Church of the Small Things

About the book:

Is my ordinary, everyday life actually significant? Is it okay to be fulfilled by the simple acts of raising kids, working in an office, and cooking chicken for dinner?

It’s been said, “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away.” The pressure of that can be staggering as we spend our days looking for that big thing that promises to take our breath away. Meanwhile, we lose sight of the small significance of fully living with every breath we take.

Melanie Shankle, New York Times bestselling author and writer at The Big Mama Blog tackles these questions head on in her fourth book, Church of the Small Things. Easygoing and relatable, she speaks directly to the heart of women of all ages who are longing to find significance and meaning in the normal, sometimes mundane world of driving carpool to soccer practice, attending class on their college campus, cooking meals for their family, or taking care of a sick loved one.

The million little pieces that make a life aren’t necessarily glamorous or far-reaching. But God uses some of the smallest, most ordinary acts of faithfulness—and sometimes they look a whole lot like packing lunch. 

Through humorous stories told in her signature style, full of Frito pie, best friends, the love of her Me-Ma and Pa-Pa, the unexpected grace that comes when we quit trying to measure up, and a little of the best TV has to offer, Melanie helps women embrace what it means to live a simple, yet incredibly meaningful life and how to find all the beauty and laughter that lies right beneath the surface of every moment.

My thoughts:
I was excited to find out I was part of the launch team for Melanie Shankle's new book Church of the Small Things.  I have read her blog The Big Mama Blog for years as well as her other books (previously reviewed on the blog) and knew once I started this one that I wouldn't want to stop reading.  I made myself read slowly and enjoy it!  This is definitely one I want to read again.

I think so many times in life we are looking for something BIG to happen or something GREAT to do.  We want to feel important and for others to notice our contribution.  We miss out on the moments that really matter sometimes because we rush through them or don't pay enough attention as they are happening.  We think it is just another day, doing the same routine with the same people.  This book is a great reminder to appreciate those little moments that DO matter and are significant.   Slow down and don't rush through life!  God wants our faithfulness to our tasks as we daily serve Him doing whatever it is we do....at home, with our families, in our jobs, with our friends.

This book will make you laugh out loud and nod your head in agreement (maybe even shed a few tears) as Melanie shares snippets of her life with stories about her childhood, college days, marriage, friendships, and parenting.

There was so many quotes I liked in this book!  Here is one......

(As a side note I liked that she mentioned Alamo Cafe in this book. I have always wondered if she ever ate there since she lives in San Antonio.  As a fellow Texan we always eat there at least once when we visit San Antonio so I wondered if I'd ever run into her there.)

Find out more about this book on the website ChurchofTheSmallThings.com

You can pre-order this book now before it comes out on October 3.  Look at all these extra free "goodies" you will receive with your pre-order.....

Please consider buying this book today. You won't be disappointed!

I also wanted to share the book trailer with you. Take a couple of minutes to watch it.  Sometimes I think these trailers for books are corny but this one is such a perfect one for this book.  Watch it here.

I received this book from the publisher for being part of the launch team, and this review is my own opinion.  Thank you.

#ChurchofTheSmallThings

Have a day of blessings!
   Bethany

Children's Book: Maverick and Me

If you have animal lovers in your life, you should check out this newly released book called Maverick and Me by Katherine Schwarzenegger and illustrated by Phyllis Harris.  Let me share a little bit about it with you today.

About the book:
Dog lover and animal advocate Katherine Schwarzenegger draws from her own experience with fostering and adopting dogs to create a picture book that introduces children to the concept of adopt, don't shop.

In the heartwarming story of Maverick and Me, Maverick is rescued by a kind-hearted stranger after being dumped on the side of the road. The little puppy's luck takes a turn for the better when young Scarlett meets him at an adoption event. Scarlett is so moved by Maverick's story that she and her mother decide to give him the forever home he is looking for.

Each year, millions of dogs find themselves in shelters and with animal rescues through no fault of their own. Maverick will help teach children about these dogs and empower even young readers to advocate for shelter pups.

My thoughts:
I found this to be a sweet story about a girl named Scarlett and how she decides to adopt a little puppy. I like how she then goes on to share with her friends about rescuing animals as well.  The illustrations are perfect for the story I thought.

This book is a good story and a clear message for young children on the value of pet adoption.  

I have a two year old, and he picked this book to read off the shelf several times.  Some of the text on the page I shortened on some readings but it held his interest and he liked it.  I recommend this book to you for your home, school, or classroom library for young ones in PreK--early elementary.  

  

This is the website for this book.  Be sure to visit it also.  This book released this week and you can buy it now!

A copy of this book was provided to me from the publisher as I was chosen to be part of the launch team.  Opinions expressed are mind. Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!
   Bethany

No More Perfect Marriages Chapter 5, 6

I missed doing a post last Monday so I wanted to be sure to get one up today about the book No More Perfect Marriages by Mark and Jill Savage.

My husband and I have continued reading together.

Chapter 5 is about the "Slow Fade of Minimizing." When we minimize, we “treat something as less important than it really is."  This chapter goes over the types of minimizers and dangers we can face in marriage when we minimize.

Chapter 6 is about the "Slow Fade of Not Accepting."  We are each wired differently, have different love languages, and different needs.  We may not mind these differences during the dating days but they may become bothersome once married.

This book actually releases this week!  They have a low price on Amazon right now too if you want to grab it.

#NoMorePerfectMarriages

Have a day of blessings!
   Bethany

No More Perfect Marriages Chapter 4

Chapter 4 was all about expectations.

I felt like I learned a lot from this chapter.  I need to voice my thoughts and expectations and not just think my husband reads my mind.  I can think of many examples from our marriage where I wanted him to do or not do something but didn't tell him.  I know this doesn't make sense and need to just say my thoughts and expectations aloud.

Go here to pre order your copy of this wonderful marriage resource.

Have a day of blessings!
   Bethany

No More Perfect Marriages Chapter 3

I've enjoyed reading Chapter 3.  It discusses 8 "God tools" we all have that we need to use regularly in our marriages.  These 8 tools are:

courage
forgiveness
grace
love
humility
wisdom
compassion
acceptance

There were many things that stood out to me in this chapter that I highlighted. I love this quote seen in the image above. As we've read I have thought of many examples when I have NOT followed this guidance in the past and have also had some practice applying it the past few days.  

Another thing I noticed was how using these tools in our marriage is not something we do in our human capacity. We must rely on God in order to act these ways toward our spouse.

There is still time to pre order this book!
#NoMorePerfectMarraiges

Have a day of blessings!
   Bethany

No More Perfect Marriages! Chapters 1, 2

I am excited to be part of the launch team for No More Perfect Marriages.  This is a new book written by Mark and Jill Savage.  It is available on February 1!  (You can pre-order now though!

I have written in the past about other books for Moms by Jill Savage.   I expected this one would be great and was looking forward to reading it.

My husband and I are reading it together which is fun.  I'll be sharing some thoughts, quotes, etc. from the book as we go.  We are at the beginning in Chapters 1 and 2.

So far they have shared their story of marriage.  I appreciate their honesty in sharing about their troubles and Mark's affair.  We've learned about the masks we often wear on the outside that make things appear to be better than they are in our marriage.

In Chapter 2 we read how the husband and wife both come to the marriage with their own story and "blueprint" of marriage that they learned from their homes of their childhood.  This has a great impact on how you love in your marriage.

#NoMorePerfectMarriages

Have a day of blessings!
   Bethany