Book Review: Streams in the Desert Bible

There are a few devotional books that have withstood the tests of time to keep encouraging Christians in their daily walk. Streams in the Desert is one of them. This devotional has a special meaning to me as the Bible college I went to was the same one that Lettie Cowman attended over 100 years ago. Her writings, in my opinion are especially meant to encourage a person who is going through a hard time in their life. I was excited to see a Bible that combines her writings with Scripture.

However... I wasn't overwhelmed with the layout. As I read through several passages, I keep thinking how hard it would be to read a section along with the dated devotional material. Some days are right next to each other and some are spread several pages apart. I understand that the intent is to keep the devotional pages close to the Scriptures they reference, but the layout would make reading through the Bible difficult. I like the idea of having a devotional in the same binding as the Bible, but maybe a daily reading layout would be better - even a suggested reading for the day. I'm also not a huge fan of the NIV either. There are other versions that I like better.

The devotional is in  updated language, which I feel is a good thing. It makes it easier to understand and smoother to read. It is a nice looking Bible and feels good to hold. The paper doesn't feel cheap. It is a good concept, I just feel a little more thought could have been put into the usability.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks to Book Look for the review copy. My opinions are my own.

Book Review: A Match of Wits

I enjoy a mix of fiction. Well, maybe not a very wide range... I don't enjoy suspenseful books so much any more. My fiction reading is mainly for relaxation. And for this reason I enjoy Jen Turano's books. Her writing is fun, her characters are unique and entertaining. She has a very distinctive style.

The beginning of A Match of Wits brings us to the wild western frontier. Agatha Watson is in search of stories to write and publish in the New York Tribune. In her travels, accompanied by her body guard, female companion, and recently acquired pet pig, she runs into Zayne Beckett, a friend from back home in New York. She is on this trip to escape those who have made threats on her life because of her writing. Zayne has buried himself in his mining work to escape his past and the hurt there. Agatha convinces him to return to New York where they both confront what they have been running from.

Yes, it's a fun, fast paced book full of unlikely happenings! But, as with Jen's other books, I enjoyed it. It's something different. Not always believable, but a fun, light hearted, fast paced read!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for the review copy. My opinions are my own. 

Book Review - Child of Mine

I've fallen a bit behind in my book reviews... and in my reading. Somehow the fiction gets read a little faster than the nonfiction. ;) And once I really start getting into a book, it's hard to put down!

Child of Mine is the most recent book that Beverly Lewis wrote with her husband David. I do enjoy Beverly's books, but I really enjoyed the added dimension that David brings to the plot. The story begins with Kelly Maine's search for her missing daughter. She has been searching eight long years for the baby was kidnapped and sold for drug money. After many promising leads ending once again in defeat, she gets a tip on Jack Livingston and his niece, Natalie. Jack is raising Natalie who was adopted by his deceased brother and his wife eight years before. But is Natalie her long lost daughter? She gets to know and love Jack and his little girl and comes to love them. Eventually the truth must come out and will that truth show that she is Nattie's birth mom? Or does that title belong to someone else?

This book really did draw me in! One obvious factor for me was the adoption plot line. One thing different from Beverly Lewis's other books was that, though there is an Amish character, the story does not revolve around an Amish community. I enjoyed the plot twists. Early on I thought I had it all figured out, but the ending surprised me. A very enjoyable book to read.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks to Bethany House for the review copy. My opinions are my own.

A New Venture - My Lilla Rose Story

Two days before our little Joy was born was the last day I worked at my old job. I was a part time librarian at a local church library and loved it! Then I got a new job!! I'm a full time mommy!! It's an amazing job with lots of perks! I get to spend time with a darling little girl and watch her grow! But although I save money being at home, I don't make much money. ;) I had been considering for a while the thought of becoming a consultant for some company. I wasn't quite sure yet what I wanted to do, but just something to bring in a little income and be able to work at my own pace (and during nap times!) Enter Lilla Rose!

Before I continue my story... what is Lilla Rose? Lilla Rose is a company that makes beautiful hair products! These products are very versatile, strong and come in so many sizes to suit your particular hair type and style. They are even more lovely in person than in the pictures! :)The "Flexi Clip" is their main product. It comes in the sizes below:

The wire part of the Flexi is made of strong music wire and the attached pin is a very heavy duty metal. These beauties are strong! They hold the hair very snugly and are super comfortable!

Back to my story... I've had a medium clip for a couple of years. A gift from a friend. I wore it a bit, but not a whole lot. Then this spring I bought one for a friend... she has thick heavy hair and could only wear her hair half up in a little claw clip or in a very loose braid - anything else gave her a headache. I gave her a Flexi for her birthday and she has fallen in love! It is beautiful in her long dark hair!! She is so happy to now have something pretty that works (and has since bought another!) :)

Her excitement got me to thinking about the company a little more and about maybe selling them myself. A few months later (no, I'm not a quick thinker...) at the end of July, I signed up. Becoming a consultant for Lilla Rose is very affordable!! I got my consultant kit in the mail a few days later. The kit comes with five flexis all different sizes, starting with the mini through the large. When I started using the large my hairstyle options expanded! I love it! It really shows the importance of having the right size for what hairstyle you wear the most often. I still want to get an extra large to go over a bun - my go to hairstyle. This is my favorite way to wear my large and it holds all day! (I do put a pin in the bottom to keep the braid loop from flopping, but the flexi is what truly holds my hair.)

Since starting out, I have been learning more and more about the company. The more I learn, the more excited I get! This really is an amazing company to be a consultant for! As a full time mommy and housewife, I don't know what a month will hold. With Lilla Rose, I don't have to meet a certain quota every month. In fact, the requirements to staying active are very achievable! The company has amazing customer service and I have been able to get acquainted with some wonderful ladies who are also consultants!

And here's the deal... I genuinely love these products and this company. What I have said above has not been fed to me by some training in saying the right thing to get people to buy... I am not a pushy person. Some may think the product is expensive. Yes, I understand that! (we are saving to buy a house... no extra $$ floating around here!) But I think of these as quality products worth the investment!! They are very durable and come with a great guarantee!

I am currently having my Grand Opening party!! For many of my local friends, I am having an in home party next week. (I'd have it in my own home, but unfortunately an apartment doesn't have much space... Thankfully my parents are most gracious to allow me to use their home!) If you are interested in the clips, I'd love to be your Lilla Rose consultant!! Please let me answer any questions you might have! As for the size you need, there is a video in the bottom right corner of my party link. Come have a look around!

A Very Eventful Summer

We have had very busy, but blessed summer!! I don't even know where to start. It has flown by so fast! (and yes, I realize that the "summer" isn't technically over, but with September here and everyone back to school - including my sister - it sure feels like fall is around the corner!)

June:
My sister finally made it home from college after (almost) traveling the nation coast to coast! :)

Our little Joy turned 6 months old!

We celebrated Father's Day with Mark's family a week early. I love this family picture! (Taken on my in-law's front porch.) 

We celebrated Mark's first Father's Day! 

And of course, a very busy VBS week! Joy's first Vacation Bible School! Doesn't she make the cutest little pirate? :) 

July was probably our most eventful month all year!! 

First another holiday with our little girl! These "firsts" are so much fun!!

The next day she turned 7 months old!!!

A couple of weeks later Tuesday July 15, 2014, was a day we've been looking forward to for YEARS!! Our baby girl became officially OURS!!! What a very special day!!! SO much joy! :)

We were so glad to have so many of our family and friends here for that extra special day! 

Then the following Sunday was another very special day!! We dedicated our Joy to the Lord and promised to raise her according to God's Word and to teach her about Jesus!

In August we took a trip to our church's family camp, once again in beautiful Dickson, TN.
It was wonderful visiting with so many of our friends and family (although the time there is never long enough...)

I got an early birthday gift while I was there! My dear friend Brittany "snapped a few" pictures of our baby girl! ;) She took Joy's official 8 month pictures as well as some beautiful pictures of Joy in her special dedication dress! (Mark's aunt made the dress years ago and almost all of the girls in that family have been dedicated in it!)

Our baby girl is growing and changing so very fast right now! She started crawling right about the time we went to camp, and now is working on walking! She'll be up and running before too long! She's got her first tooth (or teeth?? she's already working on her third one in about that many weeks!) and she's now sleeping in her own room.