November Book Fair..."Love Found a Way"

Thank you all so much for both the concern of my little graceful trip down the steps- and for the nice words on my very humble Christmas decorating attempt!

Also, a thank you to Mary, from Mary's Writing Nook, who graciously awarded her readers with the Spirit of Christmas award and emailed us with the code! It's now in the sidebar... I've always loved this particular image of Santa kneeling by the manger and what it seems to convey.



Well, November is nearly over...and that means that I'm going to be just under the wire for participating in the November Book Fair, hosted by Chrysalis.
She asked us to review one Christian book during this month...
and since I'm also participating in the Fall into Reading challenge, I thought, OK... I could do this one.
Hmmm... November has proven to be an extra busy month... hence the same three books in my sidebar for the past six weeks!

But even though I am not quite finished with this one, it has spoken to my heart so much that I decided to tell you about it.


About two years ago, I ordered it from a website when I saw it was on sale...recognizing that it was written by a pastor where we use to attend church...
a very beloved pastor of a fairly large church- but a man who, in spite of the fact that his flock was large and he had written numerous books, had such spirit of humility. Not a false humility, but truly, a loving, humble spirit.

In fact, my husband and I were privileged to stand alongside him on the platform one Spring morning as we dedicated our first-born to the Lord.
He prayed over our baby girl, over us, and then handed us two envelopes containing letters- one for us, the parents... and for our child- not to be opened until her 12th birthday. (Hard to believe that birthday is now just three and half years away.)

Sadly, a few years later, after we began attending a smaller church, we learned that this sweet pastor whom we had loved, lost his very long fight with cancer and went home to be with Jesus.

So, two years ago, as I first opened this book and began to read, it was as if I could hear his voice speaking once again.
A quiet, comforting voice telling me of God's incredible love.

This little book is filled with illustrations from real life...his own experiences and of people he knew.
He is able to convey God's love through the pages with such eloquence and at the same time, simple terms that we can lay hold of and begin to grasp...

And he uses Christmas as an example of the ultimate gift of love and salvation that God gave us.

This book is a treasure. In fact, I began using it as a devotional this year, even before it was Christmastime.
You can open it just about anywhere, read a page, and be completely blessed.

Amazing how not only did Pastor Ron Mehl touch so many lives in his many years of pastoring and writing, but through the written word, God can still use him to continue to touch lives today!

"If you let the Christmas season pass without realizing that He was born for you, lived and walked this earth for you, died and rose again for you, you've missed it.
You might as well have slept through the whole month of December." ~Ron Mehl

Fall Reading Challenge

I am so excited to participate once again in Katrina's Reading Challenge! (Thank you again, Katrina, for this wonderful idea!)

I have to admit- for the past two challenges, I have not made it completely through my list. But that's OK, right? This challenge has always helped me stretch just a bit and probably read one or two more books than I probably would have otherwise.

Since we're on the subject of books, I know some have recently stated how they don't think Christian fiction is all that well-written. And that can be true, some of the time.
I know we all have different opinions (and some of these folks are actually blogging friends of mine and wonderful people, to boot)- but I have to respectfully disagree.
Sure, there is some real fluff out there, and I have read some of it. But there's fluff in all genres, as well.
For me, finding good Christian fiction is so worth it, because sometimes God can really use it to speak to me in so many ways.
Just like Jesus Himself used parables and stories to drive home a point, I think a good story can be an instrument truly used by God to teach and encourage, challenge and uplift.

And of course, it's OK to just relax and unwind, and even have a smile and a laugh, too!

Now, I'll tiptoe off my soap box...because I have to admit that I should really read more non-fiction than I do. And that is, once again, my challenge to myself this time.

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So, I'll be extra challenging and list my Non-fiction list, first:

1) Maria by Maria Von Trapp.
I read this one something like 20 years ago, and I though I didn't get to it on my prior challenge, I'm really going to try to re-read it again this fall!

2) Taking Care of the "Me" in Mommy by Lisa Welchel.
I was excited to see this at my church library and will be checking it out soon! (It was through Lisa's website that actually led me to blogging in the first place!)

3) Love Found a Way- Stories of Christmas by Ron Mehl.
We had the profound privilege of having this man as our pastor for several years. He is now with the Lord...but reading His words makes me feel as though I am hearing his voice once again. He was a writer of many books, pastor of one of the largest churches in the area, yet his tender and humble spirit was what you first noticed above all else.

I'm going to limit my must-read non-fictions to just three since I'm trying to be realistic for once! But there are a few others out there I hope to get to if I have time!

Now for the Fiction:

The Prince by Francine Rivers.
I really had hoped to get to this before now, but better late than never! I've only read one F. Rivers book so far, but judging from that one, I have a feeling I won't be disappointed.

2. Chateau of Echoes by Siri L. Mitchell.
I was doing some looking around on the computer last night and found this one recommended by another Christian author. So when I saw that my church library had it this morning, I decided to grab it! :)

3. Marley and Me by John Grogan
I've been wanting to read this for over a year...can't wait! (And now I see there are several children's versions available!)

4) The Choice by Nicholas Sparks
After reading The Wedding last year, I am so looking forward to this one!

5) Out to Caanan by Jan Karon.
As some of you know, I am working my way through the much beloved Mitford series. I am just a couple chapters into this one, the 4th in the series.
So, of course, I am going to have to add to my list....

6) A New Song by Jan Karon.
(And for those of you who are Mitford fans...did you hear the great news? She's started a whole new series, continuing on with Father Tim!!!)

There's several more I'd love to read this fall, but let's face it...I always bite off more than I can chew...it's will be closing in on the Christmas season...I'm a home school parent...um, and I blog.

Here's a couple read-alongs I plan on doing with my girls, too...

Pippi in the South Seas by Astrid Lingren.

Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink
(This looks like a wonder series, not unlike the Laura Ingalls Wilder books. I discovered this was written back in 1935 but surprisingly, I had never heard of this heroine before!)

Plus, it goes without saying that I'll be reading some non-fiction to them- and probably countless Kindergarten-age books to my youngest!

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Well, hmmm...do you see a pattern here? As in my fiction books outnumber my non-fiction by 2-1?

I'll also be doing a two different Beth Moore Bible Studies...one hosted by Myrna via her blog on A Woman's Heart, and also through a woman's study at church called Motherwise, we'll be doing Moore's study of Daniel.

So, it's not too late to get in on the challenge. Go on over and sign in...or at the very least, go see what everyone else is reading!

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a date with a good book....

My Spring Reading...with strawberries on top!

I know this is already going to be a bit long...but before I launch into my reviews, I just wanted to mention how much fun my little girls and I had picking strawberries today!

We went to a U-pick farm that we know, where the view is spectacular...and they even have a play structure and a few little goats!
The weather was absolutely wonderful after all the rain and chilly temps we've been having. It actually got a little hot picking all those ripe berries!
But wouldn't you know...I forgot my camera! You'll just have to visualize the rolling hills and beautiful farm land, blue skies with smattering of white, fluffy clouds, and my girls looking cute in their little sun hats. Sorry.
But don't you love the close-up of our strawberries....? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As I type this, the last hours of Spring are coming to a close and summer is about to officially begin.
That means only one thing- it's time for me to talk a bit about the books I managed to read for the Spring Reading Thing. (A big thank you to Katrina for hosting this!)

As usual, I didn't actually read all the books I had hoped to for my challenge. But the good thing about making a list is that it helps you to follow through with seeking out those books...picking them off the shelves...and actually turning a few pages!

Here's my original list, composed in March. Take a quick jump to the link and you'll see all of my hoped for reading.
Here's what I actually read:

Fiction:

Sisterchicks in Gondolas! by Robin Jones Gunn.

Although she is one of my favorite authors, I actually like the Glenbrook series which she wrote even better than the current Sisterchicks series. And that being said, I like some Sisterchicks books more than others.
Sisterchicks in Gondolas takes two friends to their obvious destination- Venice. A place I always thought would be wonderful to visit. But reading this account left the desire in me waning...and that is not necessarily the fault of Gunn, but perhaps simply a realistic account of how Venice sadly now is...extremely crowded and a bit shabby in places.
However, it was not just the description that I didn't love...but the story line and characters did not really draw me in all that much.
Simply stated: It was just a so-so ride down the canal for me.

At Home In Mitford by Jan Karon

I had heard way too much about this series to hold out any longer, so decided to take the plunge. As I plucked it from the shelf of my church's wonderful library, though, I was surprised on how thick this first one was! (So this should count as two books, right?)
Since I'm a Mayberry kind of gal, I knew life in a small town would appeal to me...and I was right. I just loved reading about Father Tim, a bachelor rector set in his ways, who takes on a big wild pup, and later a slightly wild boy- both who disrupt his quiet life but end up giving him so much in return. (And then he meets an attractive neighbor woman, too, to upset his life that much more!)
I found the first half of the book to be kind of like a pleasant stroll...but the second half actually pretty exciting and I didn't want to put it down!
I thought Jan Karon does an fantastic job making the characters come to life.
In fact, I started the second book this week, and I already am wondering how Father Tim is doing where I last left him off...I really should go pick it back up and check in on him! :)

Stranded in Paradise by Lori Copeland

Well, it started off pretty interesting. And seeing how my last trip to Hawaii had it's share of disasters, it felt sort of good to read about someone else's.
But as things progressed, the disasters- both big and small- began to be so much that I was growing weary of it all!
She meets a nice, Christian man- who though she gets off on the wrong foot with at their meeting, begins to share her many Maui misfortunes with and he is able to lead her to the Lord.
However, though I've liked other books by Lori Copeland, the writing and characters were a little lacking for me somehow. Overall, it was OK, but a little tedious...and I think I'll just stay on the mainland for awhile!

Non-fiction:

As you might be able to tell, I lean a lot towards fiction books. But I did manage to read most of one -and a little of two- from the non-fiction genre!

Lessons from a Sheepdog by Philip Keller.

This one disappointed me a bit. I loved aspects of this, but after several chapters, I honestly felt that he was being overly repetitious. The true story behind it is beautiful, though, and I love the allegory.
But I actually enjoyed the children's book of this which I read to my girls even more, believe it or not!

Say Good-bye to Whining, Complaining and Bad Attitudes in your Kids by Scott Turansky D. Min. and Joanne Miller R.N., B.S.N.

I loved what I read of this so far...the only reason I haven't finished it yet was that those pesky fiction books kept getting in the way!
I did read several chapters, and I thought the advice is great- very practical!

The Cure for the Common Life by Max Lucado

I just started reading this...three chapters so far. I really am liking it a lot and I have a feeling it is only going to get better. I just need to commit to reading a chapter or two every week...like keeping some meat in the diet and not just ice cream (aka non-fiction)!
But I've noticed that it's not heavy at all so far...but speaks right to the heart, telling how God has a plan for each and every one of us if we really take the time to seek this out. So I'm definitely going to finish this one!

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Well, that's it. That's all she read!
I should say, in all seriousness, that I have read some incredible fictional novels in my life that God has used to truly bless and speak to me. So, really I shouldn't say that fiction is just dessert, should I? Well, OK...to me it's ice cream...but even ice cream has some great nutrients!

I'm hoping some of you will also be posting on how you did with your reading challenge and what you liked and maybe didn't. Let me know if you do so I can visit!

Now that I am on a little home school break, I am finding I have some extra time and energy to squeeze even more reading in now days! Ahhhh...if only I had a hammock to go with my strawberries and books, life would be about perfect!

Alright...there's still the housework to do...but a gal can dream!

That Spring Reading Thing

I am so happy that Katrina at Callapidder Days is hosting another reading challenge.
Because even though I have always been a book lover from the time I first learned to read, we all know that sometimes our busy lives can make it a little harder to settle in with that good book and cup of cocoa whenever we feel like it.

And harder yet, when we do other important things...like blogging.

Money doesn't grow on trees for us at the moment, but happily, the new church we have been going to has an awesome library. This place is wonderful...so spacious, with an incredible assortment of books, CD's and DVD's for both adults and children, that we make it a tradition to go up there every Sunday after services to choose more things to borrow.

I could browse in there all afternoon, but for some reason the church librarians want to go home to their families and eat lunch or something. Oh well!

I said all of that to say this...I noticed they have a huge assortment of both fiction and non-fiction that is fairly new. So hopefully, they will have a couple of the items on my Spring reading list.
So, without further ado...(and I've already given you lots of ado) here's what I hope to be reading:

Fiction:

(I already started reading this one....it's a Fall Reading Challenge book that I never got to...)
1) Sisterchicks in Gondolas! by Robin Jones Gunn
She is one of my favorite authors, whom I've had the pleasure of meeting twice. (She's also the author of the wonderful book I recently mentioned, "Gardenias for Breakfast".)
I have to admit, the Sisterchicks series doesn't grab me as well as her Glenbrook series, but when you can take a virtual trip without leaving your sofa, it's almost always fun.

2) At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon
I am one of the very few who have not read the Mitford series yet! I keep hearing so much about them that I decided this would be the perfect time to crack open the first book in the series.

3) The Prince by Francine Rivers
I've only read one Francine Rivers book so far (And the Shofar Blew) and it was excellent. Though I tend to lean towards stories that are lighter when I want to relax, I would love to read another book by this great author and I heard some great things about this one!

4) Stranded in Paradise by Lori Copeland
In keeping with my tendency to lean towards lighter books, I chose this one. I like Lori Copeland...and after my own recent disasterous moments in paradise, I wanted to read about someone else's!

5) Yuletide in Ireland and Wales by Ginny Aiken and Tamela Hancock Murray
Another book of light reading, this is one of those two stories in one fare, which takes the readers to a journey of 19th Celtic romance in 19th century. I admit it...I love romance!

Non-ficton:

1) Lessons from a Sheepdog by Phillip Keller
I actually read the children's book to my girls last month based on this original true story and we loved it. It's an allegory of God's love for us in this story of how the author rescues an unloved dog who becomes his loyal friend.

2) "Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining and Bad attitudes in you and your kids!"
by Scott Turansky, D. Min. and Joanne Miller, RN., B.S.N.
How's that for a title? I know you're laughing, but I borrowed this from a friend and after reading the first chapter, I know I need to finish this one! And no...my children aren't that bad...but they do have their moments- and so do I!

3) Facing Your Giants by Max Lucado
While flipping through my catalog, I came across this book and immediately, I wanted to read it. I'm not sure if it will be in my library yet, but if not, perhaps I can order it...it looks worth it.

If I somehow get through all of these, I would also like to read:
The Cure for the Common Life also by Max Lucado.

So...there you have it! Whew!...I guess I better get off the computer and get going!
But I'm so glad Katrina said that we shouldn't worry if we don't make every book on our list. The point is, to simply have a list and start reading and sharing.

So...hope you join me!

A Wonderful Read...

I don't normally post book reviews (unless of course you count the ones I do for "Fall into Reading"- those wonderful bloggy events that I sometimes start but don't quite finish...) Ahem.

Anyway...I just had to tell you all about a book I just finished reading this very night. (Yes, I just closed it only moments ago!) But I feel like so many of you are real friends that I wanted to share it with you a bit...
It is called Gardenias for Breakfast and I truly enjoyed every page.
It was actually hard to put down...but not in the way of hard suspense, but in the sense that I seemed to befriend the main characters and became so involved that I didn't want to leave them.

This is a book that I may be a little bias about because it happens to be written by one of my favorite authors. I'm speaking of Robin Jones Gunn.
Some of you may know her from the Sisterchicks books, Christy Miller...or my personal favorite, The Glenbrook series.

She also happens to live in my neck of the woods and I have had the privilege of meeting her twice, as well as hearing her speak. Let me just say that she is not only a fabulous speaker from the heart, but she is a friend to everyone she meets.
She writes in a style that is, at times, incredibly deep in it's simplicity. And I always feel just a little closer to God after I've read one of her books.

Gardenias for Breakfast is not a part of a series, but a single story she wrote for The Women of Faith. It is about a woman in her middle years who longs to bring her twelve year old daughter back for a visit to the 92 year old grandmother that had such a positive influence on her. Circumstances present themselves so that this can finally happen, and we follow them on their journey from Maui where they reside, back to her grandmother's place in Louisiana.

Many layers seem to unfold for us as we travel with them...and when they finally arrive, we feel as though we are instantly transported to the small southern town and can almost taste the sweet tea that they share with "Grand Mary," as well as hear their charming southern accents drip from their lips.

If you are looking for a story with huge tragedy, or only crave high suspense or romance (and I love a good romance!) than you might be disappointed. Because although it is really none of the above, it does weave a beautiful tapestry throughout the tale of family love despite failings, and of God's tenderness. And all throughout, it is dotted with both humor and poignant lessons that are learned along the way about the power of generational ties and most of all... forgiveness.

There is so much more that I could say about this book...the way it forced me to re-examine my own still-budding relationship with my little daughters...the way it made me feel grateful to have had such a good relationship with my own mom.
But mainly, I guess I would have to say that by the time I turned the last page, I had not only learned a lot from the characters in the story...but they all had left me with a warm feeling inside...like a sip of hot chocolate.

Pictured (slightly blurry): Myself, Robin and my mom at a tea where Robin spoke in 2004.