Life Changes cont.

If you told me a year ago, where I would be today, I would have laughed and said, "yeah right!" I'm happy. A year ago I was presenting my Very Hungry Caterpillar to my Online Intensive Class at Liberty University and so incredibly nervous. I had a great time when it was my turn to "teach" it. I look back from that time and see where God has brought me, and it has been amazing. Difficult times, challenging times, times where I wasn't sure which way to turn and all I could do was look up, but He was there waiting. Thank you Lord for being there, always. A little bit of what is on my mind tonight...

Life Changes...

There have been so many life changes recently it can be hard sometimes to know where to turn but I am thankful that I am hanging onto God's hand through it all. I watched the New Everyday (neweveryday.tv) episode today, which a friend of mine is one of the ones in it but she said something that really made me think. They were talking about Missions Trips and how we can do missions in our community and in our own country, or we can go overseas. Jenn was talking about when she was on a trip and how the place she was in, each person on the trip had a person from that country with them to walk beside them, sometimes they would just walk with them, other times they would hold out their hand so that you could grab it if you needed help and then there were times where they would grab your hand to guide you. Jenn shared how this taught her a lot about God. By hearing this it really spoke to me because there have been so many times where I have seen God walking beside me, sometimes holding out his hand, and then at times, grabbing my hand to pull me out of a pit. As I reflect on this and see where God has brought me it's been amazing to see how He has been there every step of the way, there have been times I obeyed diligently, and others when He has dragged me, kicking and screaming. In the end, He knew what was best for His daughter and I'm so glad He has brought me through each and every trial. I wouldn't be who I am today if I had not been through each trial, challenge, hardship, victory, etc. As I look back on graduating, even that is a huge victory that God brought me through and I wouldn't have graduated with the degree I did, from the university I did without His hand guiding my every step. I have a job that I love but waiting for God to bring the job that is perfect and where I'll be able to use the skills that He blessed me with and educated me with. Those are my thoughts for now... Enjoy.

What am I supposed to do with my life?

Johnnie Moore, an amazing speaker and author and previous pastor at the university I attend. He has written about what we should do with our life. Which is follow Christ. The world tells us we should do certain things, but to follow the World but God does not call us to live that way. We are in the world but we are not to be of the world. God calls us to live radically, to not live in the world with a little bit of Jesus but to live like Jesus while we are in this world. Moore is an incredible author and really digs deep but is so honest with his readers. From the time I first heard him at convocation at Liberty University I have been captured by him and his ability to engage his audience and he does this so well in his books too. This is a must read for everyone.

Duck Commander Faith and Family Bible

Duck Dynasty has taken the world by storm! They have not settled for being nothing less then real on television and in their real lives. They give glory to Jesus and pray on national television. There has been so much controversy over this family and their show, but God has given them an amazing gift and using it to bring the glory back to God. I was excited to see this Bible was going to be available for review, so excited I stayed up just so I could get it! I finally received it in the mail today and fell in love with it. I love the look of nature it includes throughout the pages but also love the devotions that relate to real life, they also had a bit of humor in it as well which makes the devotions really interesting and something you can relate to. The sleeve is nice but even without the sleeve, the Bible cover looks like bark and would be nice without it. These guys have an awesome ministry and it is amazing to see how God is using them through TV, Music, Books, and now this Bible. An awesome one that everyone should purchase!

The Christmas Story for Children

I love when I get the opportunity to review Children's books because I am able to use them in my teaching as well as with my nieces and nephews. Max Lucado is an amazing author and well known for his "adult" books but over the past number of years he has been writing children's stories and they have been having an impact on children's and adults lives as much as his other books. I have used and loved his Hermie stories and when I saw this book come up I knew it was one I had to have. This book is a companion to The Story for Children. This book talks about the events that happened leading up to the birth of Jesus. It explains it in terms children will understand and the pictures are beautiful and portray what Lucado and the other authors are trying to convey in the wording. An awesome book that I will use for years to come!

David Wilkerson: The Cross, the Switchblade, and the Man Who Believed

This book is written by David Wilkerson's son, Gary. God called David and He followed. David felt like God could do amazing things in New York City, and David, being a willing servant followed what God called Him to do, in the most ignored places of the city. I didn't realize that David was the founder of Time Square Church. David followed as God called Him and trusted Him day to day to bring people that God could minister to through David. It also surprised me to see that he founded Teen Challenge. David was willing to step out in faith and do the unthinkable in some Christians' lives. It seems that many people are willing to take the risks that God asks us to take as Christians. Following Jesus is a risk and He asks us to do things that are not in our comfort zone, that is what this book is all about. If you want to be challenged and learn about how God can use an ordinary man, called by God, then this book is for you!

Jonah and the Great Big Fish

This book is a classic Bible story. I received it and my sister looked at it with my 2 year old nephew and we both had the same thought, the illustrations look like they have been stretched to fit the pages (like a distorted picture). The book content was great and accurate but was disappointed with the pictures because it made it hard to focus on the story. This is a great book for kids, but again, change the pictures! It is a story how God was with Jonah even when he was inside the fish and how God brought him through that time. This is a book that will be put with my teaching supplies and although the pictures are a little frustrating, the students will get the idea and I think will enjoy the story.

I've Never Been to Vegas But My Luggage Has!

This book by Mandy Hale is so real and honest. She is such an inspiring woman to openly share about the hardships as a single woman, and so honest about her struggles in dating and life in general. I first heard about her on a interview thing from Pete Wilson and heard of her first book then saw that another one was released and had to get my hands on it. As a single 30 year old it is encouraging to hear from a sister in Christ about life as a single person and how someone else gets through it and just lives day to day as sometimes that can be extremely difficult. Sometimes, it's a moment by moment thing because you can't bear to think any further. Any single woman should read her book and just be encouraged not to settle for anything less and to pull in to God and not give yourself to anyone just so that you can "date" or get married. God has someone, and as hard as it is for me to say and see this at times, He will bring that person along when He is good and ready. This is a must read book for any single woman, of any age!

Love you Dad!

People tend to say, "He's in a better place" or "It will get easier." My question is, will it? It's been 5 1/2 years. I know he is in a better place, but I want to be there too. My dad was quiet but when he spoke you knew it was from his heart, I hope that I am like him in that way. We are both quiet but give us a leadership role and we can run with it and do well. My dad was and still is my hero, growing up without a dad, he learned from the men that God put in his life and was the best dad in the world. He wasn't perfect and would admit it. I hope and pray that God continues to put men in my life like that, not to replace my dad but to be a supportive role model in my life. I like every little girl, longed for the day when my dad would walk me down the aisle at my wedding and dreamed of the father daughter dance at my wedding. The pain at times is still so raw, I wouldn't say it gets easier, but the cry sessions are longer between. Sure, I have my heavenly father, and I would never deny that, but not having my earthly father is different. Many times I hear people say, "Live like this was your last." Do we? We don't know when will be our turn or how long we have left. My challenge to you is to not go to bed being angry with someone, hug your kids, love on them, love and hug your parents, even if they drive you a little crazy. Stay strong in your faith and grounded in what you know is true. Enjoy those little things in life, even if it may be a little spontaneous and not something you are used to. I guess I'm done for now, I just wanted to share a little bit of my heart for whoever may want to take a peek.

Pirates, Mess Detectives, and a Superhero

This book is so exciting for me to get! It is a level 1 reader and I was so excited to get this to review because as a Christian school teacher there are not many Christian books that are readers that students can read on their own, when they are young. There are more books as they get older but this one helps them to sound out words and be able to read it on their own which is so great for students to be able to feel independent. I would suggest this book for anyone who works with children or is a parent of a young reader or knows of a young reader. What child doesn't love Veggie Tales? Big Ideas does such a phenomenal work with their Veggie Tales ministry. It reaches kids and helps them to see what God wants through what they might struggle with. It helps put a Christian principle to an every day struggle. Great book!

The Jesus Bible, NIV

I was so excited to order this book because I am going into teaching hopefully in a Christian school. This Bible has some incredible features such as character profiles, stories, and devotions for kids. I think this is a must have for children who are at the age that they can read and are starting to make their faith their own. This would be a great resource to have in Christian schools as well as in Churches so that children would see that churches and schools cater to them and don't just have the standard Black cover Bibles available. I find that if the Bibles are geared towards children they are more likely to read them and become way more interested in them instead of the plain old text. This Bible has so many features that would get students and children involved and excited about reading the Bible. Definitely a must have!

A Promise Kept ~ Robin Lee Hatcher

I was so excited to finally get a book to read and enjoy. Being a student, pleasure reading is few and far between. I have always enjoyed Robin Lee Hatcher's books. I opened the book as soon as I got it and literally read the day away. A perfect holiday if you ask me! This book did not disappoint. It was nice that it wasn't part of a series, just a novel on it's own. A Promise Kept is about broken hearts and the amazing work that God can do if you give Him the opportunity. So often we just find it easier to give up but this book encourages the reader and the characters to really let God do His work and to be open to what He wants to do in our lives. This book is such a great read and a great encouragement to those going through difficult times. This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

NIV Ragamuffin Bible: Meditations for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Brokenhearted By Brennan Manning

I was excited to get this Bible because of the devotions and little nuggets of encouragement by Brennan Manning. Manning has published so many incredible books and I wanted to add this to my collection. I was surprised how amazing it would be. Manning has put so much effort in his devotions throughout this Bible. It really is a Bible for the Bedraggled, beat-up and brokenhearted. This Bible is a great one for those new Christians and people who have just been through a really rough time and need some encouragement. This is a Bible I would recommend to anyone for the encouragement a wisdom that Manning has put into it. It helps to know that you are not the only one going through difficult times and that there is encouragement for you.

Let Hope In

This book is the third book by Pete Wilson who is a Pastor that I have grown to respect and learn from as well as been able to see God use him to change lives in people, including me. Let Hope In is a book you cannot read in one sitting. You need to really let the words sink in because it can get overwhelming at times. Pete is so real, honest and raw in his writings in this book. All of his books have been so incredibly challenging and pushes the reader to go a bit further in their relationship with Christ. This book does that and a whole lot more. I am excited to read it again and see what I missed because there is so much packed into it that you can read it a few times and still learn something new. I would recommend this book for anyone. It is great for the veteran Christian, the new Christian, the Christian that is sitting on the fence, the Christian who walked away, the person that is searching for something more, the person who is completely unsure about anything. Pete has a way of talking to reach all people and really capturing the heart of what might be the core or root issue in their life. A book that everyone needs to read, do not delay, go get it today!!

a christmas gift for rose

This book I felt was a lot like other Amish books. I LOVE them so it is always a joy to go through and read another one. It was especially interesting because I have family in Ohio near Berlin and we travel through there when we go to visit. The book was a good love story about how someone went away to help at the military hospital but did not go against his religious beliefs and came back to the Amish community. It's like there are two stories in one and then they come together. The second part was the girl, who was adopted by Amish, so she was born and Englisher. It was a fantastic book about how people from two different communities but not, come together and see how God can use their situations and lives. The girl finds her brother, or rather, he finds her and lives in the Amish community with her family. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes any type of Amish story, or good love story. Definitely one I will be reading again and giving to my mom for Christmas, as she also loves the Amish area and remembers going to Berlin.

Encouragement for Today

Encouragement for Today by the Proverbs 31 team is an awesome book of devotions. I really liked this book because it isn't listed by date. It is a book you can go to whenever you need some encouragement. At the end of each devotion it gives you bible verses to look up that go along with the devotion which helps to enforce the devotion for that day or God time. I love the Proverbs 31 team because they are so open and honest about their daily lives and things they struggle with. It is like a breath of fresh air to read that they go through the same things we do. This is a book I would definitely recommend to friends and purchase for gifts for girlfriends, mom's, sister's etc. A great book for ladies to read.

Lead Me Home

Lead Me Home is the second book of the Winds of Change book series. I received this book and could not put it down. I haven't read a book like this in a long time and want to get the two other books, unfortunately, I have to wait until next summer to get book 3. It is an amazing book about a mother going back and following her dream and how she takes a student under her wing and helps her to reach her goal and follow her dream. This book is one I will be passing onto others to read but will keep in my library of books to read again and again. I can't wait to read the others.

Once Upon a Prince

I ordered this book last night as an e-book and could not put it down. I was fist introduced to the author when she wrote with Sara Evans and love her books. I was so excited to be able to get the first book in the series. It is about a girl who had a life plan and basically, God showed her that He is in control of her life and not her. That he is going to take care of all of the details. This is such a great book and I'm really excited to read the next books in the series. I hate that I have to wait for the next one to come out!

NIV Leadership Bible

I find Bible's difficult to review as it is impossible to read it all in a decent time frame and have a review. In reading through some of it and the leadership tips, advice and encouragement I was very impressed. The weekly studies are amazing and the 15 minute leadership devotions are fantastic as well. It is a great Bible for someone who is in any type of Leadership or going to be in leadership. One week will cover a personal quality such as Courage, Humility, or Vision. Another week may deal with a practical skill like Conflict Management or Systems Thinking. Other topics may relate to interpersonal relationships—Healthy Alliances, Power and Influence, or Servant Leadership. Again, a great tool for anyone in ministry or any leadership in Christian ministry or in public ministry.

Altar Ego

This book is amazing, challenging, and at times frustrating. It is amazing because it is challenging. It challenges you in all areas, but mainly your faith and encourages you to step above the normalcy of our society and even the Christian society. It asks you to step out of your comfort zone and be who God created you to be. It is a book that has taken some time to read because it is so challenging. It isn't overwhelming but you definitely need to take time to read this book so that every section, chapter has time to sink in and so you understand it. It can also be frustrating at times because it helps you see how much God loves you and cares about you, and that can be difficult for some people, but a must read. I highly encourage you to go out and buy this book and read it, pass it on for others to read, and read it again. This book was given to me in exchange for a review through Booksneeze.