Married to the Cloth

I always thought that we would adopt. I read books on adoption like "The Whole Life adoption." We wound up with 6 children without adoption, so this is topic has not been in the forefront of my own life. I have seen friends' struggle through adoptions both international and domestic. My daughter served in Rwanda with AIDs orphans and those left orphaned by genocide. There are so many who are reaching out through foster care and other programs, but it is not enough. Too Many are alone. This book is a good resource for those who have questions, have orphan ministries or if you have a tug at your heart. "KnowOrphans by Rick Morton, addresses three distinct areas associated with global orphanology. Delving deeper into the criticisms of the movement, the need for reform, and what families can expect, author Rick Morton helps shape realistic perceptions of the challenges and rewards adoptive parents face in transnational adoptions. Through illuminating the work inter

My mother is a quilter. She quilts by hand, by machine, using scraps of fabric and even tshirts. Whenever she sees a quilt, she turns it over to se the label, and read the story of the quilt. This new series of books gives you stories of the quilts and their creators. Each book has a different author, a different style and a new voice, just as quilts are a kaleidoscope. There are 19 books in the series so far, enough to keep you warm all winter, even the coldest winter in 20 yrs! Scraps of Evidence is book#14 This one tells the story of the Quilt itself, and how it is linked to mystery. Two detectives are trying to track down a serial killer and solve a cold case. Of course there is some romance thrown in like a brightly coloured fabric to add to the depth of a quilt. A quick read that will warm your heart. A Sky Without Stars is book #15. As 1/16th Lakota, I connected to this story. One of the things I love about Native American culture is there isn't the "how

We seem to be lacking "older women to teach the younger women." Joyce makes a conscience effort to be a Titus 2 woman with this book.  This book is full of  advice on loving your husband,  that marriage is not all about you, and on raising children. She discusses being a servant, and looking for ways to interact with the older and younger generations.  Joyce Ellis helps you see how your "hats" come together, and how you can make a difference in your world.

As an 11 yr old, I would steal my mom’s Janette Oke books and read them late at night. My teenage daughters now watch the Hallmark series. I love that this new book combines the writing of both Mother and Daughter. It is perfect. 3 generations of my own family have read or watched generations of Marty’s family grow. This book does not disappoint.  The Canadian West series was always my favourite. I wanted to run off to the Canadian Rockies and find mine own adventures. I am so glad that Janette and Laurel continued the story!

After the first few babies arrived, I never expected to do much outside of our home. I had no idea I would be spinning wool or creating things to keep my family warm, or use those things in a marketplace setting. I feel like I am gathering things from afar. This year as my husband decreased his pay in order to keep the ministry afloat, I generated income almost matching what his pay cut equaled. Not bad for someone who doesn't have a real job. But it has been a great struggle to find balance. Homeschooling high school students, packing lunches and sending elementary students off in the mornings, and business trips, not to mention all the "mission trips" this year, has left me feeling stretched thin.  I was able to find good advice in this book. "Timing is truly important when we look at the context of responsibility." (Your timing, not mine) "I've indeed been used as a vessel of created delivery, and have accepted responsibility for the seed th

The Thief by Stephanie Landsem is the second book in the Living Water series. Don't worry, it is more of a stand alone book than a sequel. The Thief is a fictional retelling of "the day Christ died", with a romance between a Jew and Roman thrown in. Well researched and beautifully written, you will love reading this book. Stephanie Landsem is a new favourite author.  Nissa goes from contemplating pick pocketing for survival to watching the call to stone the woman caught in adultery. In the midst of all of this turmoil, her brother shows up, her blind brother. Like in real life, we get to witness how a miracle has ripple effects to others, and not just the one "healed" or experiencing the miracle first hand. This is a story of forgiveness and the healing of hearts and souls.  Book Overview Longinus is a Roman centurion haunted by death and failure. Desperate to escape the accursed Judean province, he accepts a wager. If he can catch the thieves harass

Before the business trip this weekend (which I am still sore over!!!!!!) I received in the mail a set of Inscribed devotional books. I was expecting small workbook Bible Study booklets. These are some hefty books. I was really impressed. The ones I received are the first 4 in the series (due out March 3), and 3 more will be published later in the year. If you want these for your church, Thomas Nelson has some great specials for buying in bulk for your church. Donna Gaines' book Leaving Ordinary was birthed from a study on the Tabernacle. Amazed and Confused by Heather Zempel "The book starts with a general overview of Old Testament history and exegetical tools for reading the minor prophets. Then, it launches into a play-by-play of the book of Habakkuk." Yes Habbakkuk! When did you last do a study on Habbakkuk?! Heather says: "Why did I write a book on Habakkuk? The title, Amazed and Confused , is a play off God’s exhortation to the people of Judah in

Author is sick. Very sick. Rx and Doctor ordered rest is on the menu. Will be back soon. (pre-scheduled posts will post themselves)

I have always loved Terri Blackstock's books. They never get old, and are ones you want to reread. I think "Emerald Windows" is still my favourite, maybe because of the art aspect of the book. Distortion,is the second book in the Moonlighters Series, and it keeps you guessing. Terri always adds an element that strikes the heart of your faith. What hse calls "heartfelt fiction". A" husband’s lies can have deadly consequences. When Juliet Cole’s husband of fifteen years is murdered before her eyes, she thinks it was a random shooting. Devastated and traumatized, she answers hours of questioning, then returns home to break the tragic news to her boys. But a threatening voicemail takes this from a random shooting to a planned, deliberate attack. Juliet realizes that she and her children are in danger too, unless she meets the killers’ demands. But as she and her sisters untangle the clues, her husband’s dark secrets come to light. The more she learns, t

Here is a quick review before I head off on the next trip. This book is an encyclopedic resource of all things Lewis. Ever wonder what the name of that evil king was? or what exactly Turkish delight is? Colin Duriez has compiled the fictional, nonfiction, and real life CS Lewis factoids into one compendium. This is a deeper and larger book than Louis Markos' A to Z CSLewis, with more information and references. We have been going through Prof. Markos' course on CS Lewis, and this book has been an excellent resource for the course. "A Complete Guide to His Life, Thoughts and Writings Published to coincide with the 50th anniversary of C. S. Lewis’s death, this complete guide covers all of Lewis’ works, from his literary criticism to Narnia C. S. Lewis’s work is widely known and regarded, but enthusiasts are often only aware of one part of his work—his children’s stories and his popular theology; and yet he wrote so much more, including science fiction and literary

Friend Me by John Faubion This book was quite a thriller from the first page to the last. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and to write a lot, would spoil the book. I took it to bed to read. I DID NOT go to sleep, I stayed up and read the whole thing. This has not happened in quite some time. :) "Scott and Rachel’s marriage is on the brink of disaster. Scott, a businessman with a high-pressure job, just wants Rachel to understand him and accept his flaws. Rachel is a lonely housewife, desperate for attention and friendship. So she decides to create a virtual friend online, unaware that Scott is doing the exact same thing. As Rachel desperately tries to re-create a friendship with a friend who has passed, Scott becomes unfaithful and is torn between the love for his wife and the perfection of his cyber-girlfriend. But neither realizes that there’s a much larger problem looming…" Who is behind the virtual friends? What lines are okay to cross and when is it too far? John Fa

We are running rather slowly here. The Flu hit 5 out of 8 of us. Which meant discovering gluten-free ways of recovering. (Byebye, Saltines!) I did not read book one in this series before being given Princess Ever After to review. Which did not ruin the experience of the book, but I now want to get the first book. In the country of  Hessenberg, we find a nation struggling for independence, so you have the political intrigue and the fate of a nation at stake. To this stage is brought Regina, a 29 yr old who has not sought romance or relationships, is thrown into a royal role and is facing an uncertain future. It is like an grown up version of Princess Diaries starring Anne Hathaway, with several twists. Regina is not worried about getting her hands dirty. Her hard working lifestyle, including car restoration,  steels her and helps her in dealing with  political opponents or  paparazzi. But will this strong-willed girl submit to Some One else's plan for her life? A lovely rom

A Road Unknown by Barbara Cameron, is the story of Elizabeth, the eldest of 9 children. Elizabeth, feeling resentful over being expected to help with the younger children and the house, runs away from home.  She becomes roommates with a college student, gets a job, and begins to makes a life of her own. As much as she might think she is looking out for her self, her life has given her a heart to serve and care for others. Between these choices, both good and bad decisions, Elizabeth's life takes shape. I grew up in the beginnings of the home school movement, my parents were writers for the teaching home and other publications. My mother even wrote a book on home schooling. I grew up surrounded by large families. Large meaning more than 8 kids, 5-6 was average. As a mother to six children, I have striven to keep all the children in child roles. Too many of my friends grew up never wanting to have children from their experiences. So I could relate to this story. I love that it

I am busy preparing for the next Holocaust Reconciliation project. As we go through the arrangements for concerts, dinners, and hotels, please keep us in prayer. Pray for our health, wisdom and the financial needs of the trip, also for the families that encourage us to go. This trip I will be doing something a little different. I am cooking a Passover Seder dinner for 120 Germans. The theme of Passover is freedom from slavery and bondage. The Holocaust has not only etched deep scars, it has bound people with fear, hate, unforgiveness, mistrust.... It is our hope that we will minister to the hurting and see those held captive released. A Tour Of Roses http://www.improbablepeople.org/missions_roses.html  Thousands of roses, dozens of concerts and many tears have been shed over the last 5 years. We will have 5,000 roses for this trip. I am so excited about this project! It is never easy but it is always worth it.

While we were living in Baltimore, I began reading Amish fiction. S's job at NASA at the time meant each month he had a full week off. We explored as much of the surrounding areas, states really, as we could. I loved driving up into Lancaster and visiting the quilt shops and ordering a slice of shoe fly pie, sampling the chowchow that was served at almost every big barn style restaurant. My mom still makes pickled beet eggs as a special treat. I was given a copy of Hopeful to review, and guess what?! there is a contest! Hopeful by Shelley Shepard Gray is the first in the Return to Sugarcreek series, takes place in the Amish town of Sugarcreek, not in Pennsylvania but in Ohio. ( The author just happens to live in Ohio and has sampled Amish fare first hand, which adds to the authentic feel of the story.) In the first book of the series we are introduced to Miriam Zehr and several of the town residents. She is not the beauty of the town. She is a plain girl in more than one

A few years ago, in my textual criticism class, quite a stir was created when the Voice New Testament was released. Another modern translation. Sigh. And the list grew from there of all the knowledgeable arguments, translation styles, etc... Let me start with: I LOVE THIS BIBLE! This is a lengthy post, just to warn you. Compass is packed full of notes that reach out to the soul struggling through the questions of life and trying to  trust the Spirit of God to bring peace and direction, remaining open to hearing The Voice.  The language used in this Study Bible cuts through the "christianese" of terms that the church goer is familiar with and breaks through the theologically defined terms in order to speak to the heart. Readers will read scene after scene where God speaks to the heart and not just the head. This is a bible for reflection and devotional quiet time. I would probably not read it in a serious study group, debating issues. But then again, I may. Just

Walking in to an established church has pros and cons. One of ours is over 100 yrs. The other is a new work that we established 7 yrs ago. There was a time when we lived in Colorado Springs that a new church opened and another closed, just about every week. So many new churches are started out of offense and hurt feelings, church splits and doctrines of men out weighing the doctrines of G-d. It seems this goes double for home churches. While we have more freedom to do what we feel lead to at the newer one, the other gives us elders and congregants who have been in fellowship through conflicts for over 50 years! The wisdom we are gleaning from both places is so rich. I wonder how much has been lost from trying to do things our own newer ways instead of being humble and submitting to those over us, praying for the pastors to hear G-d's voice. Pastors, like most humans are human and fallible. Pride, busyness, and exhaustion can take hold. Not having accountability and a frien

For a couple years now, we have been having family style dinners. We have 35-60 people any given nite. They have all come to reaize that when my family cooks, some thing will be unusual, weird, outside their comfort zone.... They are now over the oddity of hummus, matzo ball soup and other cultural specialties. I tease them that I have to find the craziest recipes online to feed them. This month: ChickPea and Cashew Chili Which I must say it totally rocked! And the skeptics even came back for seconds. To be fair, I did cook 2 pots, one with and the other without cashews. The recipe can be found over at the Shiksa's site: http://theshiksa.com/2014/01/08/slow-cooker-vegan-chickpea-chili/ also try her Matbucha! http://theshiksa.com/2012/04/17/matbucha/

The Modern Life Study Bible-NKJV has been well worth the wait. This Bible will be available January 21, 2014. It is a full colour Study Bible. Each book overview has a basic "what was going on and who wrote it" but also has key verses to help you find familiar references. This is an excellent resource for your daily life. A great balance between "deep knowledge" and application. I was pleasantly surprised at the hebraic background/cultural notes. So often in the past as a jewish family we have read other study notes and found them to be inaccurate. These however have been spot on. There are notes. prompts really, to encourage application in community, social justice issues, every day life "to illustrate our potential to make a difference." The whole book is beautiful. The Word of G-d  presented well  in a way to encourage you to take chances, get your hands dirty in service and live a life in His strength. With all these notes and helps, this has qu