Undaunted Hope

You know my love for any book by Jody Hedlund. Undaunted Hope is another smash hit in my humble opinion. Her gift at character development and the way she can hook a person within a few pages of the first chapter...you need to really read this book.

Who among us hasn't experienced a situation in our past we wish we could forget. A bad decision, an indiscretion, words said in anger. The list could go on and on. And, just when we have moved on and getting along fine and dandy - BAM - it's back to haunt us.

Tessa is running from the mistakes of her past. She finally begins to believe she has found a safe place where no one will know or hear of her mistakes. Tessa believes she has a job as a school teacher...until she arrives and they discover T. Taylor is not a male but a female.

Since winter is on its way and it is too late to find a replacement, Mr. Updegraff, who thinks he is King of Eagle Harbor, MI in 1871 but really the superintendent for the copper mine, allows Tessa to stay. Mr. Updegraff is a nasty-nasty man and Tessa soon finds out just how far reaching his power goes. (side note: this guy is a meaner!)

Two Lighthouse Keepers keep life lively for Tessa. One of the Keeper's children makes it her personal mission to keep her brother and Tessa hopping. The Assistant Keeper and Tessa go toe to toe in the world of sarcasm and joking.

Tessa's past catches up to her. Will she lose the job she loves and the one she has fallen for? It's a tale of deceit, lies, hope, perseverance, courage, kindness and love.

I highly recommend the book. It is #3 in the author's Beacon of Hope series but Author Jody Hedlund has a knack for getting you caught up to speed without driving you insane. It can be a stand alone book but why would you not want to read books one and two?! ;)

As Lavar Burton from Reading Rainbow always said, "But, you don't have to take my word for it..."

I received this book from the publisher for my honest review.

A Broken Kind of Beautiful - Review

The girl with the haunted eyes reentered his life on the other side of a lowering casket, humidity and the shrill song of cicadas tangling together in the South Carolina heat.                                 ~~A Broken Kind of Beautiful~~

Dear Ivy,

When I first met your twenty four year-old model-self I was intimidated. Your incredible beauty, your tall stature and air of confidence. Men falling all over you; using your beauty to get what you want. You were something I'm not.

Do you remember the first time we met, Ivy? It was in South Carolina at the graveside as the casket of your estranged father was lowered into the ground. I couldn't take my eyes off of you. Your eyes so haunted and full of secret hurts. You glanced my way but then found Davis Knight surrounding his Aunt Marilyn with arms of protection. Ivy, you built a wall of protection around yourself so quickly it made me gasp and take a step back. Even though the bars weren't visible, I could see you were a prisoner* in the thick wall you built. You ran as quickly and unnoticed as you could away from us.

So, it came as shock when you came back to town shortly after the funeral. A town you seemed to want to forget. The town of your father but not your mother. A town who seemed to judge your innocent self because of the affair your dad and mom shared.

To my dismay, you began hanging out with Davis and living with your dead father's wife. I know you share common ground with Davis since he was a former fashion photographer in NY and you're a model. I can see Davis has issues from his past that he keeps hidden; maybe you relate with him on that level. However, something didn't add up when you agreed to live with Marilyn, your step-mother.

Don't get me wrong. Marilyn loves well. She's a mamma figure to most in this town. But, Ivy, I saw her watching you. Love - the unconditional God-kind-of-love - poured out of her soul. Yet, you rejected her over and over again. It hurt me to watch your rejection. Ivy, you are well worth loving even if your dad couldn't even see you through his guilt. It was his guilt, Ivy, not you. Please, let others love you.

I wish I could be here with you as you read this letter. I would take your face ever so gently in my hands and look right into your haunted eyes and say, "You are worthy. You are worthy of our Father God's love. You are worthy of man's love. You are worthy. Feel these words in your heart. Hear them in your mind. Soak in these words deep in your soul. Please don't waste anymore of your life looking for love when it's right here waiting for you to accept it."

Ivy, you will always be beautiful. But, don't let that beauty cloud what God has laid before you. He wants you. You are worthy of His love. Your past mistakes are just waiting to be forgiven. Just ask, Ivy. Just ask.

May you find love - the true Love who knit you together in your mother's womb. He's waiting for you, Ivy, with open, loving arms. Please trust me.

*loosely quoted from novel

**I received an advanced reading copy of A Broken Kind of Beautiful from the publisher, WaterBrook Press. I was asked to give an honest review. Since I had read author Katie Ganshert's other two novels I had high expectations. This book exceeded my expectations. The author's writing is beautiful and the message behind those words are even lovelier. It's a novel in which you'll mull over days after reading the last word on the last page. See the official back cover synopsis and more here!

I highly recommend A Broken Kind of Beautiful to women, young and not-so-young-anymore.

A Broken Kind of Beautiful releases April 15th. Pre-order today! Seriously, click on the link. I'm not kidding!! Do it. Do it now.**

Side note and freebie! ;) This song reminds me of Ivy....may you find enjoyment and a sweet message within Bloom by Moriah Peters.

He Is & He Will

“The LORD your God is with you,

He is mighty to save.

He will take great delight in you,

He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing.”

~ Zephaniah 3:17

Spread the Love and Beauty

Or maybe the title should be Valentine Potpourri.

And, let me be the first to say, Valentine's Day is about love; whether you are single or married, it is about love. Love of God. Love of people. Love. Don't beat yourself up if you are single. Enjoy it. Love your friends, your mom/dad, brother/sister, niece/nephew, etc.

Buckle up...here we go...

David Crowder Band singing How He Loves...'nuf said and enjoy.



I found this cute free down-loadable beauty eye chart (Valentine, love, inner beauty...get the connection?) Writer/Cos Daughter printed all the colors out in 3.5x5 size to give to her fellow cosmetology students and teachers. (someone decided to relive her elementary years and have the girls and teachers bring valentines for one another...plus a potluck. I personally think it was just an excuse for a potluck...but let's keep that one between us! ☺)
I printed off a few of these for both daughters and put them in 8x10 frames. They.look.adorable.



Is this just the coolest or what?!
Don't forget to check out the rest of her site.


Then I decided to avoid housework and made this...

dark gray words is the chorus of Beautiful by MercyMe.
Verse in the middle is by Jesus, of course!

I think the next time I make something like this I'll put the lines farther apart. Trial and error...my two closest friends.

Writer Daughter has a wonderful post here and here.

And, have you seen the commercial about "I love us"?



You have to admit, this is kind of cute. I especially enjoyed the part where the pregnant woman patted her husband's belly while the narrator talked about "growing".

Have a great day! Spread the love.

To Touch Him

Terrified, she pressed her body tightly to the cold stone wall of the alley. She closed her eyes and pled with the Almighty to keep her hidden until the right moment. She placed her hand to her chest hoping to calm her breathing and racing heart. This was her last and only chance of living a normal life.

For twelve years, she suffered this dreaded malady. Shunned. Judged. A lonely, isolated life. No one really knew her. No one cared. She was bleeding and therefore considered unclean. Untouchable.

God had been her only friend. Sometimes it seemed as though He left her. She was ashamed to admit the times of doubt. Then God would reveal Himself to her, in little ways, making sure she knew He had not abandoned.

Something, no, Someone, told her to come today. To meet Jesus, the Healer. If anyone found out she was unclean—she shuddered at the thought. Act normal. Act. Normal.

She heard the crowd before she saw Him. Looking as if on a mission, they strode quickly through the streets. I see Him! She couldn’t move. She could barely breath. She could see His eyes. His eyes held compassion she had never seen. If I could just touch His robe, I know I’ll be healed.

Willing her feet to move, she joined the passing crowd. Closer, I just need to get a little closer. She was so close to Him but yet could not reach Him.

Edging her way toward Him, she knew this was her last chance. Desperate. Determined. She reached as far as she could and lost her balance. Falling toward Him she reached one last time. Her fingers grazed the edge of his robe.

Suddenly He stopped. Slowly, He turned to find her on the dirt street peering up at Him. Her eyes pleading, yet joyful.

Bending down, He met her. His face was transformed by a lazy smile.

“Daughter,” He said softly, “be encouraged. Your faith has made you well.”

At that, He gently helped her to stand. He healed her. Jesus, Son of God, touched her—a touch. No one had touched her in twelve years. Oh, how she longed to feel another's touch.

He held eye contact for what seemed like eternity. Those kind eyes. Those caring and loving eyes. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you. Still smiling, He nodded slightly and turned to continue on His way.

She stood in the street for a long time—wanting to burn every movement and action into her memory. She didn't want this feeling to end. Hope. Joy. Overwhelmed. She was healed. Praise be to God!

She lifted her face to the bright, warm sun. Birds sang and merchants went on with their business. Does anyone know what just happened? Will anyone understand? Slowly, she opened her eyes and danced home.

Read the real miracle in Matthew 9:20-22

Great song about faith: What Faith Can Do by Kutless

At Your Feet

Celebrating the risen Lord

and all He has done for little, old you & me!

May this be our prayer:

"Jesus, Jesus, at your feet, oh,

to dwell and never leave....

there is no where else for me."

~At Your Feet by Casting Crowns~

AND, as an added bonus for your listening pleasure go here......

 Jesus, Messiah sung worshipfully by Daves Highway