I'm moving!

I'm so excited to announce that my new site, A View of Hope, is now open, and I will be writing all further blog posts from there.  Be sure to hop on over and check it out!  Also, if you were a follower here, you'll need to subscribe there to keep receiving blog content.  I have big plans for the blog's future, and am excited to see how the Lord continues to use my little space in cyberspace. :) 

Be sure to subscribe at the new site by email so you don't miss anything!  

Thanks for reading and following, and I hope to see you on the other blog site soon! 

Book review - FaithGirlz Bible

I was thrilled when I recently saw a new Bible coming out for the tween girl age group, as my almost 10-year old has been wanting another Bible for awhile. This Bible, published by Zonderkids with extras compiled by Nancy Rue, is a great resource to help 8-12 year old girls to dig deeper into God's Word. This Bible is in the New International Version, and includes these extra features:

-book introductions (on the who, when, where, and what of each book)
-dream girl excerpts (letting girls use their imaginations to put themselves in the story)
-quizzes with Bible facts (to test girls' knowledge of Scripture)
-words to live by (to help girls memorize Scripture)
-event prompters (to help girls tell the stories in their own words)
-answers to Bible questions that girls may have while reading

One of the best and prettiest features of this Bible is that it is a hardback book with a magnetic strip closure to protect the pages.  The cover is fun, colorful and attractive as well.  My daughter has been reading a lot of the Lily series by Nancy Rue, so she was excited that Rue had contributed so much to this Bible to make it more interesting for tween girls.  And as a mom desiring my daughter to grow in her walk with the Lord, I am excited to see how this Bible could be a great help.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review... Undone

I recently read the book Undone: A Memoir, by Michele Cushatt.  The subtitle intrigued me immediately... "a story of making peace with an unexpected life," because this is where I find my own self these days.  

In the book, Cushatt shares her difficult journey through divorce, remarriage and the blending of a family, cancer, becoming an empty nester, and then foster care.   Through many unexpected twists and turns, and even more unknowns, she uses humor and her faith in God to share her story of pain, loss, and heartache.  Yet, because she allowed God to be the hero of her story through it all, her trials ultimately display beauty, adventure, and hope.  

"Peace wasn't a feeling," she writes.  "Peace has always been a person." 

And one of my favorite parts... "Where is my faith?  In myself, more often than not.  Which is why an unexpected squall - every last one of them over the span of two years - unraveled me.  A boat anchored to itself is not anchored at all."  

I can so identify with many of these convicting thoughts, and for that reason, I appreciated Cushatt's raw honesty in this book so much.  For that reason, I had a hard time putting this book down.  I recommend this book to any other woman who is going through a difficult season in life and wants the encouragement that someone else can identify with her, or a woman who needs hope to know that better - but far from perfect, or without difficulties - days are ahead.  Even though every woman's challenging circumstances are unique, the reminder that God truly works beauty through our mess can be just what many need to know to keep pressing on today.  

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book review - Small Talk: Learning from My Children About What Matters Most

Amy Julia Becker’s book, Small Talk: Learning from My Children About What Matters Most, is a beautiful memoir of Becker’s life and the conversations, reflections and applications she’s taken from daily life as a mother of three young children. She takes her readers on her journey of parenting through the years as her family grew and the challenges that came with that growth, including parenting a special needs child. Topics of her reflection include waiting, gratitude, listening, kindness, forgiveness, marriage, and grace, along with so many more.

This is not a parenting guide, but an easy book for busy moms of younger aged children to pick up as they find free moments. It provides continual encouragement and reflection points to ponder long after reading. I was challenged by this book to slow down and reflect on my own life that threatens to move faster than I can keep up, and to record conversations, comments my kids make, and moments where God teaches me through them. Each child is so unique and offers ways to learn and to grow myself as they grow, if only I take the time to slow down and see them as the gift they are.

This quote summed it up nicely for me:

“I slow down. Not because I have suddenly become obedient out of a sense of guilt. But because I finally have my listening ears on – out of an eagerness to hear. And so I bend toward the still small voice of the Spirit, who has been whispering to me all along.”

As moms, our children can help us to really hear. But we just have to take the time to listen. I believe this book will help challenge moms everywhere to do this, and the results will be beautiful.

I have received a free copy of Small Talk: Learning from My Children About What Matters Most from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review - Hope for the Weary Mom

You guys, I can't believe that I forgot to share about this incredibly encouraging book for moms that just hit bookstore shelves not long ago. Hope for the Weary Mom: Let God Meet You in the Mess, written by Stacey Thacker and Brooke McGlothlin, is an honest look at motherhood and the weary moments that can surround us as moms on this journey. Brooke and Stacey are honest and vulnerable about their own struggles and moments of frustration as moms, yet always bring readers back around to the hope that we have because of the Lord Jesus.

Topics in this book include, but are not limited to, the following:

 -personality types and the strengths and weaknesses that can come along with them
 -loneliness and the part it can play in the life of a mom 
 -"mommy guilt" 
 -anger vs. love 
 -when life hurts 
 -weariness and how to get the help needed 
 -finding and clinging to hope for the long haul

This book was such an encouragement to me. Life right now, and motherhood, can seem so weary and tedious some days. The perspective of it being a marathon, and not a sprint, encouraged me to keep looking at the big picture and not simply what I see today. Furthermore, the challenge of turning weariness to worship reminded me of His beautiful grace that covers everything. All we have to do is keep surrendering ourselves, and our kids, to Him. He will give us His wisdom, guidance, and direction for each day of the journey.

If you are a mom, be sure to pick up a copy of this book.  It will encourage your heart and give you strength for the days ahead.

When Crickets Chirp...

If you are one of the few precious people who read this blog, you may have noticed that I’ve been quiet for awhile.  Like… pretty much since before Christmas.  Way too long.  Maybe you've heard the crickets chirping here. :) Sure, I’ve done a few product reviews and those are always fun, but I really haven’t taken the time to express my own thoughts in awhile. 

To be honest, I haven’t really known what to say.  The Lord has had me in this “quiet season” right now.  It’s a season of rediscovering what I know to be true about Him and yet discovering things about Him that I’ve never truly known before.   It’s a season of reshaping my faith and shutting my mouth so that I can really hear His Word and His voice in new ways.  And, it’s a season of stripping… of painful pruning and trust walks, when I can’t see where He’s taking me. 

(a precious 5-year old version of Jesus coming back in the clouds) 

This week marks two years since my sweet husband went to be with Jesus.  Everyone prepared me that the second year post loss would be harder, and boy, were they right.  I’ve been faced with some really difficult trials this year, and been up against some obstacles that I’ve never encountered before and could have never guessed were coming.   Our circle of support has also grown smaller, but I was prepared for that too, thanks to wise words I’ve read from the lovely Kay Warren.  The grief pops up in less expected ways that I'm not as prepared for. Through it all, I’ve had to continually learn more and more to let Jesus be my total sufficiency, and trust Him to provide all that we need in His perfect timing.  That timing, of course, is far different from my own. 

Yet, He has been so so faithful in gently guiding me on this journey and giving me a strength I could never conjure up on my own to endure whatever each day brings.   He has humbled me greatly as I see more and more, that this life has nothing to do with me and everything to do with Him.  He has challenged my faith through the lives of others who have walked this journey before me.  He has brought broken dreams to the spotlight of my prayers and has given me the boldness to bravely approach Him with my shattered heart, entrusting Him again and again with those dreams.   And when I do, He beautifully pours in me the hope, though some days bleak, to continue dreaming and trusting. 

I want to see Him continue to work, and to accomplish those dreams He’s put in my heart.   But for now, I believe it’s about being still and letting Him fight for me as I learn that in quietness and confidence is my strength. (Is. 30:15)

Pastor James MacDonald visited my church recently, and preached from James 1.   When he spoke on James 1:3-4:

"...for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

He explained that steadfastness, patience, or whatever other word your Bible translation gives, is the Greek word “hupomena”… which means "to remain under."   This is the true challenge of trials and hard seasons in our lives.  Will we choose to remain under when all we want to do is to get out?  To stop fighting it and endure for as long as is needed, learning what our Father wants us to from it?  What a lesson learned that will help us through anything we will face in life!  When we learn how to “remain under” well, it is a funnel through which all other ministry and life opportunities will grow. 

This brought so much clarity to me and encouraged me, as I hope it does for you, that God is using the hard seasons to teach us so much.  The process of learning how to remain under will not only help me now, but in whatever seasons that are ahead.  

So for now, I choose to remain under even when it’s painful.  And remaining under may mean more quiet.  More seeking instead of speaking.   I may be quiet for awhile longer.  The crickets may keep chirping around here, but amidst the silence, a lot more can be learned than it often can in the noise.  

I honestly don’t really know what’s ahead.  I have big dreams and plans, even for this little blog, but they are all in God’s hands.  

And I'm learning that there’s no one better to hold them.  

Book review... The Fringe Hours

Another book that I had the privilege of reviewing just released this week, and if you are anything like me and have a hard time finding time for yourself... you are going to want to run to the nearest bookstore or click over to the nearest website to buy this book!

Jessica Turner's new book, The Fringe Hours: Making Time for You, was the best book I've reviewed in awhile.  In this practical and liberating book, Jessica Turner empowers women to take back pockets of time they already have in their day in order to practice self-care and do the things they love. Jessica uses her own experiences and those of women across the country to teach readers how to balance their many responsibilities while still making it a priority to invest in themselves. She also addresses barriers to this lifestyle, such as comparison and guilt, and demonstrates how eliminating these feelings and making changes to one's schedule will make the reader a better wife, mother, and friend.

I love how the reason for the creation of this book came from Jessica's heart and struggle to create more time for herself.  As a working mom of three, she understands the desires of women to juggle so many things well.  She also knows how often we can push our own needs and dreams aside to do so much for everyone else in our lives, and gives so many practical tips on how to care for others and still care for ourselves as well.  

My favorite part of this book was the way it was set up so interactively, with space given for personal reflection and application.  There are small motivational "take aways" at the end of each chapter too, to apply what has been read.  

The Fringe Hours would be a great individual read or an excellent choice for a group study.  And if you don't have a local group to go through it with and want to be part of one online, it's not to late to check out the (in)Courage's Bloom book club that is about to journey through this book.    

To learn more about the book and access extra resources, go here. 

More book reviews... and a giveaway!

Giveaway has ended... the winner is Andrea! 

Yikes, it's been over a month since I've blogged! I've been a horrible blogger lately, I know. Sigh. It's just been one of those difficult seasons... but I still have big dreams in mind for this little blog and am excited to be back more regularly soon, Lord willing.  I have missed writing!

I have been reading though, and today, I have two books to share with you that I recently read to review. The first is a fiction book called At Home in Last Chance.  This is the third book in a three part series by Cathleen Armstrong, and tells a beautiful story of  the power of love and forgiveness.

Kaitlyn, the main character, has come back home to try and build a bond with the 7-year old daughter she abandoned and left her brother to raise just six months earlier.   Through a series of difficulties and hard times, Kaitlyn has realized her need to be near her daughter and rebuild her life back in her hometown.  That doesn't prove to be easy, however, as trust has been broken and relationships need to be restored and rebuilt.  Through her mistakes, pain, and growth, her heart learns to trust both her God and the others that He has put in her life.   Her friends and family also learn to love her in needed ways that help her grow and heal.

This story will encourage you and leave you pondering the ways that you have also changed through hurt and loss, and the growth of character that will come along as a result.  I highly recommend this book as a light and encouraging read.

The second book I recently read was Mothering From Scratch, by Melinda Means and Kathy Helgemo.  Mothering From Scratch was very recently published.  It offers a great perspective especially to younger moms who are just starting out on this journey, by two seasoned mom authors who share nuggets of truth and wisdom from their own journeys. They present important information to consider such as personality types, scheduling, and priorities. Furthermore, they present it all with the perspective that every mother is unique, so their methods and journeys should be as well. The advice to stop comparing and start being the mother that God made you to be is a message that will encourage many women who read this book.

My favorite part of this encouragement was the reminder that our dreams as women do not "spoil", just because we are not able to make those dreams happen right now. If we are focusing on what is most important in this season, which is raising our children in a godly way, we will have another season ahead when we can make dreams come alive for ourselves personally. With motherhood feeling so all encompassing at times, I needed that reminder, and I'm sure others do too.

I am grateful for the authors' honesty with their own stories of successes and failures along the way, so all of us moms coming along behind them can learn to be the best moms possible.  Do you or someone you know need the encouragement found in this book?  I'm giving a copy away of Mothering From Scratch!  

Just leave a comment on this post before 11:59 p.m. Thursday night, and I'll draw a winner on Friday! 

Get your Shazzy on!

When I was at the Allume conference back in October, I had the privilege of meeting some of the great folks at Shazzy Fitness, a fun Christian hip-hop dance and fitness program.

I was so excited to bring home one of the workout dvds to do some fun and wholesome fitness with my kiddos!

We have the A Time to Dance video, and had a lot of fun trying to figure out the moves and dance together. With Christian hip hop music as the formation of the workout, I never had to worry that the lyrics were inappropriate for my children. There are two workouts included on the dvd, as well as a bonus workout, an intro from the trainers, and more explanation on some of the moves. We had a great time laughing and exercising together, for sure!

Aside from the Christian foundation and music, what I also appreciated about this program was the personal approach from the instructors.  When I met some of them at Allume, I was so impressed with how friendly they were, wanting to establish relationships with people instead of just push their products.  You will see this same kind of approach shown on the video, through their personal introductions and stories.  I am confident that if I contacted them with questions, I'd be sure to hear back with a personal reply, and I greatly appreciate that.

The only thing that I wish was different about these videos is the speed of the workouts.  If you are uncoordinated like me, or have small children following along, it would be nice to see the workouts done first at half the speed, then pick up the pace and be done at regular speed.  These move FAST!  But as long as you keep your body moving and putting in effort, you still will be sweating and burning calories in the end, even if you can't keep up with the moves as well as you wish you could.

So, go check out my new friends at Shazzy Fitness today, and pick up a copy of one of the workouts to have fun with in your own home.  The dvd I have, A Time to Dance, is for sale right now too for a limited time!  Don't miss out, and have fun gettin' your Shazzy on! :)

Book Review - The Financially Confident Woman

Whew. I can't believe it's been almost a month since I've blogged! Obviously, the holidays are a busy time of the year, as well as a difficult time of the year for our family now. Plus, my kids have been off school and I haven't had much time to be on the computer with them in tow. So instead, I've had a lot of time to just let my thoughts and ideas whirl around. As a result, I've now got some great goals as 2015 begins, and some exciting things coming soon on this blog! Stay tuned for that...

In the meantime, I've got some review posts coming up to share with you. The first one is on a very informative book called The Financially Confident Woman, by Mary Hunt.

This book was originally published in 1996, but has been updated and recently republished.   Mary Hunt has a successful website and a daily newspaper column, and has included many of her tips for being a good financial steward in this informative and helpful book. Topics in this book include a practical plan for giving, saving, budgeting, and staying out of debt, as well as tips for spending wisely, planning for emergencies, and learning about how investments work. There are many practical tips for spending less and saving more, and there is a six week action plan included to take immediate steps in changing the reader's financial future when the book has been completed.

Hunt states, "This is not a book about how to get more money.  It's about how to become financially confident by learning how to manage what you already have."   Women, in particular, can sometimes leave the work of securing their financial future to their husbands, and it is important that women also know how to use finances wisely.  Hunt has seen the need for this and responded to it in a big way that I believe, offers a thorough answer to many modern women's questions.   This is a not a book about blending finances together in marriage and making that work, but about an overall financial awareness.

I know that I benefited from reading this book and learned more about the way I should steward the money God has given me.  I believe many women would be blessed by this book and I would encourage any women, but particularly singles, to read it.  

I received a complimentary copy of this book, The Financially Confident Woman, from Revell Publishing, in exchange for my honest views.