Book Review - The Woman's Study Bible

ABOUT THIS BIBLE:

The Woman’s Study Bible is a priceless treasure, poignantly revealing the Word of God to a woman’s heart. With special notes and features appealing to women's interests, highlighting women throughout Scripture, and capturing the unique ways Christ cared for women, this Bible truly speaks to a woman's heart. Now with a fresh, new look and available in the New International Version^® (NIV) for the first time, The Woman’s Study Bible is more relevant to today’s women than ever before!

MY REVIEW:

I don't know if I have enough words to tell you how much I love this Bible!! I absolutely love it!! It is my new favorite and I use it all the time now.

First of all, it's gorgeous! Put together with a woman's heart in mind. I love the first few pages where you can fill in your marriage information, special family memories, and a page where you can list your spiritual mothers! How unique yet wonderful! 

Then we come to the Bible itself. There are wonderful articles that are just packed with inspiration and information! These articles are written by godly women that we can trust have a clear and biblical view. These authors include Anne Graham Lotz and Nancy Leigh DeMoss.I have never seen this in a Bible before and I love it! I also really like that at the beginning of each book, there is an information page(s) about the book itself, who authored it, the background and special notes about the book. It was easy to read and understand and help as you study that book of the Bible. 

Then there are, what I call, the special notes throughout the Bible. These range from biographies about people in the Bible to charts comparing Law and Grace, Judgements in the New Testament and more! Anything and everything you could ever want to know is in this Bible. There are also inspiration quotations by women like Nancie Carmichael, Helen Keller and Carol Kent. These quotations are exactly what they say - inspirational! They will lift your spirits and help you to keep your eyes on the Lord.

Not only that, it's a study Bible so at the bottom of each page are the study notes for the page that you're reading. Again, they are clear, easy to understand and concise. If you don't understand exactly what you're reading, the study notes will help you to grasp what is being said so you can apply it and understand it in your heart. Plus, the maps. I'm a real map girl and I love when a Bible has wonderful maps in the back that are easy to read and give a lot of information on them. As I study, I like to see the areas of the world or the paths that the people took. Want to know what Abraham's route was as he traveled from his home to where God led him? It's there. All the maps are like this and I find this incredibly helpful.

I highly, highly recommend this Bible! It's so packed with study aides, information and inspiration to touch a woman's heart. I'm sure you'll love it as much as I do!

*This Bible was provided to me for my honest review by Shelton Interactive

  
Blessings - Julie

Counting Our Blessings - Link Up!

It's been a busy week here at the homestead. Lots of blessings so let's get to it!

86.  My pain levels have been so much better! I've been sleeping better and just feeling better. What a total blessing!

87.  I've been able to spend a few quiet moments here and there just resting. I'm really needing the rest and plan on taking some time over the next couple weeks and give myself permission to do just that!

88.  My son graduated from the local fire department academy! He is now an official fire fighter! Here I am pinning his badge on him

Here he is taking his oath (he is on the left)

Here's my youngest son, my oldest son and my youngest son's best friend

What a blessing to see my son accomplish something so huge!




89. To celebrate we did something we rarely do. We went out to eat! We went to Buffalo Wild Wings (I had never been there before) and it was really yummy. We all had hamburgers and enjoyed our time together.

90.  We wanted to give our son something to commemorate this momentous occasion. So we got him this

We had such a blessed week and there were too many blessings to really count!

Now it's your turn. Count your own blessings and link up on the inLinkz below (the blue button with the frog on it). It's always a blessing to see your blessings, too!

Blessings - Julie

Book Review - The Point by William Jefferson

ABOUT THE BOOK:

In his breakout novel of spiritual revelation, William E. Jefferson invites readers on a journey of discovery where "joy and meaning break through pain."

Hollie and Goodwin Macbreeze, a young couple in search of refreshment and inspiration, travel to the metaphorical island of Estillyen where creative monks stage dramatic readings of biblical stories. While Hollie focuses on the readings, Goodwin has another goal: to search out the house he sketched as a boy, and possibly meet its reclusive owner, Oban Ironbout, a former friend of Goodwin's grandfather. The unlikely and unwelcome relationship Hollie and Goodwin form with Ironbout brings him out of his years of bitterness and into the monk community and their fascinating ways with words. In the process, the couple discovers unexpected answers to their own dilemmas.

The book's style has been compared to John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress, C. S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters, and William Young's The Shack.

MY REVIEW:

This is a book written in a poetic way. It did remind me in many ways of "The Pilgrims Progress" in that it's not a quick read and there are a lot of "readings" throughout that seemed to take the flow away from the actual story.

Hollie, Goodwin and Oban are interesting characters but I can't say that I ever really connected with them. We see their struggles and their journey but I didn't necessarily feel like I was on this journey with them. When I read a book, I want to connect with the characters and care about them.

There is a lot of wonderful Biblical truth in this book that I did enjoy. There is a lot of profound information and thoughts that really touched me. The story was just too slow for me and it was a book I had to force myself to finish. If it hadn't been for the beautiful thoughts here and there, it would have been almost impossible. 

I give this book 3 out of 5 stars. 

*This book was provided to me for my honest review by Handlebar Central

Blessings - Julie

Book Review - Ray of Light

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray brings inspirational romance to life in this sweet tale of love in the Amish community, Ray of Light, the second installment of her Days of Redemption series.

Roman Keim just wants a break from the family drama at his snowy Ohio home when he heads to an Amish snowbird community in Florida. There he meets Amanda Yoder and her daughter Regina who soon are warming his heart. But will Roman return to Ohio or will he stay and help the young widow embrace a second chance at love?

The author of the series Sisters of the Heart and Seasons of Sugarcreek, Shelley Shepard Gray delivers an honest, tender love story in Ray of Light, featuring the challenges of faith, family, and romance.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Shelley Shepard Gray is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the "Sisters of the Heart", "Seasons of Sugarcreek", "Secrets of Crittenden County", and Families of Honor series. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town's bike trail.

Learn more at http://www.shelleyshepardgray.com

MY REVIEW:

This is the second book of the "Days of Redemption" series. I didn't read the first book, however, it didn't take me long to understand who was who in this book. So, if you haven't read the first one, don't hesitate the start with this second book (although I'm sure, like me, you'll enjoy it so much you'll want to read the first book!). 

This is a very sweet story of two people trying to escape something - for Amanda it's the grief of losing her husband and for Roman, it's the drama in his family. I love how the author shows that we can find love anywhere at anytime. Roman and Amanda never dream that they will meet that special someone while Roman is on vacation for only a week! It's a perfect picture of how the Lord has a plan and works things together for us in a way we wouldn't have imagined. 

I really enjoyed seeing Roman come out of his shell and his relationship with Amanda's little girl, Regina. It's so sweet seeing how they blossom because of the trust that Regina has in him and how Amanda sees how special he is through her little girl's eyes.  I love a book where you feel like you really know the characters and are sad when the book ends! I highly recommend this book - the perfect summer/beach read!

*This book was provided to me for my honest review by LitFuse Publicity Group

You can read more reviews of this book HERE

You can purchase this book HERE

Blessings - Julie

Counting Our Blessings - Link Up!

God is SO good. I've had such an amazing week - full of refreshing and fellowship! I'm definitely counting my blessings - and I hope you will, too!

81.  I went to my church's women's conference on Friday and Saturday and I can't believe how incredible it was! I learned SO much!! The teacher was Carol Wild who is the leader of the Women's Ministry at Calvary Chapel in Merritt Island, FL. I was furiously writing down so much the whole time she was speaking! They gave us a book to take notes in and I filled the whole thing up! She taught on Psalms 46 and it was just amazing the depth that we got into this Scripture. I came away from this Conference so refreshed, joyous and knowing that I had a deeper understanding of our Lord and His Word. Here is a video of Carol from the Women's Retreat at her church. I highly recommend that you watch it when you have time. You'll just be so blessed! By the way, she is the blond lady with the British accent. :)

2012 Fall Women's Retreat - Overview - Carol Wild from Calvary Chapel Merritt Island on Vimeo.
82. I ran into an acquaintance at the Conference that I have known for quite a while, but not well. She and I decided to sit together and it was so wonderful getting to know her better! We giggled and cried and just totally knit our hearts together! We also found out while she was at the conference that she will be moving closer to me, so that was a total blessing, too!

83.  My oldest son had his last day of his Fire Academy for the local Fire Department on Sunday. We were invited to a picnic and then to watch them to a drill for us to see. It was so impressive and I am so incredibly proud of my son! He has worked so hard and it's so exciting to see him pursuing his dream and succeeding! Here's a picture of him and me just before the drill. It was really, really windy out there, as you can tell from my hair!

This is his helmet

Here he is after the drill in front of one of the trucks

Being there was such a blessing and I'm over-whelmed with emotion!

84.  I'm blessed that I am going to be able to have some time off now. I'm really looking forward to starting my new Bible studies and spending a lot of time in study. I'm also looking forward to more reading time, more crochet and knitting time, as well as other artistic fun! I'm really needing to take this time and I'm so blessed that I can actually do this.

85.  I was able to buy some books at the Women's Conference (no, I didn't need more books! lol) by John MacArthur, Anne Graham Lotz, as well as others. The Women's Ministry leader had these books available at cost for us, so that was such a blessing!! There were a couple others I would have liked to have had, but she is going to have them available at the office, so I can get them later on.

Just a total blessed week!! What were your blessings this week? Please share on the inLinkz below (I'm using a new linking tool that I think you'll like better!) I love to read about your blessings and, of course, would love to read your comments, too!

Blessings - Julie

Book Review - Catch A Falling Star

ABOUT THE BOOK:

At 36, Kendall Haynes has seen some of her dreams come true. She's a family physician helping kids with severe allergies and asthma achieve more fulfilling lives-a childhood struggle she knows all too well. But the feeling of being "the kid never picked" looms large when romance continues to evade her and yet another one of her closest friends gets engaged. Are Kendall's dreams of having it all-a career, a husband, children-nothing more than childish wishing upon a star? Should she hold out for her elusive Plan A? Dust off Plan B? Or is it time to settle? God says he knows the plans he has for her-why can't Kendall figure them out and be content with her life?

Griffin Walker prefers flying solo-both as an Air Force pilot and in his personal life. But a wrong choice and health problems pulled him out of the cockpit. His attempts to get out of "flying a desk" are complicated by his parents' death-making Griffin the reluctant guardian of his sixteen-year-old brother, Ian. How did his life get so off course? Can God get his life back on track ... or has there been a divine plan all along?
Catch a Falling Star reminds readers that romance isn't just for twenty-somethings and that sometimes letting go of your "wish I may, wish I might" dreams is the only way to embrace everything God has waiting for you.

I

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Beth K. Vogt is a non-fiction author and editor who said she'd never write fiction. She's the wife of an Air Force family physician (now in solo practice), though she said she'd never marry a doctor-or anyone in the military. She's a mom of four, though she said she'd never have kids. She's discovered that God's best often waits behind the doors marked "Never." Her contemporary romance novel, "Wish You Were Here", debuted in May 2012 (Howard Books), and "Catch a Falling Star" releases May 2013. An established magazine writer and former editor of Connections, the leadership magazine for MOPS International, Beth is also the Skills Coach for My Book Therapy, the writing community founded by best-selling author Susan May Warren. 

Find out more about Beth K. at http://bethvogt.com

MY REVIEW:

 

I really enjoyed this book. The romance between two mature people was really good and a refreshing change from the twenty-something romances we usually read. 

Dr. Kendall is a successful doctor helping children with severe allergies and asthma. While this is fulfilling, she realizes that she would like to have more of a personal life and find that romance she has never found. Griffin is a pilot who has been grounded and the reluctant guardian of his younger brother when his parents unexpectedly die.

Kendall and Griffin find themselves thrown together when Ian has an allergic at the restaurant where Kendall is dining. They don't connect at all right away and the only thing that brings them together is Ian. Griffin was actually hard for me to  like. His disappointment in being grounded made him difficult and it came through in his personality in the book. 

This was not your typical romance. There was a lot of depth to the story like as well as the characters. I was also pleasantly surprised by how we see Griffin develop. I also enjoyed the sub-plot with other characters in the book, too. It really added to the whole story.

You'll enjoy this book, I'm sure! I really like the age of the characters finding romance and I loved the story because it wasn't simplistic. I give this book 4.5 out of 5 stars.

 

*This book was provided to me for my honest review by LitFuse Publicity Group

You can read more reviews of this book HERE

You can purchase this book HERE

Blessings - Julie

Book Review - Undeniably Yours

ABOUT THE BOOK:

When Meg Cole's father dies unexpectedly, she's forced to return home to Texas and to Whispering Creek Ranch to take up the reins of his empire. The last thing she has the patience or the sanity to deal with? Her father's Thoroughbred racehorse farm. She gives its manager, Bo Porter, six months to close the place down.

Bo knows he ought to resent the woman who's determined to take from him the only job he ever wanted. But instead of anger, Meg evokes within him a profound desire to protect. The more time he spends with her, the more he longs to overcome every obstacle that separates them and earn her love.

Just when Meg realizes she can no longer deny the depth of her feelings for Bo, their fragile bond is broken by a force from Meg's past. Can their relationship-and their belief that God can work through every circumstance-survive?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Becky Wade is a graduate of Baylor University. As a newlywed, she lived for three years in a home overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, as well as in Australia, before returning to the States. A mom of three young children, Becky and her family now live in Dallas, Texas.

Visit her website at www.beckywade.com

MY REVIEW:

Another sweet romance that is perfect for a summer/beach read. Meg and Bo will capture your hearts. I especially loved Bo - he was self-assured, strong, and kind. This strength really helped Meg as she struggled with panic attacks and anxiety after her divorce and the death of her father. This relationship reminded me of the strength that the Lord gives us and His calm in the storm.

It's also great seeing Meg's faith grow stronger and stronger and her inner dialogue as she searches for strength from the Lord. It was wonderful seeing her grow from a anxious young woman to a woman fully relying on the Lord. I also liked how we see her trust in Bo develop, too.

Meg is thrown into a situation that makes her uncomfortable and Bo is in a situation that is his dream and he's content. It's interesting to see these two come together in the same situation and how they each view it differently. Watching Meg grow as a person and a Christian is truly a delight. 

I truly enjoyed Becky's writing and this story was just a joy to read. You truly will learn to care about the characters in this book and heave a huge sigh of contentment at the end of the story.

*This book was provided to me for my honest review by LitFuse Publicity Group

You can read more review of this book HERE

You can purchase this book HERE



Blessings - Julie

Book Review - Once Upon A Prince

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The Royal Wedding Series Book One

Susanna Truitt never dreamed of a great romance or being treated like a princess---just to marry the man she has loved for twelve years. But life isn't going according to plan. When her high-school-sweetheart-turned-Marine-officer breaks up instead of proposing, Susanna scrambles to rebuild her life.

The last thing Prince Nathaniel expects to find on his American holiday to St. Simon's Island is the queen of his heart. A prince has duties, and his family's tense political situation has chosen his bride for him. When Prince Nathaniel comes to Susanna's aid under the fabled Lover's Oak, he is blindsided by love.

Their lives are worlds apart. He's a royal prince. She's a ordinary girl. But everything changes when Susanna receives an invitation to Nathaniel's coronation.

It's the ultimate choice. His kingdom or her heart? God's will or their own?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

http://youtu.be/eJ2pAIhrYvI

Meet Rachel:

Rachel Hauck is the bestselling author of Carol Award winner "Sweet Caroline", and RITA Finalist "Love Starts With Elle", and of the critically acclaimed fiction collaboration with multi-platinum country artist Sara Evans, "The Songbird Novels". She lives in sunny, though sometimes hurricane plagued, central Florida with her husband and their ornery pets. Rachel earned a degree in Journalism from Ohio State University and is a huge Buckeyes football fan. She is the past President of American Christian Fiction Writers and now sits on the board as an Advisor.

Find out more about Rachel at: http://RachelHauck.com

MY REVIEW:

This was an incredibly sweet romance with characters that I really liked and was rooting for. Yes, the plot was typical, but isn't that why we love a good romance? This book is definitely falling into that "fairy tale" category that us girls just love. 

I loved how Nate took his duties seriously and yet he was very kind and sweet. Susanna was also very likeable, even though she tended to want to control everything - I believe a lot of this was due to her fiance breaking her heart. We can sympathize with her and her hurt. 

I loved how this book emphasized that God has a great plan for our life than we can imagine if we will just relax and trust in Him. In this case, a true fairy tale come to life. 

I really enjoyed this book and it would be the perfect summer reading book!!

*This book was provided to me for my honest review by LitFuse Publicity Group

You can read more reviews for this book HERE

You can purchase this book HERE

Blessings - Julie

Keep Calm & Trust God

I used to be an emotional bundle of nerves. This happens when you feel condemned by those that are supposed to love you. I was a woman that internalized everything and then my mind and body paid for it. I finally realized, when I had cancer, that I needed to make changes in who I allowed around me, if possible. I had the tendency to chose the same type of people over and over again, those who would abuse me emotionally.

It didn't happen over night, but slowly over the past few years, I've gotten wiser about who I allow to be in my inner-circle. I've also learned to have boundaries with those people in my life that I can't just "cut-out" of my life (most of these people are family members).  I think family members are the hardest, both in dealing with, and enforcing boundaries to. When you start making changes in your life, expect resistance. People don't like when you start changing, especially for the better. It will make them angry and they will try and trip you up. Just keep on going forward with God's help!

God has helped me so much in this area. Through His Word, I'm getting stronger Spiritually, which in turn makes me stronger emotionally. Where I would be devastated, playing over and over in my mind the words said, now I'm able to let it go within a day. Believe me, this is huge. I could replay things said to me twenty years ago over and over for days before, and enjoy wallowing in it. However, all this does is destroy our self esteem and give the enemy a foothold in our mind!

This year, I asked God to help me with a stronghold that was causing me distress. This stronghold was that if someone really hurt me, I would just eliminate them from my life. Period. I needed to learn to love people, maybe at arms length, but to love them as God loves them. He has worked miracles in my life on this! I have learned to be more discerning when it comes to choosing friends but then I've also learned to continue to love those that hurt me. I love them as God loves them but then I establish boundaries. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of boundaries!! Especially, if you're like a person like me - a "people pleaser".

The biggest issue where God has worked is keeping me calm. I am able to let this stuff go and remain calm knowing that God is in control and is working things out in His perfect way. He sees us when we get hurt and we can rest assured that He cares deeply when we hurt. It all really does work out perfectly if we will just rest in Him and allow Him to work everything together in our life. I've learned to keep focusing on my goals, not get side-tracked because I know that I'm not in control of the stuff I can't control anyway! I can only control me and how I react to things.

Keep Calm and Trust God - Keep On Keeping On!

God bless you - Julie

Winners!!

My winners of the book, "Rosita Valdez and the Giant Sea Turtle" are Kay and Lindy!! Congratulations! I'll be sending you an email to get your shipping address. I hope you both enjoy this book as much as I did!

God bless you - Julie

Book Review & Giveaway!!!

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Come on an adventure with eight-year-old Rosie and her friends as she meets a giant sea turtle in a cove of the Pacific Ocean. Watch and learn with Rosie as she struggles with truthfulness and as she jumps into action when crisis comes to the cove.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Robin has been ministering to and teaching children for more than 30 years. She is passionate about helping parents teach their children about God's Truths and the importance of biblical character. The best tool, she says, is the art of storytelling, since it allows parents and children to connect with Christian values via a fun and interesting story. She reflects that mission in the book.  

MY REVIEW: 

This is an adorable children's book! Rosita is a sweet little girl with a big imagination yet she is also a sweet friend and a kind little girl with her family. I like her helpful nature and how her parents have her doing her chores and school work as a part of the story. Homeschooling children would especially relate to this! :)  I like how we really get to know Rosita through the little things like the fact that she struggles with math but enjoys her writing. I love her relationship with her Grandmother and how they share special moments together.

Rosita has two little friends that she goes swimming with at cove. While playing hide-and-seek, Rosita finds the giant sea turtle. He's a gentle fellow and she has great fun with him. Unfortunately, her two friends struggle to catch a glimpse of him! 

The story has a surprise ending that will have you and your children talking. I think this would be an excellent book to include in your homeschooling or to just read to your children or grandchildren over the summer!  It's an excellent book that I just know a child in your life would love! 

*This book was provided to me for my honest review by the Bohlsen Group 

Now for the really exciting part...I have THREE copies of this adorable book to giveaway!! I'm so thrilled to be able to do this! I will pick my winners on Sunday, May 19th!! You must be a follower of More of Him either on Google Friends or Bloglovin! Just enter on the Rafflecopter below!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway Blessings - Julie

Book Review - Praying the Prayers of the Bible

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Using the prayers of the Bible, encouraging reflections, and prayer starters, author James Banks helps you engage in intimate conversations with God.
In Praying the Prayers of the Bible, you’ll find prayers of praise and thanksgiving, prayers for wisdom and direction, prayers for blessing, and much more. This powerful collection of prayers can help you strengthen and deepen your relationship with God, experience a closer walk with Him, and apply His Word to your everyday life.

MY REVIEW:

This is such an amazing book! I have been praying God’s Word as I pray for a long time, but this book helped me to take that a step further. First of all, the author tells us how to use this book and to make the prayers of the Bible our own. Then there are nine chapters regarding different categories such as “Blessing Prayers”, “Prayers for Guidance and Direction”, “Prayers About Everyday Needs” for just a few. 

What I found particularly helpful was the Table of Contents gives us the chapter titles as well as the Scriptures of that chapter, so if you’re looking for some specific, it’s very easy to find! I thought this was ingenious as it makes it really easy to find what you’re looking for. 

At the beginning of each chapter he also gives us information regarding that chapter and what the Bible says about the subject. I was totally blessed by each of these chapter beginnings as I learned so much and understood better the prayers of the Bible.  In each chapter he then breaks down the subject matter into one sentence then shares the Scripture regarding that subject or need. 

This book has greatly enhanced my prayer life. It has given me direction when I’m looking for a specific Scripture to pray for myself or for someone else. It has also helped me to find specific encouragement in the Bible when I’m writing a card of encouragement to someone and I want to include a specific Scripture for them to meditate on and find encouragement from. 

I highly recommend this book. It will make your prayer life much more fulfilling!

*This book was provided to me for my honest review by Discovery House Publishers

Blessings - Julie

Book Review - The Blessed Woman

MY REVIEW:

This book is really faith building! I so enjoyed Debbie's insight and how she openly shared her own stories. She shares how she didn't have a female mentor in her life when she was a young woman and then shares about how the women of the Bible can be our mentor.

I really enjoyed the entire book but was especially blessed on her chapters on Overcoming Insecurities, Making God Your Priority in Everything, and Serving Others While You Are Waiting on the Lord. I really liked her practical, Biblical steps and thoughts on these issues.

I really liked how she shared the stories of the women of the Bible and pulled out practical, faith-building thoughts from each of these stories. We have all read these stories many times, but I loved how she shared insights that I had missed before.

I gained a lot from this book and I really think you will, too!

*This book was provided to me for my honest review by Blogging For Books program

Blessings - Julie

Counting Our Blessings - Link Up!

I missed doing my link up on Counting Our Blessings last week...it was such an incredibly busy week! However, I'm back and I hope you'll join me in counting our blessings!!

 76.  This is a bittersweet blessing...my Bible study ended last week. It was such an amazing year of studying Genesis and I met such wonderful women! Our little group really bonded and we are planning on getting together over the summer. I'm looking forward to a summer of refreshment and rest, and yet, I'm really going to miss my Tuesday night girls!

77.  One of the girls in my Bible study blessed me so much and gave me this!!

 I just was stunned, in tears, and totally blessed!! I have the New Testament commentary, but really had wanted the Old Testament. What an amazing gift and she is such a wonderful person to remember I wanted one and to gift it to me. Wow! I'm still so incredibly amazed and blessed and always will be! Thank you, Dawn!

78.  I spent two days with my cousin at her church's retreat last Thursday and Friday! She asked me to come a couple of weeks ago and I really wasn't sure I could do it financially or physically. They held it at a campground in the next town over and so I could come home to sleep, which was a must. After I hesitated, she texted me the next day and said she would pay for half the retreat. Again, wow!! Such a blessing! I had a great time with her and I made it through physically, although my knee was quite swollen on Friday and is still bothering me, but it was worth it to spend that sweet time with her! Thank you, Kathy!

79.  Mother's Day was so nice! We spend the day just relaxing. We cooked out on the grill, sat on the porch and played cards, and just enjoyed our time together. My oldest son couldn't be here so we have decided to celebrate on Wednesday when he's off. So, I actually get to celebrate twice! Blessing!!

80.  I'm going to be going to my own church's women's conference this week and I'm really looking forward to it! They are holding it at our worship center, which is quite close to my house, and I know that I'm going to just learn so much, get closer to the Lord and be blessed! They are having a special speaker and I've heard really good things about her. I can't wait! How amazing that I'm getting to do all these great things...I am totally blessed!

Now it's your turn! Share your own blessings from the week and link up on the Linky below!

    
Blessings - Julie

Happy Mother's Day!!

May God bless your day abundantly!!

Blessings - Julie

Winner of "One Thousand Gifts"!!

My winner for the book, "One Thousand Gifts" is Stephanie Harris Olmsted!!!

Congratulations, Stephanie!! I will be sending you an email to get your mailing address.

Blessings - Julie

Mother's Day Book Review & Giveaway - One Thousand Gifts

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Just like you, Ann Voskamp hungers to live her one life well. Forget the bucket lists that have us escaping our everyday lives for exotic experiences. 'How,' Ann wondered, 'do we find joy in the midst of deadlines, debt, drama, and daily duties? What does the Christ-life really look like when your days are gritty, long--and sometimes even dark? How is God even here?'

In One Thousand Gifts, Ann invites you to embrace everyday blessings and embark on the transformative spiritual discipline of chronicling God's gifts. It's only in this expressing of gratitude for the life we already have, we discover the life we've always wanted...a life we can take, give thanks for, and break for others. We come to feel and know the impossible right down in our bones: we are wildly loved--by God. Let Ann's beautiful, heart-aching stories of the everyday give you a way of seeing that opens your eyes to ordinary amazing grace, a way of being present to God that makes you deeply happy, and a way of living that is finally fully alive. Come live the best dare of all!



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ann Voskamp is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, One Thousand Gifs: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are. She is also the wife of a farmer, the home-educating mother to a half-dozen kids and a storyteller who keeps a camera shutter close. Ann writes about gritty grace and a magnificent God at www.aholyexperience.com.

MY REVIEW:

This book touched my heart in so many ways. Ann lays her soul bare so that we know that we are not alone in our longing for more of God. I shed so many tears from sorrow but also from my heart being touched by what she shares about the Lord.

I love how Ann shares her journey from wounded child to wounded adult, longing for a deeper relationship with God. Needing and longing to see Him as the loving God that He is. As she is searching the Bible, she realizes that it's thankfulness - it's focusing on the blessings - that makes a difference.  She starts to live a life of eucharisteo, a Greek word for thanksgiving, and shows us how we can do the same.

I love her writing - it's poetic and touching. This is not a book you rush through. This is a book you savor and then apply to your own life and walk with the Lord. This book will make you look differently at your life. Your blessings, the goodness of God, and you'll be thankful.

I love this book. It's a book that you'll need to read - want to read - again and again. As a mother, this book blessed me more than I can express. She shares her thankfulness for her husband, children and her life, in ways that has made me do the same. I was already a thankful person, but this book make me look at my life and all the Lord has done for me in an even more thankful way. This book is a must have!

*This book was provided to me for my honest review by Shelton Interactive 

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Book Review - The Face of the Earth

ABOUT THE BOOK:

When Mitchell Brannon's beloved wife of twenty years kisses him goodbye one autumn morning, he has little idea that his life is about to change forever. Mitch returns from work early that evening, surprised Jill's car isn't in the garage. Her conference in Kansas City is only a few hours' drive from their little town of Sylvia, Missouri. But her voice on the answering machine makes him smile. "Hey, babe, I'm just now checking out of the hotel, but I'll stop and pick up something for dinner. Love you."

Mitch sets the table with their best china and lights some candles, looking forward to their first weekend as empty nesters.
But at eight o'clock, the candles have burned to stubs and Jill still hasn't shown up. Mitch tries her cell phone only to get her voice mail over and over again. Their two college kids haven't heard from their mom either.
At midnight, Mitch's irritation turns to dread. And later, when the police and Missouri Highway Patrol have turned up nothing, the Kansas City hotel calls to say they've found property belonging to Jill in a hotel maid's possession.
Mitch enlists the help of their next-door neighbor, Jill's best friend, Shelley, and together they search for clues to Jill's disappearance. As days turn into weeks and weeks into months, Mitch and Shelley's friendship grows ever closer--and decidedly complicated with Jill as the tie that binds them together. Just when Shelley decides to finally reveal her feelings for Mitch, a clue to Jill's whereabouts is uncovered. But every lead seems to be a dead end, and Mitch wonders how he can honor the vows he made to a woman who has seemingly disappeared off the face of the earth.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Deborah Raney is the award-winning author of several novels, including "A Nest of Sparrows" and the RITA award winning "Beneath a Southern Sky" and its sequel, "After the Rains". Deborah's first novel, "A Vow to Cherish", was the inspiration for World Wide Pictures' highly acclaimed film of the same title, which in December 2004 aired on prime time network TV for the second time. Deb's novella, "Playing by Heart", was a National Readers Choice Award winner and a 2004 Christy Award finalist. Her novel for Howard/Simon & Schuster, "Yesterday's Embers", appeared on the ECPA Christian fiction bestseller list. Known for her sensitive portrayal of family struggles and relationships, Deb has also written nonfiction books and articles and often speaks at women's retreats and writers' conferences around the country. She and her husband, illustrator/author Ken Raney, have four children and make their home in Kansas. 

Find out more at DeborahRaney.com

 

MY REVIEW:

 

This is one of the best mysteries I've read in a long time. There was so much emotion in this book and it took me from one end of the spectrum to the other, all in a believable way! Mitch's and Jill's marriage is really good so when she goes missing, we, like Mitch, are sure that something horrible has happened to her. I like a dramatic mystery and this one certainly is that!

 

I was a bit disturbed by the attraction between Mitch and his wife's friend, Shelley, as they search for Jill. Since they didn't know what happened to her, and Mitch was upset, I found this attraction very disturbing and not in keeping with how much he and Jill supposedly love each other.

 

Secrets are uncovered in Jill's life and this enhances the mystery behind her disappearance. This is definitely a book that you won't want to put down once you pick it up. If you enjoy mysteries, this is the book for you!

 

*This book was provided to me for my honest review by LitFuse Publicity Group

 

You can read more reviews of this book HERE

 

You can purchase this book HERE

 

Blessings - Julie