Monday, October 31, 2011

Book Review: The Wonder of Your Love

The Wonder of Your Love, by Beth Wiseman is an Amish romance fiction book.  Katie Ann Stolzfus is 40 years old, recently widowed, and just had a baby.  God offers her a fresh start with her husband's relatives in Colorado, but she often wonders if God has forgotten her.  She never wanted to raise her child alone.  Then she meets Eli Detweiler, a man who has finished raising 6 children alone, after his wife died while their children were young.  He is looking forward to finally having some time for his passions and pursuits.  The timing just isn't right for them.  Or is it?

I have read several Amish romance books, usually located in Pennsylvania - it was fun to read about an Amish community in Colorado.  It doesn't follow the "usual" Amish romance formula, and I really enjoyed that.  Having had a baby in my 40's, it was fun to read about a character who had a baby in her 40's.  Because Katie and Eli were older, there were many nuances to their romance that aren't often in stories about younger Amish couples.  It was refreshing to read of their struggles in trying to determine God's will for their lives, and their relationship.  Because they had lived life for many years before meeting each other, it was not as straight forward as it might be for a couple in their 20's.  All in all, this was a delightfully different story that I thoroughly enjoyed.

I received this book free from the publisher through BookSneeze®.com  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 

Friday, September 30, 2011

Devotional Book Review

Right From the Heart  

Turning Your Day Toward God

By Bryant Wright


This is a devotional that gives a short reflection on a bible verse each day. I am impressed with how relevant and biblical it is.  This short reading goes right to the heart of the issue.  It leaves you with much to think about and a question to ponder all day long.  I would definitely recommend this if you are looking for a quick way to incorporate a devotional into your life.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Friday, September 2, 2011

Schedule

If we don't plan, we drift...  So, a schedule or a routine can help give direction to the day. 

Some people work really well with an hour by hour plan for how their day will go.  Obviously, life happens, but schedules can adjust for the occasional "unplanned" moments.  

Other people are more comfortable with a routine.  This outlines the basic structure of the day... outlining what you would like to accomplish in the morning, the afternoon, and the evening.  There is flexibility within each block of time, but for the most part, these are the things we hope to accomplish this morning.  

So whether you are a schedule person or a routine person, the main thing is to put some structure in your day.  We are on our way to being organized!!

Friday, March 4, 2011

Homekeeping - A Schedule...

Without a plan, chaos reigns... I have had lots of weeks in which I felt like chaos was reigning in my home.  This isn't what I wanted, though.  My heart is to create a haven for my family. A place they desire to spend time in. A place where peace and calm would reign.  I have been far from where I wanted to be.  So, how do I get where I want to be? Let's look at how to create a home filled with peace.

First, we must spend time with the Lord.  Read His word, soak in His presence, be filled with the joy of His love.  This reorients you to the focus of your life.  Our purpose is to glorify Him.  Our lives, our time, our homes are meant to be spent in ways that glorify Him. Memorizing scripture so that we can recall His words in times of stress, meditating on His words all during the day - these activities will keep our focus on Him. The goal isn't the activity - but spending time with Him, thinking about Him, and loving Him with all our heart, mind, and soul.