Book Review: Pesto & Potholes

My real life friend, Susan Baganz, is the author of the incredible book, Pesto & Potholes, about the road to healing and the potholes overcome along the way.  For a debut novel, I was just so impressed with how well written and full of depth her character and stories were.  I love to write, but fiction is not my strong suit, so I'm always impressed by authors who can weave a story together that is so real and captivating.  I literally could not put this book down!

The story begins with one of the most heartbreaking chapters I've ever read.  You know a book is going to be good when it makes you cry real tears and immediately makes your heart ache for the character as though she is a real life friend. I won't give it away, because you just need to read it yourself.  I couldn't even summarize it better than the words written on its pages. 

The main character, Renata, is one of those characters that seems to be a magnet for all the bad things in the world.  She begins as a broken and hurting woman who has made a courageous step away from her past to a future of new beginnings.  But the hurt doesn't end in the past and, as she quickly discovers, you can't simply run away and close the door on the past forever, especially for a victim of abuse.  My heart ached for the way men have treated her, including her own father and brothers.  And even though the story is fiction, I know there are far too many women whose stories are painfully similar. 

When Renata meets Antonio, she is drawn to him in a way that both comforts and terrifies her.  Can she ever fully trust a man when she's been so hurt in the past?  His gentle assurances and patient friendship are a breath of fresh air to Renata, but he doesn't come without his own broken past.  I love the way that Susan weaves their stories together in a way that beautifully displays God's grace and steadfast love.  No matter how broken, God can create beauty from ashes and this story is an incredible example of that. 

While Renata and Antonio are the main characters, there are many other secondary characters that provide wisdom, humor, and juxtaposition to the story.  Here are just a few of my favorite lines from the story:

"Everyone hemmed Renata in, safely and securely. Valued. Her eyes watered because it was such a singular realization. 

She bowed her head and prayed to settle her spirit and prepare for worship.  She smiled that the God who called her 'friend' would provide many people around her to be 'Jesus with skin on'. It was sweet. Maybe her healing would be possible here." (page 38)

"I have to learn to accept those comments as truth, and use them to override the lies many others have told me for too long.  Satan would have me believe lies rather than truth.  Please don't stop speaking the truth to me, even if I don't always receive it well." (page 90)

"Antonio, we love you.  Make sure you spend your time on what counts. This restaurant could burn down tomorrow, and what would you have to show for your life? Your siblings have jobs, too. Yes, but they invest in far more than that. It's a dangerous business to let your work become your god." (page 197)

You really just need to read this book for yourself - and, there's no better time than now, because it's only 99 cents for Kindle!  (If you don't have a Kindle, you can still download the free Kindle for my PC app!)  It will seriously be the best 99 cents you've spent!


***Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. 

 

Book Review: Messy Beautiful Love

I've been following Time Warp Wife on facebook for a while.  I don't often have the time to read blog posts, but I enjoy seeing the little tidbits from blog posts Darlene Schacht shares on her facebook page.  Her facebook posts are always such an encouragement to me in the middle of the chaos of everyday living, because, let's be honest, being a mom is hard...but sometimes being a wife is harder.

My husband and I were married the summer I graduated from college.  I had never really lived on my own and was still pretty naive about the real world.  I was also a hopeless romantic.  I had this ideal in my mind that marriage would be all warm and fuzzy all the time.  I imagined my husband coming home from work with a smile on his face, scooping me up in his arms, and spending the evening curled up next to him staring into each others' eyes.

Yeah, I know.  It sounds ridiculous now, but I spent years soaking up every feel good romantic novel I could get my hands on and dreaming of the day my knight in shining armor would sweep me off my feet.  Little did I know that my "knight" would be an avid cyclist instead...who was just as much an imperfect, fallible human as me.

We argued often during that first year of marriage about our unrealistic expectations of each other.  I had no idea how much time he actually invested into training and racing mountain bikes, because the only times I saw him while we were dating was when he wasn't training or racing.  He had an image in his mind of coming home from work, kissing me hello, hurrying off for a training ride, and coming back to a home cooked meal and a smiling wife.  He didn't expect to come home to a crying or angry wife who didn't understand why he spent so much time biking instead of with her.

While we did fight more often during that first year of marriage than we ever did while we were dating, we still had so much fun getting to know each other and enjoying life together.  We had to learn to meet each others' needs before our own and find what worked for us.  Every bike race became a new adventure for us and once a week he would take me for a ride on our tandem bike so we could still be together while he was training.  During the cold winter months, he rode on the stationary trainer in the living room so we could watch movies or episodes of "Quantum Leap" together.

We became parents less than two years into our marriage and balancing our marriage with parenthood became our next challenge.  I'll not soon forget the night we fought loud and hard as we both struggled to understand our new roles.  I needed him to be the leader in our home, but I was also afraid to give up control and submit to him as God had intended...and he was afraid to lead, knowing it would be hard and unsure that he was really qualified.

As I opened to the first chapter of Messy Beautiful Love, I was immediately drawn into Darlene's own story of struggling to understand and embrace her God given role.  Often, when you follow someone's life and words through snippets and pretty photos shared on facebook, it's easy to forget there is a real person with real struggles behind the screen.  Darlene made a choice that nearly cost her marriage and it takes tremendous courage to both write and share her story.  The beauty in sharing her story, though, is that she can encourage women from her own place of brokenness that no matter how much of a mess we make of our own marriages and no matter how far we run from love, there is still grace.

Unlike the fairy tale endings so many romance novels and movies portray, marriage is hard and messy...but when we choose to fight for it instead of fighting against each other, marriage can be the most beautiful picture of the way Christ loves the church.  My husband and I are not perfect and we've had our share of challenges in our marriage, but the beauty in the mess is when we refuse to let the bad moments define us and choose to love each other even when it's hard. 

Messy Beautiful Love is more than just a glimpse into Darlene's own marriage; it's full of encouragement and reminders of God's grace and the gift of a marriage rooted and grounded in Him.  This is one book that I would love to give to every newly married couple, because this is what real love is - messy but so very beautiful. 

*Disclosure: I received a free copy of Messy Beautiful Love as part of the book launch blogging team in exchange for my honest review.  

 

Book Review: The River

I'm a huge fan of Beverly Lewis' books and have already reviewed a few of her books here.  Her newest book, The River, intrigued me from the moment I saw this video clip on her facebook fan page.  It's not the typical Amish story that readers have come to expect from her writing.  It is set in an Amish community, but the main character left her Amish community years ago...only to be drawn back to her roots by a letter that tugs at her heart and the memories of a past she has tried so hard to forget. 

The River is a story of heartache long buried in the past and a young woman still haunted by its memories...but it's also a story of beauty from ashes and redemption in a God who takes our broken pieces and makes us whole.  Sometimes, it takes a return to those painful memories to see how God was there all along and how He redeems it all.

"The Lord gave me beauty for ashes...and you must never doubt that, my dear."

As I read the story, Tilly's character really came alive through the authors words and I found myself drawn into both her sorrows and her joys.  In my own life, I've seen firsthand how God can make beauty out of ashes, but I also know full well what it feels like to hold onto hurts I've tried to hide and forget.  Sometimes the only way to move forward and really heal from the past is to allow God to take us back to those hard memories to see them in a new way.

"Tilly had to let herself step out in faith, wholly trusting in the sovereignty of God, knowing that the sufferings of life didn't have to crush her but could instead draw her closer to the Savior."

I love how the author kept me guessing, giving hints about the past, but still drawing me into the mystery of the past Tilly was trying to both forget...and uncover.  While Tilly was the main character, there were so many other characters - her Mamm, her Daed, Ruth, Melvin - who played a key role in her discovery not only of the truth about her past but of the peace that comes from forgiveness.  At the beginning of the story, I had an image in my mind of who these key characters were, but I didn't really discover the heart of their character until I continued reading and watched the story of Tilly's past unfold.  As the author shares in the note at the end, there are so many "redemptive threads" that weave their way through Tilly's story, making it a beautiful tapestry, true beauty from ashes. 

"Christ Jesus has set me free...And while I didn't leave here in search of a strong faith, I certainly have found it.  I've found love and acceptance in my Lord and Savior."

***Disclosure: I received a free ebook copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my review. 

 

Book Review: Atlas Girl

I've only just discovered Emily Wierenga's blog, but I was immediately intrigued by her newest book release. Atlas Girl is a memoir, her story of searching all over the world to find God and then finding Him in the place she least expected it.  I am always drawn to memoirs, because there is so much power in writing and telling our stories.  So often they are not the stories we hoped or even wanted to write, but that is also what makes our stories so beautiful. 

The moment I opened the pages of Atlas Girl and began to read, I was immediately captivated by the way Emily could paint a picture with her words and draw the reader into the very heart of her story.  It was a book I could hardly put down and I found myself crying and laughing as if I was experiencing her memories myself. 

Emily expertly weaves the past into the present, pulling together bits and pieces of her story that eventually create a beautiful tapestry.  She recognizes that the experiences she's had throughout her life do not define her, but they have shaped who she is today.  The past can't be erased or forgotten, no matter how hard we might try to bury the pain.  

I found myself underlining and writing in the margins more than I expected to, because her story is so vastly different from my own.  But, despite the differences, the lessons learned along the way are some that so many either need to know or already understand, like this:

"Because you can't become healed, truly healed, unless you revisit the past.  Unless you revisit all of those aching, pulsing places and invite God into them."

And this:

"It takes going through hell to appreciate heaven.  And on earth we have a choice.  We can experience heaven on a daily basis; we can surrender our worries and let our minds and souls be flooded with peace, knowing someone divine is taking care of us.  

Or we can hold on to control, for fear of letting go and letting God.  

It's not about dying and someday going to heaven, it's about inviting heaven into our everyday existence.

Forgiving.  Redeeming what is lost.  Trusting.  Letting go.  Living now."

I so admire Emily for not just writing a story, but for writing her story, broken pieces and all.  It's the most painful parts of our stories that are the hardest to write, but so often the ones that bring the most healing if we allow them to.  Stories like hers are why I keep on writing the hard stories, the ones that scare me the most to remember and explore.

"...I witness my genes pooling with the paint as I mix liquid with pigment and it's messy, and the lines are blurred, but when it dries, it's soft and beautiful.

That's life and faith too.  Messy, blurry, and beautiful."

*Disclosure: Revell Reads Blog Tour Program and Baker Publishing Group provided me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

 

Book Review: Finding Spiritual Whitespace

I discovered her words while still finding my way out of the darkness that was a long battle with postpartum depression and anxiety.  She, the blogger with a far bigger platform than my own and a contributor for the most beautiful online community of women I've ever discovered, poured out her heart in words in the middle of her own journey towards healing.  As I read, it was like she was speaking straight into my deepest hurts and showing me how far from alone I really was.  Because we all have a story to tell of our own broken pieces - none of us are perfect - and it's the brave ones who share the hardest pieces of their story.

I've written through a lot of my journey to healing and I've claimed victory over postpartum depression, but there are still days that anxiety creeps in and rears its ugly head.  It's the panic attacks that are so hard to write about, because it's more than just worrying about tomorrow.  I spent well over a year sorting through the memories and hurts behind the anxiety with the help of my counselor and learning how to recognize my triggers and how to cope with the anxious thoughts before a panic attack begins.

Watching Bonnie's own journey unfold through her words gave me courage to keep journeying forward and encouraged me on the days that were still hard.  I've long been anticipating the release of her book, but what I didn't realize until I began reading just the first few pages was how much I would need her words today.

While the dark days of postpartum depression are behind me, the last year has been one of sifting and trials that have left me breathless and often too tired and weak to fight the anxious thoughts that still come.  Memories long buried have resurfaced in the midst of present storms and I've found myself waking in a panic, stuck between the hurts of the past and the pains of today.

I've been realizing that those memories I've tried so hard to forget have created strongholds that still hold me prisoner today.  As much as I want to keep running from them, I know that the only way to be really free is to allow Him to enter in and walk me through them once more, not to simply relive the past, but to both learn and heal from the hurts and pains I've buried in the deepest parts of my heart.

It never ceases to amaze me how He bring the right people and the right words to me just when I need them.  Bonnie's words were meant for such a time as this and I'm just so grateful she allowed Him to use her story even when it wasn't the story she wanted.

"Maybe PTSD isn't who I really am.  Maybe it's just what I'm walking through.  Maybe 'beloved' is who I am.

I began wondering. How would life look as the beloved? What are the small, imperfect movements I can take to be free, as the beloved?

This is why I choose to write, even if it means I'll feel broken for a season.  Because the other side of brokenness is restoration; the hope - the journey - is wholeness."

After every chapter, Bonnie invites her readers to enter into their own story, to pull up a chair, and find spiritual whitespace in communion with Him.  I love how she prompts us to not just reenter the painful memories, but to invite Jesus into those scenes.  "It isn't who you are now, but you've had to survive it." And somehow, by entering those places once more, I can see them through His eyes and watch how He was there every step of the way carefully piecing together a beautiful masterpiece.

"...whitespace frees us to face the truth about ourselves and this truth sets us free.  When we make room for whitespace, we have to move things. We are changing how we've always done things.  We uncover layers of ourselves we had to put to the side in order to deal with the stress at hand."

Finding spiritual whitespace is a journey I know I'll be on for a long time and as I move forward, I'll be filling more of the pages in this little notebook I opened for the first time while reading Bonnie's book.  It's no coincidence that the same year He revealed peace to be my one word is also the year I found this book and these words about rest and whitespace.

"You and I were destined to journey off script.  To walk with Jesus by faith into the whitespaces of our story - to trace the rainbow through the rain."

As the old hymn says:

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
it is well, it is well with my soul.

And indeed, when I journey off script, walking by faith instead of by sight, though sorrows like sea billows roll, I can say it is well with my soul, because He is my quiet place in the middle of the storm.  He leads me to green pastures when I allow Him to reveal the whitespaces in my story and search for the rainbows He paints in the rain.

 

Book Review: Child of Mine

I've long been a fan of Beverly Lewis' Amish fiction, so, of course, I grabbed hold of the chance to review her latest book, a writing collaboration with her husband, David, the moment it was available.  It's not her typical Amish fiction storyline and, because it was also a writing collaboration, I was interested to see how different it was from any other of her books I've read.  When I saw the video trailer for the book, I was even more intrigued...

Child of Mine opens with the main character, Kelly, on one of many missions to secretly extract DNA from an adopted child she suspects could be her missing daughter.  The more her story unfolded, the more my heart broke for the loneliness and grief and hurt she was feeling.  As a parent, losing a child is my biggest fear...and to have your child kidnapped without a trace or any lead for eight years would be the worst nightmare come true.

Later in the story, the reader is introduced to Jack and his niece, Natalie.  Jack became her guardian when her adopted parents, his brother and sister-in-law, were killed in a tragic car accident years ago.  I love how well the authors developed Jack's character and really drew the reader into his story.

"When Jack thought of his life before little Nattie, he shuddered, remembering those first fragile months of his guardianship, captured by her big eyes, thinking he was going to save her. Believing he could stand between her and the typical sorrows of life, yet realizing how silly that seemed. And naive. If anything, she'd saved HIM."

Jack became as real a character as Kelly and Nattie and the more I read, the more I felt like I was transported right into the middle of the story.  So often, when I read fiction, I find myself predicting the ending and a lot of times the main details are predictable.  This story, however, kept me intrigued and wondering until the very end.  Every detail was an important piece of the story and I couldn't just skim over them to get to the ending.  

I have to also admit that I cried real tears as I read this story.  Perhaps it's partly pregnancy hormones, but I found myself so drawn into the hurts and tragedies endured by so many of the characters.  To me, that is the sign of a good story, because every word I read captivated and drew me into the story so completely that I had a hard time pulling myself away from it and for days I found myself imagining the characters were real life people I knew. 

* Disclaimer: I received a free e-book copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.


 

Book Review: Mom's Night Out

I was barely five pages into the novelization of Mom's Night Out and already I was both laughing out loud and nodding my head vigorously in agreement as I wrote the words "Yes. THIS!" in the margin.  I considered reading out loud to my confused husband, but t would have only confused him more...and I might have resorted to crying because it's so hard to explain to him what this motherhood journey really feels like.

The fact that the opening scene took place on Mother's Day and I began reading the book after my own Mother's Day failure was not lost on me; it merely validated my own struggles and reminded me that I'm not alone.  I wanted to reach through the pages and hug Allyson, because I could have written these words myself...

"I love my kids.  I love my husband, my minivan.  My minivan is awesome.  I have this incredible life, so why do I feel this way?"

And then, this...

"The house was cleaner today, yes, but nothing was fixed.  It would just get dirty again tomorrow.  The kids would get out of control again tomorrow.  Life tomorrow would be the safe as life today.  More work.  More noise.  More stress.  Is this what life had come to?"

The truth is: I've been there, wondering how I'm accomplishing anything worthwhile in the midst of all the day in and day out, endless cleaning and diaper changes and discipline.  And some days I still wonder.  It's a breath of fresh air to read pages of a book based on a movie that not only validates what my days are like, but reminds me that it's both okay and good.

"I doubt the Good Lord made a mistake giving your kiddos the mama He did.  So just be...you.  He'll take care of the rest." 

Mom's Night Out is not just a sappy, feel good book though.  It is rolling on the floor, nearly peeing your pants funny.  Laughter is so good for the soul and this book delivered plenty of soul satisfying laughter. 

While the storyline often seemed too ridiculous and far fetched to be realistic, sometimes that's actually the reality of life as a stay at home mom.  Too often, at the end of another long day, I will give my husband a play by play of my day and stare at him with a mix of bewilderment and frustration because you really can't make this stuff up. 

I was so captured by the novelization that I immediately set up my own mom's night out to see the movie.  I was really impressed with how well the novelization complemented the movie and how well the author captured the characters through her words.  This is definitely a book I'll be sharing with my mommy friends and I may even read it again whenever I need a good dose of laughter. 

***

I love that the novelization of Mom's Night Out was also paired with a devotional written by Kerri Pomarolli.  As I began reading Mom's Night Out and Other Things I Miss...Devotions to Help You Survive, I was immediately drawn in by the author's conversational writing style.  It was like I was sitting across from her as we both sipped our coffee with hair disheveled and eyes weary from another tough day of mothering just to hear each other say "It's okay.  I'm here.  And I understand." 

Each devotion includes a glimpse into author Kerri Pomarolli's own motherhood journey as well as an encouragement to get your feet back on solid ground with the One who knows every tear and failure of every day.  The devotions end with a prayer that reminds the reader that constant communication with Him is the best survival tool, even when your words are few. 

These words drew me in right away, as I've battled my own fears and doubts, and they are words I know I'll find myself repeating often: "Lord, I stand on Your promises in my life.  I rebuke doubt and fear and believe that what You say is true.  I will not quit 'pushing' for all that You have for me and my family. Amen."

This is a book that will remain on my bedside table so I can pick it up on the hard days and be reminded I'm not alone and that when I am weak, He is strong. 


Disclosure: I received free copies of both books from Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest review. 

 

Book Review: Tiny Blue Lines

Everyone has a story to share, but it takes courage to write your story and share it with the world.  There is so much power in taking that brave step, though, because you never know who will be encouraged or impacted by your story.  There will always be critics though, as Chaunie Brusie found when she first began to share her story.  But instead of allowing the critics to silence her or bring her down, she became even more confident that the world needed to hear her story. 

When I first read Chaunie's blog, I was immediately captured by both her honest vulnerability and the way she found humor in the trying moments of motherhood.  It didn't take long to know that her story didn't begin the way she expected, but she never cowered in a corner hiding it.  Instead, she took a stand for young moms everywhere facing unplanned pregnancy. 

"Through my story, and the stories of so many other mothers like me, I hope you will learn that you are not alone, that there is no 'right' way to get through a planned or unplanned pregnancy as a young mom.  Most of all, I want you to know that you can succeed as a mother, as a student, and as a professional." 

Chaunie's blog became the launching pad for her dream of being a writer and it's been so exciting to see her dream become a reality in the form of a beautiful book, Tiny Blue Lines.  This book is her story, but it's also the story of so many moms who feel ashamed and alone and forgotten. 

I nearly cried when Chaunie wrote about the day she stood next to another expectant mom at church whose baby was a surprise after years of infertility.  People began to crowd around the older mom and congratulate her on her miracle baby...all while either ignoring or casting judging glances at Chaunie's already growing belly.  

"It was hard to overcome the thought that my baby should have never happened...Who would be happy about a college student getting pregnant? The consensus around me seemed to be that this baby was, if not a downright mistake, at the very least, certainly bad timing." 

I know I'm guilty of casting judgement on someone else without knowing their story and their heart, but the truth is we all fall short.  Regardless of how a mom's story begins, a baby is never a mistake and should always be celebrated.  There's a song that says "they will know we are Christians by our love", so what does it say about me if I heap judgement and hurt filled words on a young mom who already feels so guilty and alone?  

"The simple fact of the matter was that I was a normal, Christian young woman who had made a mistake.  We all make mistakes and we all sin...What I did need was help in accepting my pregnancy and believing that it could be a good thing.  What I didn't need was people reminding me that I had sinned, or reminding me to 'think of the baby' or long, rambling lectures on the preciousness of life."

Even though our stories began in different ways, we are both moms who desperately love our children and we both need the same love and support to carry us through the hard days of motherhood.  I have no doubt that Chaunie's story will make a lasting impact on many young moms facing unplanned pregnancy...but I also believe that her story will challenge all of us to leave behind our judging glances and condemning words and instead pour words of love and encouragement over every mom, no matter how her story began. 


Disclaimer: I received a free book in exchange for my review, but these are my honest thoughts and opinions about a book I truly enjoyed reading and am more than happy to share here.
 

Coffee Talk With Jesus: Review & Giveaway

 

"With my journal open and pen ready, I take a sip of my freshly brewed coffee and savor the aroma. And I am reminded of how much better the aroma of His fragrance is. Will you come in and have a seat? He’s calling you to come and sit a while. He longs to share His heart with you."

(from the introduction of Coffee Talk With Jesus by Barbie Swihart)

Anyone who knows me well knows I love coffee, but I hope what they know more is how much I love my Jesus.  Because while coffee is a refreshing way to start my day, there's nothing quite like the sweet aroma of His words and quiet time spent soaking up His presence.  Without His truths to light the way every single day, I stumble and fall.  I may say I need my morning coffee, but I need Him more.

I first "met" Barbie after reading a guest post she wrote for (in)courage and I immediately fell in love with her writing.  I began to follow her blog, grateful for the way she pressed into Him even when life was hard and continued to give Him the glory through her words.  Even though we've never met in real life, we developed a sweet friendship in the sharing of our words here and through facebook.  No matter how busy her life is, she is always faithful to take the time to read my words here and leave words of encouragement and comfort. 

I was so excited when she announced her debut book and honored to be counted as part of her launch team.  We both share this dream of seeing our words in print and I am just thrilled to see her dream come true.  I know this has been a difficult journey for her, but it's been such a privilege to see her setting aside her own fears to obey His calling and following through no matter how many obstacles stood in the way. 

When I finally sat down to read Coffee Talk With Jesus, I felt as though God had brought her words for such a time as this.  In the season of brokenness I'm in, her words were a comfort and balm to my soul, because they reminded me over and over of the One who sees me and longs for me to come and sit with Him.

Coffee Talk With Jesus is a 31 day devotional that takes you on a journey of listening for His still, small voice and allowing Him to speak truth into the most tender places of your heart.  It is written as though He is speaking to a dearly beloved daughter as you share a cup of coffee before the light of a new day dawns.  Each devotion has space for writing your own response to His words along with questions that prompt you to apply His truth to where you are right now.  Here is just a sampling of Barbie's beautiful words:

"Every tear that you’ve cried I’ve caught with my hands and placed in a bottle. I am well acquainted with your grief. I’ve been right beside you, even when you felt all hope was gone."

"With every breath you take, I am filling you with peace, joy, and hope."

There are also delicious coffee inspired recipes sprinkled throughout the book.  I can't wait to try some of them to enjoy during my own morning devotions and to slowly read through these words again.

Barbie has generously offered to giveaway a copy of her book to one of my readers, so you can enjoy your own Coffee Talk With Jesus.  The winner can choose a signed paperback copy or a Kindle e-book. The giveaway will close at 8:00 am on Friday, December 13 and a winner will be announced later that day. 

Disclosure: I was given a free pre-release PDF copy of Coffee Talk With Jesus in exchange for my review and the giveaway prize was generously provided by the author, Barbie Swihart. 

***This giveaway is now CLOSED!  Congratulations to Amy Kolbe for winning a FREE copy of Coffee Talk with Jesus!***

 

Book Review: Undivided Mom

It's really no surprise that it's taken me longer to write and post this review than expected.  I thought I'd get it up Monday morning in time for the launch, but this book has already changed me.

When Kayse Pratt asked for bloggers to review her new e-book and blog about it during her launch week, the title alone drew me in.  It's my heart's cry written in the form of a beautiful book of devotions by a blogging friend who has become dear to me. 

Here's her description of what this book is all about:

"Undivided Mom is a devotional for moms who feel distracted, pulled in a million different directions, and really just desperately need Jesus to keep them from losing their ever-loving minds. It’s about mothering with a vision, with a purpose, for His glory, and through His strength..."

I am definitely a mom who feels distracted and, when my mind is spinning with so many thoughts, it's so hard to remember that being a momma is more than just laundry and dishes and dirty diapers - it's a ministry and it's a calling. 

 

It's often so hard to see beyond the mess and the lack of sleep to remember how important these days are, but they are important.  My greatest heart's desire is to see my children grow to be godly men and women who love the Lord, so the time I invest in them now to teach and show them His words will have a lasting impact. 

 

I don't get a re-do of these days.  When my children are grown and the house is quiet again, I don't want any regrets.  I want to know...and I want them to know...that I gave them my all.

 

As I read through the devotions in Undivided Mom, I wrote these words in my notes:

"Before one day more slips through my far too busy and worn hands, I want to stop the tidal wave of to do lists and distractions...and give my kids every ounce of my undivided love and attention.  Because they are worth it and these days are so precious." 

So, yesterday, when my almost four year old son looked at me with eyes full of longing for his momma and begged me to just play with him, how could I resist?

And, instead of sitting on the computer mindlessly browsing facebook or checking my emails for the thousandth time while dinner was cooking on the stove, I chose to sit outside on the back steps watching my three children running and laughing and playing, soaking up every moment of these days. 

 

One day I will miss this.  As Kayse says, "I'm determined not to wish away the moments I'll want back one day." 

Do you long to be an Undivided Mom too?  Click on this button to order your copy now:

Or, come back here Friday for a chance to WIN a copy! 

Be sure to check out Kayse's launch week giveaway too for some amazing Dayspring prizes. 


Disclosure: I received a pre-release e-book copy of this devotional in exchange for my honest review.  Links in this post are affiliate links; I receive 30% commission off any sales made through my referral links.  Regardless, I really do love this book and I'm more than happy to share my review.

Book Review (plus Giveaway!): 31 Days of Forgiveness {through the eyes of grace}

"How can we take what's been given to us at the cross and keep it?  Forgiveness was given to us that we might give it away." 

~ Tracie Stier-Johnson, 31 Days of Forgiveness {through the eyes of grace}

When Adam and Eve broke took and ate the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, sin was unleashed in this world.  No matter how hard we try or how many good things we do, we are all bound by sin.  And that bondage wreaks havoc on relationships.  Just as that first sin grieved God because it shattered the perfect communion He had with man,our earthly relationships are filled with hurt and conflict.

And yet, God still calls us to "be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another..." (Ephesians 4:32).  Tracie Stier-Johnson says in her book, 31 Days of Forgiveness {through the eyes of grace}, "Extending true forgiveness is probably one of the hardest things we’re called to do in this life".  I am certain everyone can bring to mind numerous occasions where forgiveness was required, so we all know how very hard it is to actually do.  It's one of those "easier said than done" things.

As I read Tracie's book and journeyed through her words back into some of the pain filled moments of my own life, I was both convicted and encouraged.  I was encouraged by the Truth filled words about how God's forgiveness is never-ending, how His forgiveness fully restores, and how He, through the grace of forgiveness, removes our sins as far as the east is from the west.  His forgiveness for me is something I will never be able to fully grasp and something will forever humble me and leave me awestruck.

But wrapped up in the message of hope that comes from His complete and eternal forgiveness is the conviction that I am far from perfect at living out my forgiveness.  Far too often, I am given an opportunity to extend grace and have refused it.  Whether it is pride or fear or anger, I withhold the very thing from others that God so freely gave to me.  And, oh, how it must grieve God.

I also know how many times I am the guilty one in my own relationships.  I fail time and time again, as my own husband can attest to.  He sees me at my worst moments and often I am the one spewing hurtful words and angry accusations, digging up his past sins instead of remembering them no more.  It is just as hard to ask forgiveness, knowing that I will probably still fall short and feeling the heaviness of my own guilt.

As hard as it is to forgive others, it is hardest to forgive myself.  I know my faults better than anyone and when I allow myself to sit in that place of guilt I entrap myself again in the bondage of unforgiveness.  I love the message of hope Tracie offers when she says, "He’s the final judge and it’s under His standards we should live. So if His Word promises we can live forgiven, why wouldn’t we?"  Not forgiving myself and not forgiving others is like saying His death on the cross wasn't enough or that His promises aren't true.  How can I not forgive when He has so greatly forgiven me?

Tracie's book is a beautiful picture of grace, walking readers through a journey of understanding, accepting, and extending forgiveness.  She weaves the Truth of scripture through real life stories of forgiveness and offers hope that true forgiveness can be found and given in our own lives.  It is a book I would recommend to anyone, young and old, men and women, because it is a subject we all struggle to understand and work out day after day.  As long as there is sin is this world, there will be conflict and heart ache...but, because of the awesome sacrifice God gave us at the cross, we can embrace the grace of forgiveness for us and learn to give it away. I just love Tracie's heart too; she is giving the proceeds of 31 Days of Forgiveness {through the eyes of grace} to The Seed Company. 

Tracie graciously offered me a free copy of this new book (thank you, sweet friend!), which released today, and, to celebrate, she is also offering a fun giveaway to my readers.  You can download an e-book version of the book for FREE through Saturday morning (12:00 am EST), but you can also WIN a hard copy of the book along with a cute owl pillow from Button Bird Designs and a stack of notepads from Dayspring by simply leaving a comment on this blog post.  If you would like to earn extra entries in the giveaway, you can also leave separate comments for sharing on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or your blog.  The giveaway will remain open for 72 hours and the winner will be contacted by email (so make sure to leave your email in your comment). 

Also, be sure to check out Tracie's blog for another giveaway opportunity and to send along congratulations on her new book release. 

 

75 (Facebook) Fan Giveaway!

photo credit

At the beginning of the year, I decided to create a facebook page for this blog. It's been a fun way to share blog posts that have inspired or encouraged me, pass along daily deals and fun links I come across, and interact more with my blog readers. I decided it would be fun to share a little giveaway for my facebook fans once I reached 75 likes and last week was the week!

So, as a thank you, I'm giving away a copy of Angie Smith's What Women Fear.  Angie's blog is one of the first blogs I read.  I just love Angie's writing and her heart for the Lord. This was definitely a book I could not put down until I finished it. As someone who struggles with anxiety, which often manifests itself in fear, I felt like she was reading my mind in so many ways.

But Angie knows, "there is a difference in learning from past mistakes and ruminating over the million-and-one-ways we might have done it better" (page 25).  Nothing good comes from dwelling on the past, but sometimes it is still so hard to move forward.  Angie writes from experience, because she knows what it is to live in fear. But she also knows what it is to live in freedom.  Instead of letting the fear consume, she chooses to run to Him, lay it all at His feet, and rest on His promises. 

I shared yesterday about the anxiety and fear that still grip me at times and how every day I have to remind myself to trust that He knows my tomorrow and that His grace is more than enough.  It really is all about grace.  The more I fear the unknown or even dwell on what I do know of the past, the more I realized how desperately I need Him...and how my very life depends on Him.

"You will walk for the rest of your days telling the story of redemption, not in words or deeds, but in your very existence.  Not she who would have existed if not for that night, but rather, she who chased Him in faith, and refused to let Him go."  (page 63)

 PS - You can find out more about Angie's book through videos and blog posts done by (in)courage's Bloom Book Club. 

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Book Review: The Fiddler

Recently, I signed up to be part of Bethany House Book Reviewers.  As an avid reader of Beverly Lewis' Amish fiction, you can imagine my excitement when the first book review opportunity to come through my email was for her newest book, The Fiddler.  Obviously, I was thrilled (and I might have even done a little dance) and immediately said, "YES, please!"

I seriously devoured this book.  The writing, the content, the story line - every piece of it was captivating and enthralling.  I found myself transported to the "small cabin hidden away in the woods" and the "thousands of rows of corn in a landscape dotted with farms and adorable barefoot children dressed like mirror images of their parents".

The Fiddler begins with the story of Michael Hostetler, an Old Order Amishman who is stuck between the expectations of his parents and community to join the Amish church and his own passion for learning and the English world.  He escapes to his uncle's cabin nestled deep in the woods of Welsh Mountain, where an unexpected storm causes Amelia Devries, an Englischer torn between her love of fiddling and her parent's expectations for her to succeed as a well known classical violinist, to stumble upon his path.

"Maybe it was Providence that we met," he said...


"Actually, I was thinking you might be right." She shrugged shyly and bit her lip. (page 51)

Beverly Lewis has a way of capturing the heart and soul of her characters, so much so that they begin to feel like real life friends to the reader.  I found myself wanting to pull up a chair next to Amelia and listen to her as she searched for answers, like two good friends bearing each others burdens.

And, of course, as a hopeless romantic, I found myself caught up in the growing friendship and the underlying romance between Michael and Amelia.  I could hardly wait for the ending...and yet, I found myself wanting to read more as I soaked up the last few pages.  Now, I'll be counting down the days until The Bridesmaid, the second book in this Home to Hickory Hollow series releases!

For more of Beverly Lewis' fiction, visit her author's website or Bethany House Publishers.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review. 

 

Blogging For Books: Plain Wisdom

I love reading Amish fiction.  I think the draw for me is the simplicity of life and absence of distractions of this world.  I've found myself longing for simplicity this year, because the "stuff" and distractions of this world so often cloud my purpose and keep me from enjoying the important things in life.


Plain Wisdom is written as "an invitation into an Amish home and the hearts of two women".  One old order Amish woman, Miriam Flaud, and one "Englischer", Cindy Woodsmall (a best-selling Amish fiction writer), share the simple truths they've learned throughout their lives.  While their lives are so vastly different, they share one very important thing, a faith in the one God that guides their steps day in and day out. 

"But there are common denominators in the two traditions - like our determination to protect our families and keep them a priority.  And our belief in the power of love, which doesn't originate with any particular tradition - not Amish or Englischer - but comes from the love God has for us." (pg. 55)

This beautiful book is filled with little tidbits of life stories as well as some of their favorite recipes.  I've always wondered what the traditional Amish wedding feast tastes like, so I was excited when I opened up to page 50 to find a recipe for Cooked Celery.  The recipe for Overnight Blueberry French Toast on page 166 looks simply amazing.  I'm sure my little ones would enjoy testing out this recipe! 

I read this book in one sitting, but it could easily be read in little pieces so as to really meditate on the wisdom shared from the lives of these two women.  It would also be easy to go back and reread sections based on events or seasons in my own life.  As a young mom, it's often easy to get swept up in the day to day of busy toddlers, but Cindy offers this beautiful encouragement for any season of our lives:

"I found strength where weakness had once been.  As they grew, they stumbled on weaknesses of mine I hadn't known existed.  But because of them and the love I had for them, I discovered that life had unexpected joy.  And I learned that where I ended - where my strength, wisdom, and determination failed - God did not."  (page 194)

Disclosure: I recieved a free review copy of this book from Blogging for Books and Waterbrook Mulnomah Publishing Group in exchange for my honest book review. 

 

Perfectly Loved: A Dayspring Review

It's always exciting when a Dayspring package arrives at my home, especially when I'm not expecting it.  Every so often, I sign up for a review opportunity through Dayspring, but I rarely pay it much thought after I submit the form.  Then, I am pleasantly surprised when it arrives at my door.

This month, Dayspring launched a beautiful new line of products to celebrate the debut of Holley Gerth's new book, You're Already Amazing.  Her blog is such a blessing to me.  Every time I read her words it's like I'm sitting on a couch across from her hearing her speak love and truth to my heart.  I already blogged a little bit about how this book is already blessing me, but I was even more blessed by the two beautiful products that arrived for my review.

Image from Dayspring's website

The first was this Perfectly Loved journal.  The cover says "She didn’t have to be perfect because she was perfectly loved." based on I John 4:8.  Every page has a beautiful bible verse that is a reminder of God's promises to those He so carefully and lovingly created with a specific purpose for this world.  I brought it along to the ladies retreat last weekend and immediately began using it to journal about His Word as it speaks so clearly to my heart.  I have a few miscellaneous notebooks I use for bible study, but I love having this one as a reminder to do daily devotions with Him.

 Image from Dayspring's website

The second beautiful product I received was this 6" wrapped canvas titled "Dream".  The verse on the bottom is Mark 10:27, "All things are possible with God."  It's a reminder that, when our eyes are fixed on Him and the calling He has given us, we can dare to follow our dreams, when they are perfectly aligned with His will for our lives.  Because, as Philippians 4:13 also explains, we can do ALL things through Him who gives us strength. (Now if only I could figure out the perfect place to display this beauty...I seriously need an interior decorator!)

If you haven't already discovered (in)courage, stop on over and browse around.  You will be encouraged by the beautiful women who share their hearts and the One who brings us together as a community to encourage and build each other up.  And, while you're there, you can check out the Bloom book club, because the current book selection is none other than You're Already Amazing.  It already started, but you can watch the videos and read the blog posts any time.  You're sure to be (in)couraged!

Disclosure: Dayspring and (in)courage provided me with complimentary products to review for the purpose of this blog post.  I also received a review copy of You're Already Amazing as part of the Revell Blog Tour.   The opinions and thoughts, however, are completely my own.  I really do love Dayspring products and (in)courage!

Read A - Read A - Read A - Read A Book to Me

For the past month, I have probably turned on the television to watch a tv show a handful of times (which is actually much easier than you think because we only get a handful of channels...and the remote is often missing).  I have found that sitting in a quiet house reading a good book is much more relaxing and therapeutic than watching tv.  I find it easier to fall asleep after reading, because it helps to silence the millions of thoughts so often crowding my mind.  Here are just a few of the books I've been enjoying lately.

From High Heels to Tractor Wheels, by Ree Drummond

Boundaries, by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend

From Head to Foot, by Annie Downs

All Things Hidden, by Tricia Goyer

Ransome's Honor, by Kaye Dacus

What books have you been enjoying? 

The winner of my Dayspring Giveaway is comment #4, Melissa!  I'll be emailing you the gift certificate code.  Congratulations!

The title from this post is from a song by one of my favorite childhood (and local) singers, Tom Pease.