new books I had bought recently.  I started reading Your Beautiful Heart by Lauren Scruggs and I wound up getting more than half way through on that first night and finished it over the next two.  And I now believe my beautiful heart is changed.
For a while I've been trying to strengthen my relationship with the Lord- trying to seek Him in all that I do and relying on his guidance instead of my own wants and needs.  I've been trying to attend more church services and read more scripture- to just be better in my faith.

Lauren's book was the perfect book for me at this point.  It reassured me that God knows my mistakes, my attempts to seek Him, and most importantly, my heart.  He loves me no matter what and always forgives me for what I may consider short-comings.  Lauren simply says that God's love is something we never have to worry about because Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice and that we'll have eternal life with Him!  I know this.  I've known all of this since I was little, but Lauren's book explained and made me understand it in a different way with real stories and analysis of his word.  

Lauren draws a clear picture that God cares about our heart and that we're all beautiful in His eyes.  I was reminded to look to Him in all things, good and bad.  To look to Him in pain and to let Him heal.  To look to Him in love and let it be centered around Him.  To look to Him in happiness and know He hears my beaming heart.  To look to Him for answers, knowing He hears my questions.  To follow His plan, because it's better than the one I could make for myself.  To believe in answered prayers.  To see myself as God sees me and not by the way I view myself in the mirror (or how I compare myself to others).  God listens to our complaints and helps us understand through his word. 

I definitely read this book quicker than it was intended, but I just couldn't stop.  I was hungry to hear the stories of God's love spelled out for me on these pages.  I'm excited to go back and reflect on what I've learned and how my beautiful heart is for God with the discussions Lauren has laid out at the end of every chapter.  

My beautiful heart is changed.  & if you're looking for a little inspiration I highly recommend reading this book.  Your beautiful heart may be changed too!

bELieve #52

I've been going to football games for as long as I can remember, especially Rutgers Football games. And in my life I have never heard an entire stadium go completely silent, except once.  On October 16, 2010.

The Rutgers vs. Army game is always a big one for our family because most of my family has attended Rutgers, but my dad attended West Point.  That year the game was held at the New Meadowlands Stadium (where the NY Jets and NY Giants play) during its inaugural season.  So, just like every other Saturday of fall, we packed up the tailgating supplies and had a party!

This game turned out to be one the entire Rutgers Family (in attendence or not) will never forget.  Late in the 4th quarter on a kick off return Eric LeGrand #52 made a hit that echoed throughout the whole stadium resulting in numerous "ohhhh"s and cheers from the fans.  But after the hit, Eric LeGrand didn't stand up.  He layed near the 25 yard line immobilized with Coach Schiano, trainers, and then EMTs running to his side.  When the crowd realized he wasn't moving the stadium went silent then filled with quiet murmurs from the fans.  Eric LeGrand had become instantly paralyzed breaking the C3 and C4 vertebrae in his neck.  Eric was wheeled off the field on a stretcher and rushed to a nearby hospital.

The mantra "bELieve" was born in the Rutgers community and spread like wild fire throughout the country.  Eric LeGrand has become an inspiration for everyone who knows his story.  His attitude and determination are remarkable. 

He recently wrote a book, BELIEVE, that I just finished.  I highly recommend it for anyone.  It was an amazing eye-opener.  It is a wonderfully emotional book that makes you laugh and makes you cry.  Eric's story makes you appreciate the things you have and take for granted everyday.   

In the book, Eric addresses his changed life and the struggles he faces from being confined to a wheelchair with no movement below the neck.  He has never felt sorry for himself or asked "why me".  He takes his injury as a way for him to inspire others and spread awareness of spinal cord injuries.

 The first half of the book talks a lot about football- plays, games, and the Rutgers Football Program.  I didn't mind this because I love football and have been following Rutgers for years.  However, this may be boring to some people.

I loved the part of the book where he described an old Rutgers tradition of the Scarlet Walk (pgs 91-92)!  Though the section was short it was so descriptive.  Growing up and going to Rutgers games every weekend, the Scarlet Walk became one of my favorite parts of the RU football experience.  And when the team was 1-9  (in the early 2000's) those were the things you had to look forward to for excitement (well, and the Kid's Zone)!

Eric's description took me back to a place and time with all of those early years of Rutgers tailgates flooding back.  I couldn't help but smile.

I admit while I was in college I didn't attend the Scarlet Walk half as much as I would have liked, but that doesn't make it any less of a Rutgers Tradition.  I always look forward to those shots of Rose Tequila by the "big tree"!! :)

Eric LeGrand is very inspirational for everyone who knows his story and bELieves in him.  Everyone should remember this verse when we are feeling like we don't know what's in store for us.