Hello, lovely friends! The year’s really flying by; I can’t believe that it’s June already.
I hope that you’re well and safe during these crazy times. The world is in utter chaos, and I pray every day for healing and restoration.
Here’s my collection of happy things from May π :
Avengers: Endgame (again)
Yeah, yeah, I know, I’ve mentioned this one before. But…but…I rewatched it last month, and IT’S SO GOOD. (There are so many GIFs that I want to insert here, but I won’t. Because spoilers. π )
Book Mail
One of the best kinds of mail! I received four books, plus some gorgeous preorder bonuses for The Story Hunter by Lindsay A. Franklin! It was my first time preordering a book, and I’m happy I did. π It’s such a great feeling to open a package and see your beautiful new books peering up at you from the box. (Tell me I’m not the only one who sometimes hugs new books?)
Fawkes
I’ve heard so many people raving about this book, and now that I’ve read it, I can see why! It’s a wonderful book, full of history, magic, and strong themes. Keep your eyes out for a book review coming soon!
National Treasure
These movies are great. XD Full of action, intrigue, history, and humor, these were a family favorite from the past month.
Plus, Riley Poole is one of the funniest, most awkward, and most necessary sidekicks ever.
Tea
Tea always makes me happy, and I’ve been drinking a lot more of it recently. It’s mostly herbal tea for me (my favorite is Yogi’s Egyptian Licorice Mint), and it’s a warm, soothing beverage for any time of day. Whether I’m writing, reading, or listening to music, tea is a nice drink to have by my side. (I also have Earl Grey and Yorkshire Gold high on my tea wishlist for some point soon. π )
2 Chronicles
The Kings and Chronicles can be tough books to read at times. Most of the rulers over Judah and Israel were extremely evil and committed horrific sins. However, there were some righteous kings that rose out of the dark and committed themselves to serving the Lord with their whole heart. My favorites to read about are Jehoshaphat and Hezekiah.
Jehoshaphat’s prayer when the Moabites and Ammonites were attacking always reminds me how big God is:
“O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
2 Chronicles 20:12 (emphasis mine)
And Hezekiah, recorded as Judah’s best king since David, is inspiring in how he trusted in the Lord with his whole heart for his whole life, even in the midst of an attack from the Assyrians:
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight out battles.” And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
2 Chronicles 32:7-8
Wars of the Realm series
Chuck Black is an extremely smart man and a talented author. His Wars of the Realm trilogy is one of my favorite series! These books encouraged me in my faith while at the same time keeping me invested in a thrilling, intriguing story. I love how Chuck Black is committed to presenting sound biblical doctrine in his works, and he wrote a detailed reader’s guide for every book in this series to prevent confusion and encourage reader discernment. I highly recommend this fantastic series!
1 Timothy
1 Timothy is full of wonderful exhortations for believers. I can’t pick just one favorite passage because they’re all so good! But here’s one that I think sums up a great deal of what this book is about:
Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
1 Timothy 4:7-10
Lightporter
![Lightporter (IDIA Book 2) by [C.B. Cook]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51N+pHzwA1L.jpg)
The sequel to Twinepathy (review here!), Lightporter is a fun book full of humor, mystery, and lovable superheroes. I can’t wait until C.B. finishes the third book, Forcefield; I’ll be at the front of the line to buy it once it releases! π
Spider-Man: Far From Home
It’s hard to believe that this was the twenty-first MCU movie I’ve watched. XD It was interesting to see what Peter Parker was up to in the aftermath of Endgame, and the entire plot was complex and intriguing.
Plus, it’s hilarious. π
Before I sign off, I want to share one of my favorite quotes that I’ve been thinking about a lot recently, in light of current events:
“It’s like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger, they were. And sometimes you didn’t want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn’t. They kept going. Because they were holding on to something…That there’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo. And it’s worth fighting for.”
Samwise Gamgee, The Two Towers movie
I tear up whenever I hear this quote, because it’s so wise and always relevant. The world is full of darkness and evil. But someday, the sun will come out again. We have the hope of salvation in Jesus, and that’s what enables us to fight for the good that still peeks out through the fog of sin.
Let’s continue to pray for our world. Let’s shine as lights in the darkness. Let’s cling to the hope that we have in our Savior and continue to fight for what’s true, honorable, and good.
What’s been bringing you joy during this time, friends? Any tea recommendations for me? How can I pray for you? Let me know in the comments!
Swordmaiden of the King 
Oh my gosh. Fawkes is my favorite book, and I’m literally reading it right now. π± It’s amazing.
OOOOhh we like so many of the same things! I’ve always loved National Treasure, I LOVE Spiderman FFH, and I recently finished watching all the LOTR movies! π
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad that I was able to read it! Emma’s my favorite character, and the story was so unique and gorgeous. β€
Yes, girl! *high fives* I can't believe I hadn't watched National Treasure before. XD And LOTR will always be my favorite movies. They're so amazing. β€
LikeLiked by 1 person
ME HERE! I love book mail. So exciting to open and began to devour. The fresh crisp pages. The texture of the cover. Yessss π
Riley Poole is literally the best ππ (wait I know something you donβt know? Wait really? Can we just appreciate this moment? Haha so classicπ)
I love these posts!
LikeLiked by 1 person
YES! Book mail is just the best. β€ π
Haha, yes, totally! ("Is this how you guys feel all the time?") He's awesome.
Thank you so much, Evelyn! I'm so glad you enjoy them! π
LikeLike
I just started reading Fawkes! I’m only a few pages in (since I got distracted reading something else), but I’m super excited about it!
I love drinking tea too! I’m actually drinking a nighttime tea as I type this comment. XD I really like peppermint tea. π
Great quote by Sam Gamgee! β€
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay! I hope that you love it! π
Mmm, yes, tea is fantastic. Peppermint is another one of my favorites and always has been! π
I love that quote so much. One of my very favorites out of all literature/movies ever. β€
LikeLiked by 1 person
Endgame. *cries* It’s such an awesome movie but how can you not break into a million tiny fragments of sorrow every time? XD
*shrieks* Yeessssss girl! I love Fawkes!!!!! It’s my favorite book, after all. XP I just love it so muuuuucchhh.
Riley Poole. The ultimate sidekick. The best character in the entire two movies. The greatest, the best, the nerdy. May he always be the weirdo. XD
Teaaaaaaaa. Iced sun tea is the thing for us in the summer. We literally drink gallons of it a week. π
Those are such good books of the Bible! β€ β€ Thank you for sharing them, Amelie. β€
Ahhhhh, I love Spider-Man: Far From Home. It's pretty mind blowing. Also the credit scene. What. even. *will die if they don't make another movie soon*
THAT QUOTE OH MY GOODNESS. It is perfect! Thank you so much for reminding me of it! *blasts it to the skies*
Awesome post, Amelie! *fist bump*
LikeLiked by 2 people
Right? *blinks and brushes away tears* *but at the same time grins with the sheer epicness of it* π
FAWKES! *fist bump*
“May he always be the weirdo.” Haha, YES, 100%! XD
Oh, yes, iced tea is WONDERFUL for summer! We haven’t gotten out our iced tea maker quite yet, but soon! Very soon. π
Oh, my goodness. My brain is in knots from the intricacy of it all. And those CREDIT SCENES. *brain explodes* *shrieks* I NEED SPIDER-MAN 3!
I love that quote so, so, SO MUCH! I can’t even say how much I love it. I tear up at that part every single time. You’re welcome! β€
Thank you, Kenechi! *fist bumps you back*
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love tea βΊοΈ I mean, itβs usually extra-sweet sweet tea, but what can I say π
*grinning like an idiot over that verse from 2 Chronicles with Hezekiah bc itβs special*
βThose were the stories that stayed with you.β *sobs* I. Love. That. Quote. I hadnβt heard that quote before watching Two Towers and I just lost it. π₯
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, yeah, extra-sweet tea is always delicious, too. XD
*grins with you*
Goodness, every time I hear/read/watch that quote, I get chills and tear up. β€ It's so perfect almost all the time. π
LikeLike
Fawkes is on my Summer TBR list!! (Lusa was actually the one to suggest it to me, tho Iβd been low-key meaning to read it for a while anyway) And I really need to watch National Treasure… Iβve heard those movies are great, Iβve just never gotten around to them. And TEA!! YES. This coffee girl has finally decided that she loves both dark, caffeinated, stereotypically-loved-by-writers beverages π Earl Grey is my favorite at the mo (I drink it with about a tablespoon of sugar and no milk, tho the sugar can very based on my mood β some days you just need something black and bitter to burn your tongue on π), but Iβve got some flavored green teas that I also love, and Yorkshire Gold is pretty great too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, yeah, I think you’d really enjoy Fawkes! It provides a lot of fodder for conversation/thought, and I’m still thinking about it, even though it’s been about a month since I finished. π (Lusa and Serena were the people that got me the most excited about reading it, too! π )
You’d really enjoy National Treasure, as well! They’re so much fun and so intriguing.
Exactly. Stereotypically-loved-by-writers. And there’s a reason for that! (How can you not love coffee and tea?!) XD I really need to get me some Earl Grey! The anglophile in me will delight when I’m finally able to sip on that drink. XD
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this list! It sounds like you had a lovely may. (: And getting Fawkes in the mail! How delightful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Iβm so glad you enjoyed it! I did have a lovely May. π
Yes! Fawkes is a wonderful book (and book mail is always delightful)!
Thanks for reading!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yaaaaay, I love the idea of this post! Nowadays everyone seems to be focused on the worries of the world, it’s really nice to see light posts like this. YES, Endgame FTW 100%. Eek, would you believe me if I told you Spider Man: Far From Home has been on my list forever but I still haven’t gotten to it? Thanks for this :)!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Katelynn! I’m so glad that you enjoyed it. π ENDGAME YES. Ooh, you must watch Far From Home at some point! It’s so good. π
LikeLike
Avenger: Endgame, Spiderman: Far from Home, and the Lord of the Rings are all movies I loved and watched during quarantine. That Sam quote is amazing and never gets old.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are all wonderful movies! And yes, Samβs βThe Tales That Really Matteredβ quote is one that I return to time and time again. Itβs fantastic. Thanks for reading!
LikeLike