Oh The Places You'll Go.........

Book Review:: Redeeming Love

2013-07-29T14:07:00.004-04:00

Wow. It's been a long time since I've done a book review! We've had a lot of things going on and it's been hard....

So without further ado, here in a VERY LONG book for you.

The tag line of this book is "A story of love that won't let go - No matter what!" Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers is just that.

Angel was taken by a 'step-father' at a young age and sold into prostration as a young child (Read Chapter 1). Years later she finds herself in California working to live among the men of the gold rush. That is until a man named Michael Hosea steps into her room saying God has told him to marry her and take her away from this. It took multiple attempts, a strong faith in God's will, and an almost deadly beating for Michael to do what he believes God is calling him to do.

He takes Angel away to his farm, nurses her back to health and depends completely on God to grow their love. As her love for Michael grows, Amanda (the name he gave her for her new life) becomes fearful and unworthy. As Gomer does in the the book of Hosea, she runs back to the life she knows only to have Michael retrieve her. Unable to give Michael want she thinks he wants, Amanda runs again. This time, Michael waits for her to return on her own.

Through Biblical truths, promises and faith, this love story becomes a story of the love God has for us as well as the love we can have. A love that forgives, embraces and is never ceasing, never ending.

A modern day Hosea and Gomer.

I'm not much for love stories but this one was good. It wasn't a sappy love story, focusing only on the people. It was all about the love of God and His all-consuming heart for His people. 400+ pages of redemption, faith and the power of God. Francine Rivers wrote a wonderful story.

Disclaimer: I received this book from WaterBrook Multnomah for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Book Review:: The Passionate Mom

2013-05-08T14:50:00.000-04:00

Susan Merrill is the director of iMom, a online resource for inspiration, information, ideas and insight for moms. She has been asked countless times what makes a mother the best she can be. She never guessed she would find the answer in the book of Nehemiah. Frankly, I thought she was digging kind of deep with this one but why not! The Bible has the blueprint for parenthood, right? Why not some little Old Testament book.

The Passionate Mom takes a very close look at the qualities of Nehemiah and his reactions and pro-actions to the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem. Merrill also takes the concept of building the actual wall into motherhood: "You are the wall and the gates, the protection from the world and the provider of training for life in the world..." She helps moms build their walls brick by brick and mortar by mortar.

There are ten bricks, ten qualities of Nehemiah, that build the wall around our children. Within the ten bricks are the mortar, the glue that holds the bricks together. For example, the first brick is perception. To be perceptive, a mom must have alertness, availability and attentiveness, the mortar. Each chapter is dedicated to a brick and mortar and guides a mom with examples, confessions and ideas on how to use it within her child's life.

The gates have a chapter all to themselves. Merrill shows you how to open and close them to test your child's readiness for the world. She gives five rules to remember when you come to a gate in your child's life. As well as ten gates that can lead to independence, that really train your child for the future. You can't keep your babies walled up forever, they're going to grow and leave, now is your chance to train them for the flood gates.

This book is so jam packed with wonderful guidance to become the best mom that you can be. Ideas that are biblically based, God honoring and actually doable! It's not a quick read. It's one that you must reflect on if you truly want to be the best you can be. If you're looking for direction in motherhood or a pick me up when you get bogged down, this is the book for you!!

Disclaimer: I received this book from BookSneeze.com for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Taking a Break

2013-02-21T14:08:00.001-05:00

As you probably noticed it was almost a month since I last posted a review or anything for that matter.

We have had some amazing things going on in our life that I haven't had time to really focus on reading AND reviewing books.

So...these things are still going on and will be consuming even more of my time in the next couple weeks.

We read every day, don't worry. If I come across something that is calling to be shared I will. Other than that, wait a few weeks and there will be more!

Book Review: "Unglued Devotional"

2013-02-21T13:57:00.000-05:00

I have wanted this book since I saw it previewed on a mom's group facebook page I follow. So when it came up for review I couldn't wait!!!! The book, Unglued: Making Wise Choises in the Midst of Raw Emotions by Lysa TerKeurst, didn't interest me, but the devotional I wanted. I was going to order when I finished the devotional/prayer book I started before it was released but I was very happy to see it come up.

I'm very glad I got it. And I want to read it again when I have the time to do one each day. We have a deadline to do these reviews so I didn't get a chance to do it for the 60 days. I did it more in two days. I definitely want to spend the time reflecting on each day.

"For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you,

Do not fear, I will help you."

Isaiah 41:13

In the midst of chaos, out of control emotions, and prayers being cried out for relief, God is there, ready to help. TerKeurst reminds us that it doesn't matter what's going on in your life, what you're feeling, what you're struggling with, God is always bigger. With His unending grace, He can reign in your life, everything, and glue it back together.

For 60 days TerKeurst addresses areas of "imperfect progress". Imperfect progress meaning that you will slip again, you will fall back, but with God, you can keep progressing, keep going forward.

The author provides a scripture verse to claim each day and a simple idea how to put it into practice in your life. A quick prayer and love poured out from being in the same situation. Sometimes, when you're completely unglued, that's all you need. Someone to show you that God's love is all you need.

Disclaimer: I received this book from booksneeze.com for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Book Review:: At the Feet of Jesus

2013-01-25T13:26:00.001-05:00

"Jesus simply didn't want Martha to be so caught up in the Kitchen Service for Him that she missed out on the joy of Living Room Intimacy with Him"

How often do we find ourselves working on "something" for God? Get so wrapped up in the calling that you miss the Caller? In At the Feet of Jesus Joanna Weaver takes a whole year to get your heart back to being with Jesus. In this devotional, Weaver takes excerpts from a few of her best selling books (Having A Mary's Heart in a Martha World for example) and turns them into a devotional to challenge the heart and mind, bring us back into a relationship with God that we all deep down desire.

We don't have to do anything to get there: "The only requirement for a deeper relationship with God is showing up with an open heart and ready to receive." Weaver also includes a few Going Deeper areas as well as questions at the end of each day to really hone in on getting our hearts back into the God we are serving.

"The cross did more than pay for my sins; it set me free from the bondage of the 'shoulds' and 'if onlys' and 'what might have beens.' And Jesus's words to Martha are the words He wants to speak to your heart and mine: 'you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed (Luke 10:41-42)

The 'one thing' is not found in doing more.

It's found by sitting at His feet." (pg 4)

I didn't get to take the time to do this as intended and maybe if I did it would have been more for me. This wasn't at all what I was expecting. It's just a reworking of her other books into a devotional. She pulled apart some good books to make a years worth of separate daily readings. I feel, in doing that, she took away from the the power of her other books, especially Having a Mary's Heart in a Martha World. It seemed choppy and the flow was lacking. Don't get me wrong, her message is an important lesson we all need to learn. But you can get it with more passion and power in her other books.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Book Review:: Dirty God

2013-01-21T12:55:00.001-05:00

"The Bible teaches us that God 'demonstrates his own love for us' (Romans 5:8) in how he came to us in Jesus. He didn't expect us to climb up to him. He climbed down to us. He got his hands dirty so we could have our hearts cleaned."

In Dirty God, Johnnie Moore gives us a human, humble Jesus who came to give us grace that really can be experienced, felt, and freely given. Jesus wasn't and isn't a well showered, clean shaven, spotless man with nothing to offer but God who took on man to reach us, to live and eat with the dirtiest of dirty, to love and care for the sickest of the sick, to touch a hardest of hearts, to save the worst of us: "Jesus inaugurated a kind of faith the spirit of which is encapsulated in the words of the great missionary C.T. Studd: 'Some wish to live within the sound/ Of church or chapel bell,/ I want to run a rescue shop/ Within a yard of hell.'"

In part one, Moore gives us a Jesus who we can actually see and touch. A Jesus who we can relate to, accept and know that he was really on earth instead of a god who was aloof, absent and uncaring. He was real. Like you and me. He dressed like us, ate like us, lived like us. He became us for us: "We think of God as far away- like a famous person we admire but don't really know. We kind of keep track of what's happening in his story, but surely he doesn't know much about ours, and if he does, he doesn't care enough to know." He came to bring us grace.

And it can be received, it can be 'gotten'. Moore closes part one with grace. The given grace of God. Grace for us to really grasp and understand. A grace in which God "knows us fully , and he loves us just the same." If we can really, fully comprehend this kind of grace, then we need to share it, spread it, and get our hands dirty.

In part two, Moore extends the grace past you and me. He challenges us to give it.

"God expects us to get our own hands dirty, just as he dirtied his own. He wants to meet us- not in the sanctuary but in the slums. Where hopelessness resides is where the rivers of grace are meant to flow more freely...God's not waiting for us at the alter. He is waiting for us to take the alter to the streets."

If our Dirty God roams the trenches, we need to be willing to live out the love God has shown us.

"He didn't want his followers to stand out as walking billboards, their t-shirts painted with cliches and bible verses...He imagined our difference as having more substance, a more subversive quality, and greater effectiveness...we should seem different because we are living out what we believe in a way that causes others to wonder what curious belief undergirds our lifestyles."

Are your hands dirty?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This book is a life changer, or a life challenger I should say. It'll challenge your ideas of Jesus, grace and paying grace forward. It'll challenge your actions and thoughts. Moore writes in a way that really brings Jesus and grace from the pedestal to your level, no matter how far down the ladder you think you are. His humor and style are perfect for the committed Christian and one who is seeking this grace and love.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from booksneeze.com for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Book Review:: Everything Christmas

2013-01-04T13:53:00.001-05:00

Last year I received Everything Romance just in time for Valentines Day. This year Everything Christmas by David Borden and Tom Winters arrived a few days after Christmas. I enjoyed the fun little facts in the first book and with a growing family eager to celebrate Christmas I was excited to begin this book. Once again the authors provided such fun details about the history of Christmas traditions from around the world.

Do you know the real history of Christmas?

It can be traced back centuries before Christ was born.

WHAT!?

"The twelve days of Christmas, the bright fires, the yule logs, gift giving, carnivals, carolers going from house to house, holiday feasts, even church processions can all be traced back to the early Mesopotamians. These traditions were passed down throughout the known world and were popular in Rome long before the birth of Christ." (pg. 7)

Didn't see that one coming, did you?

I sure didn't!

Throughout the book, Borden and Winter offer recipes for traditional Christmas meals from countries such as England, Portugal, Denmark and Poland as well as some of their activities and plans. You can learn about the history of the Christmas stocking, your favorite Christmas carol, and decorations including the story of the candy cane. Ideas for thoughtful presents for each person in your family, fun activities to do with your children, and suggestions of planning your day so it centers around the true meaning of Christmas (did you know in Poland there is no cooking done on Christmas Day?).

This is all done in a format of an Advent calendar. Each day you learn a history of Christmas and ideas on how to celebrate that day as the big day draws near.

This year my daughter wasn't old enough to really get into the Advent calendar. It didn't mean that we couldn't as a family but I really want her to know what Christmas is all about. We talk about it like it's nothing, "the true meaning of Christmas" is even recited many times over in the Charlie Brown Christmas special. But do we really know what it means? This little book gave me some ideas on how to make Christmas special and memorable without going overboard. It gave ideas for traditions we can start doing while giving a basis for ones we already do. It also ended on Christmas Eve with the story of the birth of Christ.

Next year, I plan to prepare our hearts and lives for Christmas so when the day comes, we can celebrate the birthday of our Savor.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah for this review. All opinion expressed are my own.

The Original Curious George

2013-01-03T13:30:00.001-05:00

The library finally got this book for us. We have been waiting patiently for it to come through the library hold system.

This is the very first Curious George book. Not edition but the first one written.

It was not what I expected. It actually left more questions than it gave answers.

I was hoping it would tell us how George got to be with the Man with the Yellow Hat. Yes, it did chronicle his journey from Africa to Man's house. But (spoiler alert) he ends up in the zoo.

And the Man stole him from Africa!!!!!

I couldn't believe it. What in the world!?

There were a lot of things in this book that were completely unexpected. But it was written many many years ago. I would imagine everything that was said and done was acceptable during that time period. It's just kind of weird now to see what happens.

Some how George ends up living with the Man with the Yellow Hat....

Book Review:: Come to the Table

2012-12-19T14:56:00.001-05:00

I could not wait to receive this book! Ever since I finished Stand By Me by Neta Jackson I couldn't wait to find out what happened. I knew there had to be more. She just couldn't leave us that way.

Ok, so she could have but I was hoping she wouldn't. I needed to know how things turned out for Rochelle and her parents, how the rest of the summer unfolded for the four friends and, especially, how Kat got involved with the church and her grand ideas about food (not really, but it sounds better than I wanted to know how Kat got involved, also, with Nick. In fact, by the end of this book they are one in the same, so there! :-P)

Jackson didn't disappoint.

Come to the Table chronicles the rest of the summer in Chicago. At the end of the first book Olivia moves out and heads back home while Rochelle and Conny move in. Tension grows are Conny takes a liking to Nick, a very strong liking. One that makes Rochelle view Nick as a possible father for Conny. Meanwhile Conny's dad lashes out at Nick because of the relationship he has with Conny and the uncomfortable view from the outside of apartment living situation (Nick living with three women and a child). Nick begins his internship at SouledOut and must address the issues rising between him and Rochelle and Conny as well as his growing feelings for Kat.

And then there's Kat. She comes to church members with an idea to help the homeless eat more healthy food. Boy does she learn a lot about eating, just plan eating. While developing her ideas, Kat becomes involved with a food pantry and her heart bursts. She sees what the problem really is. Her heart for food becomes a mission at the church. She finds her calling, her purpose. She finds Jesus in the midst. She learns what it means to actually feed and take care of the hurting.

I can't tell you all the goes on in this book, there's just too much. God has promised "that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). This can't be more true for this characters in this book. They find His will for their lives and they flourish.

It's a 'feel good' Romans 8:28 book.

A book that claims the promises of God.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from BookSneeze.com for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Book Review:: The Girl in the Glass

2012-11-26T14:22:00.001-05:00

"She took me to the looking glass in my room and stood me in front of it. 'You see that girl in the glass?' she said to me. 'You are the one who will say who she is..'"

Meg has been waiting for her father to take her on a trip to Florence since she was a little girl. Her parents divorced when she was young and left that trip hanging in the balance. Her love and faith in her father keeps her heart yearning for this trip. Promises broken leave her empty banking her heart on other people. Through various events orchestrated by her father land her feet on Florence soil. Friends and coworkers scoop her up when he, once again, fails to show. Meg comes to learn more about herself in the week she spends with people she's only seen on the computer screen while divulging in Florence beauty. Meg learns to hear what the past has to say. She learns who she is, with or without her father. She learns to let go of broken promises from the man she loves immensely regardless of what he does or does not do.

This was one book I could not wait to finish! I hated putting it down. I just had to know if she ever makes it to Florence, what she does there, how the quiet love story plays out, how she discovers the truth about everything. And, of course, I now want more than ever to visit Italy and see what she saw. Sofia tells Meg that you can't ever take or leave Florence, she just goes with you. Yes, yes it does, even through the pages of a well written book.

The only part of this book I didn't understand fully was the intertwining of Nora's story between the chapters of Meg's. Nora lived in Florence in the 1700's and Sofia is writing a book about Nora speaking to her through paintings and statues in modern day Florence. I understand that Susan Meissner probably intended for us to know more about Nora but it just didn't go anywhere with the rest of the book. But it didn't really take away from the book. Just something I didn't follow to tie into the story.

Check out more about The Girl in the Glass.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from Waterbrook Multnomah for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This Pile...

2012-11-13T16:41:00.001-05:00

Of Curious George books is headed back to the library tomorrow. Plus one very Hungry Caterpillar that became a fast favorite!

We love our library and hanging out with friends while there!

Justice's Mask by Louise Ayers

2012-11-08T14:41:00.001-05:00

I am super excited to share a new book with you.

In fact it was just released this week.

But the reason I am so excited is that I know a published author!!!

Yep.

And I'm proud of her.

Growing up this was her dream. She always talked about being an author some day. And she lived it.

Every year our youth group put on a play at church. Louise wrote and directed the play. They were always awesome and drew a crowd (Granted we were amateur, non-aspiring actors). We always had such fun.

If she wasn't writing something she was reading. I don't think I ever saw Louise without a book within reach.

Without further ado, here is the link to her very first published novel!!!!!!

Justice's Mask

I haven't gotten to read it yet, but I'm sure you won't be disappointed. And I'm not just saying that because we've been friends for, what, 15 years plus now. Seriously check it out.

This is a journey I've gotten the privilege of seeing come to a joyous new road. I can't wait to see what is in store for her in the next few years!

Book Review:: Grieving God's Way

2012-11-05T12:55:00.002-05:00

This book had been an option for me for a while to review and I had just scanned over it to get to the other books. But due to recent events in our lives I thought now was a good time to finally pick the book that had been staring me in the face.

I'm glad I did.

Margaret Brownley had suffered her own loss three years before penning Grieving God's Way. This is not only a helpful book for people deep in loss but it is also a personal journey for her.

Brownley takes you through 90 days of grief. 90 days to allow God to bring you out of the darkness into His light. 90 days to see the promises of healing and hope from God through the tears of searing loss.

Right from day one she acknowledges the pain and the grief as physical. Not many people will do that. Then she addressed the soul, heart and spirit. She takes the whole person and works toward healing with God.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"

Phil 4:13

I can't say how helpful this book will be for you. If you're hurting from a present loss or one from years ago, it would be a good book to get ahold of. Just try it, you may be surprised how much it could help. I really like how Brownley addressees the entire person not just the emotional side of loss and I think that's what helps the most. She recognizes this.

This could be a healing journey for you.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from booksneeze.com for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Book Review:: A Wreath of Snow

2012-10-30T13:53:00.003-04:00

This was my first Liz Curtis Higgins historical fiction read. I recently read The Girl's Still Got It and really enjoyed it. I honestly didn't put the author and books together until I got all my resources together for this book review. Oops.

Not that it's a bad thing though.

I just had no idea she did historical fiction (I love historical fiction). I only know her from her Bible/Devotional works (Bad Girls of the Bible ring a bell?).

She did a fantastic job with this book as well.

I am not normally into romance/love stories. I find them predictable and all the same. And I still said she did a fantastic job. Even though I saw it coming I couldn't figure out how it was going to work out! This never happens for me with this sort of thing.

It is a well written, quick read. Quite an enjoyable way to start off the holiday season that is just around the corner.

A Wreath of Snow tells the love story of a young Scottish teacher, Meg Campbell, and a newspaper writer, Gordon Shaw, in the late 1800's. Yes, a love story. A Christian based loved story. Within this story is a tragedy that left the Campbell family in ruins and Gordon Shaw shamed. A freak Christmas Eve storm slams Meg and Gordon together. Meg bares her soul to Gordon as they walk back to the train station in the dark, cold night. Gordon, in turn, lies to her then comes clean. Some how, against Meg's pleading, Gordon ends up back the Campbell house under false pretenses to wait out the storm so he can return home by train in the morning. During his stay God opens up the door for him to be truthful. A whirlwind of events happen. Healing happens. And, yep, love happens.

Read the first chapter here.
Or view a video here.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Book Review:: Grace

2012-10-16T15:07:00.001-04:00

Do you know the definition of grace?

Do you know what it means to give or receive grace?

Do you know grace?

We all think we do. It's just something we talk about and use regularly. We say grace before meals. We use it as a name. We sing it in just about every song in church. But do we really know grace?

In his book, Grace, Max Lucado talks grace in a way you've never experienced. The grace you thought you knew will be defined in a life changing way.

"My child, I want you in My new kingdom. I have swore away your offenses like the morning clogs, your sins like the morning mist. I have redeemed you. The transaction is sealed: the matter is settled. I, God, have made My choice. I choose you to be part of My forever family."

How wonderful it is to know that God chose you? He wanted you. And His grace to you in never ending. It doesn't matter what you've done, where you come from or what's going on in your life right now. God has grace enough for you. Lucado wants you to understand grace as never before. Fully knowing grace will change your life in ways you've never imagined. There is no fear with God because of His grace: so rest. There is no judgement with God's grace, it covers all: so let go of regrets and hurt. God's all consuming grace can fill your life with joy.

I can't even begin to write a good description of this book.

It. Is. Amazing.

Life. Changing.

Exactly what I needed at this point in my life.

It's written in a way that someone who has never experienced God or grace can be wrapped with both within the first pages. And if you have seen both, it can seep further into your life and heart with simple wording that comes alive.

If you can get your hands on a copy of this book, please do. You won't regret it.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from booksneeze.com for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Book Review:: You Can't Make Me

2012-10-10T09:20:00.003-04:00

Everyone thinks they have a strong willed child. You know, the one who won't do anything you ask them to do or blatantly does something wrong and you think they're doing it just to annoy you.

In my opinion you just have a child.

I do think there are strong willed children (my education has shown me so) but I also think the term is thrown around way to much. It's easier for a parent to say "She's strong willed" than to step up and discipline.

That being said I chose this book because I was interested to explore various parenting strategies. I don't think I have a strong willed child but she does toss food over the side of her high chair no matter what we do...that is a strong willed moment, not a strong willed child, I don't like labels.

Cynthia Ulrish Tobias is an Applied Learning specialist (if you don't know what that means check out her website). She has a series of books designed to help you parent a strong willed child, or just a child in general. In this book, You Can't Make Me [But I can be persuaded], she gives strategies for raising a strong willed child to be the best they can be. In the beginning she describes what a strong willed child is and that it is not a bad thing to have a child who purposely drives you crazy.

"Many parents automatically assume that having a strong willed child is a bad thing...it is a great gift to have a child with firm convictions, a high spirit, and a sense of adventure." Pg. 19.

Tobias also gives ways to help turn conflict around, deal with school and find the perfect career. As well as surviving a meltdown, and what to do when it gets out of control. She also address whether or not strong willed behavior is sin and how to help your child stay on track with right and wrong while still learning to be independent and nurturing their will.

"Your SWC may be God's instrument for making the world a better place"

Pg. 19-20

This book was a struggle for me to read. As I said before I do not like labels, I feel they sometimes (such as this) give an excuse to do whatever it is your think you have. Tobias talks about things she has done, such as not following the rules because she views them as guidelines, and what others have done in their manner. Say what!? No way. Not in my house and not anywhere in the world is it ok not to follow the rules because you don't think they apply to you. If you're raising your child that way...wait, that's not what this review is about. Back to the book.

Tobias does give great parenting strategies for any child. Some of her suggestions will help you raise an independent child who can take responsibility for their own actions.

In all, I feel you can find a better book for parenting a strong willed child that doesn't allow them to bend the rules just because you feel their strong willed...

Disclaimer: I received this book from WaterBrook Multnomah for free for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Place's You'll Go:: The National Zoo

2012-09-25T13:10:00.000-04:00

Our family loves animals.

My one year old knows a lot of animal sounds with her favorite being the elephant (trunk and everything). The cow comes in a close second.

A group of our friends decided to go to the National Zoo in Washington DC in mid-July (yes, I'm a little behind!). I jumped on the chance to take Baby to see her beloved animals.

SHE LOVED IT.

They had wonderful exhibits. Fun animals.

And lots of cooling stations. I don't recommend going in mid-July when it's 100+ degrees. Go in the spring or fall. The animals will be more willing to be seen in their natural habitats rather than through glass in a cool building. Plus you won't almost die of heat exhaustion.

Best of all:

IT'S FREE!

All you have to pay for is parking and it's about $22 a car. We had ever seat filled in a van so $22 for 7 of us. Not too bad!

Of course a trip to DC wouldn't be complete without checking to see if the President was home!

Things to See:: Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood

2012-09-24T21:56:00.000-04:00

Remember Mr. Roger's Neighborhood?

What memories come while searching for Mr. Roger's. He was always a favorite of ours growing up. I don't really remember much about the episodes but I definitely remember his red sweater and the song.

The Song.

You're singing it now aren't you?

Now The Fred Roger's Company has made a new, updated version of the old favorite called Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood.

We've only watched it a few times since it coincides with nap time at our house but from what I've seen it looks like a good one! Baby has enjoyed it and I have too.

There are quite a few similarities between the two shows and it makes me happy to know that my daughter will have something like Mr Roger's to watch growing up.

A Season For Tending

2012-09-18T14:40:00.002-04:00

Cindy Woodsmall is a well known Amish fiction author. She has written numerous series on this subject and is a New York Times Best Seller.

She starts a whole new series with this book: A Season for Tending.

Rhoda is a young Amish woman fighting against her past. She is trying to come to terms with her sister's death, her perceived roll in events and the duty she feels compels her to push against Amish beliefs. Rhoda is a gardener by trade. She grows and cans fruits and vegetables along with various herbs. These herbs and her knowledge of them cause a conflict with members of the Amish order. She is forbidden to use them medicinally after her sister's death. She agrees as long as she can keep them. But she can't fight her instincts to help people, with herbs or otherwise. She has a keene sense of what is going on around her that she just can't help coming to the aid of anyone, Amish or English. This gets her in trouble many times over yet brings forth a beautiful story of following your heart and dreams as well as God's Will even if you must go against those you love the most.

Although this book didn't move as fast as I had hoped it would, I did enjoy the easy read. A bit predictable but a good read none the less. I have read a lot of Beverly Lewis' Amish fiction so I was comparing it all the way through. I feel it is all the same but some variations in plots make it interesting. It was fun since we live near some of the areas mentioned in this story as well. There's really not much I can say about this book other than if you like Amish fiction pick it up, it's a good, easy read.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from waterbrookmultnomah.com for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Curious George

2012-09-07T10:00:00.000-04:00

We came to a dead end for our Dr Seuss books in early summer. I could not find any more of them available around here (I do the library not buy). I found a few that we watched online as someone else read them but it wasn't any fun. Someday I hope we do come across the remaining few.

Wednesdays are our library days. We go hang out with some friends and pick out books for the next week. And as Curious George has become a new love around here I decided to pick up all the books on the shelf. Baby flips through them and loves looking at what that bad little monkey is doing (yes, he sometimes can be bad!). I got me thinking as I looked at Curious George Goes to the Beach that are a few different varieties of George books. And...

Meet our newest challenge:

Read all of the Curious George books!

There are 9 original Curious George books by Margaret and H.A. Rey:

Cecily G and the 9 Monkeys (When George is first introduced)
Curious George
Curious George Takes a Job
Curious George Rides a Bike
Curious George Gets a Medal
Curious George Flies A Kite
Curious George Learns the Alphabet
Curious George Goes to the Hospital

After H.A. Rey died in 1977, Margaret continued to write stories with Alan Shalleck (they are mostly out of print now but some are being re-released).

Curious George and the Dinosaur
Curious George Goes to the Aquarium
Curious George Goes to the Dentist
Curious George Bakes a Cake
Curious George Goes to a Toy Store
Curious George Goes to School
Curious George Visits an Amusement Park
Curious George at the Railroad Station
Curious George Visits a Police Station
Curious George Goes Hiking
Curious George Goes to the Circus
Curious George at the Beach
Curious George Goes to a Restaurant
Curious George at the Fire Station
Curious George Plays Ball
Curious George Airport
Curious George at the Ballet
Curious George Walks the Pets
Curious George Goes Sledding

Then there is a whole list of other books written by Margart Rey about Curious George. Plus another list of books based on his movies and TV show (we will not include this since the list is never ending!).

Check out our progress as we take on this new challenge!

Book Review::This Scarlet Cord

2012-09-06T09:27:00.003-04:00

I. Love. Historical. Fiction.

It is probably my favorite genre.

And yes, this is fiction. Please keep that in mind as you read this and the book.

This Scarlet Cord by Joan Wolf brings the story of Rahab to life. Rahab was a real Canaanite girl who turned away from her false gods and helped some of Joshua's spies escape the city of Jericho. Joshua was leading the Israelite army into the Promised Land. The spies were sent in ahead of the army to relay information about the much fortified city. As the infamous Bible story continues Joshua marches around the city and the walls that never could fall crumbled at the hand of God. This is the historical part of the story.

Wolf takes this story to a fictional level. Through research about the culture and history of the time period when it is believed Rahab lived, Wolf develops a beautiful story of Rahab and how she becomes an agent of God in His will. Rahab gets a history, a personality and a future. She gets a family. Wolf even produces a reason and way of Rahab's change in beliefs. (Really, who hasn't sat and wondered how and why Rahab decided to give up her gods for the One True God?). She makes Rahab a real person we can all relate to, feel and know that no matter what we have done in our history, God has a plan for us and will use us for His glory!

I had to remember as I was reading this book that it was truly fiction. But it was fun trying to take the real story and piecing together what was going on in the book. It's always fun to dream up what isn't written in Bible as a background (as long as it doesn't take away from the Truth, anyway).

My only complaint is that in the beginning of the book I feel Wolf tried too hard to make this story real. Her descriptions to bring the story to life were a bit over kill and a lot was repeated for no reason. We got the picture the first time. But after the first few chapters, Wolf settled into a rhythm and flow that made this story a good one!

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from Booksneeze.com for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Baby's First Birthday Party

2012-09-04T14:15:00.003-04:00

I know this has not much to with books (although we have quite a few of his books and read them frequently! Maybe I should start a list since we got through all the Dr. Seuss ones we could...). But I had to share our newest love...

Who else but Curious George?

We love him here. Baby claps uncontrollably and dancing like a maniac when the music starts. So what else should be the theme?

We had a great day even though it was overcast and the hurricane was coming up the coast. (How fitting since she was born during Lee last year!). But even with the impending rain we had a wonderful time! Almost all her friends she hangs out with came and played on the playground. Both sets of Grandparents made it.

We Love You Monkey
May you always be curious.

Book Review:: The Girl's Still Got It

2012-08-24T14:52:00.002-04:00

Oh the joys of summer vacation...relaxing in the sun, reading a book, feet up...yeah right....not with an almost 1 year old. So please forgive the gap in the blog...

Now onto the latest book I finally finished. I've had it for a while.

Ruth has always been a favorite Bible story of mine. Who doesn't enjoy a nice love story full of redemption and 'fate'? Liz Curtis Higgins tells this beautiful story as if you, the reader, are standing with Ruth and Naomi, taking the road back home, coming upon the man she is to marry waiting for her (I mean, really, how much more sweet can the be?) and beginning her life with her new God. The Girl's Still Got It takes you step by step through their journey. Right from the very start Curtis makes the characters come to life, makes you feel present in history, and, above all, makes God come alive on the pages of a book written thousands of years later. Even after all these years, Ruth and her story still have it. Ruth is still worth something.

If you haven't met Ruth yet I'll give you a little background: She comes from a very pagan nation, marries into Naomi's God-fearing family. Her husband dies, as well as her father in law and brother in law, leaving Naomi and two daughters in law. History will tell you this isn't a good situation. Due to a famine lifting in the Promised Land, Naomi heads home bringing with her Ruth (her other daughter in law did most of us would do and high tailed it home). I can't tell you much more because the hand of God works wonders in Ruth's life. Just know she was not only redeemed in love and family but with God as well.

Even though I wasn't real fond of Curtis' writing style, I still loved the book! As I said previously, Ruth is a favorite (Should I have favorites? Eh, why not!). I did enjoy her taking the characters and making them more real, more touchable, more like me. I felt more involved in the story than just being told again. Curtis took the characters and made them more available, made their feelings and thoughts more real.

But that's not the important part of the book.

Curtis made God silent hand in the story more real. God never speaks in the book of Ruth, in fact He's hardly mentioned. But you know He's there. Because of the way her characters came to life, God comes to life also. You can see Him, now, behind the scenes.

"Our desire as believes isn't to be more like Ruth; it's to be more like Jesus. With each admirable thing Ruth does, we will see the Lord's handiwork...when we read the final page, I hope instead of saying 'wow, what a woman' we'll be saying, 'wow, what a Redeemer!'"

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Book Review:: Running for My LIfe

2012-07-31T10:20:00.001-04:00

With the Olympics in full swing, it was the perfect time to receive this book. I knew nothing of this runner even though I faithfully watched the 2008 summer Olympics, especially the opening ceremonies, when Lopez Lomong carried the American Flag with pride. I don't remember his story, which I'm sure they talked about at some point during the games. I wish I did. It is a story worth reading. A story of hope and dreams, determination and survival.

In Running For My Life, Lopez Lomong (born Lopepe Lomong in war stricken South Sundan) tells an inspiring story of a six year old boy, ripped from his mothers arms by rebel solders, who grow up in a refugee camp in Kenya and, years later and a dream come true, became an American Olympian. He tells of escaping a rebel camp that turned children into soldiers with three 'angels', being taken to a refugee camp to live off UN scraps on Tuesday and a chicken on holidays. While at the camp, Lomong fell in love with soccer. In order to play he had to run 18 miles everyday. Yes, you read that right: 18 miles. Through God's blessing and mighty hand, Lomong was chosen to come to America through a program for the Lost Boys. He was placed with a family in Syracuse, New York (close to where I grew up!)

"Ten years after the rebel soldiers ripped me out of my mother's arms, I finally had a place to call home."

He struggled with understanding that someone would actually want him. Who would want a boy with no country, a boy with really no past.

"They were so nice but apparently so clueless. Why would they ever think a lot boy like me belonged in their home."

Though he wanted to play soccer, the cross country coach bribed him with a jacket (yes, a jacket with his name on the back). Many years later, after stating to everyone who would listen since the time he saw Michael Johnson run in the Olympics on a black and white TV in Kenya, he did make it to the Olympics.

We live in American not knowing how blessed we really are, how children long to come here because it is the land of dreams and opportunity. This story proves America is still where dreams can come true. A heart wrenching, inspiring, eye opening read. Definitely one you need to get your hands on, especially during these exciting summer Olympics. And cheer on Lomong as he runs for the USA!

Lomong didn't write this book to show how good he became at running because he, in all seriousness, ran for his life many times but he is also running for the lives of other Lost Boys in Sudan. He travels and back forth, using his athletic standing and status as a platform to share the terror still going on. Visit his website to find out more of what he is doing for the Lost Boys and the Sudan.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from BookSneeze.com for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Book Review:: Trusting God

2012-07-18T14:00:00.000-04:00

"Dear Lord, help me look past my problem to see Your provision and protection. Help me rest in the truth that Your ways are high than my ways even when I don't understand"

Trusting God is a series of daily devotionals meant to reignite a 'girlfriends' trust in God. Each day one of the three women (Sharon Jaynes, Gwen Smith and Mary Southerland) take you through some very personal journeys during which they learned a lesson on trusting God. These journeys range from meeting friends, having children, loss and gaining. The fruit of trusting God through everything is evident in the happy endings. Throughout the book, you can see how God is there, always. These women want you to see this, embrace this, live this. Fully trusting God. Always. Their life stories are proof and they want to share. Girlfriend to girlfriend. Heart to heart. Woman to woman. Through their pain and triumphs they want you to know that letting go can be more ever more rewarding than clinging to the stump holding you to earth. God can do amazing things, as the ladies share, when we release and let go to Him. Trust Him. Trust His ways are better. How much more evidence do you need than three women pouring their hearts onto pages and glorifying God for all He has done?

None. Although it would be nice for you to experience it on your own, right? At the end of each section there is a chapter to reflect. Ways to apply what you've just read about to your own life. Ways to 'let go and let God'. Without these chapters I think the book would have been redundant. But hey, God never changes. His blessings come when we trust Him. They never change. So I guess hearing over and over how God can bless any circumstance can never get old. If you don't want to take the time to read, then don't. But if you need to know, need to be reminded that God is in control, His ways are better than ours, His plan is eternal than this book is for you. Trust is hard, especially with someone Who we cannot see. But know that when you do, there is nothing better.

"God is not human. God never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He will never leave us nor forsake us. He says what He means, and means what He says. God cares for you unceasingly, provides for you immeasurably, and loves you unconditionally. And you really can trust Him"

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah for this review. Opinions expressed are my own.