Pink Tinted Glasses

Playful puppies and kittens. Sun shining brightly each and every day. Dancing down the sidewalk with an orchastra playing in the background because things just always work out for you. Birds weaving a silk.....shreeechh!

Ah, life through rose colored glasses!

Reality. Sure, we could have all those things above but it doesn't take away the painful truth of life. Life stinks sometimes. I was reminded of that today.

Miscarriages suffered by people we know. One already had a surgery to rid her body of a baby without a heartbeat. One had surgery this morning and, depending on the outcome, may never be able to have another child.

Depression. The silent disease. The one others think one can 'snap out of'. The one that others think one should just have a little more faith. The one that is not understood. The one that brings to mind of suicide.

Cancer. Oh, the handful of those we know with cancer. Some still fighting, some who have lost their fight and other who won the fight. Or those with chronic diseases that we don't see them struggling with because their bodies are fighting them on the inside.

But in the midst of all of this, a new grandchild has been born into a family we know. And, life goes on as usual around us as people fight cancer, a chronic illness or depression.

I know we can't go around with rose colored glasses every minute of the day. Think about it. We live in a fallen world. God didn't say we'd have a life of bliss after we follow Him. But He did give us hope in our trials. I'm certain God is with all those people we know going through a hard time. He is crying with them and hold them tighter than I ever could.

I hurt when people hurt. My heart is heavy now and I've prayed a lot today. But, I also need to put on my pink tinted glasses and see the world as it was meant to be seen. Yes, a caring heart for those who hurt but also see the joy God has given us.

The joy of laughter coming from your children. The joy of the sunshine after many days of rain. The joy of those who have won their long battle with cancer or any other illness. The joy of just getting up in the morning and having another day to 'start over'. [list could go on and on]

Hurts, yes. But, oh, the joy is there. Sometimes we just need to slip on our pink tinted glasses and remember to look.

A Sound Among the Trees Review

I was able to snag this book before its release through Blogging for Books [Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing]. The author nor the publisher have required a positive review.

When I looked at my choices on Blogging for Books, A Sound Among the Trees by Susan Meissner wasn't my first choice. I read the description and didn't know if I would really like the book. Honestly, I tend to shy away from books that have a war in the plot. But, I had read Meissner's earlier book, The Shape of Mercy, a few years ago and enjoyed it. So, I clicked I wanted to review this book.

A Sound Among the Trees is an enjoyable book even though the story line at times (a minority) is a little heavy. But, after all, the story takes place during the Civil War. Meissner did an excellent job of moving the story along while still placing historical facts about war amongst the action.

The basic story line takes place in our modern era with flashbacks to the Civil War era through a great-great Grandmother's letters. The story involves multiple generations and you begin to fall in love with each quirky character. At one point in the book all you are reading are the letters of the great-great Grandmother, Susannah, who was a teen when the war started. It reads like a journal. I personally thought this section dragged a little. However, I understand the author's need to unfold the mystery through the eyes/pen of Susannah. I just wanted to get to the part that would answer my questions about the mystery! [I'm not known for my patience so it isn't the author's fault!! ☺]

There is mystery, heartbreak, sadness, confusion and love. Most of the characters are likable. I found myself feeling sorry for a few. I wasn't thrilled on the ending but understood the reason for such an ending.

Over all, it is a great book and worth your time reading.

“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”

Confessions of a Wanna-Be-Good Housekeeper

I try, people, I really do. But today, well, it is true confession time.

You know you are a lacking housekeeper when you......

• find a letter inside an enveloped postmarked over three months ago. Yes, it was opened and read at the time but then it entered the world known as dining room table clutter.
• can't remember the last time you actually vacuumed the house. Oh, I've used the spot cleaning little vac but I mean actually a real sweeping.
• had to have your son clean the bathtub because if you had to use the required amount of strength to scrub all the soap scrub, you'd end up in the hospital from over exertion and every muscle pulled in your back.
• realize you don't have a "home" for everything.
• keep hearing your bed calling you to come for a visit and you are seriously contemplating answering your bed.
• are overwhelmed so you go on facebook when you should be cleaning.
• are overwhelmed so you distract yourself by creating a post about how you wanna be a good housekeeper.
• go on your blog and write a post instead of cleaning.

Well, I'm off to set a timer for 5 minutes and see how much I can get done. Not that I'm expecting that to work. I'm SURE my self-diagnosed, unmediated ADD will kick in and I'll get distracted again and won't complete one thing before moving on to another. Story of my life. Sigh.

Confession is supposedly good for the soul. "You know you are a lacking housekeeper when....." Share your list in the comments. Come on, people, I need to hear I'm not the only one out there lacking in this department!

Something About That Name

Something happens when a person quietly, and reverently says, "Jesus."

Jesus soothes the soul.
Jesus calms.
Jesus relaxes.

There is just something about that name.

Enjoy.

I'm here...I think

The last few weeks I've been quiet here. I've had a visitor to contend with. I've tried to ignore him but he persists on letting his presence known from time to time.

His name is Jabez.

Not the Jabez from the Bible. We just adopted his name because the meaning of Jabez is so perfect.

Jabez is my 6mm kidney stone [for those most fortunate souls who have never experienced a stone...and pray you never do...that is big]. Jabez means 'painful'.

Jabez is comfortable in my kidney....again. Let's just say I had surgery to grab him and he retreated back into the kidney [coward!] Later this week I will have him blasted to pieces. Yay [said with lots of hand clapping]!!!!!!!

This has brought me to reflect on a few things about my life. Things like, why everything seems to need to be so complicated. I really don't strive for or like drama. But, it happens, people, it happens. In fact, a woman I know had a stone a week after my trip to the ER and two days later, her 2mm smaller stone was gone and that was that. While I was thrilled for her, I struggled with jealousy.

Jealousy is a hard thing. It is hard when you feel like everyone has it easier than you. Everyone doesn't have your troubles. Everything is easier for everyone else. Everything that happens to me costs so much money...money we don't have...while everything is easier for everyone else. [insert the "cheese with that whine"!] Wow, quite embarrasing, huh? My "problem" isn't even that big.

Then [a few weeks later...I'm a slow learner] I slap myself silly and remember, "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord.....". And, while I don't particularly care for the plans right now, I know He has everything under control. "God will meet all [my] needs..." yes, all. God is big enough to "cast all [my] cares on" because He "cares for [me]". And, yes, I will "give thanks in everything"! Positive attitude and perspective...it's what the world needs!

Verses used in the last paragraph as follows:
Jeremiah 29:11
Philippians 4:19
1 Peter 5:7
1 Thess 5:18

Are you going through something and feel alone or jealous of everyone else? Hold on to Jesus...He is holding you!



Don't hold me responsible when you can't get this song out of your head or it is on constant repeat! Love this song!

From East to West

I traveled from the East to the West this week. Yup, it was a great adventure. Plus no dime was spent. Just a lot of hard work, determination, sweat, and tears.

The excellent, fantastic, fabulous, wonderful The Doctor's Lady by author Jody Hedlund made a perfect traveling companion transporting me to another era as we traveled to the untamed west.

My ever so gracious hosts on the trip were Priscilla and Eli, the doctor, plus a few other tag-alongs. Priscilla let me in on the secrets of her heart. While Eli slowly showed me glimpses of his past and hopes for the future.

Priscilla wants to follow God's leading in the missionary field. The missionary board wants her married or it is a no go. Eli has a passion for the west but he encounters the same problem with the board. Both have secrets. Both have desires to follow God. But, trouble is brewing when they decide to get married. In name only, of course. A business partnership. I wondered just how long this "business" partnership would last.

I found it funny to watch Priscilla, ever a lady who doesn't want to make a scene, interact with the good Doctor. He loved making a scene. I found them both entertaining as we traveled and camped. It kept my mind off of the uncomfortable days and sore feet!

As we all traveled west, we came across many trials. Dangers, both of the human and animal kind. [it was a good thing we had a doctor along on this trip!] Broken hearts and triumphs abound. And, step by step we become the first women to cross the Continental Divide! I allowed Priscilla cross it first, of course. I mean really, don't you think that was a great way to pay her back for her kindness?

Will we make it to our destination in Oregon country? Will we all make it there alive? Will we learn to trust, forgive, and love one another? And, most importantly, will we follow God's leading even if it isn't what we had in mind?

When you run out to buy your own copy, tell Priscilla and Eli that Deanna sent you. They will show you a grand time...one you won't regret!

Stay tuned for an interview with Jody and a cool book giveaway in the future!

Mercy Come Morning

How many of us would like an undo or do-over button of our very own? Everything we'd say something we shouldn't have or did something we should have done differently, we'd push a button and poof! Ah, wouldn't life be grand to have second chances to get things right?

Re-released Mercy Come Morning by Lisa Tawn Bergren is a book full of second chances.

Krista Mueller lived a hard life. Never feeling loved or wanted, she does what I, honestly, would do--she distances herself from the one who hurt her the most. Her mother's final days with Alzheimer's disease and congestive heart failure finally bring Krista back home. Reluctant as it may be.

Going back "home" after years away brings back many memories, pleasant and not so much. Little by little the story unfolds into a beautiful story of forgiveness, grace, redemption, understanding and love.

I found the story a little slow in the beginning but as it progressed, I was hooked. Shocked to find I was over halfway through the book, I was actually sad the story was almost over.

Whether you have a family member with Alzheimer's or not, you will enjoy this book.

Enjoy the first chapter of Mercy Come Morning here.

I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group as part of their BloggingForBooks program. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.