When Sparrows Fall

I am so happy to be reviewing Meg Moseley's debut novel! How exciting for her to be a newly published author. Here's what I found out about this gal:

*She has homeschooled for more than 20 years!

*She enjoys reading and traveling.

*She likes to take motorcycle rides with her husband.

So we have two of the three in common. I have never homeschooled a day in my life. If you met my 3 boys, you would know why. I am definitely not teacher material!

This novel is a story about a widow and her children who are trying to escape from the grips of a very controlling church. After her husband's death the main character, Miranda, decides it is time to make a clean break from the church she attended with her husband. She must also come to grips with a secret she and her husband had been keeping for years. The hero of the story is her former husband's half brother who comes in to rescue Miranda and her children. As the story unfolds, Miranda must embrace her past, the truth, and the grace of God which is sometimes difficult to do, even in the best of circumstances. This story of healing and love will become an example to many!

The Waiting Place

This is the first book I have read by Eileen Button. After reading this, I want to hang out with this gal. I love her style of writing. I love her honesty. I love how it feels like she's speaking to me. I love her heart for God. I love her faith. and her trust. and her vulnerability. I could go on and on, seriously.

This book has 22 chapters. My plan was to read one a day. But after the first three days, I had to read more! So I think it took me 5 days to finish the entire book. After finishing her book, I had to check out her website (of course!).

Here's what the website says about Eileen:

Eileen Button is an author, columnist, runner (well, sometimes), adjunct professor, mama, and committed java junkie. She believes in the goodness of God, the power of laughter, the inspiration of words, and the beauty of life.

Her essays have been published in Newsweek, Christianity Today's Gifted for Leadership, Holy Bible: Mosaic, and other online and print publications.

Eileen takes delight in stumbling on the miraculous in ordinary spaces - the repose of a child, the miracle of a garden, the face of a stranger. Through writing and speaking she encourages others to truly live and make room for the sacred.

This book is an everyday reminder that God has a plan and sometimes while we wait for His plan to unfold, it is hard. We want instant gratification. We want life to be easy and to go our way. We feel entitled to the good life. But that is not the case! In this world we will have troubles, trials, sadness, pain, and hard times. Sometimes all we can do (in the words of Eileen) is "hunker down, pray harder, and listen more keenly......and hold tightly to the belief that something good is yet to come". We know God is always good and we are always loved. And that is enough!

*I received a copy of this book from BookSneeze in exchange for my review. The views are solely mine*

Amazing Grace

I grew up in a Baptist church and have very fond memories of singing many hymns on this CD. I also took a trip overseas in middle school and have seen bagpipes being played. The combination of these two things equals my love for this music. If you enjoy Celtic music, this album is for you. Their are several classic hymns plus a mix of new songs that are beautiful. There are two versions of the title track, Amazing Grace, that are both enjoyable and relazing to listen to. After listening to this, you will definitely want to learn how to play the bagpipes!

This CD does not disappoint the listener!!

(in)courage (in)spired deals review & giveaway!!!

*GIVEAWAY CLOSED* ACMOMMY3 is the winner. I will email you the details! Thanks!

Have you ever had a week, month, or year where the same thing keeps coming into your life? You hear a sermon, someone gives you a book they love, your friend asks you a question, your kids are struggling in this area, even the people in line at McDonalds are talking about this! And finally you realize God is trying to get your attention. He is trying to get you to slow down and listen to what He has to say. He wants you to learn a lesson before something really bad or crazy happens.

Well, this month for me it's all about PRAYER. Our MOPS year ended and we are doing a study on prayer, I just finished reading an amazing book about talking to God. My friends are going through some really hard times. Prayer. Prayer. Prayer. God is refining me and bringing me to him and reminding me sometimes there is nothing to do, but pray! When I got to pick an item to review through the (in)courage website through Dayspring, I knew immediately what to pick! A reminder every time I walk by this artwork to pray! They have monthly deals so be sure to bookmark their page and check it often (like I do)!

Because Dayspring wants to spread the word about their products, they are offering a $20 code for an online purchase to one person who comments on this post. To enter, please go to the Dayspring website, pick what you would purchase, then leave that in the comment. Comments close June 1 and then a winner will be announced.

*I was given a free product by Dayspring for doing this review/giveaway. The opinions are mine*

REJOICE

Let us rejoice and be glad today. Psalm 118:24

If you are looking for some good worship music, you are looking in the right place. This CD is top notch. The women's vocals are amazing. The songs are inspiring. I love the mix of familiar songs and new songs. I have only attended one Women of Faith conference (several years....maybe even a decade...ago), and I don't really remember the music all that much. But after listening to this CD, I definitely want to attend an event and be able to listen to these women live! The music alone would be worth the cost of an admission ticket!

My favorite song on the CD is the classic "Great Is Thy Faithfulness". This is a song I have loved for many years and could listen to it over and over. Which I did today when I was waiting in car line for the kids! This CD will not disappoint you!

Love Food & Live Well by Chantel Hobbs

This is the first of Chantel Hobbs' books that I have read. I was very excited to read all about her journey to a new healthy lifestyle. Getting healthy, eating healthier, and starting an exercise regime has been on my to-do list for a long time now. I have 3 grade school kids, and I feel like now I can finally start to focus on myself now that my kids don't need constant attention! I have been looking into ways to eat less and moving more (I know it sounds like such a simple concept, but actually putting it into practice is a totally different story!), and also making what I eat (each and every bite) count.

Chantel shares some of her darkest moments she had when she was overweight and how God opened up here eyes and she became aware of just how unhealthy her lifestyle was. She did a complete turn around and is now dedicated to sharing her story by writing books and speaking to people. I love how she describes her walking partner..."He doesn't complain, we talk about what's going on in my life, He gives me awesome encouragement, I could walk with Him forever, when I'm done, I feel like a new creation". The partner she is talking about is God, the greatest Partner and Companion of all time. He wants to start this journey to health with you and be there to see it come to completion. What an awesome concept to grasp. God created each of us and cares about us more than anyone. He never disappoints, He never fails, He always loves!

the elemental journal

I was so excited when I got this book. I had grand ideas of making end-of-the year teacher gifts, mother's day gifts, and gifts for my family and friends. But after looking through the book and seeing what kinds of ideas were given, I quickly decided this kind of art is not for me. While the creations in the book are indeed very eye appealing, it is stuff I will never make nor would want to give away. Many items used for these arts and crafts are things that are a bit foreign to me. There is a beautiful nature element in many of the ideas, which for a true artist would be very excited. This would also be a great book for art teachers or professors looking for student ideas.