No school all week. Celebrating Thanksgiving Day with plates of turkey, yeast rolls, and baked potatoes, and taking a few moments around the table to count our blessings. Staying up late to watch Sue Thomas FBEye for the first time. Enjoying 60+ degree weather. Picking dandelions . . . twice: once from the ground, and again from my sister's hair. And then making gingerbread cookies with some of my favorite girls (resulting in flour on the floor, an episode of roller-pin chasing, plenty of laughter, and a pretty good batch of cookies, if I do say so myself).
Yep, it's been a great week. 😄
How was your Thanksgiving? Ever made a wish on a dandelion?
So, a couple announcements for your weekend. The first is that my book, The Whispers God Gives, is officially on a BLACK FRIDAY sale over @ Amazon.com. If you've been waiting to buy your copy, now's the time. The price for either edition (Kindle or paperback) has been placed at a special discount, with the paperback available for $5.40 and the Kindle for $0.99. 😱😱😱 This limited-time deal will last only from now to Sunday, so hurry and snatch it up before it's too late!
The second announcement involves Martha's super fun (and virtual) Ten Days of Christmas event, which starts December 4th. Be sure to stop by her blog, Beyond the Literary Horizon, and check it out! I know I plan to. *beams*
2020 has been a crazy year. Corona. Lockdowns. The messy presidential election. But through all of it, God has instructed His children to REJOICE and GIVE THANKS. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Today I'm especially grateful for answered prayers. Some of these prayers are years old, with others lifted up more recently. To name just a few:
Ruby had a healthy delivery into this world and is continuing to thrive. Her laughter is the sweetest thing ever. <3
God showed me in His own time when, where, and how to publish The Whispers God Gives. He's allowed me to see the impact my book has made on others.
After experiencing belly spasms for a number of years and trying to fight back with prayer, pills, doctor's appointments, and diets, I finally realized one of the main factors behind the problem: a food allergy to corn in any form (kernel, flour, starch, syrup, etc.). Adjusting to life without corn is difficult at times, but also so very worth it. The difference in my health has been amazing.
Image found online.
Growing relationships with my siblings. :D
Being able to get away for a few days.
. . . and so, so much more!!
Through the comments, your own social media site, email, or private thought, I encourage y'all to join me in counting the many blessings God has given us even amidst this 2020 chaos. What are some prayers He's answered? How has He grown you through this trying time? Let's make it a point to remember not only to thank Him today, but also every day we have His breath in us. <3
So, first off . . . do you guys know there's a cool new feature on Word that allows you to listen to your own work being read aloud by someone?! If you didn't know, seriously go check it out right now, 'cause it's AMAZING. Of course, the narration is a little choppy, and the robot has trouble pronouncing Spanish (and probably any language other than English), but WOW. I just discovered the feature on my phone yesterday and absolutely love it!! 😍🤩😍🤩 When I played a sample of one of my stories for Mom, she smiled and exclaimed, "You're famous!" 😂 But if one of you figure out how to use read-aloud on a computer, please tell me. 😄
*clears throat* ANYWAY.
This past week has been an adventure. Coronavirus cases are spiking again, so we're back in lockdown mode, although not as severe as before. And through it all, GOD IS GOOD.
Sadie and I enjoyed a fun little photo shoot (w/ our talented six-year-old sister behind the camera). Here're some of the results for your enjoyment:
Oh, and before I draw this random post to a close . . . a blogger friend is hosting a giveaway that runs only until tonight, and an e-book copy of The Whispers God Gives is included in the grand prize. So, if you're interested, click HERE to enter. Good luck!
Comment below and tell me which of the pictures I shared was your favorite! Also, how are COVID cases doing where you live??
Yesterday afternoon I brought my siblings (ages two, six, and eight years old) along with me to take a walk, snap a couple pictures, and pick up the mail. We shared lots of smiles and tucked away some priceless memories. Life would be so boring without these sweet lil' kiddos!
Sadie and me. <3
And, as this outing helped remind me, I've recently been challenged to think of how I use the time God has gifted me with. Life is so fleeting, and each passing moment so precious. How, then, can I best serve my family, friends, and, ultimately, Jesus with the way I utilize my days here on earth?
Wellll, for starters, I must be ready to die to self, even when it seems really, really hard.
Those occasions when I'm on a roll with my writing and a sister asks to be held? Yep. When I'm in the middle of reading a book and Mom wants help with supper? Yes. When a diaper needs changing, or clothes have to be laid out, or a mental picture of that dirty sink in the bathroom bubbles up right as I sit down to watch a favorite episode of I Love Lucy? Yes, yes, YES.
Our time is not our own. We were put here to be stewards for God in every aspect of life, be it time, money, or otherwise.
And if it's not what He wants me doing right now, nothing - not surfing the blogosphere, not pouring into the Word document I'm hoping to finish and publish, not reading the new book I've been waiting for - will ever even come closeto matching the glory of the Kingdom work Christ has set before me to carry out.
It's a constant battle to us all to stick to this mindset, but one that with Christ's help can be conquered. I encourage each one of you to pray today for patience and wisdom as you seek to live out every second of your life for God's glory. May we never lose sight of the reward that awaits us at the finish line!
Click the video below to listen to an encouraging song by one of my favorite contemporary Christian artists, Jeremy Camp.
Please note that the following review is for book #8 in Mrs. Kirkpatrick's The Accidental Cases of Emily Abbott series. To see my review(s) for previous books, click HERE.
ABOUT:
She expected popcorn and cheap prizes -- not a front-row seat to crime and conspiracy...
When Brent's brother Carter, unexpectedly arrives in Phoenix bearing important intel, Brent disappears into their world of espionage and world-saving, leaving Emily feeling left out. Telling herself she doesn't really belong in their world anyway, she determines to enjoy her afternoon at the state fair with Izzy.
But as she sees more and more familiar faces in the crowds and among the vendors, and when Izzy is arrested by security on trumped-up charges, it becomes clear something more is going on. She's never been happier to accidentally run into Brent Peterson, but finding Izzy might come down to her own determination more than either of them expect.
MY REVIEW:
4/5 STARS
I've been waiting and waiting and WAITING for this moment, when I could finally read Emily's 8th accidental adventure and watch her and Brent's relationship deepen just an eensy, weensy bit more. *happy squeals*
Fair in War deals with a slightly harder case for our spies: human trafficking. As soon as Brent acknowledged this, I could feel my skin prickle. But I think Mrs. Kirkpatrick handled the topic well, and I *cough, cough* loved seeing the returns of some very important characters from previous books who, to prevent spoilers, will remain unnamed in this review. ;) My age recommendation for reading Fair in War would probably be 13 years and older, or younger with parental guidance.
Aaaaand now . . . I would try to end with a flourish, but that'll only take up the time that could be spent READING THIS BOOK. So, c'mon already! Grab your copy (whether it be in paperback or Kindle edition), find a comfy spot to curl up in (I did this while on an eight-hour road trip w/ my family), and begin! ((oh, and be prepared for a nasty cliffhanger at the end. *wink, wink*))
Robert Boothe has spent the last four years leading the tyrant-hating Regulators in standing against North Carolina’s corrupt British government. Just being an unlicensed dissenter preacher is enough to make Robert a target, but he refuses to back down from his conscience. Aside from a sympathetic court justice, the village of Ayen Ford has no other champion for its poor and defenseless.
Then Charles Drake, emissary of His Excellency William Tryon, comes to town with one ambition: winning the governor’s favor, no matter what it takes. And Robert Boothe just might be his last chance.
All Robert wants is a safe place for his little Baptist church to live and worship God. But the established church wants him to shut up. The governor’s men want him dead. And that safe place is farther and farther away.
You can run, but you can’t hide . . .
MY REVIEW:
//a full five stars//
After staring at my computer screen for several minutes, I finally realized: it's impossible to completely bestow upon this book the praise it deserves.
I went into Preacher on the Run unsure of what I'd get, and oh . . . my . . . From beginning to end, any expectations I might have had were blown straight out of the water. And because of that, I'll give this review a go anyway, even though I'm certain I won't do a perfect job of it. The author definitely needs more than the standard five-star rating for her phenomenal work. =)
Preacher on the Run has officially hit my most-favorites, must-read-again shelf. A story of hurt and healing, choosing to let go, and, mainly, trust in the Lord. I felt myself being challenged, inspired, and given to laughter and heartbreak as I read. The characters are amazing and I loved how Jayna pulled me smoothly into their world. In my mind's eye I could feel their pain (physical + mental), hear the giggles and the sighs, and see each facial expression clear as day. I think Jayna did a good job, too, with working in her church denomination, as I didn't get the impression that she was trying to pound any of her characters' beliefs into me. Also, Robert's wife, Maggie? Wellllll. If a reader is allowed to play favorites, Maggie was definitely #1 on my list. Strong, sweet, kind, submissive to and supportive of her husband, and always there for her family. <3
This is one Indie book you simply *have* to check out!! Join me in reading and reviewing, and make Preacher on the Run known everywhere. :)
There's currently a blog tour and giveaway happening forPreacher on the Run. Go HERE to learn more, and click the video below to watch the official book trailer!
Hello all! I'm thrilled to be returning to the blogosphere after a fabulous week away. 😄 Going without Internet was actually much easier (and more fruitful) than I had thought it would be. It gave me time to assess my priorities, read a couple new books, focus more on my family, and refresh my mind with writing inspirations and ideas. And coming back to a full email Inbox + Spam folder (thx to sweet commenters and Goodreads friends) was delightful. 😀
So, a few announcements going forward. I'm removing comment moderation from my blog (again), and hope to be be posting a bit more than I was. I have some fun ideas, including two book reviews, one tag (or three), and a Monday Musings post for next week. But we shall see where the Lord leads. 🥰 For now, enjoy this picture of my little math buddy, who has learned not only how to multiply powers but also to pull herself up, eat some solids, and tag along on her big sister's afternoon walks. (I zip her up in my jacket until only her head and feet stick out when it's chilly.)
How was your week? Which post are you looking forward to most (book review, Monday Musings, or tag)? Tell me below!
Hi friends! Can you believe we're in the eleventh month of 2020? I just finished flipping the calendar and still feel baffled. Where did the time go? This year has been so crazy, it seems as if everything is running together. 😮
Anywayyyy . . .
Happy November! Who else is glad to have the clocks "falling back" an hour? *waves hand* I sure am!
Last week my family and I made the sixteen-hour round trip to Grove City, Pennsylvania, to look into a college for my older brother. We also turned it into our own little vacation for the year, with time for fishing, antiquing, and making/eating s'mores. As our stay stretched from Monday night to Thursday morning, we rented a delightful little cabin with a gurgling creek running alongside it. And I brought my computer, of course. Writing in the loft of our little house was so fun! 😄
The cabin . . .
. . . and the creek. 🤩
Ready to go!
Another misty morning.
Sweet little sleepyhead. 😍
Watching an episode of The Andy Griffith Show from the loft.
Plenty of rain left the wood wet, so our bonfire was mainly constructed with lighter fluid.
The brand of chocolate we used is engraved on this marshmallow. 😄
Yummy! 😋
And we thought our 15-passenger Chevy was big . . . 😂
Loved passing the time on the road by listening to these audio dramas, a birthday gift from my friend Sandrina back in 2019.
Due to COVID, only three people from a family are allowed to tour the college campus at a time, so Mom, Dad, Connor, and Ruby (since she was too young to really count as one of the "three") went. The kids and I stayed at the cabin, but we were able to drive around the campus later. I also took a walk and snapped this picture. 😃 I think Connor liked what he saw and will be very happy here if this is the college he decides to attend.
So, yes, it was a marvelous getaway, and the drive there and back went much, much smoother than any of us had expected, all things (and ages!) considered. But I have to say . . . I am glad we're home. 😊
Also, a warning for those who live/vacation in log houses: BEWARE OF THE BUGS. When my family first arrived in PA, there was one wasp who appeared to have made its home inside our cabin. By Thursday, we'd spotted a total of three wasps . . . one of which my 2-yr-old sister, Sadie, stepped on accidentally while it was crawling around on the floor. Ouch. 😬 This was Sadie's first time being stung, so we waited anxiously to see if she'd break out in an allergic reaction. Thankfully, she did not, and the wasp was killed (using my shoe) and examined to check for the stinger, which was still inside it. *exhales slowly* Never a dull moment for my family! 😀
A FINAL NOTE: I plan on taking a one-week internet hiatus starting tomorrow, so comment moderation will continue to stay on until Tuesday, November 10, 2020. I do plan on publishing/responding to comments today, however. Looking forward to hearing from you! 🥰
