Jendi's Journal - Wit & Wisdom from my Journey through Womanhood

Sunday Poem ~ The Shepherd’s Heart

Jendi — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 13:23:14 +0000

I pondered quite a while at home
Before I came to church today,
I longed the wooded hills to roam,
To worship God in my own way;
“I’m only one, I do not count,”
And this excuse served very well
Till, coming from its steeple mount,
I heard the sound of my church bell.
Then coming through the church door wide,
I found my Lord expecting me,
His nail-pierced hands drew me inside,
He said, “My child, I’ve watched for thee,”
Now seated here within my place,
The ninety and nine come back to me,
And oh, the pain on my Lord’s face,
When one stray lamb he cannot see!

by Myrtle R. Stacy

------------- Sunday Poem ~ The Shepherd’s Heart is from: Jendi's Journal.com

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Why Is Mommy Writing On The Wall?

Jendi — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:32:57 +0000

This was very shocking to my children, but I don’t think they are too traumatized. They were so shocked that Mommy was writing on the wall!

Refer to the previous post to see the end result of my painting.

------------- Why Is Mommy Writing On The Wall? is from: Jendi's Journal.com

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A Small Makeover For Our Wall

Jendi — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:38:42 +0000

I endured the wall like this for a while. [Sorry for the bad quality pictures. I'm into videography, not photography.] It’s some pictures I picked up at a thrift shop for really cheap. Not the greatest, but I thought I could use the frames. Almost a year later I had done nothing with them. The frames on the bookcase worked for a while; until I added too many.

Here are the frames today. Isn’t spray paint wonderful? Those are pictures my husband took.

And here is the rest of the wall:

The jar with leaves in it is home to a couple caterpillars. We keep them till they die and then the kids go find some more.

You can blame it all on the Nester because she wrote this post and I had to do something.

------------- A Small Makeover For Our Wall is from: Jendi's Journal.com

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The Vigilante’s Bride by Yvonne Harris

Jendi — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:38:35 +0000

I read this book on a Sunday afternoon. It’s my favorite time to just sit and devour a whole book. I like the vulnerable yet strong heroine, Emily McCarthy; as well as the brash yet gentlemanly hero, Luke Sullivan. They both make a physical and religious move through the course of the story.

At times I think the characters acted more modern than 1884, but how do I know how people acted in 1884 anyways? I really enjoyed the different way of looking at the vigilantes; sometimes I can understand why they wanted to take the law into their own hands. I also found the interaction with the Indians very interesting and sometimes funny.

Here is the backcover copy:

Montana Territory, 1884…Is Her Kidnapper the Only Man Who Can Keep Her Safe?

Robbing a stagecoach on Christmas Eve and abducting a woman passenger is the last thing Luke Sullivan expected to do. He just wanted to reclaim the money stolen from his pa, but instead ended up rescuing a feisty copper-haired woman who was on her way to marry Sullivan’s dangerous enemy. Emily McCarthy doesn’t take kindly to her so-called rescue. Still, she’s hoping Providence will turn her situation for good, especially when it seems Luke Sullivan may just be the man of her dreams. But Luke has crossed a vicious man, a powerful rancher not used to losing, and Emily is the prize he’s unwilling to sacrifice.

You can find more information at the author’s site. You can read the first chapter at Where the Story Begins. Published by Bethany House.

This book was sent to me through Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for the book tour. The words are fully my own and I have no affiliate links in this post.

------------- The Vigilante’s Bride by Yvonne Harris is from: Jendi's Journal.com

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Sunday Poem ~ Be The Best

Jendi — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 13:50:23 +0000

If you can’t be a pine on the top of the hill,
Be a scrub in the valley –but be
The best little scrub by the side of the rill:
Be a bush if you can’t be a tree.

If you can’t be a bush be a bit of the grass,
Doing something for somebody’s sake;
If you can’t be a muskie, then just be a bass –
But the liveliest bass in the lake!

We can’t all be captains, some have to be crew,
There’s something for all of us here,
There’s big work and little for people to do,
And the task we must do is the near.

If you can’t be the highway, then just be a trail,
If you can’t be the sun, be a star;
It isn’t by size that you win or you fail –
Be the best of whatever you are!

by Douglas Malloch

------------- Sunday Poem ~ Be The Best is from: Jendi's Journal.com

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It Works To De-clutter A Little Each Day

Jendi — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:11:55 +0000

If you don’t get to it every day try for once a week. I’m not talking about a lot of time and a lot of mess. I’m talking about 15 minutes a day.

I’m such a S.H.E. [side-tracked home executive] that I don’t even de-clutter the same place two days in a row. And if you tell me you only have one place in your home that needs de-cluttered I’ll tell you all about the swamp land I have for sale in Florida.

If you miss several days, weeks, or ~ahem~ months just start again – but only 15 minutes. Set the timer, grab a plastic bag or two and start walking. I’ve even started having the kids help. “Everybody pick up 5 things to throw away from anywhere in the house – go!”

Today I emptied one tote.

I continue to chip away at the “storage area.” I did declutter when I first packed things up to move; but 2 years with things packed away has a way of making me re-evaluate how much I really want it – if I even remember it.

Now for the moral of the story:

As I was chipping away at the contents of the boxes I thought of the contents of my mind/life. I try to chip away at the bad thoughts, actions, and habits to become more Christ-like each day. Some times I don’t clean out for a while and things pile up. Then I pray and work at it once more. I don’t expect my house to be totally picture perfect in a day and I don’t expect to become a shining Christian in a day; but I’m not giving up on either!

------------- It Works To De-clutter A Little Each Day is from: Jendi's Journal.com

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Who Is That Masked Boy?

Jendi — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:40:46 +0000

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------------- Who Is That Masked Boy? is from: Jendi's Journal.com

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Letters From Sweetwater by Dr. Dale Garland

Jendi — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 23:55:24 +0000

I’ve only made it half way through Letters from Sweetwater. I have to admit that I’ll probably shelf it because I have other books I’d rather read. It has the promise of a good story, but reads more like a biography. Plus it is 438 pages with a lot of characters. It would fit better into a series with one book devoted to one or two of the characters.

There is a mystery but it’s hard to remember what is going on because it’s strung out through other stories. I’m confused about who is involved and who isn’t. There are hints of “encounters” with angels, but again – very strung out and they don’t seem to fit with the rest of the story. There are religious parts and then chapters with no mention of faith. It needs more of a focus.

I hate to say bad things about any book because I know that authors work very hard and it’s not easy to get a “real” book published. However, this one was just not my cup of tea.

Here is the backcover copy:

Deep in the mountains of North Carolina is a tiny but wondrous valley called Sweetwater. Mysterious forces, both good and evil, have converged there to produce a tender but compelling story. Through occasional flights of fantasy, Jesse Gernon gets to peep “behind the curtain” and catch a glimpse of the Glory land. What he discovers there may prove to be far different from anything you ever have imagined, but come see for yourself and be prepared for the unexpected. Romans 8:28 KJV… And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose. When Keith, Jesse’s troubled uncle, comes to visit it is with the intent of disclosing a secret he hints could involve the family honor. En route, however, he encounters a mysterious stranger who strongly advises against such. Soon thereafter Keith is stricken with bacterial encephalitis, leaving him permanently brain damaged and with amnesia… Is his secret lost forever? A question that is certain to haunt the reader.

Published by Revival Nation Publishing. This book was sent to me through Phenix & Phenix literary publicists for review. The words are fully my own and I have affiliate links in this post.

------------- Letters From Sweetwater by Dr. Dale Garland is from: Jendi's Journal.com

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Her Favorite Noodles

Jendi — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 17:01:09 +0000

Cooking supper.
4 year old going through cupboard.
“Mommy, know what my favorite noodles are?”
Which ones?
“Mac and cheese and the crunchy ones – these.”

Full disclosure: The makers of the noodles didn’t send me anything and don’t even know I exist or that my 4 year old wouldn’t mind living exclusively on these 2 types of noodles.

------------- Her Favorite Noodles is from: Jendi's Journal.com

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The Crimson Cipher by Susan Page Davis

Jendi — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 20:22:45 +0000

I enjoyed this book with it’s history, romance, and suspense all mixed together. Emma the heroine is pretty, smart, and mature while still real with her worry, hard work, and dislike of dogs. Going to church and prayer are woven in as part of the fabric of her life. I also enjoyed the part the Navy plays in the book and the information about cryptography.

It was predictable enough to be reassuring, but surprising enough to keep me interested. The characters surrounding the main people are well developed and interesting.

Here’s the backcover copy:

IT’S 1915, AND EMMA SHUSTER HAS FAR TOO MUCH ON HER MIND TO ENTERTAIN NOTIONS OF ROMANCE.

A female Navy cryptographer seeks to save lives…and uncover her father’s killers.

In 1915, German sympathizers escalated acts of sabotage in the United States to keep the nation from joining in the war. With enemies lurking at every turn, whom can Emma trust? Is romance the true motive behind her tow suitors advances? Or could one-or both of them-have traitorous intentions in mind?

Following the mysterious murder of Emma Shuster’s father, Lt. John Patterson invites Emma to become a Navy cryptographer because of the expertise she gained in helping her father develop a cipher system.

Emma races to discover the nefarious plans of her country’s foes and unmask their leader before others are killed. She finds new strength in her faith as she strives to outwit her adversary, known only as Kobold – German for goblin.

And yet, her greatest challenge may be deciphering the cryptic messages her heart sends whenever she encounters a certain navy lieutenant… Can Emma and John find love in the midst of turmoil as America plunges toward war?

You can find more information at the author’s site. You can read the first chapter at Where the Story Begins. Published by Summerside Press.

This book was sent to me through Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for the book tour. The words are fully my own and I have no affiliate links in this post.

------------- The Crimson Cipher by Susan Page Davis is from: Jendi's Journal.com

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