Jendi's Journal

Blue Moon Bay By Lisa Wingate | Book Review

Jendi — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:25:48 +0000

I’m not sure what to think about this book. It is listed as Contemporary Fiction; it’s more drama than comedy. It seemed to move really slow to me and I spent a good half of the book being frustrated with her struggles. In the last 4 chapters it took off and the plot zoomed along right before it stopped – not ended – stopped.

The story is told from the point of the heroine, and she’s in the dark about what is going on most of the time. God and church are woven through in bits and pieces. My favorite parts are the quotes and who wrote them on the wall of wisdom. I did enjoy reading about Ruth and her family that lives in the Mennonite town.

Here is the backcover copy:

Heather Hampton returns to Moses Lake, Texas, to help facilitate the sale of a family farm as part of a planned industrial plant that will provide the area with much-needed jobs. Heather’s future fiance has brokered the deal, and Heather is in line to do her first large-scale architectural design–if the deal goes through.

But the currents of Moses Lake have a way of taking visitors on unexpected journeys. What was intended to be a quick trip suddenly morphs into Valentine’s week–with Blaine Underhill, the handsome banker who just happens to be opposing Heather’s project. Spending the holiday in an ex-funeral parlor seems like a nightmare, but Heather slowly finds herself being drawn into the area’s history, hope, and heart.

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 my affiliate link is in this post.

------------- Blue Moon Bay By Lisa Wingate | Book Review is from: Jendi's Journal.com

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Lovebird And Kids Interacting

Jendi — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:12:54 +0000

I promise not to keep posting pictures of the lovebird every week, but he is so cute to take pictures of!

At first he wasn’t sure about us, and decided to view us from the chandelier.

Then he decided to get a little closer.

He got so comfortable with us that he decided to take a bath.

They look really bedraggled when they are wet, don’t they?

P.S. We named him Vivace. Thanks Alicia! You were the first of a couple people that suggested it. Since it’s Italian for lively and vivid it fits well.

P.P.S. I posted pictures for the dry lovebird last week, and he sat on my shoulder for the Monday Mingle.

For other people’s pictures visit the Wordless Wednesday main site.

------------- Lovebird And Kids Interacting is from: Jendi's Journal.com

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Conservative Christian Music Resources

Jendi — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:43:39 +0000

We are very conservative with our music; we enjoy classical, sacred, and some folk. This does tend to limit the buying of cds because we can’t just bop down to Target or Wal-mart and buy a new one. However, my husband and I have a good sized collection of approx. 150 cds that we have built up over the years. A friend asked about where we buy cds and I compiled a list of online sources. I thought that some of you might like to know about these resources.

My disclaimer: I’m not blanket endorsing everything on all of these sites. You are responsible for your own choices. If you have questions about specific ones feel free to ask me. These are listed in no specific order – not even alphabetically!

If you use mp3s you have a bit of an advantage because you don’t have to pay shipping and you get instant access to the music. It can be especially nice for Christmas music on Amazon because you can preview the song and choose what specific track you want.

Conservative Christian Music mp3s

Sacred Audio - “conservative Christian music and more”
Majesty Tunes - “sacred music downloads you can trust” This has Patch the Pirate.

If you want real cds you can find music you like on sacred audio and then search for the artist through Google. That usually gets you to their site or a place to buy their cd.

Conservative Christian Music CDs or mp3s

Heart Publications - publishing ministry of the Steve Pettit Evangelistic Association
Faith Music Missions – “the most trusted name in conservative Christian music”
The Wilds

Conservative Christian Music CDs

Concord and Harmony - “presenting Godly, conservative, traditional Christian music”
Stouffer Music – “family vocal ministry devoted to praising the Lord in song”
Soundforth – “Christ centered resources for education, edification, & evangelism
Herbster Evangelistic Ministries
Certain Sound – “your source for Christian music”
Discover Christian Music
Secret Place Music

Once again – this post is not a blanket endorsement of everything these sites sell. My husband and I believe that Godly music is very important – in our church and our lives. Please take care with what you are letting permeate your home.

------------- Conservative Christian Music Resources is from: Jendi's Journal.com

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Monday Mingle – Border States, Annoying Traits, And Funny Scenes

Jendi — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:01:12 +0000

Monday Mingle is a weekly link-up hosted by EightyMPHMom. We answer 3 questions through video and have fun watching and commenting on other’s videos. It’s not exclusive – everyone’s invited. This week’s questions are:

Which state do you wish could border your own state?
What personality trait in other people do you find the most annoying?
What is the funniest scene from a TV sitcom that you’ve ever seen?

If you want to read tips and tricks about making your own video blogs check out my Simple Vlogging Tips.

------------- Monday Mingle – Border States, Annoying Traits, And Funny Scenes is from: Jendi's Journal.com

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In Too Deep By Mary Connealy | Book Review

Jendi — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:55:34 +0000

I can’t remember the last time I’ve said this, but I recommend that you read the first one of this series first. This book jumps right into the story of the Kincaid brides. I think I like this one better than the first one. One reason is that I related to Audra more than I did to Julia; maybe it’s because there’s things I’m making myself be brave and do in my life lately. I like that the hero, Ethan, uses a Bible promise to help him through a really tough time.

The story moves along at a fast pace the whole way through, and I don’t think I’ve ever read another plot quite like this one. [Have to add that Mary Connealy seems to come up with new and interesting plot lines for all her books.] “In Too Deep” sets the stage for the third book and the rest of Seth’s story. The sub story of Jasper and Trixie seems to be leading into the next book. I definitely want to read that one too. You can read my review of the first one titled “Out of Control.”

Here is the backcover copy:

In 1866 Colorado, Ethan Kincaid agrees to a marriage of convenience with the same casual disregard he gives every decision. Audra Gilliland, young mother of two, accepts his proposal because she wants to stop being a burden to her newly married stepdaughter. And suddenly both of them are in far deeper than they’d planned.

Ethan doesn’t expect Audra to affect him so profoundly, and when she begins to, he’s terrified of the pain he’s felt before when someone he loved was seriously injured on his watch. He’s determined that his new wife will do as he says so he can keep her safe from the dangers that lurk on their ranch. Audra has been cared for all her life by one man or another–and they’ve done a poor job of it. Now she’s planning to stand up for herself. And her new husband had better agree or get out of her way!

What will it take to transform two wayward hearts fearful of getting in too deep into two trusting hearts ready to risk falling deeply in love?

------------- In Too Deep By Mary Connealy | Book Review is from: Jendi's Journal.com

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Our Newest Family Addition

Jendi — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:04:13 +0000

A 6 month old Peach Faced Lovebird

We think it’s a boy, but we haven’t named him yet. Would like to use some kind of musical term for a name that could mean boy or girl. If you have an idea I’d love to hear it in a comment.

For more pictures visit the Wordless Wednesday main site, 5 Minutes for Mom, and Amy has a funny cartoon at Resourceful Mommy.

------------- Our Newest Family Addition is from: Jendi's Journal.com

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Mothers Of Many Must Be…

Jendi — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:03:29 +0000

Crazy wasn’t actually the first word that came to mind. The first word I would say is…

Unselfish.

This past summer I had the privilege of watching 3 nephews & 1 niece at my house. I survived 7 kids for a whole week; and I’m still thinking of putting it on a Tshirt. During that time it occurred to me how unselfish a mother of many needs to be. There just isn’t time – or the energy – to do your own hobbies. Just the work required to keep the kids clothed and fed, and the house semi-clean takes up the majority of the time. You have to love being a mother; it’s so much more than just having a baby.

During that week I thought of other mothers of many that I know and I thought of this word…

Organized.

I think it happens out of necessity. There’s not enough time in the day to hunt down shoes, socks, coats, or other necessary items for many children. You’d never go anywhere! If the mother doesn’t start out organized she seems to end up that way. And again with the food – one big trip to the grocery store is much easier and smarter than many little trips when you have to load of a group of children.

One more word for this list…

Patient.

I’ve been inviting over some nephews and niece that live locally. Last night I had 5 kids through the evening. That’s the best kind! Have them over for a couple hours, use their energy to clean my house, and ship them home. Okay, I haven’t made them clean yet, but their mother said I could so I’m scheming. How quickly I forgot the patience necessary for toddlers – shoes, bathroom, explanations, instructing, etc. My children have grown past that point and a different type of patience is required; but most of the time they wait for me more than I wait for them. Mothers of many exercise their patience multiple days each hour.

So mothers of many – I salute you! And I’ve decided that I love being the aunt. Favorite aunt is even better, but I’ll settle for Aunt.

------------- Mothers Of Many Must Be… is from: Jendi's Journal.com

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Monday Mingle – Be Rich, Be Better, And Celebrate

Jendi — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:28:40 +0000

“I’d be rich if I had a dollar for every time I ____________”

Which holiday do you feel doesn’t get the respect it deserves?

What do you wish you were better at?

------------- Monday Mingle – Be Rich, Be Better, And Celebrate is from: Jendi's Journal.com

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Sunday Poem | Worth While

Jendi — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:56:48 +0000

It is easy enough to be pleasant,
When life flows by like a song,
But the man worth while is one who will smile,
When everything goes dead wrong.
For the test of the heart is trouble,
And it always comes with the years,
And the smile that is worth the praises of earth
Is the smile that shines through tears.

It is easy enough to be prudent,
When nothing tempts you to stray,
When without or within no voice of sin
Is luring your soul away;
But it’s only a negative virtue
Until it is tried by fire,
And the life that is worth the honor on earth
Is the one that resists desire.

By the cynic, the sad, the fallen,
Who had no strength for the strife,
The world’s highway is cumbered today;
They make up the sum of life.
But the virtue that conquers passion,
And the sorrow that hides in a smile,
It is these that are worth the homage on earth
For we find them but once in a while.

by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

------------- Sunday Poem | Worth While is from: Jendi's Journal.com

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Love Blooms In Winter By Lori Copeland | Book Review

Jendi — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:24:58 +0000

An easy, relaxing read, but a bit slow. It has good characters, and a good variety of them. Jeremy was one of my favorites; and Esau was just plain fun. A good plot that hasn’t been done a million and one times. An undercurrent of religious faith is felt more than read throughout the story. Reading over what I just read – it’s an all around good book.

For this one I have to mention the cover. Doesn’t she just look so happy?

Here is the backcover copy:

A romantic new book from bestselling author Lori Copeland that portrays God’s miraculous provision even when none seems possible.

1892—Mae Wilkey’s sweet next-door neighbor, Pauline, is suffering from old age and dementia and desperately needs family to come help her. But Pauline can’t recall having kin remaining. Mae searches through her desk and finds a name—Tom Curtis, who may just be the answer to their prayers.

Tom can’t remember an old aunt named Pauline, but if she thinks he’s a long-lost nephew, he very well may be. After two desperate letters from Mae, he decides to pay a visit. An engagement, a runaway train, and a town of quirky, loveable people make for more of an adventure than Tom is expecting. But it is amazing what can bloom in winter when God is in charge of things.

You can find more information at the author’s site. You can read the first chapter at Where the Story Begins. Published by Harvest House Publishers. This book was sent to me through Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for the book tour. The words are fully my own and my affiliate link is in this post.

------------- Love Blooms In Winter By Lori Copeland | Book Review is from: Jendi's Journal.com

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