Three Weeks

It seems hard to believe that it's been three weeks since I had shoulder surgery. The procedure turned out to be much more than the surgeon anticipated, which means a slower recovery. I slowly am getting my strength back, but still tire out easily.

Physical therapy three times a week leaves me pretty weary and sore. My pain level remains fairly high. I look forward to being able to do things again....hopefully soon. Right now the pain, limits me of the amount of time I'm able to type on the computer.

I praise God that in the midst of pain, He gives me strength for each day. I'm so thankful for the cards and meals friends have provided. It's been a real blessing.

Finally a Bride by Vickie McDonough

Finally a Bride by Vickie McDonough is the final book in the Texas Boardinghouse Brides series. This book focuses on Jacqueline "Jack" Davis, now a grown woman eager to leave her home town. She desires to land a job as a reporter in Dallas. Jack begins to question her aspirations to leave, when good-looking Noah Jeffers arrives to temporarily fill the slot of local minister.

The pastor draws Jack's interest, despite her firm decision to never marry. The man seems vaguely familiar but is close-lipped regarding his past.

I enjoyed this book immensely. I loved the way Vickie McDonough used this final saga to tell the story of the tomboy little girl she introduced in her first book, The Anonymous Bride. It was fun reading about grown up 'Jack'. I highly recommend this series, and am sad to see it come to an end.

This book was provided for review by Barbour Publishing.

Happy Easter

He is Risen! He is Risen indeed!!

Beside Still Waters by Tricia Goyer

Beside Still Waters by Tricia Goyer is the story of Marianna Sommer, a 19-year-old of Amish girl from Indiana. She is ready to join the church and marry Aaron Zook, except for one problem. Her parents plan to move to Montana and desire Marianna to move with them.

She struggles with being a dutiful daughter, but also wanting to soon start a family of her own. Will Aaron wait for her during the months of separation? Upon arrival in Montana, Marianna meets Ben Stone. Even though friendship with an Englischer is frowned upon, Ben draws her heart and also shares his love for God. Marianna begins to question what being in community really means.

This is the first book in Tricia Goyer's Big Sky Amish series. I found this story to be a delightful read. The story interweaves Marianna's struggle to accept the circumstances of her birth, and the weight she has carried since then.

Tricia Goyer is hosting a special giveaway with the release of this book. Check out her website:
http://triciagoyer.blogspot.com/2011/04/beside-still-waters-giveaway.html If you are interested in watching a trailer for this book, follow this link: http://triciagoyer.com/contemporaryfiction.html#BesideStillWaters And finally, here is a link, to purchase Tricia's book: http://triciagoyer.com/contemporaryfiction.html#BesideStillWaters

This book was provided free by B & H Publishing Group for review.

The photos below show Tricia Goyer, the front cover of her new book, as well as Amish salt and pepper shakers which are included in her giveaway.

Lazarus Awakening by Joanna Weaver

Lazarus Awakening by Joanna Weaver is the final book in the trilogy focusing on the Bible story found in John 11:1-12:11. The first two books in the series discussed Mary and Martha. Weaver goes in depth exploring the availability of God's love for us.

Throughout the book Joanna peels back the layers, like an onion, of our relationship with God. At times God saves us from troubling experiences. Other times He uses them in our life to draw us closer to Him. She shows how to transition from head knowledge to heart realization of God's love.

The author challenged the reader to come out of their tomb of existence, to witness and live out the life Christ desires for us. We have the choice to respond like Lazarus, when Jesus called him from the grave. I found this book to be extremely helpful and insightful. I highly recommend it.

This book was provided for review from Water Brook Press

Brief Hiatus

I leave for shoulder surgery in a couple hours. I'll be taking a brief hiatus from blogging while I recover. I hope to be back in time for Easter. Blessing to each of you.

Half the Church by Carolyn Custis James

Half the Church - Recapturing God's Global Vision for Women by Carolyn Custis James addresses various issues that women face all over the world due to their gender - sex-trafficking, marginalization and oppression. Throughout her book, Carolyn James covers three core issues:

• What message does the church offer women in the 21st century?
• What will the church do to address the rampant suffering of women throughout our world?
• What message are we sending to the world by how we value and mobilize our own daughters?

Genesis 1:26-27 says: "Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."(NIV)

In her book, Carolyn James states, "Page one of the Bible shatters every negative value statement the world has ever made about women by offering up the most exalted view of women anyone could imagine." She goes on to discuss the topic of being 'image bearers' of God and what that entails. I found this book to be insightful and thought provoking.

Check out the book's video trailer here: http://zndr.vn/gizvHb

This book was provided for review by Zondervan Publishers.

Catching Up

I've been wanting to write more blog posts lately, but haven't been able to due to experiencing shoulder pain. I'll keep this short, because of that. On Thursday I'll be going for surgery on my left shoulder to address two bone spurs and possible bicep tendinitis. The doctor will fix whatever else he finds once he gets inside. I'm looking at 2-3 weeks of being in a sling and 2-3 months of physical therapy.

 Before that happens though I need to finish reading a book and blog a review for Zondervan publishers, prepare for my ladies Bible study lesson (which I lead), complete two writing assignments, and a myriad of other odds and ends before heading for surgery. So if you happen to be reading this, I sure would appreciate your prayers. Other than my blog review later this week, I'm not sure how much I'll be able to post in the next few weeks.

I am looking forward to getting back to writing/typing without being in pain. I know I have a long road of recovery ahead of me, but know God will be with me each step of the way.