enough a cynic to believe

Love on the Line

2011-11-06T13:36:00.000-05:00

Rural switchboard operator Georgie is proud of her independence in a man's world, which makes it difficult when the telephone company sends a man to look over her shoulder and become her supervisor. Luke is more than he appears, however. A Texas Ranger working undercover, he's after a gang of train robbers, and dealing with telephone wires and the difficult switchboard operator is not something he wants to be bothered with. But when his work as a Ranger puts Georgie in danger, he must choose between his job and much more.

I usually enjoy Bethany House publications, and Love on the Line was a fun read; I learned a great deal about switchboard operations, no doubt! One thing I really enjoy about historical fiction is the amount of research an author typically puts into their story. As a preface to the book, author Deanne Gist thanks all the individuals at various museums and societies who helped her prepare for the book. I had no idea there was a museum for things concerning switchboard operations. Another fun bit about this book was that the setting was a town in rural Texas with German heritage. Gist also explains some German traditions and even allows the characters to speak some German words and phrases. Don't worry- if you don't speak any German, you'll still be able to figure out the meaning of the words through context.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review 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."

A Wedding Invitation

2011-11-06T13:17:00.000-05:00

I'm back with some more book reviews! I'm not normally a fan of modern fiction because I generally prefer historical fiction or classic literature. However, I choose to review A Wedding Invitation by Alice J. Wisler since the main characters either worked in refugees in the Philippines in the 1980s or were refugees themselves.

Samanthan Bravencourt enjoys her quiet life in in Washington, D.C. after returning home from teaching English to refugees in the Philippines. She receives an invitation to her college friend's wedding, she heads to North Carolina to celebrate and reconnect with old friends. When the wedding turns out differently than she expects, a chance encounter leads her to Carson, a former fellow teacher in the Philippines who broke her heart. Sam is soon forced to choose between her comfortable life and helping Lien, a young refugee girl who needs her help. But helping the refugee girl will require working with Carson again, and Sam isn't sure if her heart could handle it.

What I liked about this book is that many people who read it may never have understood what a refugee is; after reading this story, perhaps they will be encouraged to learn more about refugees and their plights. To me, the story was secondary to the issues highlighted about refugees. The author apparently taught in the refugee processing center in the Philippines in the 80s; after learning that, I had a great deal of respect for her.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review 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."

Forsaking All Others

2011-11-06T06:00:00.002-05:00

Camilla Fox is rescued from a near-fatal snowstorm by Colonel Charles Brandon of the United States Army after she fled her home in an effort to escape from a faith she no longer called her own. Eager to reunite with her daughters, Camilla tries to determine how she assure her children will not grow up with Mormon teachings. Colonel Brandon offers his assistance, but as he begins to develop feelings for Camilla, she determines to return home to her mother's home and to continue her efforts to be reunited with her children.

I'll be honest, this book was uncomfortable and a little weird to read. I don't think I've ever come across any type of historical fiction which addresses Mormonism and specifically, the issue of polygamy. In the book, Camilla flees because she refuses to share her husband with a second wife. I honestly am not that familiar with all the teachings of Mormonism and I don't think the author did a very good job explaining the basics of it. She did, however, do an excellent job providing some interesting historical facts and Brigham Young and the building of the temple in Utah, but I still felt a bit lost and confused and not sure what bits of Mormon faith she includes to trust as accurate or dramatized. I also was concerned that she develops this budding romance between Camilla and the Colonel when Camilla is still married; it was just a little uncomfortable at times.

Apparently, this book is in a series called 'The Sister Wife Series'... honestly, I think the show about sister wives on cable is more than enough more me. I don't plan on reading the other books.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers 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.”

Out of Control

2011-08-27T22:00:00.002-04:00

I just love when the mailman brings me a book from Bethany House Publishers to review. They are the perfect Saturday afternoon read. Recently, I received Out of Control by Mary Connealy; I don't think I've ever read anything by this author before, but I did enjoy reading this fun little book.

The story is that of Julia, a young woman who loves studying geology and other natural sciences. Her home life isn't exactly the most comforting or consistent of places, so she finds her peace in long walks and studying the fossils and rock formations in the cave near her father's house. But when someone steals the rope she uses to climb out of the cave, her world will be changed forever.

The man who owns the land where the cave is located returns to the cave one last evening to try to make his peace with the place which tore his family apart when he was just a boy. As Rafe approaches the cave, he hears a woman crying for help and is forced to enter the cave where so many memories haunt him. As Rafe and Julia try to track down the man who is lurking about Rafe's land, they eventually must choose between each other and their families.

It was an intriguing story, full of danger, humour, and even a little bit of history. While at certain spots the writing style didn't seem consistent with the rest of the book, it flowed easily and the plot unfolded nicely. It was definitely a good Saturday afternoon read!

I think this book is going to be the first in a series of stories about the women who marry the Kincaid men. There are three brothers in the family, so I'm guessing the next story will be about the middle brother Ethan and then finally the youngest brother Seth. You will probably be able to read the other two stories without reading this book first, but I'm guessing that it will help you understand the back story better if you start with Out of Control.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review 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."

Louisville's Refugee Elder Program

2011-08-21T17:52:00.000-04:00

Not a big post...just one to encourage you to check out the (relatively) new blog for Louisville's Refugee Elder Program! We launched it in June, and we've already gotten hits from most of the US states and fourteen different countries!

Click on the picture to be taken to the blog:

To Win Her Heart

2011-08-13T17:48:00.000-04:00

So you may have noticed I haven't posted in quite some time...I've been a bit distracted with life lately. But autumn is fast-approaching, and I always feel a bit better when the rest of the world seems to return to a normal schedule.

I finished To Win Her Heart a long time ago, but then I lent it to a friend before I wrote the review. Levi Grant, after serving a sentence for the unintentional crime he committed in his youth looks to begin again in the small town of Spencer, Texas. The town needs a blacksmith, and Levi needs a place where no one knows his past. Eden Spencer is the town's all-but-confirmed spinster; she chooses instead to devote her time to the library she runs in the town her father founded. When the larger-than-life new blacksmith arrives, Eden begins to reconsider her decision in swearing off all men. But as the truth about Levi's past is slowly revealed, he must find a way to win back the librarian's affections.

This is a super sweet story that will keep you engaged for beginning to end. I'd never read anything by Karen Witemeyer, and it's definitely not a new style by any means. But the book provides a nice escape from the pressures of today's world and beckons you back to a seemingly simpler time. With just the right amount of snarky villanous characters, you'll be rooting for the hero the whole time.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review 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."

Galileo

2011-08-12T17:48:00.001-04:00

This must be my third or fourth book I've reviewed from the Christian Encounters series. It really is one of my favourite series I've received from Thomas Nelson, and I hope the publishers continue to provide us with some more excellent biographies.

I think biographies generally get a bad rap for being rather boring, but the Christian Encounters series definitely gets it right. I recently got to take a look at Galileo by Mitch Stokes. Admittedly, I'm not a big science enthusiast, and I tend to get Galileo and Copernicus confused...but that's exactly why I should be reading books about science and scientists- to stretch my mind as much as possible. Galileo's life was really more fascinating than I ever realised, and while I knew he faced difficulties with the church because of his theories (specifically, his stance on heliocentricity), I didn't understand the full extent of this controversy. One of the coolest things I learned from this book: Galileo invented the pendulum clock! I had no idea...but you can be sure the next time I visit the Smithsonian and watch the large pendulum clock swing back and forth, back and forth, back and forth...I'll be thinking of Galileo.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com 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.”

Africa Fundraiser: A Lia Sophia Party!

2011-04-24T18:53:00.001-04:00

In case you didn't read this post, Isaac and I are headed to Swaziland, Africa this November to work with the organization Heart for Africa! In order for us to go on the trip, we each need to raise $3,550 (by October). In just a few short weeks, I'm hosting our first fundraiser: a Lia Sophia Party!

Lia Sophia is a great company which sells high fashion jewelry- at great prices! It's a direct selling company so the Lia Sophia advisers (as they're called) show and sell the jewelry through home parties, online sales, and other events. The hostess of the party typically gets several different great hostess benefits, including free and deeply discounted jewelry. But instead of earning free jewelry for myself, our Lia Sophia party is going to earn funds for our Africa trip! As an added bonus, the Lia Sophia advisor who is helping us with this fundraiser is going to donate her commission she would earn from the party, as well as the commission she would earn off any other party booked through our show!

Our Lia Sophia Party is Sunday, May 15th 2:00 pm at the Legacy Center at 2825 Lexington Road (on the SBTS campus). Even if you don't live in the Louisville area or can't make it to the show, you can still help us get to Africa! Here's how:

Go to this website: https://www.liasophia.com/sites/stephanielewis/catalog-intro
Under the 'Look up Your Hostess' tab, type 'Jenny Johnson'
Shop away!
Forward this to your family, friends, coworkers, as well as complete and utter strangers
Host a party (online and catalog shows count, too)!

Don't forget, you can always go to our fundraising page through Heart for Africa! All donations through this website are tax deductible!

Too Rich for a Bride

2011-04-16T09:43:00.001-04:00

It's always fun when the setting of a book you're reading is a place you've actually been. It's not that the author needs help painting a picture of the setting in your mind- it's just a different dimension- not better, not worse than reading about a place to which you have never been. I just finished Too Rich for a Bride by Mona Hodgson, set in the mining boom-town of Cripple Creek, Colorado. I visited the town as a child when my family lived in Colorado Springs....I felt like I was in a time warp of sorts, so it wasn't too difficult for me to picture the town the way in would have looked in the late 1800s, when the story takes place.

Ida Sinclair is the eldest of four sisters; two of her sisters already live in Cripple Creek, and she plans to join them after she completes her business degree in Maine. Once she arrives in Cripple Creek, she is determined to let nothing distract her from her goal of becoming a successful business woman- even if that means potentially comprising some of her ethics to make it in a 'man's world'. The last thing she needs is the complication of a romantic relationship, but two of the town's eligible bachelors- the fashionable attorney and the mysterious traveling preacher- have both sets their sights on her. With the addition of a landlady known for being the town matchmaker and two sisters who have already found love in the mining town, it will take all Ida has to focus on her career.

I was pleasantly surprised with this book; I actually read it in one day. It's a quick read, but it's not as fluffy as I was anticipating. Hodgson touches on some rather interesting issues- including business ethics, tuberculosis, and the early days of the stock market. Apparently, Too Rich for a Bride is a follow-up to Two Brides Too Many, which follows the story of Ida's two sisters Kat and Nell, whom she joins in Cripple Creek. The youngest sister Vivian still lives in Maine and is set to join everyone the following summer. I'm guessing a third book will be appearing in the near future sharing with us Vivian's trek out West and her adjustment to Cripple Creek. While Too Rich for a Bride is a follow-up, you can still read it without reading the first story (as I did), but there are a few events to which Hodgson alludes that most likely happened in the first book; if you can read the first book, it might give you a more complete picture of the Sinclair family and enhance your experience, but if you can only get your hands on the Too Rich for a Bride, by all means, read away!

Click here to download the first chapter of Too Rich for a Bride! The book will be available May 3, 2011.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah as part of their Blogging for Books 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.”

Amish Prayers

2011-04-14T23:16:00.000-04:00

Most people know of Beverly Lewis's stories of the Amish community. I've enjoyed all of her books I've read; they are often more than just a simple fictional story. As you read her books, you begin to understand more about the Amish Order, its traditions, and the reason for their way of life. Indeed, you might just find yourself being convicted of your worldliness at some point- I know I've felt that way more than once when reading about a people who place little value in the things of this world. Yes, the Amish still have possessions and probably work hard so that they can have certain material items, but you don't see them rushing out to buy the latest fad in clothing or toys or whatever the category may be (probably because they aren't tempted by the television and other advertising). I'm not saying the Amish way of life is perfect, but I do think we can learn some valuable lessons from them.

The Amish and other Anabaptist groups have treasured the same book of prayers since it was first written in 1708. Die Ernsthafte Christenpflicht (Prayer Book for Earnest Christians) served as inspiration in both times of peace and persecution; the book has remained unchanged since its first printing. Amish Prayers, compiled by Beverly Lewis, is an English translation from the original German. The book is divided into several different sections, including "Prayers for a New Day", "Prayers of Repentance", and "Prayers for Strength". There is something profoundly spiritual and connecting to pray specific prayers which have been prayed for centuries by countless believers. In an all too often hurried world, these prayers remind us to slow down, to truly mediate on the Scriptures, and to focus on God and his provision in our lives.

Das Vaterunser

Unser Vater in dem Himmel!
Dein Name werde geheiliget.
Dein Reich komme.
Dein Wille geschehe auf Erden wie im Himmel.
Unser täglich Brot gib uns heute.
Und vergib uns unsere Schulden,
wie wir unsern Schuldigern vergeben.
Und führe uns nicht in Versuchung,
sondern erlöse uns von dem Übel.
Denn dein ist das Reich und die Kraft
und die Herrlichkeit in Ewigkeit.
Amen.

-Matthaeus 6:9-13 (Luther 1545)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review 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."

For the Least of These...

2011-04-12T21:14:00.001-04:00

In November, we will be traveling to Africa! Isaac and I will be going to Swaziland, a small country in sub-Saharan Africa to work with the organization Heart for Africa.

Many of you know that in graduate school, I tailored all of my research, papers, projects, and presentations to HIV/AIDS in Africa. In fact, my master's thesis was designing a multi-faceted AIDS intervention program to be implemented in the small African country of Swaziland. I spent countless hours researching the AIDS pandemic and its effects on the Swazi people, pouring over statistics that seemed too incredulous to be reality, and learning in just a very small way how the HIV/AIDS virus can devastate an entire nation. And now, Lord willing, in seven months months Isaac and I will travel over 8,000 miles to see Swaziland and meet its people first hand. To gain a greater understanding of the world and how many of its people live. To grow in the knowledge that Christ has called us to be servants.

When I wrote my thesis over four years ago, I shed tears as I slowly pieced together a picture of the situation in Swaziland. Recently, I pulled out my thesis and examined it again. The statistics jumped off the page:

Forty-one perfect of Swaziland's population is under the age of 15
The average life expectancy at birth is 32 for men and 33 for women
The HIV prevalence rate is 33 percent, the highest of any nation in the world
Sixty thousand orphans reside in Swaziland

According to Heart for Africa, the average life expectancy is now 29. Twenty-nine years old. Isaac and I both turn twenty-nine this year. There are now 200,000 orphans in a country the size of New Jersey, and the HIV prevalence rate is now 42 percent. Fifteen thousand households are headed by orphans, and if the trend continues as it is, there will be no adults left in Swaziland by the year 2020. This knowledge breaks our hearts; how can we understand this information and not be moved to action? And while these numbers bring us to tears and leave us stunned, we cling to the hope that is graciously given by our Christ. He knows the people of Swaziland; he loves them and cares for them. And he is calling us to show his love for them.

We will keep you updated on the entire process of preparing and going to Swaziland to serve these beautiful people. We covet your prayers as there are many things which require preparation before we can go and learn to serve others as our Savior serves us. We both must raise $3,550- an overwhelming amount, to be sure- but not an unattainable amount through the grace of the Lord. To begin raising the funds necessary to travel to Africa and serve the people of Swaziland, we have created a fundraising page through Heart for Africa (it currently links to Jenny's account, but once the money for one complete trip has been raised, we will change everything to an account for Isaac's trip):

Our Swaziland Fundraising Page

There is also a permanent link on the right-hand column under the heading "For the Least of These"; simply click on the picture, and you'll be taken to our fundraising site. We are also planning on hosting some other fundraising events; if you have any ideas or would like to help us in any way, please feel free to let us know. Most of all, we pray that our trip would be bathed in prayer as we seek to joyfully serve whom the world as deemed "the least of these."

Here Burns My Candle

2011-04-06T20:13:00.001-04:00

WaterBrook Mulnomah recently updated their Blogging for Books program. And let me tell you, it is now fabulous! Not that it wasn't fabulous before, but it's just extra fabulous now. It is one of the more user-friendly programs available, offering great technical assistance and really encouraging its bloggers to write quality reviews...which shouldn't be too difficult when you're reading quality books! If you haven't visited their new page, do so now. Right now. Stop reading and click on this link. After you've checked out their amazing program, come back and read my review of Here Burns My Candle by Liz Curtis Higgs.

I'm not sure how I've never read a book by Liz Curtis Higgs, considering how I seem to see them everywhere and have only heard good things about her writing. At any rate, I decided to remedy the situation and recently finished Here Burns My Candle, a retelling of the story of Ruth- set in 18th century Scotland. Not only is Ruth already one of my favourite books of the entire Bible, but I think that if done properly, retelling biblical themes and stories in modern or different eras can really reach an audience that may not ever have expressed interest in the Bible. Take one look at Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers and you'll understand that the Lord can use books like that and Here Burns My Candle to grasp the hearts of people and draw them near to himself and his Word.

I read Here Burns My Candle in two days- and it only took me that long because I had to put it down to go to work, eat, and sleep (although I did forgo some sleep just to read a few more chapters). The author does an amazing job of setting the scene of Edinburgh as bonny Prince Charlie and his army begin vying for the English throne. The character development was astutely done; they felt like real people with flaws and imperfections and temperaments and the ability to change. Truly, I started the story immediately disliking a particular character, but by the end, I was rooting for her like I was her biggest fan.

The story focuses on the Kerr family, Scottish nobility with secrets to hide. One by one, the secrets begin to surface, and the family is forced to make a difficult decision between following their hearts and following what is safe. Though the reader may not recognize the similarity to the book for Ruth at the beginning, when you turn the final page you truly begin to grasp the beginning of the story...because the end of the book is not the end of the story. The Kerr women continue their journey of love, sorrow, and redemption in Mine is the Night. I cannot wait to get my hands on that one!

Click here to read an excerpt of Here Burns My Candle.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah as part of their Blogging for Books 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.”

A Deeper Kind of Calm

2011-04-06T19:15:00.000-04:00

I definitely think of NavPress as a leader in publishing some seriously good books- especially Bible studies. I received A Deeper Kind of Calm by Linda Dillow, the author of Calm My Anxious Heart. This is the first book by Dillow I've read, but after reading this book, I'm hoping it won't be my last. Seriously, I would not be opposed to somehow adopting Dillow into our family. Wisdom and humility flow from her pen and you cannot help but feel encouraged, rebuked, and ready for more of her teaching.

This book is focused on what faith looks like in times of trial. Dillow is brutally honest about how the Christian life is not always the happy-go-lucky experience we wish it to be. She shares her struggles, not just in general terms, but in specific details, adding to the transparency and authenticity of her teaching. She takes the reader through a few specific 'steps' (although this is not a checklist book) of faith in difficulty:

Remembering what God has done (Psalm 77)
Hiding in his presence (Psalm 46)
Clinging to him (Psalm 63)
Praising him for all we cannot see (Psalm 84)

At the end of the book, a four-week Bible study is also included. I would recommend this book to every woman- not just if you feel you are in a time of sorrow and pain at the moment- but to everyone because we have all either been or will go through a valley of weeping at some point in our lives...perhaps several valleys, in fact. Understanding that the Lord can use our time in such a valley to draw us closer to him is a valuable lesson- and one we should learn sooner rather than later.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review 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.”

The Girl in the Gatehouse

2011-04-06T18:56:00.000-04:00

I'll be honest. I get really excited when I look in my inbox and see that Bethany House Book Reviewers program has sent me an email. For some reason, they seem to have some of the absolute best historical fiction available. So much so, that it's really hard for me to choose which book I want to read and review for them!

I finally whittled my decision down to The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen. When I received the book, I new I was going to enjoy it when I read the little blurb on the back cover about the author. I quote: "Julie Klassen loves all things Jane- Jane Eyre and Jane Austen." I mean, be still my beating heart! But onto the book...

The Girl in the Gatehouse is the story of Mariah Aubrey, a young woman banished from her home because of a secret in her past. She seeks refuge in an abandoned gatehouse at the estate of a distant relative and begins supporting herself and her loyal servant in a most unlady-like way: writing novels. Several months after she settles into her new home at the gatehouse, Captain Matthew Bryant leases the estate, determined to impress and win the woman who rejected him years before. But as he learns more about the mysterious girl in the gatehouse, he begins to piece together Mariah's past and is faced with the decision to befriend a woman shadowed by scandal or risk the love of the another woman- the one whose love he has coveted for years.

This book was a light and fun read. Indeed, it was written very much in a Jane Austen-esqe style, and since it is set as Austen's contemporary, the author even made some allusions to Austen herself, without making it seem like an anachronism. There is more to the book except the central love story, and the author does an excellent job of developing the characters relatively quickly- especially some of the supporting characters. While there are some aspects of the story that are a bit more hard to believe, I don't mind those a bit since it is, after all, fiction. I recommend this book if you're a fan of Jane Austen, as it presents a good picture of the society in which she lived.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review 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."

The Charlatan's Boy

2011-03-27T16:40:00.000-04:00

The cover of The Charlatan's Boy by Jonathan Rogers reminds you of a circus. I was intrigued by the cover and the description of the book, and thinking it would be pretty interesting, I was looking forward to the story.

As long as he can remember, orphan Grady has gone from village to village as part of a circus show with Floyd, a verified cheat. Together, the pull hoaxes up and down the countryside as their way of earning a living. Grady as touted as the 'Wild Man of the Feechiefen Swamp', but no one believes in feechies anymore...until Floyd makes them believe. Trick after trick and lie after lie, Grady begins to wonder if he'll ever find out who he really is.

While I liked the concept Rogers was aiming at, I just couldn't get into this book. I was pushing myself along almost the entire way, forcing myself to read it. I found myself often putting the book down in favor of a different story. I'm not really sure I found it so hard to involve myself in the characters, but I never became attached to any of them- even the main character! Perhaps if I read this book at a different time, I would be able to enjoy it more (that happens sometimes). I wouldn't say that I don't recommend it, but you do need to be in the right frame of mind before beginning the journey with Rogers.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah as part of their Blogging for Books 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.”

My Foolish Heart

2011-03-27T15:57:00.000-04:00

My Foolish Heart is the story of small-town girl Isadora who spends her nights as Miss Foolish Heart, the host of a syndicated talk radio show. While her neighbors and friends in her town have no idea Issy is the host of the famous talk show, viewers tune in to hear her advice on dating, searching for the perfect man, and falling in love. If the truth were to be known- that she's never really done any of those things- Isadora's talk show ratings might plummet. But her ratings actually soar when she seems to be falling in love on air with a caller- one that she doesn't realize lives right next door to her.

Caleb served a tour of duty in Iraq, paying a high price when he was injured. He moves to a small town hoping to avoid pity while he hides his disability. He aims to land his dream job as the high school football coach. When his pretty neighbor catches his eye, he makes a brash decision to call into the radio show My Foolish Heart, searching for help. Soon he finds himself confused: is he falling for his neighbor or in fact, Miss Foolish Heart?

This was a cute story written by Susan May Warren. I finished it rather quickly, as the story was well-written and a fun read. Even though the overall tone of the book was light, there definitely was some heavier themes- including PTSD and death- addressed throughout the pages. For the most part, the author was aware of these issues and addressed them appropriately. Warren also did a really good job of developing the secondary characters of the story and weaved the four main characters' lives together beautifully. I recommend this short read if you want to experience the gamut of emotions but still feel as through you've unwound with a good book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers 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.”

Code of Justice

2011-03-26T17:15:00.000-04:00

Author Liz Johnson offered to send me her new book Code of Justice to review, and anticipating I would read the book while sitting for hours on end in the jury pool, I was beyond excited to read and review the story (I ended up reading the entire book before I even got to the jury pool).

Code of Justice is a 'love-inspired suspense' novel which follows FBI Agent Heather Sloan as she tries to solve the mystery surrounding her sister's death involving a helicopter crash. Heather survived the crash, and her sister's final words shake Heather to the core; when Sheriff's deputy Jeremy is assigned to the case, Heather convinces him they should work together on the case and together they begin to put together the pieces of her sister's death.

The book held my interest, but probably the most memorable moment of the book was when I finished a particular chapter ending with the words, "YOUR DEAD." Of course, being the grammar freak I am, I immediately thought, "What?!? You're telling me the author, the editor, the publisher, the random person in the building where the book was printed- all of them didn't notice that glaring error?" I almost book the book down at that point (lame, I know), but I decided to continue onto the next page, and there my hope was restored. One of the characters made a comment alluding to the poor spelling and grammar! Instantly, the character was endeared to my heart more than any other; it's like the author had a private joke with the ridiculous readers (like myself) who notice grammar and spelling issues.

This book is a good little read if you need a break from your long day. It doesn't require the brainwave activity like Tolstoy or Dickens does, but it is fun just for pure escapism... and there are definitely some suspenseful moments- so don't read at night when you're alone! Don't forget to check out the author's website too!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author. 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.”

Money and Marriage

2011-03-09T21:09:00.001-05:00

I received Money and Marriage: A Complete Guide for Engaged and Newly Married Couples by Matt Bell from NavPress Publishers Blogger Review Program just the other day and simply gobbled it up! When I requested this particular book, I wasn't expecting to learn any new information from Bell. And while the vast majority of the book was information I already knew, the way in which Bell presented everything- from the financial principles to the biblical foundations behind them- was wonderfully fresh and renewing. There was also some information I about which I was very excited to learn; there were some financial issues about which I've always been just a little bit confused- even after much research- but Bell dispelled common misconceptions and offered clarity on a number of financial matters.

The book would be an excellent gift or any engaged couple or even newly-married couple. While I realize that the typical engaged couple already has a ton of adjustments to make and many things to ponder, finances should not be one which they skip! It may be an awkward and uncomfortable conversation to begin, but it is definitely a necessary one. Bell offers some great diagnostic tools so that you can learn about your spouse's 'money personality', how you can understand one another, and how you can work together to determine the financial state of your union.

I also admire Bell's determination to keep biblical foundations concerning finances at the heart of the book. By turning the focus back to God and less on ourselves, Bell helped the Spirit to bring about a fresh sense of conviction and renewal.

I'm a typical seminary wife and am always trying to come up with more ways to save money and manage our finances better; I quickly found that the same information is repeated over and over through a variety of mediums. Setting financial goals, paying down debt, and saving money can quickly become another chore which I begrudge, but after reading Bell's words, I am encouraged to keep at it! I'll be keeping this book close at hand so I can refer to it when I need a little bit more encouragement and help in financial matters.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review 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.”

Unshackled and Growing by Dr. Nabeel T. Jabbour

2011-03-02T19:50:00.000-05:00

I recently found this book buried among all the other books which make their home by my bed. I realized that NavPress sent me this book to review several months ago and it somehow got lost among our hoards of books...I hope NavPress will continue to let me review for them after this muck up...

I originally requested to review Unshackled and Growing by Dr. Nabeel T. Jabbour because I'm very interested in North Africa, and I also work with several Muslims. I thought this book might be interesting to read since it's geared toward Muslims who are seeking to learn more about Jesus and not necessarily towards Christians who want to share their faith with Muslims.

Since I've never been a Muslim, I can't speak to how this book can speak to those of the Islamic faith, but I can say that I learned a great deal from this book. Jabbour lays out basic biblical knowledge, explaining historical information and how events in the Bible relate to events in Islam. He uses Arabic words to help convey the meanings of several important concepts. And he pleads with the reader to believe in Jesus as the Saviour. I would recommend this book to others- especially if you think you may work with Muslims in the future. It will definitely give you an insight into what they may be thinking when you approach them with Christianity.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review 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've Been a Bit of a Slacker...

2011-02-10T18:00:00.010-05:00

I'm sure some of you noticed I've been pretty absent from the blog-o-sphere in 2011. I apologize to any of you who have been sitting on the edge of your seats biting your fingernails wondering what's happened to poor little 'ole me (insert sarcasm here).

I'm not exactly sure what happened to my blogginess this year, but I do know that this little break was good for me. I decided some weeks ago to create a 'family' blog; we know that it will be a good way to keep our friends and family updated with photos, videos, and words once we're overseas. Since I was working on that one, this blog kinda fell off the radar...but I'm not wanting to have a bazillion blogs aimed at different targeted interests, so two will be my limit.

I still plan on writing on this blog; hopefully my little slice of the world wide web will allow me to express my creativity...whatever little of that I may have left. I'll keep doing book reviews, share some serious funny photos I find throughout the week, and of course continue to share delightful clips from various British television shows. And oh yes, I think a face lift for this site is definitely in order, don't you think?

So stick with me folks, but if you're wanting some updates on what's going on our life, hop on over to our family blog: http://www.isaacandjenny.blogspot.com/

And for now, please enjoy the musical genius that is The Civil Wars. I'm not kidding when I say genius: this duo ranks up there with Mumford & Sons, who as you will recall, are pretty near musical perfection.

Voices of the Faithful: Book 2

2011-02-09T17:58:00.000-05:00

It's been quite some time since I reviewed a book for Thomas Nelson, but this book has got to be one of my favourites! Voices of the Faithful: Book 2 is a compilation of daily devotions written by Christians serving around the globe. The devotions are short- less than a page- and contain a focal Scripture and a short prayer at the end; there is a different devotion each day of the year (yes, there is even one for February 29th).

The stories told and the lessons shared throughout these pages are amazing; these are the people who have dedicated their lives to sharing the Good News with people around the world. Some of the missionaries are working with unreached people groups, in hostile environments, in economically-deprived areas; some are working with the overchurched, in wealthy areas, and lands where cynicism abounds. Regardless of where the missionaries live and serve, each and every one of them understands that the people with whom they work need Jesus- no matter their background, religion, or economic status. Reading this devotional helps you to catch a glimpse of God's heart for the nations. I highly recommend this devotional- use it personally, as a family, or in a small group!

It's also pretty awesome when one of your best friends has an entry in the book!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com 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.”

A New Jane Eyre Movie

2011-02-04T18:00:00.000-05:00

And even though there had been several Jane Eyre adaptations, I am most excited to see yet another one!

Amy Inspired, Hatteras Girl, A Rush of Wings

2010-12-30T22:00:00.001-05:00

What I like best about Bethany House's book reviews program is that they have no problem sending you several books at once! I received these three books in the mail a while ago and it didn't take me long to finish them...getting a review posted on the blog, however...that obviously took a little bit longer.

Amy Inspired by Bethany Pierce is a modern fiction story; Amy gave up her steady job to pursue a career in writing but finds herself on the other side of a rejection letter every time she submits an article or story. She teaches part-time at a local college in order to pay the bills, but it's not the lifestyle she's dreamed of since she was a little girl. Soon an artist named Eli comes into her life and she is forced to reevaluate her life and her inspiration.

I enjoyed this book, but it did seem that it ended rather abruptly. I felt there could have been more character development and the relationship between Amy and Eli definitely needed some more development as well. Overall, the writing was enjoyable and the subject matter refreshingly honest. Pierce doesn't pen a picture perfect heroine, but rather exposes her flaws and struggles. It's nice to read a book that is actually realistic.

Hatteras Girl was actually my least favourite of these three books. Also a modern-day fiction story, Alice J. Wisler tells the story of Jackie Donovan who above anything else wants to own a bed-and-breakfast on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. When she meets the realtor who has the ability to sell the famous bed-and-breakfast, Jackie falls head over heals in love with Davis Erikson. But she soon begins to suspect that Davis and her beloved Bailey House are not what they seem.

The book was well-written, but it simply wasn't a page turner. I fell asleep several times while reading this book. However, I do appreciate the hilarious characters instilled throughout the pages.

A Rush of Wings is the final book I have to review today. Author Kristen Heitzmann writes the story of Noelle St. Claire, a wealthy young woman who is running from something- of what, she isn't exactly sure. She finds herself at a Rocky Mountain horse ranch owned by rugged mountain man Rick Spencer. As Noelle learns more about the ranch, Rick tries to unlock the secrets she holds. Soon the past becomes a threat from which she can no longer hide.

This book was definitely more of a drama and read a lot like the typical historical fiction: strong man, rugged scenery, damsel in distress. Heitzmann touches on some pretty serious topics and issues, and for the most part, deals with them appropriately.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review 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."

Would You Like To Know...

2010-12-08T06:00:00.002-05:00

...one of the funniest scenes from television I have ever seen? It's from The Vicar of Dibley, a hilarious show about a female vicar in a tiny village in the UK. The show is a bit older, but you don't have to know any of the background story to enjoy this exchange between Geraldine and Alice.

You Were Made to Make A Difference

2010-12-07T17:00:00.000-05:00

The lovely folks over at Thomas Nelson sent me You Were Made to Make a Difference by Max Lucado and Jenna Lucado Bishop (his daughter). I'm normally not a big Max Lucado fan, but the title hooked me; it seemed like a book I might applaud.

And so I do. The book is obviously geared toward teenagers, but that's okay because the message is something teenagers need to hear- especially in our Western world of ipods, Xboxs, and general over-indulgence. The book is somewhat interactive, giving the reader the opportunity to reflect and journal to a small extent. Lucado and Bishop also highlight several young people who have made a difference in the lives of others. The book is simply all about encouraging the reader to live for a higher purpose- in short, to realize they can and should make a positive impact on their world.

A caveat: the first chapter or so focuses on realizing that we are each special, but it focuses a bit too much on that for my taste. Yes, we are all unique and different and very important to God, but in today's world, I think children and teenagers get too much of the "You-are-so-special-you-can-do-anything-you-want-to-because-you-are-great-at-everything!!!" jargon. Every person simply cannot be the best at everything (and this attitude leads to a generation full of those who feel entitiled to anything and everything); I think many people in my generation are struggling with low self-esteem issues now because for years in grade school and secondary school, they were told they are talented and special and wonderful and the secret to the world's success...and they are out in the great big world now, realizing they are not, in fact, the secret to the world's success. They realize that they need other people, that they are not great at everything, and that life doesn't always go the way you planned it- even if you scored well on your SAT and got a great internship in university. They're having a tough time realizing that even though they're not making millions and jet-setting around the globe that their life is still worth living and can still impact others for the better.

I would encourage teenagers to read this book, but I would also encourage parents and those adults involved in the teenagers lives to remind them that yes, they can make a huge difference in the world and to always pursue their dreams...but to also realize making a huge difference won't necessarily mean saving millions of children from malaria but in fact may mean helping one family by purchasing their Christmas gifts in their time of need or helping one refugee learn English or volunteering one night a week at the local soup kitchen. Just because you may not see big results doesn't mean that you actually didn't make a difference- a big difference.

And in the end, I hope my nieces and nephews will read this book sometime very, very soon!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com 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.”

The Season Has Begun

2010-11-21T07:00:00.002-05:00

In my book, it's officially the holiday season once I've watched this movie:

...which I did last night after putting up our tree and wrapping a few presents. Therefore, Happy Holidays to everyone!

Would You Like To Know...

2010-11-17T07:00:00.020-05:00

...what is in my desk drawer at work? Some of the following items are sure to be found in my top left hand drawer throughout the week:

The Happy World of Haribo: the best gummy candies of all time- specifically, Haribo Frogs

My favourite tea (I also adore Twinnings Irish Breakfast as well): perfect anytime of day

Chocolate, as in good chocolate. As in, most likely not American chocolate

Before you chortle, I will have you know this drawer is very necessary not only for my survival, but also for the survival of several other coworkers. Notice the (over) abundance of chocolate, sugar, and caffeine. Does this say anything about my job?

Also, please know that I do have a toothbrush, toothpaste, and even floss in my drawer as well. Yes, friends, I take my tea, chocolate, and dental hygiene very seriously.

Would You Like To Know...

2010-11-10T06:00:00.001-05:00

....my favourite piece of music? It's Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Hands down- best.music.ever. I know it sounds lame, but in college and graduate school, I would study with classical music in the background; I like to think I produced some of my greatest work while listening to Vivaldi, Brahms, and Grieg. Here's a great clip of Summer; just try to ignore the nutter violist in the background.

Now Accepting Suggestions

2010-11-04T06:00:00.008-04:00

I'm now accepting suggestions for my 2011 Reading List. Yes, I realize it's barely November (and that indeed, it doesn't appear as though I will finish all the books on my 2010 Reading List), but I am most excited about making this list! I've already chosen several books to read next year, but I am desperately in need of some suggestions in terms of Children/Youth Lit. and Biographies/Memoirs/History. If you have any ideas, please let me know. And just so this post isn't a grand total of five sentences, here are a few of the books which I am planning on reading next year:

What about you? Have you ever made a reading list for the year? What types of books do you like to read?

Would You Like To Know...

2010-11-03T07:00:00.005-04:00

...what my husband reads to me at night (or rather, tries to read to me since I am generally passed out well before he's finished all of his studying and reading and researching and writing for class)? This lovely book:

The Jesus Storybook Bible is amazing. If you have children, this is a definite must-get for them. It goes through all the major stories of the Bible- both Old Testament and New Testament- and delivers the stories accurately, but in such a way that it is easier to understand how Jesus is seen throughout the entire Bible, and not just the New Testament. Seriously, it's the best children's Bible ever.

Isaac's Birthday

2010-11-01T22:00:00.007-04:00

Today is my wonderful husband's 28th birthday. He had a pretty low-key day; he went to work, he did some research, he translated some Greek, and he studied. Not exactly all the typical activities one wants to be doing on one's birthday. He's got a lot on his plate right now with his classes and his two jobs and decided it wouldn't be the wisest decision to have a full-blown birthday extravaganza. Even though we didn't get into a massively celebratory mode, we did still manage to celebrate Isaac and all those things with which God has blessed him.

We went to The Irish Rover, a yummy restaurant which serves up the best pub grub in the area (and heck, maybe even on this side of the pond). Several friends, from various 'groups' (i.e. neighbors, community groupers, high school buddies who live in Louisville, seminarians, and college classmates), joined us in our endeavor to celebrate.

Rob, John, and Isaac

The Buchans!

Ashley looks unsure in this picture, but she really is enjoying her beer.

Fish and chips, only some of the greatest food known to man!

Chocolate cake, also some of the greatest food known to man.

Yep, not much conversation going on here- just chowing down!

Isaac also enjoyed some delightful birthday gifts, including cards, books, and probably most importantly, Series 1-3 of The IT Crowd on DVD. I think he was happy with these gifts!

Happy Birthday, Isaac! I love you!

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-31T21:00:00.001-04:00

Happy Halloween from...

Jen and Moss from The IT Crowd!

Notice the Internet (black box with red button) and the milk in the beer glass.

And just so you can see how spot on our costumes are:

The real Moss, Roy, and Jen

Bonus: full length photo of Isaac as Moss

What were you for Halloween this year?

Goals Update: October

2010-10-30T14:00:00.004-04:00

It's almost the end of October, and I feel as though Kentuckiana still hasn't experienced a true autumn season. It was too dry this year for the leaves to turn those deliciously bright shades of yellow, orange, and red. And it was just too bloody warm to really feel as though summer had finally released its grasp. It is finally starting to cool down a bit (and I mean a bit), but when I realize November and December are rapidly approaching, I feel as though I should be needing to wear my winter coat every now and then. Of course, I realize that in a few months time, I will probably be complaining about the cold and how I'm tired of wearing seven different layers of clothing at a time. Okay, I exaggerate. This part of the world doesn't exactly require seven layers of clothing during the winter months...but you get the idea. Now that I've rambled on about our lack of autumn and my desire to wear a winter coat, how about an update on those goals?

Become a faithful member of the 5 am club. So maybe not 5 am every day (or any day for that matter), but there were definitely several days which I got up fairly early. For instance, on Wednesday I was up at 5:30 baking a birthday cake. How many people are up at 5:30 to bake a birthday cake? That's what I thought.

Memorize 52 verses. Pass...

Memorize (the first half) of the book of James. No excuse; I just suck.

Continue in the SWI program. I finished term one (Cross Cultural Ministries) and am now halfway through my term two class, Baptist Beliefs. On Monday, I will be registering for next semester. I'm hoping to take Biblical Parenting (no, we are not pregnant and are not planning to be any time soon, so just put that question back inside your mouth where it came from) and Old Testament/New Testament Survey.

Read through the Bible. Fail...I have confessed this to the girls in my community group and they are starting to hold me accountable. That, dear friends, is hard.

Continue to think through our family traditions. Again, it's hard to quantify this one, but I feel we have great holiday traditions (our Jesus tree, Advent celebrations, cream cheese Christmas cookies) and am excited to experience them again this year.

Communicate with our family (and friends) more. A fair success; I should probably still take some more time to call some individuals with whom I haven't spoken in a while.

Build up our emergency fund. Nada...but we will be adding to that very soon.

Make a huge dent in our car loan. Dent? What dent? There is NO LOAN!!!! Because we paid it! I'm removing this goal from the list for updates now. YES.

Cut our grocery bill. The hubs is going to help me with this one...I am going shopping once a month for everything, but am allowing myself to go mid-month for milk and additional fruit and veggies if needed. Anything else has to wait for next month. I already went shopping for November's meals; I was so on top of things I even remembered to get enough frozen pie crusts for all the pumpkin pies I will be making for work, family, etc in the nest few weeks.

Develop a consistent and workable cleaning schedule. I pretty much just pick up in the morning and evening, and then try to do a thorough cleaning once a week. It's worked out really well, except our spare bedroom is getting a bit hectic...the Christmas presents are starting to pile up in there, but I am not letting myself wrap them until about mid-way through November. I love wrapping Christmas presents...

Read 30 books. I reviewed several books for different blogging programmes this month, and I finished A Prayer for Owen Meany. I'm enjoying Tess of the D'Urbervilles right now, and I am also hoping to finish a few more books on my 2010 Reading List.

Scrapbook. So...I think I might join my friend Liz and try out the digital scrapbooking. She pretty much convinced me the last time we chatted...so, I'll let you know how that goes.

Continue blogging. All right; I apologize for the video-laden blogging recently. But, all in all, I felt this month was a good blogging month. I am been a wretched blog-reader and blog-commenter and am going to work diligently on that next month, bloggy friends.

Today Is National Chocolate Day!

2010-10-28T18:00:00.000-04:00

Yes, it's true. There is a National Chocolate Day. Praise the good Lord in heaven it is so! Here is how I celebrated:

Milka Chocolate with Toffee...my new addiction

Coconut M&M's...but limited edition? Make them a permanent staple of the M&M's family!

Kinder Chocolate, perfection itself.

Would You Like To Know...

2010-10-27T06:00:00.002-04:00

...whose birthday it is today? It's this girl's:

That is, it's Jen's birthday. I'm not even sure when Jack's birthday is. This chica (also known as smuckabeine, skank, and hoochie mama- all lovingly endearing terms) is one of my best friends. We were roommates basically from 2002-2007 (in two different states, two different dorm rooms, and two different apartments). She moved out of the country right after Isaac and I got married, but I was able to convince her to move to Louisville when she came back to the States. Let me tell you, it's weird to be living in the same city but not in the same house as Jen. Still, I'm glad I get to celebrate her birthday with her- in the flesh- for the first time since 2006.

Happy 27th Jen!

Voices Behind the Veil

2010-10-25T06:00:00.024-04:00

Yet again, I've slipped into posting way too many video clips recently. The autumn months tend to be the busiest for me- not just because of all the holiday preparations approaching- but because of the continuously-expanding list of reports and service plans at work. So while I apologize for my lack of creativity (not that my posts are particularly creative in the first place) in recent days, I'm not offering any promises of it improving any time soon. But for now, I have an actual book review-not a video- for you.

Voices Behind the Veil claims to explain women's experience with the religion of Islam. The book is edited by one of the authors of a book I finished a few months ago: Unveiling Islam. Each of the chapters is written by a different woman; some chapters discuss the history of Islam while other chapters deal with more practical and daily living for women of the Islamic faith.

Honestly, the book was not all that helpful. Most of the information found in the book is not new information to most people, and it's definitely not worth purchasing the book just for that. In addition, I felt the same way as I did about Unveiling Islam; the tone throughout the book was pretty negative and derogatory. I've read and heard more details about Ergun Mehmet Caner (the editor of this particular book and one of the authors of Unveiling Islam), and I don't think that I will be reading any other books which he authors. While I don't recommend this book on the whole, there were some parts that were wonderfully written and expressed. My favourite few lines:

"Until we stop being casual Christians, Muslim women will never know Jesus. Until we are broken for the lost, Muslim women will continue to die in their sins. Until we grieve as Jesus did for His lost children, we are ignoring the greatest opportunity God has ever afforded us- to share Jesus's love with a world that is listening. Until we can look into our Savior's eyes and realize that He died for Muslim women as well as for us, we will never see the depth of his love."

United Nations Day

2010-10-24T06:00:00.021-04:00

Today is United Nations Day, which celebrates the day the United Nations Charter entered into force in 1945 after five member-states signed the resolution. To date, 192 nations are members of the United Nations. Though not many people in the United States even know of this day's existence, it has actually been an international holiday since 1971. So how am I going to celebrate United Nations Day?

By watching this amazing (and terribly outdated) clip from my childhood:

Happy United Nations Day, friends! I hope peace will be the sentiment of the day for you and others around the world.

'It's That Throw Up Orange'

2010-10-23T06:00:00.003-04:00

You might have seen this in the past, but in honor of Alabama traveling to Knoxville for their game against Tennessee today, I thought I would share this hilarious interview with a Bama fan explaining his reasons for disliking Tennessee.

We all know how I feel about Tennessee, but the Gators have been playing too horribly to watch, so I've pretty much chucked their season out the window. I'm going to start watching cricket and curling instead of collegiate football.

Fan-Freaking-Tastic News!!!

2010-10-21T06:00:00.000-04:00

Last week, this:

(Not our actual car, but the same model, make and colour)

became 100% officially ours. Yes, that's right. We completely paid off our Corolla- more than two (and a half) years ahead of schedule! Remember last year when we set the goal of making a huge dent in our car loan? Well, I'm pretty sure we made one heck of a dent!

What is amazing to me is that we accomplished feat while living on the smallest amount of income we've ever had since we got married. It reminded me that if you set a goal and are diligent, there's not much you CAN'T accomplish.

Since we will not have to make any more payments on the car, we plan on first saving up for Isaac's tuition and fees for the next term, then shoveling the vast majority of what was our car payment money into our student loan accounts. Now, we owe a lot more in student loans than we ever did on the car, but we are still encouraged by our accomplishment and know that slowly, but surely, we will be completely debt-free...or maybe almost debt-free with a nice vacation to Sweden...

Would You Like To Know...

2010-10-20T06:00:00.003-04:00

...my favourite magazine? It's the only one to which I currently have a subscription (but due to budget constraints, I won't be able to renew that. Good thing it's got a great website):

One of the best things about Good? You pay for the subscription, but the money is donated directly to charity; they raise all their money from advertising.

New Music Monday

2010-10-18T06:00:00.003-04:00

As I've mentioned before, in order for our house to enjoy quality entertainment, my husband typically finds the good music for us, while I determine the best shows on the telly (we both, of course, locate the good reading). But for once, I have found the good music before he did. This is a triumph indeed!

Mt. Desolation releases their album in the UK today; it will be available in the States tomorrow (and yes, I pre-ordered the CD, thanks to Amazon). I discovered this fun new band a few weeks ago, and in my mind, their music has been alternating with the glorious Mumford and Sons and the beauty of The Swell Season. Mt. Desolation is the side project of Keane's Time Rice-Oxley and Jesse Quinn; for the project, they enlisted the help of several of their friends for some of the songs, including Ronnie Vannucci of The Killers and 'Country' Winston Marshall of none other than my beloved Mumford and Sons.

I think it's necessary you read an excerpt of how this journey began before you get to hear the resulting amazing music. Here is the gripping tale, taken straight from Mt. Desolation's website:

Those who have visited Dublin will know that sipping Guinness by a fire in a nice old pub while it's chucking it down outside is one of life's great pleasures. It's also, as you can probably imagine, the perfect setting for eagerly hatching wild ideas and schemes. And so on one such blustery and cold night in September two friends, Time Rice-Oxley and Jesse Quinn decided (whilst in wildly animated conversation about music and probably also well on their way to needing a taxi home) that they would make a country album. As with so many ideas that come about on a belly full of Jameson's, in the cold light of day it did not seem like such a good plan. Two English men trying to sing like Hank Williams was definitely a recipe for disaster. The whole idea was forgotten about in the time it took to recover from the headache that morning. But the headache was to return...

I'm going to show you the official videos found on Mt. Desolation's website. You can find other amateur clips floating around YouTube, but for the most part, the quality of those videos really aren't that great. Here are two strikingly different songs for you to enjoy:

Would You Like To Know...

2010-10-13T06:00:00.003-04:00

...what I bought at Target last week?

Oh.yes.I.did.

The Wind That Shakes the Barley

2010-10-11T06:00:00.004-04:00

Recently, I watched this amazing film set during the Irish War for Independence (1919-1921) and the Irish Civil War (1922-1923). The Wind That Shakes the Barley won the Palme d'Or (the highest prize awarded to competing films) at the Cannes Film Festival in 2006. It tells the story of two brothers, Teddy and Damien, who join the Irish Republican Army to fight for complete independence from Great Britain. A bit of a warning: the film as a whole was incredibly intense and very difficult to watch at times. After seeing this film, I realize just how little I know of this particular historical period (Irish history wasn't exactly a priority in the American and Department of Defense schools I attended). Some critics claim the film is strikingly anti-British, but overall the film has been well-received by critics and audiences alike.

The film takes its title from the ballad of the same name written by Robert Dwyer Joyce. The lyrics are below:

I sat within a valley green
I sat me with my true love
My sad heart strove to choose between
The old love and the new love
The old for her, the new that made
Me think on Ireland dearly
While soft the wind blew down the glade
And shook the golden barley

Twas hard the woeful words to frame
To break the ties that bound us
But harder still to bear the shame
Of foreign chains around us
And so I said, "The mountain glen
I'll seek at morning early
And join the bold United Men
While soft winds shake the barley"

While sad I kissed away her tears
My fond arms 'round her flinging
The foeman's shot burst on our ears
From out the wildwood ringing
A bullet pierced my true love's side
In life's young spring so early
And on my breast in blood she died
While soft winds shook the barley

I bore her to some mountain stream
And many's the summer blossom
I placed with branches soft and green
About her gore-stained bosom
I wept and kissed her clay-cold corpse
Then rushed o'er vale and valley
My vengeance on the foe to wreak
While soft winds shook the barley

But blood for blood without remorse
I've taken at Oulart Hollow
And laid my true love's clay-cold corpse
Where I full soon may follow
As 'round her grave I wander drear
Noon, night and morning early
With breaking heart when e'er I hear
The wind that shakes the barley

Okay, I Lied...

2010-10-09T06:00:00.005-04:00

Warning: You must have eight minutes and 42 seconds to dedicate to listening to the musical genius of Mumford and Sons before beginning to read this post.

I shared my new found love for Mumford and Sons a few weeks ago, and I mentioned that my favourite song of theirs was Dust Bowl Dance, but I must have lied because I have become even more enamored with M&S- the more I listen to their music, the more I am just in awe of their talent; it's not that generated typical pop music, but sheer raw talent. Just reading the lyrics of one of my true favourite M&S songs emphasizes their giftedness:

Awake My Soul

How fickle my heart
and how woozy my eyes;
I struggle to find
any truth in your lies.
And now my heart stumbles
on things I don't know;
my weakness, I feel,
I must finally show.

Lend me hand
and we'll conquer them all,
but lend me your heart
and I'll just let you fall.
Lend me your eyes-
I can change what you see-
but your soul you must keep
totally free.

Awake my soul,
awake my soul.

How fickle my heart
and how woozy my eyes;
I struggle to find
any truth in your lies.
And now my heart stumbles
on things I don't know;
my weakness, I feel,
I must finally show.

In these bodies,
we will live;
in these bodies,
we will die.
The way you invest your love,
you invest your life.
In these bodies
we will live;
in these bodies
we will die.
And the way you invest your love,
you invest your life.

Awake my soul,
awake my soul,
awake my soul-
for you were made
to meet your maker.

Awake my soul,
awake my soul,
awake my soul-
for you were made
to meet your maker-
you were made
to meet your maker.

Even though I already posted three different videos of them (which I know you all watch multiple times a day), these three songs (from the lyrics above and the two videos below) are really my favourites. White Blank Page follows Roll Away Your Stone on their album, so I'll follow their example and let you see the videos in the same order. My favourite bit of Roll Away Your Stone comes at 2:45 until the end- it is simply brilliant. I love the syncopation...Oh, what I wouldn't do to see them perform! Unfortunately, every single show on this continent is sold out and has been for weeks. The next time they come across the pond, however, I.will.be.there.

And just a word of warning- this clip of White Blank Page is almost hard to watch its so full of emotion. But oh soooo good; I get chills up my spine multiple times during this performance:

Okay, really, how can people listen to Justin Bieber and whatever else is out there right now when you could listen to this pure amazingness instead? It is so raw and brilliant. What's your favourite Mumford and Sons song?

The Vigilante's Bride

2010-10-08T06:00:00.031-04:00

All right kids, this will be my final Bethany House review for a while. The Vigilante's Bride by Yvonne Harris is set in the Montana Territory of 1884; Emily McCarthy is forced to leave her position as a teacher at the Chicago orphanage where she was raised in order to marry a widow out west. Though she has never met her future husband, she realizes what little options are available to a young woman such as herself. Christmas Eve, she finds herself on a stagecoach on the way to met the man she would marry. In the darkness, however, the stage coach is robbed by Luke Sullivan; when Sullivan finds out Emily is supposed to marry his enemy, he not only takes the money from the stagecoach- he takes Emily as well. Sullivan brings Emily back to his home- an orphanage. And though Emily doesn't take kindly to her so-called rescue, she is hoping her situation will turn out well, especially when she begins to work with the children at the orphanage.

This is, of course, one of the typical historical romance books. After the first page, you know how the story will end, but you're not too sure of the middle. The book was enjoyable- a good distraction at the end of a long day. It's not definitely a great work of literature, but the story is uplifting and encouraging.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review 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."

When It's Time To Go

2010-10-07T06:00:00.000-04:00

This little book was our required reading for Cross Cultural Ministries. Even though we were supposed to read the book over the six-week course, I read the entire book by our second class. I read it so quickly for two reasons: 1) The reading assignments were out of order (e.g. read chapters 1 and 5 this week and 4, 6, 9 next week). I'm not a big fan of that. And 2) The book was an easy read and chock full of great information!

When It's Time to Go: Preparing for the Mission Field as a Wife and Mother by Brandi Biesiadecki offers advice and encouragement to those women who are planning to head to the mission field with their family. Brandi has served over seas and shared what she learned from her experience as a missionary; she made no qualms about the difficulties we could expect to face, but also offered potential solutions and ways to circumvent some issues (such as depression and intense culture shock). Brandi explicitly discusses our roles as wives and mothers; it was humbling to read her words. My call to serve my family is one which I should take seriously (and not just once we've moved wherever the Lord takes us). Even though I'm not yet a mother, I can only imagine how much of a challenge it will be- and even more of one living overseas. This book really made me think about some difficult issues, but I am so thankful it did. I will definitely be revisiting this book in the future!

Oh, and bonus bit: I was reading the reviews on the inside jacket, and I saw two names and did a double take. Apparently, my old youth minister and his wife (who have been missionaries in Europe and Central Asia) knew the author quite well. The both had written a review of the book. Crazy to see names you haven't seen since you were 12 years old!

Would You Like To Know...

2010-10-06T06:00:00.001-04:00

...my favorite websites to visit on a regular basis? Here's another infamous top five list; I did not include checking my email or even visiting facebook, because as much time as I spend 'writing emails, sending emails, deleting emails...I could go on' (a little nod The IT Crowd, only the greatest show of all time) and as much as I enjoy looking at my friends' pictures on facebook, it's not really a favourite place on the web. Here are my true favourites:

1. BBC News- This is my all-time favourite news site (no surprise there, I'm sure). It is packed to the gills with information from all over the entire world (and it obviously does not have a US-centric view, which can get quite annoying), but it also has one of the coolest features in the entire world: the one-minute world update- the latest news in literally one minute. Whenever I need a break from work, I usually pop on over to BBC News and watch the one-minute clip. My other favourite bit is the 'In Pictures' section, which contains pictures from the day from around the world. Granted, it's not as intense as The Big Picture, but it still pretty cool.

2. BBC Pod Casts- At 9:00 am, NPR broadcasts the BBC News Hour; unfortunately, I'm rarely in my car at 9:00 am. I'm either sitting in my office or at the Refugee Elder Program, and I therefore miss the News Hour pretty much every.single.day. Enter BBC Pod Casts (cue angels singing). Check out this website to download the latest News Hour on BBC Radio. I listen to it while I'm typing on reports, lesson planning, and heck, even while I'm on hold with the SSA (which ironically enough, hold music at the Downtown SSA office= church music. Hmmm, I'm all for church music, but a government office selects it as their hold music? My church doesn't even have church music as their hold music).

3. NPR- Again, I'm not always in my car to listen to the different broadcasts on NPR, but I can pop over to NPR's website and listen to just about whatever show I want. The site isn't just a bunch of podcasts; they have excellent news coverage with great analysis, including national and world news, art, film, and music, as well as editorials and random other fun tidbits. Be sure to check out Will Shortz's Sunday Puzzles section!

4. The Big Picture- I've shared this website with you in the past, and it's really one of my favourite places on the web to visit. The Big Picture is the photo blog of The Boston Globe and gathers images from around the world to convey newsworthy stories. Each week, the editor publishes a few different collection of photos (generally Monday, Wednesday, and Friday); the photos are always high-quality and include detailed captions. Most of the time the images are related to popular current news, but sometimes the photos focus on lesser-known news; historical photos are also published as well.

5. FreeRice- The site has been around for a few years now; it was created in 2007 by John Breen, who donated the program to the United Nations in March 2009. The site is now run by the United Nations Food Programme and has two goals: 'provide education free to everyone' and 'help end world hunger by providing rice to hungry people for free'. Basically, you choose a subject and are quizzed; for every question you get correct, ten grains of rice are donated to the UN World Food Programme. Money comes from corporate sponsors and advertisers. Ten grains may not sound like a lot of rice, but over half a million people have been utilizing the website every day for the past three years. All that rice certainly does add up! In Uganda, 66,000 school children were feed for over a week; in Nepal, 108,000 refugees were fed for three days; in Bangladesh, 27,000 refugees were fed for three weeks. That's just a snippet of the work FreeRice is helping to accomplish. Click here to see a great video explaining how FreeRice is making a difference.

The Mockingbird Parables

2010-10-05T06:00:00.008-04:00

I have to admit- the first thing I noticed about this book was the cover; I really like the art and color scheme. Then I read the title and the description: "In The Mockingbird Parables, Matt Litton journeys through Harper Lee's beloved 1960 literary masterpiece, introducing each character through the lens of faith." Of course I was hooked on the idea and couldn't wait to receive the book so I could review it for Tyndale House.

The author is an English teacher who has taught To Kill a Mockingbird to his high school students for several years. I would venture to say that by the time most American students (and indeed students from all over the world) have graduated from high school, they've read Harper Lee's classic (and if you haven't read it, go.read.it.now). I think I first read the book sometime in middle school and I remember falling in love with the characters and story on a deeper level than I had previously understood with things literary. One statement on the back cover resonates with me (and probably millions of others as well): "For many of us, To Kill A Mockingbird was the first book to evoke a moral and spiritual stirring."

Litton works his way through several of the main players and key events of To Kill a Mockingbird and draws a parable from the individuals' character, beliefs, and experiences. Each chapter is titled appropriately; for example, some of the chapter titles are: "The Parable of House Fires and Church Collections: Our Responsibility to Care for the Neighborhood", The Parable of Atticus Finch: The Model of Christian Courage", "The Parable of Miss Maudie's Azaleas: Our Responsibility to Care for Creation", and "The Parable of Tom Robinson: How Compassion Can Overcome Our Differences."

I very much enjoyed being reintroduced to some of the characters from Lee's novel, and for the most part I agreed with the parables and teachings Litton explained. There were definitely some moments where I didn't agree with his theology, but overall the book was well written and very engaging. Litton's strongest arguments dealt with our responsibility to care for the earth and for others, as well as that teaching our children a global understanding of the world is of utmost importance. As the book description states, "The Mockingbird Parables compels us to ask these often-ignored questions: Do we truly love our neighbors? Are we building community? Are we influencing society for the better?"

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers 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.”

In Every Heartbeat

2010-10-04T06:00:00.001-04:00

Bethany House also sent me this book by Kim Vogel Sawyer to review. In Every Heartbeat follows three friends as they venture off to college together on the eve of the First World War. Libby, Pete, and Bennett all grew up together in the same orphanage and have been the best of friends since childhood. As the orphanage's only three graduates, they are also the only children who were never chosen for adoption. They are offered scholarships at the University of Southern Missouri, where women are allowed to study alongside men; though they all have very different lives planned, each one is determined to maintain their friendship. Libby hopes to become a famous journalist; Pete studies to become a minister, and Bennett plans to pledge a fraternity and have as much fun as possible. It isn't long before they realize their friendship is slipping from their fingers, and when Libby discovers something shocking about Pete's family, it seems a final wedge will be driven between the three.

This book was okay; the storyline had a good beginning, but then it seemed as though Bennett's character wasn't as developed as the other two. I was hoping that there would be more discussion about the war and how it affected the characters' lives, but it seemed as though the actual setting was somewhat of an afterthought. What I did thoroughly enjoy however, is that the author made no qualms about presenting the characters as they are- with all of their flaws. It is encouraging to read a book which have characters that are not the stereotypical 'knight in shining armor' and 'damsel in distress'. I would like to see more of that; the author also did bring into light some deeper social issues- mainly poverty and class- with which I was impressed.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review 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."

Masquerade

2010-10-03T06:00:00.001-04:00

Here comes another review for Bethany House- my faithful supplier of historical fiction books. This time around it's Masquerade by Nancy Moser. It's 1886 and spoiled Charlotte Gleason leaves England, heading to America to marry one of the country's wealthiest heirs- a man she has never met. Charlotte is determined to marry for love, but her family's fortunes are in a precarious position; marrying the American heir may be the only way to save face and ensure her family's survival. But on the voyage to America, her doubts gain the upper hand and she swaps places with her maid Dora, who also happens to be her closest friend. For Charlotte, it's a chance at a 'real life'; for Dora, it's the chance of a lifetime. But as the two women settle into their new lives, they both realize that life on the other side is never what it seems.

The concept behind this book was intriguing, but I must admit that it was a little slow at times. However, the slow (but usually steady) pace can easily be forgiven simply due to the sheer volume of historical information woven into the story throughout the pages. Moser writes about the girls' experiences at Castle Garden (the place where immigrants arriving in New York were processed before Ellis Island opened), the tenement housing where most immigrants lived, the high society names of the day, and the efforts of some to better the horrid living conditions of the poor class. One of the characters was a Scandinavian photographer inspired by Jacob Riis, a photojournalist who published the book How the Other Half Lives in 1890 in order to elicit social change in the slums. Moser even includes an index which describes the historical truths found throughout the book.

Overall, the book was well-done, and what I liked most about it was that it was more about the two women struggling in their new lives and less about the romantic fancies. I would recommend it, especially if you are interested to understand what daily life in New York was like in the late 19th century.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review 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."

A Swiss Giggle-Fest

2010-10-02T10:30:00.000-04:00

I generally dislike speeches made by politicians, but this one takes the cake! Hans-Rudolf Merz is a Swiss politician who burst into a fit of giggles while reading a parliamentary speech concerning spiced meat imports. When he read the word Bündnerfleisch (air-dried beef), he couldn't contain his amusement, and other politicians joined in the giggle-fest. Apparently, the outburst has caused one producer of dried beefs to advertise their product with slogan of "Never lose your sense of humor."

October's Focus: Amy in Uganda

2010-10-01T06:00:00.012-04:00

One of my dearest friends from college is going to Uganda with her church this month, and we decided to make her and the country of Uganda in general our focus for the month of October. While Amy is traveling with a team to do some specific tasks, I thought I would share with you some things about Uganda which I learned from the fantastic book Operation World (the new updated version is coming out later this month; if you don't have it, I highly recommend it).

Uganda is a central-African country long known as the 'Pearl of Africa'. The capital city is Kampala and is the largest city in the country, with a population of over 1.2 million. The economy is largely based on agriculture; Uganda boasts fertile soil and three annual growing season; the main export is coffee. The economy was healthy in the 1960s, but warfare in the north and west and the ravages of AIDS and disease keep the majority of the population in deep poverty. The average income per person is $330. The official language is English, but there is a total of 46 languages spoken throughout the country; the literacy rate is sixty two percent. The country gained its independence from Britain in 1962, and in Idi Amin seized power in 1971, brutalizing the country as the army pillaged and murdered. During his reign, there was intense persecution of Christians; in 1979, Tanzanian and Ugandan exile troops deposed the regime after Amin invaded northwest Tanzania.

There is now freedom of religion in Uganda, and Christianity is the major religion. There are also Muslims, those who practice traditional ethnic religions, non-religious individuals, and followers of the Baha'i and Hindu faiths as well.

Operation World listed three answers to prayer:

1) Uganda is the first country in the world with a massive AIDS problem to halve and even reduce the numbers of the afflicted from possibly 25% in 1992 to possibly 8-10% in 2000. Both government and churches faced up to the terrible calamity and have successfully worked to achieve this reduction.

2) The East African Revival brought new life and fervency to the large Church of Uganda and other smaller denominations for 30 years after its beginnings in 1936. Its characteristics were the centrality of Christ expressed in repentance, brokenness, and walking in the light. Internal divisions and the awful years of persecution and suffering between 1967 and 1986 damped the fires of the revival.

3) Renewed revival from 1986 onwards- widespread prayer movements, the amazing growth of the Pentecostal Assemblies and a revival moment in the Catholic Church in 1955 are manifestations of this. Renewal in the latter has led to gospel preaching, healings, and the burning of fetishes.

Operation World also gives some specific challenges for which prayer is greatly needed, including healing from the devastation of past governments; unity and revival in the church, as well as the training of new workers; the AIDS issue; the refugees housed in camps throughout the country; and the remaining unreached people groups in Uganda, including the Muslims. Please continue to pray for the people of Uganda and for Amy as she works to share the love of Christ with them.

Goals Update: September

2010-09-30T17:00:00.000-04:00

What?!?! Tomorrow is October? As each month passes, I am slowly coming to realize I probably won't accomplish all of my goals this year and that even though I've read well over thirty books already, there are still some books on my 2010 Reading List I most likely won't get to finish. But that's okay. I'm okay with not accomplishing a goal- as long as I put worth my absolute best effort. The thing with which I am not okay is not accomplishing something simply because I'm a slacker. And while the reasons why I won't accomplish some goals are legitimate, I have been quite the slacker in a few select areas...and I know I can do better. That is what I find disappointing.

The year is rapidly drawing to a close, but I still have three solid months. And I intend to live the heck out of those three solid months and to hopefully come a little bit closer to accomplishing my goals. Here's an update from September:

Become a faithful member of the 5 am club. Fail! But I did at least get up about 6:30 this morning...trust me, when the sun doesn't get out of bed until past 7:30, it's difficult to get yourself out of bed...but my friend Heather called me this morning at 6:36, and I was already up and getting my butt kicked by Jillian Michaels. So...a teensy weensy bit of progress.

Memorize 52 verses. You see, this is one of those goals that I know I can accomplish if I would just stop being a slacker. I'm not sure how this one will play out over the next three months...

Memorize (the first half) of the book of James. Refer to my explanation of the previous goal. Hmmm...

Continue in the SWI program. Check, check, and check! I am actually going to my final class of this term tonight (although I am super sad because my new beloved friend Julia will not be in class tonight). We have a week off, and then we return for next term; I'll be taking Baptist Beliefs.
Read through the Bible. Fail. Again. This goes back to the being a wretched slacker.

Continue to think through our family traditions. I'd classify this as a success; it's just difficult to quantify it. With the holiday season approaching, I am getting more and more excited about traditions; I tend not to think of family traditions throughout the summer, but tradition tends to be a big topic around Thanksgiving and Christmas time.

Communicate with our family (and friends) more. I've done well with the emailing, but I've been a bit out of it since getting back from New York. I'm still playing catch up on some things, and I realized I am in need of some massive reorganization of some files, etc.

Build up our emergency fund. Nada.

Make a huge dent in our car loan. So.close.

Cut our grocery bill. I have no earthly idea. I still have to meal plan and shop for October, and we all know how much Jenny *loves* grocery shopping.

Develop a consistent and workable cleaning schedule. I have been most pleased with how we've kept the house recently. It's not perfect by any means, but neither are we! I usually try to just pick up in the morning and then again at night; I'll do a thorough cleaning once a week, and that's it.

Read 30 books. I've had a lot of books to review lately, and I've also been focusing on the book about genocide. However, I can't necessarily sit down and read that one for hours on end because I generally find myself wanting to do one of the following: throw the book across the room, sit down and cry, cuss (out loud), or begin packing my bags to move to another country. I really would like to (start) and finish A Prayer for Owen Meany and Tess of the D'Urbervilles before the end of the year, however. I think those two classics will be my focus over the next several weeks.

Scrapbook. Ugh. This one kind of goes back to the slacker issue, but I also simply don't think about scrapbooking too much. It's not exactly on the forefront of my mind. I really, really do want to be consistent in this endeavor. I know that it will be a joy to go through all our scrapbooks with our children someday, so I really need to get on the ball.

Continue blogging. Not too shabby, my friends. I apologize for failing to comment for the last two weeks. As I said, I have been playing catch up since getting back from New York. I'll see what I can do for you this weekend.

So, there is the ugly (and not-so-ugly) truth. Even though I've been quite the slacker in some areas, it's nice to look back and see what I have actually accomplished thus far. And it's good to remind myself that it's okay not to perfect, but to see where I need some improvement. And it's good to realize that I still have a few more months to work on some of these goals. And it's good to realize that it's acceptable for me to begin these sentences with a conjunction because this is not formal writing. Students, for the love of all that is holy, please take note of that.

How have you done this month with your goals?

Would You Like To Know...

2010-09-29T06:00:00.000-04:00

...what we had for dinner last night? Delicious Deutsche food in honor of Oktoberfest's final week. I told you I was going to enjoy some overly-fattening German cuisine this week! The hubs took me out to Erika's German Restaurant, where we enjoyed not only delectable food, but also the wonderful hospitality of Erika, the ridiculously cute owner of the restaurant. Seriously, I wanted to take her home with me. Erika is originally from Nurnberg (bonus material: I got my elbow x-rayed in Nurnberg when I broke it as a child. The x-ray machine in Bamberg was broken...) and came to the states twenty-four years ago. She opened the restaurant seven years ago and has been serving up authentic German dishes ever since. Behold our meal:

Spatze, made by request. Oh how I love this concoction.

Schnitzel and spatzel. To.die.for.

Black Forest Cake- the best I've ever had.

The best thing is that the portions are huge, so we took home plenty of schnitzel and spatzel. I am so excited for leftovers!

Oktoberfest

2010-09-26T06:00:00.001-04:00

If you weren't aware, 2010 marks the 200th anniversary of the very first Oktoberfest! In 1810, the Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese on October 12th; the citizens of Munich were invited to attend the celebration, which was held over several days. The tradition has continued over the past two centuries, although Oktoberfest was not held several years due to cholera outbreaks; this year actually marks the 177th Oktoberfest. While Oktoberfest has definitely changed in its content, going from an agricultural fair to what some deem a simply drunken fest, Oktoberfest is important to Bavarian (southern Germany) culture and is always something I think about when mid-September arrives (Oktoberfest generally runs from mid-September until the beginning of October). Though I'm unfortunately not in Munich to celebrate Oktoberfest is das Vaterland, I was delighted to see that The Big Picture did not disappoint me and shared some excellent photos from opening weekend (September 18th). A few of my favourites are below:

So in celebration, I fully intend to enjoy some delicious German food this week: spatzle, schnitzel, potato dumplings...mmm, overly-German food...sehr gut!!!

Within My Heart

2010-09-25T10:44:00.000-04:00

I must apologize because I am going to be reviewing quite of few of those silly historical fiction romance novels over the next few days. You see, what I like about Bethany House's blogger review program is that they send out an email every few months or so with a list of books available for review, and you can request all of them at the same time- and generally receive each and every one. And you know me, I'm not about to turn down free books...well, sometimes I would. At any rate, Bethany House sent me five books this round and so I've been working my way through them this week. Usually, it only takes me a few hours to get through books like these, so it's nice I can whip through them, write the review, and promptly await the next email from Bethany House.

I started and finished Within My Heart by Tamera Alexander last night (this is what happens when your husband works on a Friday night and you have no money to go out gallivanting around town on your own), and I was quite impressed with the story; the book is part of the Timber Ridge Reflections series, which tells the stories of different individuals living in a town of Timber Ridge in the Colorado Rockies. It's one of those unique series where you can only read one book and not necessarily get lost. Alexander alludes to the different story lines from other books, but always explains enough of the details so that the reader is not completely confused (but still snagging your interest just enough so you want to go and read the other books).

This particular story in the Timber Ridge series is that of Rachel Boyd, a young widow trying to fulfill her late husband's dream of owning a working and profitable ranch. She struggles with daily life on the ranch while trying to take care of her too young boys as they still cope with their father's death two years before. When one of her dearest friends in the town becomes seriously ill, she's forced to trust the town doctor Rand Brookston, a man whom she simply wishes to avoid. He's a physician- just like her father- and that tells her everything she needs to know about the man.

Dr. Brookston graduated from one of the top medical schools in the east and turning down numerous prestigious job offers at large respected hospitals, ventured west with the dream of bringing modern medicine to the wilds of the Colorado Rockies. When a patient's life is threatened, Brookston makes the decision to perform a new and complicated surgery, hoping and praying it's the right idea.

I like the stories set on the frontier- something about people leaving behind the 'ease' of life in the east to hack it out where life is difficult and demanding- always seemed rather inspiring to me. One of the best things about this book was how Alexander described the beauty of the Rockies. I was fortunate to live there for a few years, and can quite honestly confess it is one of the most beautiful landscapes I have ever seen. I can only imagine how life would be there without running water, indoor plumbing, or paved roads. Still, the pristine beauty must have been a fair trade-off for most people.

Of course, you know from the outset what the book's ending will be, but just because you know the ending already doesn't mean you shouldn't go along for the journey, right?

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review 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."

What's On the Telly?

2010-09-23T17:30:00.008-04:00

I feel quite pathetic admitting this, but there is something about the anticipation of the season of television show premiers each fall (even though it has most definitely not felt like autumn this week). Maybe it has something to do with the back-to-school jitters that corresponded with returning shows and new series on the telly. I don't do the back-to-school jitters anymore, and I honestly don't even watch a lot of television, but I do still feel a twinge of excitement when I realize it's time for the season premiere of a good show.

So what are my favourite shows currently on television (because if we're discussing all-time favourites, that might be a bit difficult to determine. After all, I still have much respect for David the Gnome...)? Here are my top five, in no particular order:

The Amazing Race. I know it's considered a reality show, but it's worth watching. Teams (usually in pairs) race around the world for chance to win a million dollars and lots of other cool prizes. With my perpetual wanderlust, this show is naturally ones of my faves. However, it's also really cool to see the transformation some contestants make as they experience other cultures and begin to loose their prejudices. And of course, it always affords some hilarious moments. We usually have a group of friends that gather with us on Sunday evenings to watch the show and being with loved ones makes the experience even better.

The IT Crowd. If you've spoken with me at all in the past month, you must have heard me proclaiming from the hilltops this as my new favourite show. Really, this is by far the funniest show I have ever seen on television. The series follows three coworkers in the IT department of Reynolm Industries. Moss is a slightly socially awkward Brit with a side-parted afro (yes, an afro with a side part), and Roy is his sometimes-over-the-top Irishman coworker. During the first episode, their boss hires Jen, who knows nothing about computers, to become their new supervisor. What ensues is pure hilarity. They just wrapped series four across the pond, and series five will begin next summer. Rumor is that a sixth series has already been commissioned as well. Apparently, they are also debuting an American version of the show on IFC...but you know the Americans usually muck up a quality British comedy.

The Office. This is actually one time where we cousins were able to take a British comedy and get it right. Nothing offers the classic awkward moments, unexpected moments, and pure comical genius like this show. Admittedly, it was much better before Pam and Jim were actually together. Their tenuous relationship was the centre of the show, and once it was resolved, the writers seemed to be grasping at straws more often than not. I hope they actually end the show soon so that they go out on a high note, rather than stretching out the series into the land of low-ratings. Take a clue from Ricky Gervais, my friends.

Spooks. Oh goodness. Nothing satisfies my need for some intense British drama and quick wit like this show. The show follows Section D of MI-5 as they defend the Britain against domestic and foreign threats. Be warned, the show is intense and the writers are ruthless. Believe me, they are not afraid to kill off any of the main characters! I don't know how many times I've finished an episode with my jaw in my lap as I say to myself, "Did so-and-so really just get shot in the head?" and "Did so-and-so really just fall off the grid like that?" That's what keeps the show so realistic I suppose- there is no mercy is the world of espionage, friends. Though Section D has gone through a number of different officers, Harry Pearce remains their faithful leader as the team works to catch terrorists, protect Britons' safety, and enforce security. Even though the show is a drama, there is still a great bit of comedy throughout the show. Series nine premieres in Britain this fall, and series eight can be seen on some PBS stations and on BBC America soon.

30 Rock. This show is fast-becoming my favourite American comedy as The Office fizzles out. Based loosely on Tina Fey's experience as the head writer of SNL, 30 Rock is the best thirty minutes of comedy on Thursday evenings. Originally, 30 Rock didn't get very high ratings, but the audience has grown over the past few seasons; tonight is the season five premiere. The show gets great guest stars, but I am most satisfied with Alec Baldwin's portrayal as Jack, the man sent in to retool the show for which Liz Lemon is head writer. Tracy Morgan's character has the best one liners ("Live every week like it's Shark Week!"), but Jack McBrayer as the quirky and dedicated NBC page never fails to make me giggle.

To what shows do you look forward?

Would You Like To Know...

2010-09-22T06:00:00.005-04:00

...one of my (not so) secret ambitions? To be on NPR's Sunday Morning Puzzles. Isaac and I listen usually listen to the show on the way to church, and I always imagine being on air and brilliantly answering all of Will Shortz's tricky puzzles. But then the enthusiasm is usually dampened by the realization that I would probably make a complete idiot of myself on national radio.

Oh well. A girl can dream, can't she?

An Education

2010-09-21T18:00:00.004-04:00

I saw this brilliant film last night while my husband was locked away in another room studying for hours on end. The entire piece was excellently done- the screenplay, acting, directing, score. I wish all those Twilight-crazy teenagers would watch this movie instead.

"Action is character. If we never did anything, we wouldn't be anybody."

Love's First Bloom

2010-09-19T18:00:00.007-04:00

We're back from our fabulous mini-break to New York! We met Mumsy at the airport and helped her complete her five items on her "New York Must Do" list between Thursday and Saturday before we attended the astronomically brilliant wedding of my lifelong childhood friend Laina. Seriously, we met the first day of seventh grade. And she was wearing pink overalls, for which we still poke fun at her. Pictures, stories, and more details are forthcoming, so calm down a bit (Tracie, I'm talking to you specifically here).

We had a 6:00 am flight out of Laguardia today, and after a few minor mishaps (thank you Gypsy cab for taking us to the wrong terminal at 4:45 in the morning), we made it back to Louisville to the smiling faces of our good friends the Pascarellas who drove us home. Fortunately, we walked in our door by 11:30 in the morning; unfortunately, I decided against taking a nap and instead opened the box of books waiting for me. Bethany House sent me more of those cheesy historical fiction books, and the timing was impeccable since my brain was not functioning at its highest level after only acquiring approximately three hours of sleep the night before and riding the emotional roller coaster of watching one of my best friends marry the love of her life while getting to see some amazing 'family' (I am obsessed with Laina's family) and friends (No No and Jenny Mac, to be specific).

Love's First Bloom tells the story of Ruth Livingstone, the daughter of a minister in New York. Ruth's father leads a controversial ministry reaching out to the 'fallen angels' of the city. He visits brothels and tries to encourage the women to leave their lifestyle of prostitution; though he had many partners and supporters in this ministry, there were also many people who spoke against his activities. When the Reverend is accused of murdering one of the young women whom he tried to help, he sends his daughter away to a nearby village and places a young child- the child of the murdered woman- in her arms. Ruth must live the lie that she is Ruth Malloy, a widow who sought help from distant family in the small town in New Jersey. As the suspense and drama of her father's trial heightens to a pitch, Ruth realizes that several reporters are diligently searching for her in order to determine the truth behind her disappearance. All the while, Ruth must maintain her identity as the widow and hope her father is acquitted and can send for her soon.

Of course, this book is typical no-brainer read, but I did like the fact that Delia Parr drew attention to the issue of prostitution and ministering to those who are 'fallen' in the eyes of society and the world. The book has a solid foundation of faith, and it is really much more than a sappy love story; in fact, I though the love story played a very minor role. The book deals with issues in parenting, forgiveness, and the need to strive for truthfulness. I read the book in one day- even running on my extreme lack sleep- and still enjoyed the story.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Behtny House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review 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 Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Would You Like To Know...

2010-09-15T06:00:00.039-04:00

...what I'm doing today? The hubs and I are flying here:

to meet her:

Not your fairy godmother, by the one and only Mumsy.

so we can attend the wedding of her:

Beloved childhood friend in incredibly embarrassing picture from our New Year's Eve adventure...

And while we're there, we're going to see this:

Only my favourite Broadway show of all time...

Could I be anymore excited? Let me check...No.

Immanuel's Veins

2010-09-13T06:00:00.040-04:00

I've never actually read anything by famed author Ted Dekker, so when Thomas Nelson gave me the chance to review a new book of his, I jumped at the chance. I've heard nothing but good things about his writing from various different people, but they all agree on one thing: it can be intense.

When I first looked at Immanuel's Veins, I could not figure out what the storyline was; the back of the book and the inside of the flap jacket weren't too forthcoming about the actual plot, and even the reviews were somewhat vague. No character names were mentioned, not particular time...nothing. Just some tidbit about love, evil, blood, and sacrifice. Friends, I had no idea what that meant, but I decided to give it a try anyway.

I read the book in one sitting. I kid you not, I picked up the book, and did not put it down until my husband made me by bringing home pizza and insisting it was time to eat. I ate my dinner, and went back to finish the forty or so pages I had left. I'm not going to lie, it was definitely intense at times. It was an interesting story through and through, partly because going into the book you were completely clueless as to what to expect. I'm not sure I should give any of the plot away either because then the story wouldn't be the same for you...

I will say it does have a vampire-like theme (okay, really, you can figure that out just by looking at the cover and title), but there is definitely a twist. I'm not really a fan of vampire-themed books- remember when I was reading Dracula in the middle of the day and got freaked out? Yeah, the same sort of thing almost happened at a few points in this book too. However, I thought this story was well-written and engaging. Toward the end of the book though, I started to get confused about the message Dekker was trying to convey. All the ends just didn't tie together nicely. When Isaac asked me what I thought of the book considering I read it in its entirety in just a few hours, I stumbled over my words. "Well...I mean, yeah it was good...the story was interesting up to a certain point...I...I'm just not sure....not sure what Dekker to trying to say theologically."

And it's true; I'm still confused as to what Dekker was trying to convey in terms of Christ and love and just about everything else in between. In fact, the end of the novel and the confusion surrounding just what the message was supposed to be muddled up the whole thing for me. I agree that we need to live our lives in such as way that people see Christ in us, but not is such a way that people think we are Christ. One of the characters kept saying, "Be her Immanuel." Well, that's all nice and lovely, but really if you or I died for someone we love, that is admirable and shows no greater love...but that person isn't necessarily going to be brought back to life if they're already dead. And neither are we. Because we're not God. We can make sacrifices and even die, but once we're dead...well, we're dead unless God Himself decides otherwise, and there really wasn't any mention of God playing a role in the whole dying and being brought back to life because of sacrificial love. The whole God thing seemed more of an afterthought of anything else.

The book will keep you engaged, but you just might be scratching your head at the end. In fact, I would really like it if someone else- preferably someone more intelligent then me- would read this book and give me their opinion. Am I just missing something?

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com 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.”

A More Vacation Nation?

2010-09-12T17:00:00.002-04:00

As I'm preparing to go on a short mini-break this weekend, I thought about an article from the BBC I read recently. The article discussed vacation time and referenced a 2007 study conducted by the Center for Economic and Policy Research in DC concerning the amount of paid vacation time the typical employee in most industrialized nations receives.

What they found was the the amount varied widely, but that by far and away, employers in the United States offered the least amount of paid time off to their employees. In fact, the United States is the only advanced economy in the world that does not guarantee some amount of paid vacation to its workers. Most European countries mandate at least twenty paid holidays per year, and Japan and Canada require ten days each year. While most full-time workers in the United States may say they receive the typical holidays each year (Presidents' Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc), there is actually no law which mandates these days as paid holidays for all Americans. Think about the typical part-time job; vacation time doesn't accrue and there is no guarantee you're going to get to actually enjoy the federal holidays either.

If you're at all familiar with the European workforce, you know that's it's a totally different game on the other side of the pond. In Belgium, we joked that the entire country shut down for the months of July, August, and September. In July, everyone is preparing to go on holiday; in August, everyone is on holiday, and in September, we're all recovering from holiday.

To most Americans, a full two weeks of vacation seems like a dream. To most Europeans (and a good deal of the rest of the world), two weeks of vacation is simply unacceptable. Below is a chart which details the amount of paid annual leave and holiday time required by the national governments of the respective nations:

And it's not just holiday time which is different; the average American work week is a full forty hours, much the same as other European nations (although France's is currently 35), but studies have indicated that Europeans (including the French) are actually more productive than the average American. Americans pride themselves on hard work and dedicating much of their time and energy to their employers, but are lucky if they are able to take a full week of vacation to spend time with their families during the summer or holiday season.

I'm still sorting out my thoughts on this matter, but I do believe that many employers take advantage of their employees, especially in difficult economic times. How many times have you heard someone say, "I should be thankful to have a job in this economy"? Yes, we should be thankful for the work the Lord provided for us (for work is good), but the overwhelming attitude is quickly becoming that work should be the primary priority in our lives. I love my job, and I'm extremely grateful to be working in a field which I absolutely adore (burned out as I may get at times), but one of the best things about my job is our vacation package. It's not much compared to Europe, but it's a great deal better than most Americans receive; and honestly, having a good vacation package entices me to work harder for my agency.

So, my fellow hard-working Americans, what do you think about this? It's so easy for us to slip into our sense of entitlement and feel as though we are being cheated for not receiving as much vacation as our cousins and the Continent, but maybe there is something to this understanding of enjoying life instead of working, working, working...

Would You Like To Know...

2010-09-08T06:00:00.057-04:00

...my new favourite music-makers? It's the chaps from Mumford and Sons. Isaac introduced me to this band a few weeks ago (This is how our marriage works: he finds the good music, I find the good television shows, and we both find the good books. This way, we ensure quality entertainment for our life together), and I can't get their music out of my head- which I feel is a good thing, I might add.

I can't really decide which is my favourite song of theirs; basically, I think it's whichever song to which I'm listening at that moment. Isaac decided his favourite is The Cave:

Little Lion Man is probably their most famous song; apparently the Aussies especially love it (I'm showing you a clip of them playing on Letterman several months ago instead of the official video, which is super amazing and will blow your mind, but unfortunately has a pretty severe curse word in the chorus):

Several of their songs are simply haunting beautiful: Timshel and Awake My Soul. Others are more intense: I Gave You All and Dust Bowl Dance. All of them are amazing and pure.musical.genius. What also is incredible is that the guys all play multiple instruments; apparently, they often switch instruments during the show according to what is convenient for the song or set. And did you notice him playing the guitar and the bass drum at the same time? Um, hello. I wish I possessed some fraction of talent like that! Now, their musical genius aside, my other favourite bit about these guys is their lead singer. Isaac and I decided that if comical geniuses Ricky Gervais and Stephen Fry were to have a child together, Marcus Mumford just might be the result. I present to you the evidence below:

What do you think? Of course, I mean no disrespect to Ricky Gervais, Stephen Fry, and Marcus Mumford in making this connection. Because really, they are all phenomenally talented in their trade. So, show them some respect and go watch some of The Office, A Bit of Fry and Laurie, and then listen to Sigh No More ...and allow yourself to be amazed.

And I'm going to help you do just that: if I could, I would seriously post every single one of their songs, but since I can't, you'll just have to settle for one more song from Mumford and Sons. Right now, I think this song- Dust Bowl Dance- is actually my favourite. Thanks to the students who filmed this last year for a student project (don't they sound amazing live?!?):

The Boy Who Changed The World

2010-09-07T06:00:00.036-04:00

Thomas Nelson sent me this fabulous children's book by Andy Andrews. The Boy Who Changed the World begins with the story of Nobel laureate Norman Borlaug- as a child. Norman grew up on a farm in Iowa and played in the fields of corn with his sisters nearly every day; his family loved their farm and the delicious corn it produced, and Norman's father was always sure to offer thanks for the food the Lord provided them. One day, Norman wondered what it would be like to not have enough food to eat, and that day he decided to change the world by figuring out a way to feed all the hungry people in the world. As he grew up, Norma learned everything he could about plants, and when he was an adult, a man named Henry Wallace gave him a job. Mr. Wallace told him he wanted Norman to develop a special seed which would produce a super plant, able to feed more people than a regular plant. Norman worked hard for many years and eventually developed the super plants that would help keep over two billion people from starving.

So you see, Norman really did change the world. But he wouldn't have been able to change the world unless Mr. Wallace had given him a job. So maybe it was really Henry Wallace who changed the world...

Andrews goes on to tell the story of Henry Wallace and of his connection with George Washington Carver and of George's father, Moses. Each person in the story was influenced by another, and because of the other people in their lives, they were all able to help change the world. Andrews explains that everything we do in this life matters; we probably won't see all the results from our actions- both good and bad- but it still matters, and we could still help to change the world!

This book is simply a delightful book for children- and adults too! It encourages you to realize you and your actions matter and to strive to make a difference in the world. I heartily recommend this book!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com 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.”

You Changed My Life

2010-09-05T06:00:00.002-04:00

You Changed My Life was sent to me by mistake by Thomas Nelson, but they allowed me to review it for them anyway. I would never have chosen to read this book on my own; I'm not big into gift books. I find people generally don't actually read the book itself; they may place it on the coffee table or beside their bed, but they don't actually sit down to read it in its entirety.

Max Lucado can be a bit on the fluffy side anyway, and I figured this gift book would be the same, especially since all of the content was taken from his previously published books. This book is intended to provide several different encouraging and uplifting short stories, and surprisingly some of them are actually very good. Others are just downright corny, and didn't really necessarily provide any encouragement to me specifically. While most of the stories had a spiritual overtone, they mostly focused on how good people are instead of Jesus providing us with the ability to do good. There were definitely some interesting stories from history throughout the tiny read, and I found those the most interesting. It's definitely a fluffy read, but I guess fluffy reads have their place- just most likely not on my coffee table.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com 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.”

How We Spent Independence Day

2010-09-04T08:00:00.002-04:00

So now that a full two months have passed, I think now would be the appropriate time to relay how we spent our Independence Day. We happened to be in DC for the weekend of the fourth because a friend who lives there was getting married; since Isaac and I have both wanted to spend the Fourth of July in our nation's capital at some point in our lives, we decided now would be the perfect opportunity. Thanks to our gracious hostess Laura, we were able to enjoy a lovely day in DC as we celebrated Independence Day. Even though I had sprained my ankle pretty badly while in Philadelphia two days earlier, we were determined to take in as much of the atmosphere as possible.

We spent a good portion of our time at the Archives, looking at the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. Seeing those historical documents was an incredible experience. Being the history geek that I am, I love visiting places like the Archives, the Smithsonian, and the like which have historical significance. We wandered around the city for a while, taking in the atmosphere. I thought the Fourth in DC might be a bit more intense, but it looked to be mostly tourists (like yours truly). At any rate, it was a great time; we eventually ended up on the steps of the Library of Congress to watch the fireworks show with our friends. It was great time, even though my ankle was swollen to about five times its size by the end of the day!

"That's a Fantastic Word"

2010-09-02T06:00:00.022-04:00

It is no secret I should have been born British; I believe living in England would be delightful for the simple fact I could use the word 'queue' without people assuming I'm talking about the letter which comes after 'p', could more easily keep up with Spooks, and could spell the following words properly: colour, favourite, programmes, and centre. Aren't those spellings lovely? I think so.

This clip from the Ellen show ranks right up there with the classic "I love Jesus, but I drink a little" indicent.

I can't believe I have not shared it with you yet! I offer my sincerest apologies and hope you enjoy this fun little game played between Ellen and Hugh Laurie:

September's Focus: International Justice Mission

2010-09-01T06:00:00.069-04:00

Isaac determined our focus for September and he came up with the wonderful idea of supporting the International Justic Mission, a human rights agency based in Washington DC but with field offices all over the world. IJM is a relatively new organization; it was founded in 1997 and offers a unique perspective to serving those who have been oppressed. Here is an excerpt from their website explaining their history and approach:

Historically, humanitarian and missions organizations worked faithfully and courageously to bring healthcare, education, food and other vital services to those who needed them. But little had been done to actually restrain the oppressors who are a source of great harm to the vulnerable.

Concerned by this need, a group of lawyers, human rights professionals and public officials launched an extensive study of the injustices witnessed by overseas missionaries and relief and development workers. This study, surveying more than 65 organizations and representing 40,000 overseas workers, uncovered a nearly unanimous awareness of abuses of power by police and other authorities in the communities where they served. Without the resources or expertise to confront the abuse and to bring rescue to the victims, these overseas workers required the assistance of trained public justice professionals.

Gary Haugen, working as a lawyer at the U.S. Department of Justice and as the United Nations’ Investigator in Charge in the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide, founded International Justice Mission as a response to this massive need. Today, IJM has grown to more than 300 professionals working in their own communities to fight injustice.

IJM works in over twelve countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America to "secure tangible and sustainable protection of national laws through local court systems." IJM not only works to bring justice to the perpetrators of violence, but also to restore dignity to those who were abused or oppressed. Ultimately, IJM hopes their work in protecting individual human rights will transmute to a larger, community, national, and even global level. IJM staff seek to obey the biblical call found in Isaiah 1:17. Seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.

Go check out IJM's website; they have a ton of great information and resources!

Goals Update: August

2010-08-31T06:00:00.009-04:00

August is coming to a close, which means September will arrive tomorrow...and with it, I am praying for Autumn to come quickly. September is one of those sly months which you think should consider itself fall, but then it tricks you one day with its ridiculous heat. Really, September, let's try to be focused on the cooler fall weather, yes?

But we're still in August now, and so here is the monthly goals update:

Become a faithful member of the 5 am club. Honestly, I haven't sleep very well this month. Even if I go to bed early, I have trouble getting up in the morning. My dreams have been really intense; they haven't necessarily been scary, but when you wake up in the morning and can tell your husband that you and Desmond from Lost were on an RV road trip together whilst trying to escape from bad people and that you finally were safe when Desmond backed the RV into an elevator...well, obviously something is up with my REM cycle.

Memorize 52 verses. Yeah, the hubs and I are going to work on the James goal, but we did memorize Colossians 3:23 with our community group. I like those short verses.

Memorize (the first half) of the book of James. We're working on verses five-eight right now and will hopefully be adding the next few. Isaac and I are trying to get into a good routine, especially since his summer is officially over now...but since his summer is over now, I never really see him because he's at class when I'm at work, and then he's at work when I get home. Seriously, I took part of a personal day last Friday just so I could see the boy. Hopefully we'll get ourselves figured out soon.

Continue in the SWI program. Our first class was last week, and I am really excited about it! Not just because I got to sit between Jess and Amanda, with Jaclyn on the other side of her (and all of us missing Abby who couldn't make it to the first class), but also because of the content of this particular class: Cross Cultural Ministries. I've almost read the entire book already...trust me, it's a short book. And also being back in class means I get to see most of the SWI Mafia at least once a week, guaranteed. Now that is something to which I can look forward!

Read through the Bible. Really, I realized just how much I choose to read other books instead of the Bible. I am completely ashamed of this and definitely need some encouragement and accountability to ensure I actually dig into the Word before reading other words.

Continue to think through our family traditions. I am determined to begin something involving trying new foods from other cultures. I recently acquired the Usborne Children's World Cookbook and plan to use that as a starting point.

Communicate with our family (and friends) more. Well, I've talked to my mum and my sister and that's about it. It's so easy to write something on someone's wall on facebook and assume you're a good friend for it. We're not exactly talking about deep, intimate friendship here...but I did do our family email update, which is better than nothing. I apologize to my girls, as I haven't sent them an email (or called most of them) in months. I will make a special note to work on this month ladies!

Build up our emergency fund. We're still focusing on car payments, but we definitely need to start making sure we've got enough for Isaac's tuition and fees for the spring semester, so we'll be building that up as soon as we can.

Make a huge dent in our car loan. We made a huge payment this month and we.are.so.close. We have definitely accomplished our goal of making a 'huge dent', and in just a few months, should be able to move onto making as huge a dent as possible in our student loans (queue funeral music here).

Cut our grocery bill. Okay, I don't keep track anymore. I mean, I know how much I spend when I do my once-a-month-please-kill-me-because-I-hate-grocery-shopping trip, but I'm really bad about keeping track of when I go to the store to buy snacks for community group or the ingredients for spatze because I simply must drink some that day. But I am trying to be better about at least making the meals which I put on my meal plan...so maybe all is not in vain?

Develop a consistent and workable cleaning schedule. Aside from our spare bedroom and the 'alcove' which is full of items for the yard sale in late September, the house has stayed pretty nice. We tend to let everything accumulate in the spare bedroom, especially if it's not so clean to begin with (excuse me for placing a preposition at the end of a sentence...ugh, that makes me want to vomit). But since we have a house guest arriving later this week who would probably prefer to sleep on the bed and not the floor, I am definitely going to be cleaning the spare bedroom pronto. Basically, the room is full of stuff that just needs to go...as in, go to the yard sale and be.gone.

Read 30 books. I have completely lost track of how many I've read, but it is definitely over thirty. I think I finished four or five this month, but they were all pretty short. Even though I've met this particular goal, I've still got some books on my Reading List which I would really like to get to this year. Hopefully I'll be able to do so. I may be able to take a stay-cation with some of my remaining vacation time, and you best believe I will be reading to my heart's content if it works out!

Scrapbook. I've lost all motivation. Some of my friends have gotten together to scrapbook and I've either been unable to go or did not want to drag out my hecka-heavy bag and admit to being as far behind as I actually am. However, I have got to make some cards (birthday, anniversary, wedding, etc) soon because I'm getting a bit low on supplies.

Continue blogging. Okay, just look over there (to the right) and see my archives. Are you not proud of me?!?! This is the most I've ever blogged in a month- e.v.e.r. I'm not saying this will become a regularity here, but I am most proud of myself for this abundant blogginess. And I was even sure to read and comment on other blogs. So I would say this was a goal accomplished this month!

And stay tuned: Would You Like To Know Wednesday will return next week!

Christian Heroes Then & Now: Hudson Taylor

2010-08-28T14:00:00.001-04:00

The Christian Heroes: Then & Now series by Janet and Geoff Benge is aimed at older children, but would also be good to read aloud and with younger children. I can't remember when I first heard about the series, but I tucked the name in the back of my mind and finally looked it up on Amazon a while back. The series has several books, each of which is a biography of a hero in the faith. The biographies are generally of more 'modern' missionaries and other influential people (from the past few hundred years), some of whom are pretty famous (Nate Saint, George Mueller, C.S. Lewis, etc), while others are lessor known (Lillian Thrasher, Jacob DeShazer, Betty Greene, etc). I decided to read Hudson Taylor: Deep in the Heart of China first, as it had gotten excellent reviews.

Hudson Taylor was born in England in 1832 into a family who made Bible-reading and prayer a priority. When Taylor was a teenager, he began to turn away from his upbringing because of some bad influences at his workplace. However, Taylor's mother and sisters began to pray in earnest for him, and not long after Hudson truly became a follower of Christ. Soon he felt the Lord calling him to China, and immediately began to prepare himself in every way he could. He studied the Chinese language, medicine, and even began a strict regimen in order to prepare his body for the long journey. Eventually, Taylor found his way aboard a ship bound for China and several months later, stepped onto Chinese soil. The authors go on to tell of all the difficulties he and other missionaries experienced at that time, but they were careful to point out how God always provided for Taylor and the other missionaries. Though not every one survived their time in China, Taylor and the other missionaries were faithful in their commitment to God and to the Chinese people.

Even though it was geared more towards children in terms of the reading level, the book was still well-done. It's not written in a formal biographical style; it seemed more like a adventure-thriller. The authors did not sacrifice any of the content, however, to make this biography more interesting to children. I felt they did an excellent job of telling Taylor's story, although I think the book ended too soon. I think this book, and perhaps the rest in the series, would be really good to share with children; it would be a great way to introduce the concept of international missions, as well as understanding other cultures, to children. I plan on reading several more in the series for sure!

Would You Like To Know...

2010-08-25T06:00:00.002-04:00

...some great websites to help you save and even earn a little money? But of course you do! I have no shame in admitting we're a poor couple consisting of a seminary student and a social worker (yeah, we're bringing in the big bucks), so we try to take advantage of every opportunity for freebies or discounts. I don't spend all day scourging the Internet looking for deals, but I have come across some very easy websites which help me a bit with the finances. These websites aren't a replacement for good old fashioned hard work and determined saving, but every little bit helps. I'm determined not to involve myself (or you) with any gimmicks, so these websites are tried and true! Here are my favourites:

1) Swagbucks. You know I have to mention this one. It's simply fantastic! Swagbucks is a site which started out as a search engine but has developed into much more. The whole concept is centered around earning these nifty little digital dollars called Swagbucks, which you can then exchange for items in the Swag Store. The store is stocked with all sorts of goodies, but my favourite are definitely the gift cards available: Amazon, Target, Starbucks- even Southwest Airlines! You earn Swagbucks through using their site as search engine, randomly winning various amount of the digital dollars. You can also earn Swagbucks by participating in daily polls, surveys, and other activities, as well as referring other people to the website. It's completely free and 100% legitimate. I have earned over $100 to use at Amazon.com and have purchased a good deal of these year's Christmas presents using Swagbucks.

2) Ebates. This is a relatively new site to me, but I have heard it mentioned before by several people. Ebates offers you cash rewards by shopping online; you simply log into the Ebates website first and then click through to the store at which you are shopping. You can earn as much as 25% cash back on your purchases, but most of them are around 2-5%. They have all the usual stores: Target, Kohl's JCPenney, Half.com, Ebay, etc. Once a quarter, Ebates sends you a check. Again, this probably isn't going to add up to much (unless you are doing a lot of online shopping), but why wouldn't you take the opportunity to get a little bit of money back if you are purchasing something anyway? You can also refer people; I was referred by a friend and was even given five dollars to start (and don't laugh at that- five dollars is a lot of cash, friends)! If you're using Swabucks and Ebates, imagine what a difference it could actually make in your budget.

3) RewardPort. The website looks a little shady, but I promise it's legit; it's even a member of the Better Business Bureau. RewardPort simply sends you emails with links to different websites; by visiting the website, you earn a certain amount of points. I usually click on the link, let the web browser open the site, and then move onto the next email. It's always a good idea to clean out your cookies! If you click through the emails once a day or every few days, it literally takes about one minute to earn a fair amount of points. You then exchange your points for gift cards in a way similar to Swagbucks. I've got my eye on a $10 Amazon giftcard or $25 Restaurant.com card. I think it's a good idea to have an alternative email to use for sites like RewardPort; otherwise your main email could get rather clogged.

4) MyPoints. MyPoints is similar to RewardPort; they send you BonusMail through your email. You simply visit the partner site to earn points; there are also opportunities to participate in surveys so that you can earn even more points. You can also do something similar to Ebates in that you click through to your online shopping by going through the MyPoints website first. You can then exchange your points for a ton of different giftcards. MyPoints seems to take a bit longer for me to store up points, but again, it's literally about thirty seconds of my day. The prizes are comparable to other sites like RewardPort, etc.

5) Book Review Blogging Sites. Okay, so you're probably not going to actually make money doing this, but you can definitely save a good deal- especially if you are a bookworm who finds a shopping trip to the book store way too tempting. I started doing book reviews on my blog for several different companies just last year, but I've already gotten tons of free books! Not all of them are destined to set on my shelves forever, but I have definitely enjoyed getting to read just about all of the books. Generally you are allowed to request one book at a time and aren't allowed to request another book until you've posted your review, but some companies will allow you to request several books at once, and you'll often get them all! Keep in mind you can't just request any book- there is a limited selection each publishing company offers and you choose from that selection. Shoot, sometimes you can even get DVDs too. I currently review for Thomas Nelson, NavPress, Bethany House, Waterbrook Multnomah, and Tyndale House. Mmm....free books!

What about you? What do you do to save money?

Spooks

2010-08-23T06:00:00.000-04:00

A few months ago, I discovered a fantastic show from the UK and have been catching up on the series via Netflix. The ninth series of Spooks will premiere this autumn on BBC, but apparently you can catch some of the older episodes on PBS. At any rate, I finished series six and have this to look forward to:

Unfortunately, series eight isn't available to us 'poor cousins' until the Brits are enjoying series nine. THIS is why I need to move across the pond, my friends!

The Skin Map

2010-08-22T14:00:00.000-04:00

This is not a typical book I would choose to read, but since Thomas Nelson gave me the opportunity to review it, I thought I might as well broaden my horizons to allow for more science fiction-ish type of novels. The Skin Map is a first in the Bright Empires Series by Stephen R. Lawlead. The novel opens in modern-day London; Kit Livingstone is plodding along in the rain when he decides to take a short-cut through an alley. In that alley, a man introduces himself as Cosimo, Kit's great-grandfather, and then proceeds to take Kit on a journey through not only time, but through other dimensions.

The book is a cross between science fiction, history, general fiction, and just pure what-the-heck craziness. I usually don't read any type of science fiction, but I had to admit the concept of travelling across both time and space dimensions simultaneously threw me for a loop. For example, at one point in the novel, Kit and Cosimo arrive in London on September 2, 1666; Kit remarks the Restoration would have just happened a few years prior, but his great-grandfather corrects him, explaining that they aren't actually time-travelling. They've just gone to a different place, and this particular England has its own history separate from the England with which Kit is familiar; in fact Charles was never deposed in this England and there was no English Civil War. Cosimo explained that though there was a common starting point, all the different variables have caused the different worlds to have different histories; sometimes they are similar, but generally never the same. And as it just so happens, Cosimo ensures that this particular England never actually experiences the Great Fire, whereas 'home' or 'origin world' England still maintained the same English history we all know and understand today. Truly, the concept is a little fun to consider!

The first novel in the series introduces you to the concept of leys (the intersections which make such travelling possible) and the main characters. The Skin Map focuses on the attempts of ley travellers- both the good and the bad- to get their hands on the map compiled by Arthur Flinders-Petrie, a man who travelled extensively via ley lines and who compiled a detailed map of his travels by tattooing individual maps of his travels on his body to ensure he could not lost the map. And of course, you get to meet the villain Lord Burleigh, who seems to always be thwarting the plans of Kit and crew.

Lawhead does an excellent job of weaving together the stories of several different characters from different times and locales. Throughout the book, you see modern-day England, 17th-century London, 17th-century Prague, ancient and modern Egypt, as well as various times in China. The historical aspect of the book is rather fascinating. Although this isn't a book I would typically read, I thought it was well-done overall and an enjoyable read; the only problem is that the second novel, The Bone House, won't be available until September 2011. And oh, one of the best parts of the book? Pure British spellings throughout. Yes.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com 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.”

Russia, 100 Years Ago, In Color

2010-08-21T06:00:00.002-04:00

If you don't visit The Boston Globe's Big Picture on a regular basis, might I suggest you start doing so? This website is simply amazing, and is by far one of my favorite quick decompressors at work (imagine that...a social worker needs to decompress occasionally). The Big Picture is basically news stories in photographs, but the quality of the photos, as well as the information conveyed by them is simply spectacular. What's wonderful about the photographs is that you can see so much of the rest of the world and truly get a glimpse into the daily lives of those who live there. The Big Picture covers the major news events, but also those events which may or may not be receiving as much media coverage.

Yesterday, the editor published some of the most amazing photographs I have ever seen on the site (which is pretty amazing, but the quality of the shots are by far and away outstanding). He writes:

With images from southern and central Russia in the news lately due to extensive wildfires, I thought it would be interesting to look back in time with this extraordinary collection of color photographs taken between 1909 and 1912. In those years, photographer Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorskii (1863-1944) undertook a photographic survey of the Russian Empire with the support of Tsar Nicholas II. He used a specialized camera to capture three black and white images in fairly quick succession, using red, green and blue filters, allowing them to later be recombined and projected with filtered lanterns to show near true color images. The high quality of the images, combined with the bright colors, make it difficult for viewers to believe that they are looking 100 years back in time - when these photographs were taken, neither the Russian Revolution nor World War I had yet begun. Collected here are a few of the hundreds of color images made available by the Library of Congress, which purchased the original glass plates back in 1948.

And then goes on to blow your mind with the photos he selected. Here are my personal favorites (remember these photos are one hundred years old!):

You can see the full article here. All photos belong to the Library of Congress.

Granola

2010-08-20T06:00:00.001-04:00

I've never shared a recipe via a post on my blog, but I thought it would be unfair to keep this granola yumminess from you for much longer. This particular recipe was a great favourite with my friends back in Missouri; in fact, there were several times when I would simply put out a huge bowl of it with several spoons and watch as the granola was simply demolished (yes, James and Clemma, I'm talking about you). I whipped up a batch over the weekend and have been enjoying it for breakfast and sometimes a snack as well over the past few days. The granola is really easy to make; I think you will enjoy it!

Here's what you'll need:

4 cups old fashioned rolled oats
2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
2 cups sliced almonds
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 cup dried cherries
1 cup dried cranberries

1) Preheat your oven to 250. Toss the oats, coconut, and almonds together in a large bowl.

2) Whisk together the oil, honey, and syrup in a small bowl.

3) Pour the liquid mixture over the oat mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until the mixture is well-coated.

4) Pour onto a sheet pan; I actually bake mine in a 9x13 baking dish because I find my granola often falls off the sheet pan (I'm a messy cook). If you use a baking dish like me, you usually need to bake it a little longer than normal.

5) Bake for one hour and 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and transfer the granola to a bowl. Let it cool and then add your cranberries, cherries, and whatever else you might want to throw in there!

Doesn't that just look yummy? You can eat it alone or even as cereal with milk!

Why I Love IKEA

2010-08-19T06:00:00.025-04:00

A few weeks ago, I went to IKEA for the first time. Louisville is the first place I've lived that is within decent driving distance to an IKEA, and so my wonderful friend Jessica and her son Joey joined me on my maiden voyage to the delightful Swedish store.

Oh.my.heavens. Let me tell you why I am in love with IKEA; it's not necessarily because I want to buy everything in the store (because I really don't, even though I could see myself easily purchasing two-thirds of the items in there), and it's not necessarily because I can buy large bars of delicious Swedish chocolate and multiple packages of cookies which remind me of my grandmother, and it's not necessarily because I walked out of the store, turned to Jess and said, "This sounds so silly, but this store makes me proud to be Swedish. IKEA and the Nobel Prize- those are some awesome contributions to mankind!" No friends, all of those reasons are simply icing on the cake that is IKEA. There is another reason why I love it:

IKEA inspires simplicity.

When you walk into the showroom and see the model rooms set up, you notice an immediate sense of calm (aside from the other shoppers yelling at their children to not touch anything). You look at the room and know that even though it's a model, it is still completely livable. It's not one of those rooms that you look at in the furniture store or in the magazine and say, "Well, sure that's nice, but you can't really live in a room like that."

My favorite part about IKEA was the different complete model homes they had in the showroom. Yes, that's right; the wonderful people of IKEA designed a few different floor plans which included multiple rooms and designed them as a complete home. And here's the kicker: the largest "It's Our Home" display was around 800 square feet intended for a family with two children and included a full-size kitchen, living room, dining room, two bedrooms, and a bathroom. And do you know what?

It didn't feel small. It felt beautiful.

In the States, our homes have continually gotten larger and larger over the past several decades, but in many place around the globes, living smaller is just a normal part of life. And don't automatically assume that living smaller means I'm referring to people living in a third-world country. Just one example is the families of Germany; it's normal to live small. This is a country the size of Minnesota with a population of 80 million people (the population of Minnesota: just over five million) with one of the strongest economies in the world. The average-size house in the United States is over 2,000 square feet, more than doubling the average size from the 1950s and 1960s; and I'm pretty sure our homes haven't gotten larger because our families have gotten larger. The average size home in Germany? Roughly 1,000 square feet. Don't get me wrong; it's not that everyone in America is demanding more room while the rest of the world sits quietly content with their homes; the average German home in the 50s was between 800 and 900 square feet, so there is some growth in terms of size, but not to the extent we see on this side of the pond.

Granted, I know the United States is laid out completely differently than Germany. Mass transit is only available in a few certain cities in the States, and even if you live in a decent-sized city, chances are you live in some type of a suburb, all but eliminating the possibility of walking or riding your bike to work. We live in a land of Sam's Clubs and Costcos and the ability to get lots for cheap. That's just not a possibility in Germany; there aren't Wal-Marts in Germany anymore, and did you know the standard-size refrigerator in Germany is what most Americans would consider a 'dorm-room fridge'? It's true. If you live in a city in Germany, you're probably living in a flat and not a large house; you go to the market (on foot or by bike) every few days or so to get just want you need (remember you've only got that tiny fridge); there just isn't room to buy bigger.

Of course I know there are no absolutes and that there are many Americans who live 'small' while there are many Germans (and others around the world) who live 'large'. But my trip to IKEA got me to thinking:

Do we really need all this stuff?

I mean really. Do we? You might be able to quip a reply, "Of course we don't need it, but it's nice to have." Have you ever then sat down and tried to go through all your belongings to just get rid of what you don't use anymore? It's hard. Too hard than it should be, really. Because possessions tie you to this world. Not as in, "I have so much stuff so I just can't move to another city, state, or country." No, having all this stuff ties us to this earthly world when we should be storing up our treasures in heaven. I think the more possessions you own, the more you want to own, and you are willing to sacrifice something in order to keep accumulating; it's addicting, and it's easy to fall into the cycle when we live in a culture that tells you you will be happy if you just can get the next thing. So we get the 'next thing'...but eventually, we're not happy because we don't have the next 'next thing'.

We just keep on consuming, and we're never really happy because there is more to life than accumulating possessions and keeping up with the Joneses.

Jess and I were inspired by IKEA's simplicity. Within a week of our excursion, I started going through our home and pulling out things we don't use anymore (and let's be honest, never actually did use) and making one big pile. I haven't really even gotten to the spare bedroom, kitchen, or gone through our clothes, and the pile is already quite large! Trust me, if I posted a picture of the obscene amount of stuff I am getting rid of, you would be astonished. We've already sold some books (yes, that's right...and while I am a huge advocate of having a well-stocked library for your children, friends, and yourself, there are just some books not worth owning...i.e. the Twilight series) and DVDs and given away some other things. Jess and I are going to have a yard sale sometime in September with some friends in order to rid ourselves of the unnecessary clutter in our lives. Henceforth, Isaac and I are really making and effort to stop collecting things. We definitely still purchase non-consumable items (well...you're right, we pretty much just purchase books- but only those we need for class or ones which we feel we are likely to keep forever...i.e. the Mandie and American Girls series for myself and Calvin's Institutes for Isaac), but we would much rather garner experiences in our life instead of possessions which, in the end, just sit around collecting dust. {So, just in case you were planning on purchasing me a birthday or Christmas present- might I kindly suggest you make a donation to my official Swedish Savings Account (the far-away trip where I venture to Stockholm, see the house in which my Mor Mor grew up, and cry my eyes out because her homeland is simply so breathtaking)? Just kidding, but no really...}

So here's to simplicity, friends. May we be reminded not to place value on possessions instead of people or desire items more than life experiences.

Would You Like To Know...

2010-08-18T06:00:00.001-04:00

...my all-time favourite painting? It's this one:

Vincent van Gogh, Almond Blossom, February 1890

It's even more amazing in person; trust me, I stared at it for three hours straight at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam a few years back.

The Poet of Baghdad

2010-08-15T06:00:00.000-04:00

I picked up this book when I was searching for potential reading material to assign my students- not my refugees studying US citizenship, that is, but my undergrad students from Mizzou- but obviously I never assigned them anything from this book since I haven't even been teaching any classes at Mizzou for almost two years now and I'm just now getting around to the book myself.

It's a great biography of a famous Iraqi poet from the 60s and 70s; when Saddam Hussein was at the height of his power, Nabeel Yasin was publishing poems about the reality of life in Iraq under Saddam's regime. In 1979, after being branded an enemy of the state, Yasin fled his country with his wife and son, eventually seeking refuge in London after traveling and living briefly in various countries.

The Poet of Baghdad, formerly titled Nabeel's Song, is wonderfully written and immediately draws the reader into the lives of its players. What I liked about this book was that it did not take for granted the reader's background knowledge of Iraq, it's history, culture, and people, and did an excellent job giving good background information in order for the reader to better understand the lives of Nabeel and his family and friends. I think this book would be especially helpful for most Americans to read so that they can get a brief history and cultural lesson concerning Iraq. Interestingly enough however, I asked my coworker and his wife (who are both from Iraq) if they had ever heard of Nabeel Yasin and neither of them had; they chalked it up to the fact that Nabeel fled Iraq when they were both very young and they the grew up under Saddam's government, and it wasn't likely they would get to hear about Yasin from official sources. Either way, the book is still a good read and one which you can whip through rather quickly since the story is quite engaging.

The Game, Mrs. Hudson, Is On!

2010-08-14T17:00:00.002-04:00

Remember a few weeks ago when I mentioned I had just watched the first episode of BBC's new series Sherlock and couldn't wait for more? And remember I mentioned they had only made three episodes? And remember when I mentioned people were already clamouring for more of the delightful show and that BBC was interested in developing more episodes?

They are.

I literally just finished watching the third and final episode of what is now first series, and I can't wait to see these opening credits on a regular basis. Yes...

Would You Like To Know?

2010-08-13T06:30:00.005-04:00

So you know how it seems everyone has those themed posts for particular days of the week? The ones with titles like, "What's on the Menu Mondays" and "Wordless Wednesdays" and "Fanciful Fridays"? It must be a requirement to employ alliteration when choosing a name. I've thought about participating in those...but then I feel all odd about it because I'm not a professional blogger or even a very good blogger at that!

However, I kept thinking back to what Tracie mentioned several months ago: she wanted to more about my everyday life. I'm pretty sure you don't want to know that I ate a whole wheat English muffin with Laughing Cow Sun-Roasted Tomato Mozzarella cheese for breakfast this morning or that I had a brilliantly hopeful meeting about N-648s earlier this week or that my coworker is making me fat by sharing her chocolate bars with me (while she, of course, remains blissfully skinny). At any rate, I thought it might be fun to at least try to be a better, more consistent blogger who refrains from posting an obscene amount of video clips just to get in a few posts before the end of the month; so I submit to you my idea to ensure you are blessed with the chance to read a post written by me at least once a week (well...okay, in theory...but you get the idea). It's called Would You Like To Know Wednesday. I don't plan on making it a big deal, but thought I might as well give it a try...but if enough people tell me this is the most ridiculous idea they've ever heard, I'll give it up...but I kinda like the sound of it. And yes, I like alliteration; hence, I use it on a regular basis.

Hopefully this endeavor will force me to become a more consistent blogger-which is just what the world needs, I know- but wasn't that one of my goals for the year? Discipline is a good thing...and a good thing of which I need to learn a great deal more. Feel free to participate (I'm not doing one of those Mr. Linky things because I have absolutely no idea how and I object to the name 'Mr. Linky' in the first place), and if you have something you would like to know...well, ask me.

PS- Anyone want to take bets on how long I actually keep up with this initiative?

Bleak House

2010-08-12T06:00:00.003-04:00

That's right. I finished Bleak House. It only took me a few months...but in my defense, I'm not a slow reader; I just got distracted by other reading while in the midst of Bleak House. However, my distraction should not imply Bleak House wasn't a good novel because it was excellent.

I should admit the book was a bit intimidating at first; most books a few inches thick usually are (why is that, anyway? I think one of my goals as a parent is to make sure my children don't miss out on great literature just because the length scares them away). And as usual with Dickens, the first chapter or so left me yawning a bit and urging good ole' Charles to just get on with it and head straight to the meat of the book. But once I actually allowed myself to simply read instead of rushing through the novel, I thoroughly enjoyed the story.

Bleak House constructed around three themes: that of the murkiness and almost unethical institutions in England in the nineteenth century (namely, the court system), misplaced children, and mystery. Each theme is developed fully with different stories intertwining to address them as they unfold the surrounding story.

Jarndyce and Jarndyce- one of the oldest cases in endless litigation in English law- is where the novel begins, and in a sense, where the novel ends. Two wards- Richard and Ada- have some stake in the case, which follows the dispute of a will of a very wealthy man, but after Richard and Ada's custody is transferred to a kind relation after both sets of their parents die, their guardian urges them to flee from involvement in legal case as it seems nothing is ever resolved, procuring bitterness for all parties involved. Their ward is Mr. Jarndyce, who determined after watching his father battle through the courts in hope that he might obtain some of the inheritance from the Jarndyce and Jarndyce case, hires Esther to be Ada's companion when Richard and Ada move to Bleak House to live with their guardian.

Esther, a kind and gentle young woman, had been raised as an orphan by her aunt but was never told of her parental lineage. Throughout the novel, Esther wonders at just who her parents might have been, and in a most unexpected moment, the truth is revealed to her. She can have no cause for celebration, however, as her newly-found knowledge must remain a secret. And when a a high-profile murder occurs, it is difficult not to assume that Esther's mother is indeed the murderess, and her mother's involvement with the victim could lead to the downfall of one of the greatest English families.

Bleak House is often touted as Dicken's most beloved masterpiece (although, really, I'm sure most of his works are referred to in the same manner), and indeed, Bleak House is now probably higher on my list than Great Expectations. The character development, the integration of each an every one of the characters, the plot and subplots, the little intricacies throughout the novel- all of those aspects make the book a delightful read. Several parts of the novel read more like a suspense-thriller while other points feel as though the entire novel is a stately romance. Honestly, my thought at several times throughout my Bleak House experience: "Dickens is a genius". My thought at the end of my Bleak House experience: "Dickens is a bloody genius". Seriously, I'm pretty sure I said that aloud to Isaac as I put down the book for a final time. So, do yourself a favor, go check out Bleak House from the library, refuse to be intimidated by its thickness and small font, and jump right in. Trust me, you'll thank me for it...and so will that soddingly brilliant genius Dickens.

And oh yes, the BBC adaptation was fairly accurate and very well-played.

Misspelled Signs

2010-08-11T16:00:00.000-04:00

This morning as I was perusing the BBC News website, I came across the following headline: Red faces as US road workers misspell 'school' with the following picture:

Road workers were resurfacing some roads near a high school in North Carolina, and when it came time to paint the zoning signs, they didn't get their spelling quite right. Included in the brief article was a link to other similar signage bloopers submitted by readers. Much like the now-famous Unnecessary Quotes website, I found our society's (in general) continual inability to spell and punctuate correctly highly amusing and slightly annoying...or maybe it was highly annoying and slightly amusing? You decide:

Same Kind of Different As Me

2010-08-10T18:00:00.001-04:00

I must confess, I wasn't really sure what to expect when I opened this book. The back cover didn't offer much in terms of the actual content of the pages inside, and I honestly chose to review it for Thomas Nelson because none of the other books available for review at the time caught my eye. I requested the book, and once it arrived, promptly put it on my coffee table for 'later reading' once I had finished more important books (none other than Bleak House and Harry Potter, of course). I didn't actually start reading the book for a few weeks, but once I actually did start reading, I couldn't put it down!

Same Kind of Different of Me is the story of how the lives of a homeless man and of a well-to-do art dealer intertwined until they each became a vital part of the other's life. Denver Moore had lived a tough life; he was born into poverty in the deep South in a time when sharecropping was still a part of everyday life. For years, he worked the land, planting and harvesting cotton, but his family never seemed to make any profit once they had paid back the land owner for the seeds and tools they needed to work the land in the first place. Eventually, Denver hopped a train when he was in his late twenties and ended up in Fort Worth Texas, living life on the streets.

Ron Hall grew up in a lower-middle class family, attended college, married the woman of his dreams, and began a lucrative career in high-end art dealing. Ron's idea of charity was to attend black-tie events, where $1,000 plate dinners were donated to some non-profit or philanthropy. He and his wife Debbie has been regular church attenders for years, but it wasn't until some friends invited them to a discussion group that they truly met the Lord. Debbie threw herself into different types of mission work while Ron remained staunchly focused on his business. Eventually Debbie convinced Ron to go with her to the Union Gospel Mission, a shelter for the homeless, on the wrong side of Fort Worth. He reluctantly agreed to go, only to please his wife, and they began serving the Tuesday evening meal each week.

God began to work in the hearts and minds of not only the homeless at the Mission, but also in that of Ron and Debbie. Through a series of events- perhaps divine interventions- Ron befriend the man named Denver, or rather they befriended each other, and developed a bond so close they now consider each other family. Even though the men are polar opposites, God brought the two of them together to not only experience pain and grief, but to also bring the light of His glory to the rich and poor alike not only in the Fort Worth area, but all over the country and perhaps even the world.

Same Kind of Different As Me is the living story of what happens when we truly give up our life to what the Lord would have us to do and when we truly love people just as He commands us. I highly recommend this book to everyone; it may change the way you think about others- and yourself. There is also a follow up book, What Difference Do It Make? if you are interested in checking that out.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com 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.”

Unveiling Islam

2010-08-08T21:00:00.001-04:00

There are tons of books out there on the subject of understanding Islam, but I'm always a little leery to trust an author's explanation of the religion; I found this book a few years ago and decided I could put a little more stock in the authors' authority since they were both former Muslims. The authors are actually brothers; their mother was Swedish and their father Turkish, and their parents raised them in the Islamic faith. In middle school and high school, however, the boys met friends at school who taught them about Jesus, and eventually, both of them (as well as their other brother) converted to Christianity. Both of the authors are now professors in Theology and Church History.

The concept of this particular book had been swirling around in both of their heads for some time, but it wasn't until the events of September 11, 2001 that the demand and need for the book became so abundantly clear to the authors. Most of America knew so little about Islam and the issue was now shoved into the spotlight. The authors began to write this book as a basic introduction to Islam so that individuals with no exposure to the Muslim faith could begin to understand this faith of millions of people around the world.

Caner and Caner systematically explain the Muslim faith, quoting the Qu'ran a great deal in order to explain certain aspects and principles. They also give an excellent historical background, which is needed for a general understanding of the religion. Because most students in the United States don't receive very in-depth history lessons (or any at all, for that matter) on the Arabian Peninsula, this brief history lesson by the authors is one of great importance (and one of my favorite parts of the book). The authors discuss the basic tenants of Islam, the calendar and holy days, the religious books, and some of the more difficult concepts. They also provide an excellent chapter on cultural competency and reaching out to Muslim friends and neighbors. In one small section called 'Accepting Hospitality', the authors explain the importance of hospitality and then write, "Middle Eastern food is delicious and will not harm you." All I have to say to that is a-stinkin-men. Mmm....couscous and saaj...

The book is also extremely well-written and very easy to understand; the authors do an excellent job of taking an often very intimidating subject and making it accessible to the reader. The only thing that truly surprised me was that in particular spots, the tone seemed to lose its neutrality and seemed a bit harsh. There are also some recent developments and controversies regarding Ergun Caner and some contradictory statements he has made in the past. Last month, Liberty University stated they would not renew his contract as dean of their seminary. So, be aware when reading this book that you also may want to research other sources as well. However, I still recommend the book, at least as a starting point for those wanting to learn about the Muslim faith.

To Mumsy With Love

2010-08-05T06:00:00.003-04:00

Today is my mom's (aka Mumsy, aka Dr. Mom, aka MTM) birthday. As evidence of her complete and utter awesomeness, see the picture below.

This photo was taken three months ago after a week-long vacation adventure (hence the reason we look quite peaked in the photo) with our favorite men: Isaac, Erik, and Mickey...at DisneyWorld, of course! And yes, we went to three different Disney Parks in one evening just to find those silly Minnie Mouse ears. Because we.are.that.awesome. For further evidence as to how I know Mumsy is quite simply the best mother in the world, hands down, check out the detailed post I wrote on her birthday last year.

George Mueller: Delighted in God

2010-08-03T16:00:00.001-04:00

I chose to add George Mueller: Delighted in God to my 2010 Reading List because Isaac (and every other first year seminarian, it seems) read it in one of his required courses his first semester. Isaac mentioned several times that he thought it was an excellent biography and very inspiring, especially in the area of prayer. In case you've never been to a church where the pastor quotes George Mueller on a regular basis (yes, I'm talking about the one and only Pastor Burt), you should definitely get to know this man's story. Mueller was born in Prussia, but eventually made his way to England where he is credited with caring for over 10,000 orphans in his lifetime. If that number itself doesn't speak sheer volumes as to the kind of man Mueller was, I'm not sure what else could!

This particular biography was a great read; it's not too long, but it packs a powerful punch- not just of biographical information, but also a good deal of conviction. Steer focuses on Mueller's decision to refrain from asking anyone to fund either his salary at the church or any needs at the orphanages. Rather, he determines he will pray, and pray fervently, that the Lord would provide. And what is so amazing is what happened. People- both friends and strangers alike- would send Mueller money without his requesting any funds or assistance from them. Their letters always conveyed that they were simply led to give, and so they did. This conviction to pray and wait for provision was not simply some experiment Mueller conducted for a specified period of time. No, he did this for years; in fact, he never stopped doing it. The George Mueller Foundation does not fund raise in any way, and they do not declare their financial needs to anyone except God in prayer. It seemed that so many times, Mueller would literally be on his knees asking how he was going to feed all of the orphans that day when someone would bring him either money or break or milk or just what was needed. Talk about the Lord providing!

This book is an excellent read; it's well-written and is incredibly convicting. It's also incredibly encouraging as well. As I sit here on my comfy couch in my comfortable cool apartment (I am praising God every day for central air conditioning right now because of this merciless heat), I admit that it's hard for me to be content with what the Lord has blessed me. It seems we're always wanting more, even though we already have bounds and bounds beyond what we really and truly need. And even though I have more material possessions that the vast majority of the world, I still worry about the Lord's provision. Reading this book helped put things into perspective for me (again) and gave me a good dose of much-needed conviction; I highly recommend it (the conviction and the book, that is).

America...the States...

2010-08-02T06:00:00.001-04:00

In honor of the actual day which the Declaration of Independence was signed (no, it was not signed on July 4th, 1776 as most Americans assume; it was adopted on July 4th as a formal explanation of why and how the United States declared independence from Great Britain on July 2nd, but wasn't actually signed until a full month later), I am posting a lovely song performed by Hugh Laurie in one of the best shows ever created, A Bit of Fry and Laurie.

And yes, at some point, I will begin posting actual content on my blog instead of just filling the gaps with video clips and pictures. But really, didn't that video at least make you smile, if not laugh out loud? That's what I thought.

August's Focus: Jefferson Street Baptist Center

2010-08-01T16:00:00.001-04:00

To be honest, when we woke up this morning, Isaac and I hadn't yet determined a Focus of the Month for August. July seemed to end so quickly that we hadn't even really begun to think about it. When we went to church, the Lord clearly showed us what needed to be our focus for the month: the Jefferson Street Baptist Center.

The name might sound familiar because several weeks ago, I mentioned that they were the the newest SpendYourself t-shirt (and what a lovely shirt it is, my friends). Our church has had a on going relationship with Jefferson Street for about five years now, and this morning one of the program directors came and spoke to us briefly about some needs. Jefferson Street Baptist Center actually has roots going back to 1888, making it one of the oldest mission agencies in the country. They are very intentional and determined to keep Christ as a part of their core ministry, and because of that have actually severed all federal funding (so that the government cannot dictate their actions). Without the federal funding, Jefferson Street Baptist Center relies even more on area churches and individuals as donors since they lost about $87,000 in federal funding.

Jefferson Street exists to "extend gospel-centered mercy to the homeless and hurting of the greater Louisville area" and have several different programs, including the Day Shelter, where homeless men and women can access showers, the laundry room, and other facilities. These individuals also have access to services to help with employment, housing, and medical referrals. Fresh Start is a Christ-centered six month program for men struggling with life issues, including drug and alcohol addiction. The men live communally at Jefferson Street and are expected to participate in classes, chores, service (at Jefferson Street and through other community organizations, and random drug tests throughout the program. Permanent Supportive Housing helps to provide housing to men who also struggling with life issues; participants have access to the Fresh Start program so that the men can become sober, clean, and possess an overall general well-being. Th final program, Hope for Louisville, provides an opportunity for young men and women to serve the homeless and urban poor. Team members live and work in the inner-city with the goal of developing relationships with the people around them in order to show them the love of Christ.

The ministry of Jefferson Street Baptist Center and other similar groups are so important. We are called to love and care for the poor, but how is this exhibited in our daily lives? It's a question with which I grapple a lot. Is donating money every now and then sufficient? Or do I really need to dig deep and get my hands dirty- get out of my comfort zone- in order to really understand what that call means? I am more inclined to believe it is the latter rather than the former, and yet how often I don't do anything more than just mention a ministry or a person or a situation in passing prayer! I pray that my life would not be marked by this, but by selfless devotion to the people to whom the Lord has called me.

Goals Update: July

2010-07-31T20:00:00.004-04:00

It's the last day of July...which means we're one step closer to Autumn. It's been rather warm...that is to say- bloody hot- in Louisville lately, and I am very ready for cooler temperatures. Since it's been so stifling here, I literally just want to sit motionless inside my nice air-conditioned home; I know- I'm spoiled. Nonetheless, here is an update on my goals:

Become a faithful member of the 5 am club. Well, I got up a around 5 a few times last week...one time because I was recruited to take Jess and her family to the airport super early. But I'm working on it. Truly, I am.

Memorize 52 verses. Fail...I might just focus on the James goal from here on out.

Memorize (the first half) of the book of James. We're working on verses five-eight right now.

Continue in the SWI program. Classes start next month, and I am way excited! Several of my SWI Mafia are in either in one or both of my classes. We're also going to try to get together a little bit before classes each week so we can see each other even if we're not in the same class.

Read through the Bible. Fail. I don't even know where I should be in this endeavor.

Continue to think through our family traditions. I've been thinking a lot about food lately and what dishes I want to make sure my children get to try. I learned how to make falafels this week, and I would really like for my family to eat a multi-cultural meal on a regular basis. This, my friends, will definitely require some advanced planning.

Communicate with our family (and friends) more. I've been pretty good about emailing people, but other than that...it is really hard to keep the lines of communication open when you don't live in the same city or state (or even country for that matter) as some of your family and friends. Several of my friends here are very encouraging about keeping up with friends from previous years, however.

Build up our emergency fund. Again, we're focusing on the car payments right now.

Make a huge dent in our car loan. We made two extra payments this month and are happy with how things are going. We will have to start saving for Isaac's spring tuition soon, but we're still hopeful we can pay the car off at the end of the year or in the early months of next year.

Cut our grocery bill. Well...I refused to go grocery shopping this month because we had so much food in the house that I just hadn't made yet. So I guess we did all right this month...but now I have to go grocery shopping...and I hate it.oh.so.much.

Develop a consistent and workable cleaning schedule. Our place is a disaster zone right now (well, only certain areas) because we rearranged some furniture and are cleaning out and getting rid of some un-needed stuff (more to come on that whole process later). But I am working on organzing some areas a little better and hope that will help. Once Isaac starts back to class in a few weeks, he won't be able to help out as much as he does...and trust me, he does a lot.

Read 30 books. Hello, everyone, I finished Bleak House! I also finished three other books. Reviews coming soon!

Scrapbook. It's too hot to drag out all of my scrapbooking supplies, but I am still working on organizing our online albums, so partial credit, please.

Continue blogging. I was an even worse blogger than last month! And I must apologize profusely because I was a wretched blog-commenter. I really am going to try to be better at this in August!

There you have it folks...hopefully I'll be a bit more consistent in certain areas next month!

You Know How Obsessive I Am...

2010-07-30T18:30:00.000-04:00

...with BBC and their fantastic productions. I saw a preview of the new series Sherlock and couldn't wait to see it. The first episode aired on Sunday in the UK, and two more episodes will follow in the next few weeks. Yes, that's right. They only shot three episodes, but apparently the series is creating such a buzz that BBC is interested in commissioning more stories.

The good news is that BBC signed a deal with WGBH Boston to air this witty series in the States on Masterpiece Theater beginning in mid-October. The even better news is that a very lovely person uploaded the first episode to YouTube (because not all of us are able to watch the shows on BBC's iplayer, now are we?) and I was able to watch it in its entirety. See for yourself some of what I got to enjoy:

Things I Must Accomplish

2010-07-26T07:00:00.006-04:00

I woke up today and formulated a list of three things which must be accomplished this week:

1. Finish Bleak House. The four-month journey has to end soon, friends.

2. Clean out the refrigerator, freezer, and pantry. Really, I have no idea what is in there anymore.

3. Convince Isaac to take me to Sweden. No explanation needed.

Our Anniversary Tradition

2010-07-20T07:00:00.002-04:00

We don't necessarily like to give gifts to each other for our anniversary; we aren't going to be on an episode of Hoarders any time soon (which, incidentally, I have never seen nor care to see), but we definitely do not need to accumulate any more stuff. When we were getting ready to celebrate our first anniversary, we decided not to buy each other gifts, but to experience something together. We wanted to go on this sweet road trip from mid-Missouri to Niagara Falls...but that was shot down in late spring when gas prices kept climbing and peaked at over four dollars a gallon. That was a bit steep for a multi-day road trip.

So instead, we drove to the sleepy little town of Rocheport, Missouri- about twenty minutes away- rented a tandem bike, and biked along the Missouri River together. We had both always wanted to try tandem biking, and let me tell you, it's a lot harder than it looks, but it is way fun. I think every newlywed should be required to attempt tandem biking becase you definitely need to communicate well for the event to be successful.

We were getting ready to pick up and head east to Kentucky for seminary shortly after our second anniversary, so before we moved, we headed west for a bit and ventured out to Colorado. Isaac had actually never been to Colorado, and I hadn't been back in a long time, so it was the perfect mini-vacation. And just in case you want to know: I think mountains are the most perfect landscape created by God.

This year, one of Isaac's college buddies got married a few days before our anniversary, and the wedding was in Washington, DC. Since we were already out there, we decided to drive up to Philadelphia for a day. We had actually never been there, and being the large dork that I am, I really wanted to see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. And we did, my friends, we did. We also ate a Philly Cheesesteak, sat in the same pew George Washington, John Adams, and Lafayette all sat in while at Christ Church, took pictures at the LOVE sign (which I don't want to disappoint anyone, but it is much smaller than I was expecting), and completed the Rocky Run on the steps of the Museum of Art. I also sprained my ankle pretty badly as we were walking back to the car, but hey, all in a day's memories...

So...what should we do or where should we go for our fourth anniversary next year? Remember we're seminarians so unless you are offering to pay for an extravagant experience in Europe or Australia (or heck, anywhere in the world for that matter), please don't tempt us...

Get Dawn Joy on Cake Boss!!!

2010-07-16T17:00:00.000-04:00

This post is simply a shameless plug for an old college friend. I met Dawn our freshman year, and the only word to accurately describe her is 'bubbly'. A few years back, she started cake decorating- just as a hobby, but it quickly turned into her passion and her career. Now, she's taking another step and is auditioning for TLC's Cake Boss! Check out her awesome video below:

Good luck Dawn!

A Missouri Wedding

2010-07-08T19:00:00.001-04:00

A few weeks ago, the three amigos (i.e. Jen, Isaac, and myself) took a short road trip out to Missouri for the wedding of Emily, affectionately known as 'E. Scott' (because sometimes, there are just too many Emilys to not be differentiated by last name), to her groom Eric. Emily asked Jen and me to be candle lighters for the ceremony, and of course we took that as an excuse to spend a ridiculous amount of hours shopping for black dresses and cracking jokes about how many different ways we could burn down the church while performing our duty. We did not, in fact, burn down the church (although it was touch-and-go when our fancy-schmancy candle-lighters went out as we walked down the aisle and then again when we were dropping small flames onto the carpet beneath us, but those stories are for a different time).

Here are some lovely images from the day (and please forgive my obsession with my godson, who is obviously the most precious child alive):

How I Love Thee, BBC

2010-07-06T07:00:00.003-04:00

I know I said I was going to lay off the vidoe clips for a while, but really- this advertisement for BBC America is simply hilarious. Isaac and I get to watch it on some of our newer BBC DVDs...and no, we never skip the advertisement because we love it that much.

The Heart Mender

2010-07-05T07:00:00.000-04:00

I haven't been able to review a book for Thomas Nelson in quite some time, and I am most thrilled to tell you about this book by Andy Andrews. Previously released under the title of Island of Saints, the novel did not get much attention and saw little sales. However, with a second round of good publicity and a new title, Andrews' story of forgiveness and understanding has been well-received, as it most definitely deserves.

The Heart Mender is the story of a bitter young widow and a German officer serving aboard one of the infamous U-boats. When Helen Mason discovers Josef Landermann washed ashore in a small town on the northern Gulf Coast, her first reaction is one of anger, bitterness, and confusion. Josef, seriously injured, wears the uniform of the men who killed her husband. Helen is content to leave Josef on the shore, but somehow she decides to help Josef. The story that unfolds is one of forgiveness and redemption.

I was hooked by this book from the beginning, and if I am completely honest, I read it in one sitting. One of the most intriguing things about this book is the setting; the author apparently lives in Orange Beach, Alabama- just a short stone's throw away from my own dear hometown of Pensacola, Florida. In the first few chapters of the book, Andrews details his discovery of a small tin container buried in his yard. The contents of the container are even more intriguing, and he goes on a quest for answers. In so doing, he writes about visiting nearby towns as he interviews older people who might have some answers to the historical mystery. He mentions towns I am sure no one except those people from Flora-Bama have ever known: Lillian, Robertsdale, Foley. These aren't exactly booming metropolises, people.

The ending is perhaps the best part of the book...but I won't ruin the surprise for you. You'll just have to read it yourself!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com 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.”

July's Focus: Howard and Jannie with NAIM

2010-07-01T06:00:00.000-04:00

Choosing Howard and Jannie as our family's focus of the month in July seemed to be a natural choice again this year. I'm simply going to repost what I wrote about Howard and Jannie last July:

This month, we've chosen our friends Howard and Jannie, whom we affectionately call the "Canadian Johnsons". We met Howard and Jannie while on our honeymoon in Canada; we were staying in a cabin in British Columbia, and they were spending the night at the lodge owned by the same couple. Each night, the owners of Griffin Lake Lodge (which we highly, highly recommend- amazing scenery, awesome food, and wonderful people) have a campfire near the lake. Guests are free to come and go, and our first night there, we decided to join the other individuals sitting around the fire.

We somehow began a conversation with Howard (originally from the States) and Jannie (originally from the Netherlands). Howard and Jannie work with NAIM (North America Indigenous Ministries), serving in Salmon Arm, British Columbia. It is amazing how the Lord reminds and affirms you of His plan for your life (even on your honeymoon); since we want to move overseas to serve the nations, it was encouraging to meet a couple who have been involved in the same mission for years. We admire the work to which they have so dedicated themselves, and the conversation by the campfire is one Isaac and I will never forget.

Howard and Jannie also write a blog that they update occasionally; feel free to check it out and drop them a note. In conversing with them and reading their email updates and blog posts, we know that working with the First Nations can be rather difficult; change is slow to come, as the people do not open up easily; with so many missionaries coming and going, forming deep relationships on either side is often difficult. Howard and Jannie's family, however, is beginning to form long-lasting relationships with the people they serve. They have been in Salmon Arm long enough to adjust their Canadian immigration status and purchase a house; all of these events have made the people of Salmon Arm realize Howard and Jannie are staying for more than just a season and have since truly begun to open up to their family. Please pray the Light of Christ would shine on the people near Salmon Arm, BC; pray for Howard and Jannie's family to have strength and endurance; pray for life-altering relationships to form and grow. Also, Howard and Janie are continually raising support to continue in their work, so I'm sure any donations would be appreciated.

Over the past year, Jannie has been fighting cancer. She underwent chemotherapy that involved a good deal of travel; she is currently finished with the chemo, but is still on a treatment plan. We beg of you to pray for healing for her. Again, any donations to the family would be much appreciated; every little bit helps. We can't afford to give much, but we give of what we have as we are commanded.

On a much lighter note, today is Canada Day (the day when Canada became a nation; did you know they weren't a nation until 1867). So to Howard and Jannie and to everyone else who loves and appreciates Canada- happy Canada Day!!!