Ive had a giant TO-DO list that I've been working on today, guess you could say I'm 'laboring' on Labor Day!! LOL The nice thing is Ive been checking off each thing that I've gotten done so far and it makes me feel good to look at my list and see what all I've accomplished, even tho' I still have several more things I'd like to finish before today is over.
Several things have been put on the back burner for the last few wks/mths. that I've been meaning to do all summer, but now that summer is coming to a close, I am determined to get them all checked off my list real soon. I think it's good for all of us to set goals on occasion and try to achieve them. Kind of keeps us in 'line' and gives us more motivation that we sometimes need. But I'm not going to hound myself too much if they all don't get done in one day or one wk. I am not usually a 'procrastinator' type person at all, but this summer has just totally gotten away from me somehow and several things I meant to have done WAY before now, just haven't. Do any of you have this same problem?
I've been working off/on an older kit from Little House Needlework and I'm almost finished w/it, so I thought I'd show it since I don't really have anything finished to show you all since last time.
These book reviews are some of the things I meant to share on my blog way before now, but I'm really trying my best to get caught up.
These books are from Bethany House Publishers and have been sent to me in exchange for an honest review.
'Amish Promises' is a different kind of Amish fiction, in that there is more interaction between the 'English' and the 'Amish.' Eve Lehman(who is Amish) is helping her brother Tim run his household since the death of his wife. She takes her 'job' very seriously taking care of his children, her nieces and nephews. Tim takes his Amish heritage very seriously, so he doesn't understand her need for friendships w/the new neighbors who just happen to be English, especially when they have a very handsome friend that she finds herself quite drawn to. Tim doesn't approve at all in the beginning, but the neighbors are facing and dealing with quite a bit of hurts, resentments and unforgiveness themselves.
The neighbor's kids and her nieces/nephews get along for the most part but because of an accident, they are thrown together to help each other out w/the chores.
Will Eve have a chance at love w/her English neighbor's friend? Will the neighbors Joel and Shani be able to work things out in their own marriage? You will have to read the book to find out.
Leslie Gould is a wonderful Christian fiction writer and I think you'll enjoy reading this first book in her new series.
The second book I am reviewing is called the 'Love Letters', written by one of my favorite Amish writers, Beverly Lewis.
This book I had a really hard time getting into this book and had some mixed emotions about it, but once I did, it was filled w/all kinds of different types of lessons to be learned. The main character, Marlena Wenger, goes to spend time w/her grandmother, who is recently widowed. While there, she is thrown into the 'job' of taking care of her infant niece, because of an accident her estranged sister is involved in, which she hopes is only for a short time. Marlena has some insecurities of her own, but makes friends w/the neighbors, who have a son w/a disability, named Small Jay. He becomes intertwined w/an older man who has Dementia and can't remember who he is or where he is from. The two hit it off and quickly become good friends, despite the age difference, their disabilities giving them both common ground.
Marlena also takes a quilting class and some unique friendships form there as well.
This book is a bit different from some of the author's other books, but I think you will find it interesting as well.
This third book, "Your Sacred Yes" has become one of my very favorite NON-fiction Christian books. Susie Larson writes w/Godly wisdom and genuine love for her fellow sisters in Christ. I just know you'll love it as much as I did. I used it as a devotional type book and it spoke to my heart all the way through. Susie asks thought-provoking questions at the end of every chapter and always a beautiful prayer to be repeated. All her chapters, thoughts and prayers are backed w/scripture.
The author opened my eyes to really look for the things that God actually wants me to say 'yes' to, not just saying yes to something worthwhile or even church-related or because there's a need. She teaches you how to really search your heart to listen to His voice and timing on different areas of your life and she gives personal stories of how she and others learned to do so. Susie explains how to say 'no' to the things that don't truly matter in your life and how to discern God's best that He wants you to have or be involved in and His invitation to things He wants for you.
I would like to use a quote from the book, "Part of what it means to embrace a sacred yes is simply to give our next yes to God. And then give Him the yes after that, and then the yes after that. Whatever He tells you to do, do it. Whatever He asks of you, trust Him; He'll see you through it."
I totally HIGHLY recommend this awesome book!! I loved it so much I didn't want it to end, so recently I bought one of her other books she has written. I have learned so much from her and I'm sure you will too!! I cannot say enough good about this book and I've already gone back to it several times just to re-read some of the chapters. She encourages each one of us to truly seek God for His Sacred Yes in any area of our lives.
