My first Wednesday Hodgepodge!

1. What creeps you out?Little lizards.  I'm not sure why!  I think I am afraid to step on one when I am barefoot and feel it move under my foot.

2. What's your least favorite candy?
Reese's Pieces 
Makes me turn up my nose just to type it and think about them. 

3. Are you a fan of scary movies? What's the scariest movie you've ever seen?No, I do not like scary movies.  I cannot recall any scary ones I've even seen.

4. What part of life confuses you the most?The things that don't make sense to me are when I see people suffering with terrible diseases or loss.  I know God is in control and He has a plan though; His ways are better than ours. 

5. Pumpkin, sunflower, sesame, poppy...what's your favorite seed?My favorite seed to eat is sunflower. 

6. Imagine your life ten years from today...what's changed?My husband and I will be 44 and my boy will be 18!!  That is crazy to think about! I can't imagine.  How can that be in only 10 years??  I know how fast the last ten have been.

7. What do you a) love the most and b) like the least about the Hodgepodge? Not sure I can really answer this one since this is my first time to participate.  I always enjoy reading the questions and answers though posted on a couple of blogs that I read who participate weekly. I like how the questions are random and at the same time often relate to events happening that day/week.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I look forward to "meeting" new blogging friends through the Wednesday Hodgepodge! 

Have a day of blessings!

Grace

Have you read the new book by popular author Max Lucado?  It is called Grace. 

Book Description: 

Grace.

We talk as though we understand the term. The bank gives us a grace period. The seedy politician falls from grace. Musicians speak of a grace note. We describe an actress as gracious, a dancer as graceful. We use the word for hospitals, baby girls, kings, and premeal prayers. We talk as though we know what grace means.

But do we really understand it? Have we settled for wimpy grace? It politely occupies a phrase in a hymn, fits nicely on a church sign. Never causes trouble or demands a response. When asked, “Do you believe in grace?” who could say no?

Max Lucado asks a deeper question: Have you been changed by grace? Shaped by grace? Strengthened by grace? Emboldened by grace? Softened by grace? Snatched by the nape of your neck and shaken to your senses by grace?

God’s grace has a drenching about it. A wildness about it. A white-water, riptide, turn-you-upside-downness about it. Grace comes after you. It rewires you. From insecure to God secure. From regret riddled to better-because-of-it. From afraid to die to ready to fly.

Grace is the voice that calls us to change and then gives us the power to pull it off.

Let’s make certain grace gets you.

My thoughts:
I have enjoyed reading this book as I have enjoyed other books by Max Lucado.  He has so many good books, and this one is another good to add to your library.  I believe the message of this book will be well received by many readers because this is something we all can relate to....trying to be good enough or do more or be successful in order to earn God's love.  None of those things are needed though.  And that is the point of this book.  The reader is reminded of what grace is and gives examples of people (both from the Bible and other modern day examples) who have given and received grace.  Another thing about grace is that once we realize the magnitude of the grace we have been given, we need to show that grace to others.  This isn't something we can do in our human selves. 

I liked this quote in the book and want to leave you with this:
"You are loved by your Maker not because you try to please Him and succeed, or fail to please Him and apologize, but because He wants to be your Father." 

I received this book from the Book Sneeze reviewers program for my honest review.

Have a day of blessings!

Audio book: Finding God in The Hunger Games

I have finished listening to a book called Finding God in The Hunger Games by Ken Gire and read by David Cochran Heath.  You can see the book here.

I have not read or watched The Hunger Games so on one hand it was interesting to me to hear this book and learn a little bit of the background of the popular book/movie.  The author looks to find any comparisons that can be made between God and the characters of The Hunger Games. He explores why a book of this type was written, why it was so popular in today's culture, and what people are searching for.  However, I thought it was odd that he wrote a book with this title after saying in the book that he couldn't find God in The Hunger Games.  This was a very short book, and I wondered if some of the topics could have been examined in more depth.  I don't really have anything against the book; it will not, however, be on the list of the best, most interesting books I have read.

The narrator David Cochran Heath did a good job, and I had no problem listening to him read.

This audio book was provided to me by christianaudio Reviewers Program for my honest review.
 
Have a day of blessings!

Thankful Thursday

It's time again for Thankful Thursday.  I had intended to blog before today.  I always seem to have thoughts rolling around in my head and think "I should do a blog post" but then I don't get it typed.  I always wonder if I have anyone reading my blog anymore anyway actually!  

What are you thankful for today?   Here is my list...
~  my husband being recognized for the work he has done over the past year. 

~ the miracle of my boy....After having a miscarriage before he was born, I feel like I became more aware of how much of a blessing he truly is.  I've been thinking of this lately and feeling thankful for him, the blessing he is to our lives, and how wonderful it is to have him as my son. 

~ the beauty of nature. I noticed in my own backyard the way the sunlight was shining through the trees one afternoon and then later than night I saw the moonlight shining through the window onto the floor. 

~ the blessing of living in the United States.

~  having a nice evening at the ACU homecoming carnival.  Caleb had fun at the various booths and then we all watched a great fireworks show together.  It was a fun time!

Have a day of blessings!

Thankful Thursday

We are meeting at Women Taking a Stand again this week.  Link up there with others who are giving thanks today.

Today I am thankful for...
~ my husband's safe travel as he went to a meeting out of town this week.  Also, he was able to attend a conference this week that was beneficial to his work.

~ my sweet boy singing John 3:16 as he was getting ready for school this morning.

~ having a nice time doing a booth for our 4-H club at a community fair.  It was nice to talk with some people I already know and meeting new ones too.  I realized we have been here almost 2 years now and I recognize people and they recognize me. 

~ the healing I've seen before my eyes over the past year.  A year ago a neighbor was in a serious car accident.  She is doing well, and it is amazing to see how far she has come.  Also, a year ago in November was the ACU bus crash.  This past weekend the group made the trip back to the children's home (where they were headed last year at the time of the accident).  It made me smile to see the pictures of the ones who went and how God has healed them. 

~ daily blessings that so easily can be taken for granted....clean water, food to eat, electricity, running vehicles, home, clothes.  So many things we have every day!

Have a day of blessings!

My First Handy Bible

Today I would like to share with you My First Handy Bible--Timeless Bible Stories for Toddlers.

If you have a special little child in your life, you might like purchasing this storybook for them.

I found this would be appropriate for very young children for several reasons.  First, there are not very many stories and the stories are not at all detailed as some other Bible story books I've seen.  Second, this book is mostly pictures.  Third, it is a board book type so it is appropriate for those learning about books and not tearing pages.  Fourth, I believe young children will enjoy the handle and being able to carry the book around with them.  It would be great to carry to Sunday School to get them in the habit of taking their Bible. 

This is not my favorite children's Bible storybook I have seen but for very young children it is okay. 

Here is an example of an inside page. The colors are nice and the text is easy to read. 

Thank you to The B & B Media Group for sending this to me for my honest review.

Have a day of blessings!

Book: Over The Edge

I would like to share with you a book I read called Over the Edge by Mary Connealy.  This is Book #3 in The Kincaid Brides series.  I reviewed book #2 In Too Deep here.

About the book:
Seth Kincaid survived a fire in a cave, but he's never been the same. He was always a reckless youth, but now he's gone over the edge. He ran off to the Civil War and came back crazier than ever.
After the war, nearly dead from his injuries, it appears Seth got married. Oh, he's got a lot of excuses, but his wife isn't happy to find out Seth doesn't remember her. Callie has searched, prayed, and worried. Now she's come to the Kincaid family's ranch in Colorado to find her lost husband.

Callie isn't a long-suffering woman. Once she knows her husband is alive, she wants to kill him. She's not even close to forgiving him for abandoning her.

Then more trouble shows up in the form of a secret Seth's pa kept for years. The Kincaid brothers might lose their ranch if they can't sort things out. It's enough to drive a man insane--but somehow it's all making Seth see things more clearly. And now that he knows what he wants, no one better stand in his way.

My thoughts:
(I was looking at my blog posts and saw this still in "draft" mode from the beginning of October!  Oops!)

I enjoyed this book.  It was very similar to the other books I read by this author so I sort of felt I knew what to expect as I read.  

What I liked about this book was the idea of healing that happened for all the family members.  If you read the other books in the series, you see the deep pain and trouble that the brothers deal with because of their past.  I felt in this book there was healing for them all and that was nice to see. 

I also wanted to add that I liked how the covers of the three books in this series fit so nicely together in my opinion as they all have one of the brothers and his bride in the background. 

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for sending this book for my review.  I apologize for the delay in publishing my review. 

Have a day of blessings!

A-Z Challenge 2012

It's been a while since I have changed the verse.  Here is the R verse.

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Exodus 20:8

Have a day of blessings!

Thankful Thursday

Thank you for stopping by my blog today for Thankful Thursday. 

This week I am thankful for...
~  my sweet husband.  Today I appreciate his knowledge.  When I hear him talking to someone about his work "stuff," I have no clue!  He knows so much about so many different areas. 

~ the wonderful report on our boy during our parent/teacher conference this week.  Monday was a day off for my boy, and the school had conferences scheduled that day.  His teacher had such nice things to say about him and his behavior and attitude.  We are also proud of his reading.  The first six weeks he has read over 300,000 words.  The goal is to be a "Million Word Reader."   This is through the Accelerated Reader program. 

~  seeing former teachers and classmates at my 15 year high school reunion.  I think these relationships are important.  Coming from a small school, we grew up together and spent so much of our life together.  I know everyone doesn't have that sort of relationship with their classmates and teachers, and I'm thankful I do. 

~ the signs of fall....cooler temperatures, acorns, pumpkins, leaves changing colors.  I enjoy this time of year!  And I'm thankful God gave us seasons.

~ nice time with ladies from our church Monday night at our Bible study.  We meet once a month, and this is always an enjoyable time. 

Also, if you did not see my review in the post below, I encourage you to check it out.  If you are looking for a great study to do by yourself or with a group of women, I recommend the book and DVD experience called She's Got Issues. 

This month for Thankful Thursday we are meeting at Women Taking a Stand.  Join us!

Have a day of blessings!

Do you have issues??

I had the privilege of reviewing She's Got Issues by Nicole Unice.  This is a DVD and there is a book of the same title. 

We all have issues as women.  It seems we often hide the reality of these issues because we don't want others to know our struggles or that we aren't want we seem to be on the outside.  In this study there are six lessons based on the issues we face as women.  These issues keep us from experiencing the life God has for us.  The six issues she addresses are control, insecurity, comparison, fear, anger, and unforgiveness. 

Do you have trouble with any of these?  As I was reading the book and watching the DVD, I was struck by how much I can relate to each them.  Some I would think to myself "Oh I don't have a problem with that."  Then as I got into it I could see how the issue is present in my life, either now or at some time in the past.  It was refreshing to me to see how other women struggle and that God wants more for us than to continue living with these issues.

Each issue is covered in two chapters of the book.  One thing I like is the questions asked at the end of each chapter that would be great for group discussion.  The DVD has six sessions that go with the chapters in the book.  At the beginning of each session Nicole interviews a lady about how she deals with a particular issue and what it has looked like in her life.  Then it changes to a group setting where she does some teaching, sharing both stories and examples from the Bible. 

I highly recommend this book and DVD for you to do as a study by yourself or with a group of ladies.  I really learned a lot from it and found it very applicable and "real life." 

You can see more about the book at this link, including a clip with Nicole Unice.

Thank you to Tyndale for providing this book and DVD for my honest review.
 
Have a day of blessings!

Thankful Thursday

The weeks always seem to go by so quickly!  This one has gone by fast for me as well.  This month we are linking up at Women Taking a Stand if you want to join us or visit others for Thankful Thursday. 

This week I'm thankful for...
~ my husband who seems to always know what to say exactly when I need to hear it.  I appreciate this about him.

~ my boy's creativity.  He is always coming up with something!  For example, this week he's been doing his homework sitting in a laundry basket.  He makes me smile!

~ the wonderful rain we received last weekend.  I do not remember the last time it rained so much here!  It was nice to see all the puddles everywhere and the ponds and tanks with water in them.

~ finding some clothes for my boy at the consignment sale for good prices and also selling some of his stuff that is too small there.

~ time to clean up some areas.  I have worked in our bedroom and the office over the past week.  I still need to work on the extra bedroom, but it is nice to see the progress that I've made.

Have a day of blessings!

Old Testament Examples

Do you have a favorite story from the Old Testament? It would be hard for me to choose just one. There are so many that I have loved for years. Now as a parent I have been able to share these with our son and see them from a new angle. Do you ever wonder why all of these stories are recorded? Do you ever wonder what other things happened that weren’t recorded for us? I recently came across a passage in I Corinthians that got me thinking about the various Old Testament stories.

Continue reading by joining me today over at Laced With Grace. 

Have a day of blessings!

Book: Prayers and Promises for My Little Grandchild

I received a book called Prayers and Promises for My Little Grandchild by Jerry Cook with paintings by Laurie Snow Hein. 

In this book a grandpa passes down his thoughts and memories to his special grandchildren.  This book can serve as a reminder to grandparents of the important role they play in the lives of their grandchildren. There are also touching prayers to go along with each little story. 

I really enjoyed the paintings in this book.  They are very well done and really capture the feelings of love between a grandparent and grandchild. 

This would be a nice gift for a grandparent. 

Thank you to Harvest House Publishers for sending me this book for my honest review.

Have a day of blessings!