Book Review: Shadows on the Sand

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005707OHU/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img

Shadows on the Sand by Gayle Roper was an entertaining read, even if at times it became a little predictable, even bordering on a little cheesy sometimes. That being said, once I began, I couldn't put it down as I really was drawn into the story and the characters. Carrie, the main character and her sister Lindsay are well-known around the town of Seaside for the dining establishment owned by Carrie, called Carrie's Cafe. The story is told of how Carrie and Lindsey escaped a very dysfunctional and abusive childhood home at a very young age to begin life in the community of Seaside, and goes on to tell the story of a whole cast of memorable characters who are a part of the town. Greg, who frequents the cafe is Carrie's love interest...and it makes for an interesting story to see their relationship develop as they both work through the emotional baggage of their past. Also woven into the story is the connection of some of the characters to a dangerous cult. The twists and turns that unfold really do keep you reading.I enjoyed the book, even though at times I found myself shaking my head when I saw something coming. It was a fun read that kept me engaged, and I would recommend it.I received this book free from the publisher Waterbrook Multnomah to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 55

Book Review: Essentials of the Heart; by Susan Weagant

Essentials of the Heart is a great and practical little book that truly does get to the "heart" of the matter. It is an easy read, yet full of powerful nuggets of truth from God's Word. All of this is interwoven beautifully with Susan's own personal testimony of the Lord's redemption. I read this book in a short time and was captured by Susan's unfolding story and also had many "aha" moments which really hit home. Perhaps my favorite thing about Essentials of the Heart is its practicality. It is not simply a run-down of theological ideas (although there are plenty of them), but rather a practical guide of how to live these ideas out in daily life. I recommend this book without reserve to anyone wanting a time of refreshment and renewal from the Lord, His Word, and the testimony of one of His faithful.

I had the pleasure of working with Susan during the summer of 1994 when I served as a counselor for summer camp at Camp Peniel in my hometown of Marble Falls. She is a sweet lady and now I also know, a terrific writer with a passionate heart for Jesus. Thanks for the chance to read and review your book, Susan!

You can obtain a copy of it, from among other sources, at Amazon by clicking here: http://www.amazon.com/Essentials-of-the-Heart-ebook/dp/B004E8N3Y4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1325645738&sr=8-2

Happy New Year!

Well, 2012 is here...not sure where 2011 went, but 2012 has arrived, and of course with it that beautiful feeling at New Years of a clean slate and a fresh start. I am thankful that the Lord's mercies are new each and every morning (Lamentations 3), and though I know a fresh start can happen at any time, there is just something special about New Years. I need to sit and do my yearly "year in review" in my journal, which is always fun and a little eye-opening for me, and to make some goals for the new year. Not really resolutions, per se, but I like to set goals. Jon Acuff tweeted the the other day: "Remeber the book you wanted to write, the race you wanted to run, business you wanted to open? I dare you to do it in 2012". That so goes along with my recurrent theme of "This is your life, are you who you wanna be?".....I have so many things I want to do..so many things I believe that, with the Lord's help, I am capable of. Time to quit being a lazy-butt and JUST DO IT! I am revved and ready...just need to define these goals a little and get an action plan in place and then GO! This is a work in progress, but I will begin by taking a stab at these goals here right now:
1. Physical Health: I NEED to get this body in better condition. It is fat, out-of-shape, and a
lousy Temple for the Lord Who lives in me. I feel like so much of what I am lacking stems
from this. So....
a. LOSE WEIGHT: I am about 100 pounds overweight. Maybe 115 even. Yep, I could stand
to lose an entire person in order to become healthy. How will I do this? Well, my biggest
problem in this area is my penchant for sugar and truck-driver sized portions. Time to
kick this sugar addiction. Need. To. Detox! The Skinny Ms. Facebook page has a
no-sugar challenge going for January. I may try to follow this...I say try, because it
includes fruits and things that I think I probably need to cut out, at least for a time. Sugar
is crack, baby, and I need rehab--BAD! I am also going to try to get my portions down
and better habits established by utilizing Medifast again. I lost 50 pounds on it last year
(yes, I know, only to gain them back because I got lazy), and I still think there is little
better way to jump-start things and get those portions dialed back right than something
like Medifast...especially for a crazy-schedule like mine! I also want to embrace the "clean-
eating" lifestyle in what I eat and also what I feed to my family. That means whole,
natural foods, the way God made em, not a bunch of processed crap. I am sure there will
be exceptions here and there (birthdays, etc) but I will strive to make those exceptions
be excpetions in the truest sense of the word...ie, one-time deal!
b. RUN/BIKE/GET IN SHAPE MORE: This goes hand in hand with a above, but it deserves
its own entry, because I have some specific goals here in mind. I feel so much better when
I am exerting myself physically. Running is something I so want to get back to. Its not
going to happen right away, and it will take some walking to get up to speed, but whatever
it takes, I want so badly to run again. I am signed up for the Surfside Half Marathon in
February. Would love to run it, but even if I walk/run, I will be happy to be able to cover
that distance on my feet again. I want to take more long bike rides too. Some will
inevitably have to be on the trainer, due to scheduling, and thats okay, but I would love to
get in at least one weekend outdoor ride most weeks if I can. I would love to do the LBJ
100 bike ride as my birthday present to myself in March. By the time fall gets here, I
would really love to run the Chosen Half Marathon for Adoption in October...and do it in
less than 3 hours. Totally do-able, just gotta do it!
c. Sleep as much as I am able: My body needs more sleep. A lot of the time I can't help how
little I get. Some of the time I can help it. So....I need to quit farting around when I could
be sleeping and I am doing nothing productive, and go to bed!

2. Financial Health: We are closing in on the end of Baby Step 2, paying off debt on our Total Money Makeover, ala Dave Ramsey. Not sure if 2012 will see us debt-free (apart from our home) or not, but I need to do everything I can to control my money instead of having it control me in this next year, so we can get on with the rest of the baby steps. This means practical steps, like doing the budget at the beginning of each and every month, sticking to the budget each month, using cash for food purchases (envelope system), cooking home instead of going out, etc. I am already signed up for 1-2 overtime shifts each month at work...so, I need to make the most of them and make sure they are not wasted hours.

3. Home Health: Not like as in a nurse comes to your home, but you know, the state of our abode! I really struggle here. I endeavor to not leave dishes in the sink, to fold and put away a load of laundry each day, and to clean out and purge crap whenever possible. I also need to spend time in my kids' rooms more regularly so as to stay on top of the ever-increasing mess-tastic world they live in.

4. Family Health: Put. down. the. iphone. Leave it out of sight, out of mind. Be truly present with my family when I am present with my family! Read to the kids more. Play with the kids more. Use the crockpot more so all of the above can actually stand a chance of happening!

5. Work Health: Do my best. Be on time. Go above and beyond when I can. Make myself a
valued part of the team.

6. Mental Health: Read. A lot. I have done pretty well at this the past year. I have done a ton of reading and have loved it. I want to do more, specifically non-fiction reads. I know there is value in reading fiction too, but I want to read at least 1-2 nonfiction books every 3-4 weeks or so in the mix. Readers are leaders! I wanna be in that category! Also, writing....I really have developed a love for writing. I think it has always been there, but I have just sort of given it a name. I want to write in this blog regularly. Maybe not every stinking day, but at least twice a week. I want to write a book...or two or three. Or at least a handful of short stories. I will become a better writer if I write. So, I need to write!

7. Spiritual Health: This one is the most important of all. I need this one to come together before I can expect anything out of the other goals. (Matthew 6:33). I want to develop the discipline to keep my prayer list prayed over. I want to develop the discipline to be in God's Word each and every day. I want to study harder. I want to commit more of the Word to memory, writing it on my heart. If I say I love His word, I want it to be true, and to manifest that love in my life. I also want to be a better, more giving wife. A better, more present mother. A faithful daughter. And yes, even a better in-law (Lord, help me!).

Cool thing is, I know He will. He will help me. This is the time. I have one life. THIS is my life....am I who I wanna be? Well, as I have said before, not really...but by His help, I can be. The only thing holding me back is me....let's do this!

Book Review: The Pirate Queen by Patricia Hickman

The Pirate Queen is a beautiful story which centers around main character Saphora Warren. She has lived a life with many material things and money, but has not found fulfillment in a marriage to her plastic surgeon husband, Bender, who has not been faithful to her for most of their marriage. She plans to leave him and begin anew, when he interrupts those plans with the news of his newly diagnosed cancer. What ensues is a trip to their summer home, much time in and out of hospitals for Bender's medical care, a revolving door of visiting family members and unlikely friendships that develop along the way. Saphora discovers again how to love her husband, as well as those around her and is introduced to not only new friends but also to a God who loves her and sees every tear she has ever shed, and cares about each one.
At first, this book seemed to be a dissapointment to me. I had a hard time following the many characters and didn't really feel connected to them at the beginning. I also had a difficult time seeing how they all interconnected. The story was also nothing of what I expected it to be upon reading the description. Something happened though, well before I reached the halfway point, and I was very much drawn in to the story. By the time I reached the end, I had laughed, shed tears, and was very much affected by the characters and their experiences. This story has some deep tradgedies, but through them, Saphora and those around her learn to see God at work, and allow Him to have His way in their lives. I believe this story will stick with me for a good long while, and would recommend it, with the encouragement to stick with it, even if the beginning is a little slow.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Clean Eating, Day 1...and oh yea, when is your baby due?

So far so good on day one of Clean Eating. I have tried to eat protein and a complex carb at each meal, increase the fruits and vegetables, stay away from the sugars and white stuff, and generally behave. I haven't really been hungry, and everything has been pretty good so far. I am trying to be more adventurous with my food too....made a fritatta-type thing this morning with egg whites and chicken and tomatos, had a berry smoothie at lunch, and cooked quinoa with our pork chops at supper AND even tried brussel sprouts for the first time! I roasted them in the oven with some olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic, and they weren't too bad. I do think there is some degree of acquired taste with them, but I was proud of myself for branching out. So...yay for one day of good eating so far!

And in other news....you know you have a weight problem when you go to draw blood on a patient, and she looks you right in the eyes and says "So, when is your baby due?". Ummm...yea, I'm not pregnant, just fat. Grrreat. Nothing to make you encouraged than the ol' thinkin your pregnant when you're not conversation! Of course, I will say I felt much better when she was looking down by the floor and thought she saw a dog...and then, she started reaching out to touch the wall, because she thought it was slick. Yea...the dog thing REALLY helped redeem the moment! No dogs in that hospital room, no sirree!!

Book Review: Life in Spite of Me: Extraordinary Hope After a Fatal Choice

http://www.amazon.com/Life-Spite-Me-Extraordinary-ebook/dp/B0036S4EX2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1322115689&sr=1-1





Life, In Spite of Me is the beautiful, redemptive story of Kristen Anderson. Kristen had a rather idyllic life growing up, but as the teenage years moved on, she began to experience more and more problems, including the suicide of a dear friend and a rape. These life-altering events, combined with the tension and angst so common during the teenage years erupted into a powerful and dangerous state of mind which led Kristen to attempt suicide by laying on the tracks in the path of an oncoming train. She tells this story in vivid detail, and goes on to share the struggles she faced after surviving this ordeal. She is very open and honest about her feelings as well as her pain, and in a beautiful way unfolds the story of how she became a new creation in Christ, and has continued to serve Him with her entire life.

I truly was inspired by this book. The story of hope that is contained in this book is a very powerful one. As a mother, it was difficult to imagine the pain this young lady went through, not only before her suicide attempt, but in the time since as well. But, seeing how the hand of God led her into a relationship with Himself, and then used this tragic time in her life to help others is amazing. I wouldn't say this is a "feel-good" book, as there is nothing lighthearted about suicide or the consequences for the person who attempts this route, nor the people that love them. However, seeing the hope that is on such full display in Kristen's life as she tells the story is truly inspirational.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

I miss running

I miss running. I really do. I have been taking walks nearly every day with my kids, which has been wonderful, but I really miss being in the shape to run. This time last year I ran a half marathon and was well on my way to weight loss success. This year, I am a slug whose butt is so big I hardly recognize it. There is something about the season that makes me miss running more too, I think. The cooler weather (at least every now and then) and the Christmas lights starting to go up. It's the time of year it just feels good to get out and let your own two feet take you places, and feel the amazement at your own self as you realize you haven't run this far without a walk break in a very long time. I could try again...and I will try again. My boys would be fine with me running, and my girl is in the stroller, so there really isn't a good reason why I can't. I think I havne't though, just because I have been so darn tired and also so uncomfotable as I try to run. I am big. I have a lot of extra weight right now. I am not training for anything. I guess the walking just seems easier right now. And part of me thinks that is all fine and dandy. No big deal. Walking is something and at least you are out there. But then, another part of me, the bigger part knows I can do more. It knows what it is to run 8 miles without a walk break, feel the steady breathing and the cool air in my lungs, and have my muscles fatiguing as I go...I love that feeling. I miss that feeling. I intend to know that feeling again.